Rare Bird Alert News
Bufflehead ad. drk still at Loch of Hillwell.
Russian White-fronted Goose still at Exnaboe.
Ross's Goose at Brough, north of Toft.
White-billed Diver off Kirkabister, South Nesting.
Thursday, 27 February 2025
Wednesday, 26 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
AMERICAN COOT still at Loch of Spiggie.
Bufflehead ad. drk, American Wigeon 1w drk still at Loch of Hillwell.
Ross's Goose still, north of Toft.
White-billed Diver off Skaw Taing, Isle of Whalsay.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
Beautiful sunny day here, but chilly later on.
Tuesday, 25 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Bufflehead ad. drk still at Loch of Hillwell.
Russian White-fronted Goose west of Fleck.
Monday, 24 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
AMERICAN COOT still at Loch of Spiggie.
Bufflehead ad. drk still at Loch of Hillwell.
Ross's Goose still in fields north of Toft.
Russian White-fronted Goose still at Exnaboe.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
Lovely sunny day here. Rod from Shetland Fireplaces came out and took the door of my stove away, to replace all the fire ropes with the correct ones. Should get it back within the next couple of weeks.
Sunday, 23 February 2025
In Memory of My Father
PETER CLARKE
January 1965 at The Firs House, Holme
2nd November 1926 — 23rd February 2017
My Dearest Father
Eight years have passed since we lost you
Lost in body, but not in spirit
Always with us
Time is irrelevant
I still miss you so much.
You are in my thoughts today and every day
Until we meet again
Forever in my heart
x x x
💔
The Lark Ascending
(Romance for Violin and Orchestra)
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Played at my father's funeral – hauntingly beautiful music
Brings a tear to my eye every time I hear this
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Bufflehead, American Wigeon at Loch of Hillwell.
Iceland Gull at Shetland Catch, Lerwick.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
Very strong winds and rain. Not a good day. Lit the fire much earlier than normal at 1pm – black smoke leaking from the closed door, which subsided, but fire didn't smell good for the next few hours and my throat was rasping, so had to let the fire out. Sent a message to Rod Robb at Shetland Fireplaces to give me a quote to get it fixed. I know what's wrong, the fire rope that was placed behind the glass is too thick and not the correct size, which means the door doesn't fit snug and also the outer rope is now loose too. Rod did say at the time that it probably needed redoing, but he would have to order the correct size rope for the fire. Its going to be chilly without the fire, oh well! Hopefully he can order the correct rope and its fixed soon.
14 Collared Doves, Starlings, House Sparrows, 3 Blackbirds and 1 Robin feeding in my garden today. This time last year I had a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Hawfinch, no sign of either yet!
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Saturday 22nd February
Rare Bird Alert News
AMERICAN COOT still at Loch of Spiggie.
Bufflehead, American Wigeon at Loch of Hillwell.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
Just before a tedious food shop in Tesco, that I didn't feel like doing, I watched 21 Purple Sandpipers on the rocks by Fjara Cafe, along with a Redshank, Turnstones, Starlings, Rock Pipits and a Wren. Beautiful sunny and dry day with very little wind at all, but the oppposite weather tomorrow with rain and 65mph winds.
Friday, 21 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Bufflehead, Iceland Gull at Loch of Hillwell.
Iceland Gull flew past Dalsetter, Boddam.
Thursday, 20 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
AMERICAN COOT still off Setter Marsh, at Loch of Spiggie.
Ross's Goose ad. still north of Toft.
Green-winged Teal still at Loch of Semblister, SW of Tresta.
Wednesday, 19 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
AMERICAN COOT still off Setter Marsh, at Loch of Spiggie.
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Tuesday 18th February
Rare Bird Alert News
Bufflehead ad. drk again, American Wigeon 1w. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Russian White-fronted Goose at Exnaboe.
Iceland Gull at Scatness.
Monday, 17 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
AMERICAN COOT still off Setter Marsh, at Loch of Spiggie.
Bufflehead ad. drk again, American Wigeon 1w. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Ross's Goose still in fields north of Toft.
Russian White-fronted Goose at Scousburgh.
Black-throated Divers x 2 off Housabister, South Nesting.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
EDDIE!
🎉 🎶 🤗 🎊 🔭 🐦
Sunday, 16 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Bufflehead ad. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Russian White-fronted Goose at Exnaboe.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
Snow in Shetland today, but nothing in Scalloway!
Saturday, 15 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Bufflehead ad. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Ross's Goose in fields north of Toft.
Iceland Gull flew over Dalsetter, Boddam.
Russian White-fronted Goose at Exnaboe.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
2 Fieldfares and 1 Redwing on Gallow Hill behind my house this afternoon in sunny but chilly weather.
Friday, 14 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
AMERICAN COOT still, at Loch of Spiggie.
Bufflehead ad. drk again, American Wigeon 1w. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Ross's Goose in fields north of ferry terminal at Toft, then on sea off Brough.
Green-winged Teal drk at Loch of Semblister, SW of Tresta.
Thursday, 13 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
AMERICAN COOT still, at Loch of Spiggie.
American Wigeon 1w. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Wednesday, 12 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
AMERICAN COOT still, at Loch of Spiggie.
American Wigeon 1w. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Green-winged Teal at Loch of Semblister, SW of Tresta.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
Had two big bags of hardwood logs delivered this evening by Mackenzies Farm Shop, just in time as I had almost run out. My last delivery was on 26th August 2024. You couldn't survive in this house without the wood burner. My monthly electric bill is around £500 with no radiator on higher than 16 degrees – most are on 14 or 12 degrees. Its not the weather that affects my state of mind, its the mind boggling heating bills! I recently applied for an insulation grant, which you are able to apply for after you have lived in your house for a year – it looks like a long process, but hopefully worth it.
