SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

Bufflehead ad. drk still at Ham Voe, then on Da Mill Loch on Isle of Foula.

https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.

I could just repeat yesterday's post! Still freezing cold here, and more snow overnight. The lowest temperature recorded today was -2.4C, with a wind chill of -8C. Whilst others have been clearing their driveways from snow, I haven't bothered yet as don't need to go anywhere, but will have to this weekend, as can't see it melting anytime soon and I return to work on Monday.

Tons of birds feeding in my front garden. The ice on the bird pools was far harder to smash out with the hammer than yesterday. Organic apple number two was put outside and my Fieldfare returned! The same battles with the Blackbirds ensued, but the Fieldfare was much more fiesty today and won more rounds than the Blackbirds I felt. No cats in sight, far too cold for the local ginger cat to sit under the fuchsia bush in wait! 😆😼

I have a horrible birthday coming up on the 27th, not looking forward to it one bit – I have booked the day off work and will probably stay in bed all day! I suppose a positive way of thinking about it, is the fact that its better to reach that birthday than not, so fingers crossed!!! 😊

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Thursday 2nd January

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

Snow Bunting flew over Twagoes Road, Lerwick.

Snow Buntings x 2 at Burravoe, Yell.

https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.

Atrocious snow blizzards here today and -4 degrees 🥶. I didn't even think about trying to move the car out of the drive. There was more than enough snow to make a ⛄ if I had felt like it – I didn't!

Highlight of the day was a new garden tick! I had just filled up all the feeders, broke some of the ice on the drinking pools with a hammer, topped up with boiling water and come back indoors, when a stunning Fieldfare landed in the front garden! At that moment I realised the one food I had not put out was an apple, so cut one of my organic apples in half and threw it out in the front garden. The Fieldfare immediately returned and went straight to the apple! A male Blackbird was not happy about this far too colourful visitor and continually harrassed the Fieldfare over half an apple, even though there was a second half a few yards away that it could have feasted on too. The Fieldfare and Blackbird were well matched, neither would give up the fight – they battled until darkness fell.

Lots of hungry Starlings, House Sparrows, a Robin, Collared Doves and just before dusk I had 6 Blackbirds, which is a record for my garden too. I sat by the window fascinated by the Fieldfare. As it got dark all the birds left the garden apart from the Blackbirds, one Robin and the Fieldfare. Eventually they all left too, apart from the Fieldfare who had finished the first half of the apple and now undisturbed was able to demolish the second half of the apple – he was there until at least 4.30pm and it had been dark for ages at this point. The street light is on the corner by my house, so allows me to watch birds feeding late. I hope the apple helps the Fieldfare survive the brutally cold night ahead.

https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2025/01/02/met-office-issues-new-yellow/

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Wednesday 1st January

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

American Wigeon 1w. drk at Loch of Hillwell.

AMERICAN COOT still at south end, Iceland Gull at Loch of Spiggie.

 

Bufflehead ad. drk still at Da Mill Loch, Isle of Foula.

https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.

I woke up at 1.30pm, which was extremely frustrating!!! Sunny outside with snowy scenes. Flew into the shower, had a coffee, re-laid the fire and got some logs from the shed. Lots of Starlings, House Sparrows, 1 Robin, 2 Blackbirds and Collared Doves feeding in the garden and enjoying the remains of a tea cake I put out for them. Had to use a hammer to smash through the ice in the bird baths. The sun suddenly disappeared and was replaced by a heavy stormstorm – too late for a beach walk. 😞

The Northern Lights showing well in Shetland this evening, but my car was so iced up, I didn't fancy scraping it all off and driving out in dodgy conditions, plus its still snowing. My house faces south, so can't see the lights from here – the back of my house faces north, but Gallow Hill blocks most of the sky!

The wet wood under the living room window is much happier now it has more air. I also removed the new curtains (which drape on the floor/carpet) and going to return to Amazon for shorter ones, which will fall just a few inches below the window sill, this means nothing is touching the wood panelling, so it should be better in the short term. 😊

View from my front door this afternoon

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM SHETLAND!

To all My Readers, Friends, Family & Work Colleagues

Wishing You all Good Health, Peace, Light,

Love & Happiness in 2025

 

💖 💖 💖

 

HAPPY BIRDING 2025!