Tuesday, 11 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Ross's Goose still, NE of Scatsta Farm.
Black-throated Diver ad. off Housabister, South Nesting.
Blue Fulmar on cliffs at Burrafirth.
Monday, 10 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
American Wigeon 1w. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Ross's Goose still, between airfield at Scatsta and Loch of Trondavoe.AMERICAN COOT at Setter Marsh, Loch of Spiggie.
Black-throated Diver ad. at Easter Skeld, Skarvister.
Snow Buntings x 10 along Wart Road, Yell.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TO MY DEAR SISTER LUCY
🥳 🎂 💐 🎁 🎉 😻 💝 😘 🎻 🎶
Vivien travelled over to be with Lucy for her birthday. Besides presents sent from Amazon, I posted some Shetland cakes for both my sisters to enjoy, sent by Special Delivery to ensure they arrived and on time. Looking forward to seeing them both in March 😘.
Sunday, 9 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
American Wigeon 1w. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Ross's Goose still, between airfield at Scatsta and Loch of Trondavoe.AMERICAN COOT at Setter Marsh, Loch of Spiggie.
Iceland Gull at Gremista, north of Lerwick.
Little Auk off Rerwick Head.
Hornemann's Redpoll (form hornmanni) at North Gluss.
Snow Buntings x 4 on beach at Norwick, Unst.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
A walk around Scalloway this afternoon lifted my mood and soul a little. Walked out towards an old lighthouse near Pund Voe, but didn't get that far – diverted back home over Gallow Hill. I flushed a Red Grouse from the heather, which I hadn't expected! There was also a Blackbird on the hill, Hooded Crows and a Grey Heron at Port Arthur.
Mother holding me at The Firs, Holme
Happy Birthday to my dear mother who would have been 85 today 💕 xx
I miss chatting with her so much 💔
Saturday, 8 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
BUFFLEHEAD ad. drk, American Wigeon 1w. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Ross's Goose still, between airfield at Scatsta and Loch of Trondavoe.AMERICAN COOT at Loch of Spiggie.
Iceland Gull at Gremista, north of Lerwick.
Snow Buntings x 4 on beach at Norwick, Unst.
Friday, 7 February 2025
RBA Weekly Round-Up 31st January to 6th February
By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2025_06.aspx?s_id=711746965
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
BUFFLEHEAD ad. drk, American Wigeon 1w. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Ross's Goose still, between airfield at Scatsta and Loch of Trondavoe. Iceland Gull at Mid Yell.
Thursday, 6 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
BUFFLEHEAD ad. drk, American Wigeon 1w. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Ross's Goose still, between airfield at Scatsta and Loch of Trondavoe. AMERICAN COOT at Loch of Spiggie
Blue Fulmar at Scousburgh.
Snow Buntings x 2 on beach at Norwick, Unst.
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Wednesday 5th February
Rare Bird Alert News
BUFFLEHEAD ad. drk, American Wigeon 1w. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Ross's Goose still, between airfield at Scatsta and Loch of Trondavoe. AMERICAN COOT at Loch of Spiggie.
Snow Buntings x 4 on beach at Norwick, Unst.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
On returning home from work, there was an unexpected package delivered through my letterbox – it was a pair of green trimmed black leather driving gloves! At this point I had no idea who had sent these – I was just about to ring Vivien to tell her this, when I noticed I had a message on my phone from our dear family friend Malcolm saying 'do they fit.....?' I phoned Malcolm straight away to thank him for my lovely surprise – made my day! 😃
It was wall to wall sunshine all day here. Weirdly fell asleep on the sofa the entire evening, until an insane time, which is why this post is far later than usual!
Tuesday, 4 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
BUFFLEHEAD ad. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Ross's Goose still, between airfield at Scatsta and Loch of Trondavoe. AMERICAN COOT American Wigeon drk hybrid at Loch of Spiggie.
Glaucous Gull at Sandy Loch Reservoir, Lerwick.
Iceland Gulls x 2 at Westing, Unst.
Monday, 3 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Ross's Goose still, between airfield at Scatsta and Loch of Trondavoe.
BUFFLEHEAD ad. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
American Wigeon 1w drk at Quendale.
Kumlien's Gull at Ireland.
AMERICAN COOT at Loch of Spiggie.
Kumlien's Gull at Uyeasound, Unst.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
Received my bus pass today!!! 😂 You have to wait until you are 65 in England, but in Scotland you get your bus pass at 60! This card also gives me four vouchers annually for the Northlink ferry!
Catherine was off on annual leave last week – she very kindly baked and bought in a very yummy Victoria Sandwich Cake for my birthday and also some lovely presents that she and Jen has kindly bought me! The birthday continues! 😁😘
Sunday, 2 February 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Ross's Goose still, between airfield at Scatsta and Loch of Trondavoe.
BUFFLEHEAD ad. drk, American Wigeon 1w drk Loch of Hillwell.
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Saturday 1st February
Rare Bird Alert News
Ross's Goose still, between airfield at Scatsta and Loch of Trondavoe.
BUFFLEHEAD ad. drk, Loch of Hillwell.
American Wigeon 1w drk at Quendale.
AMERICAN COOT, BUFFLEHEAD ad. drk at Loch of Spiggie.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
Headed south to Loch of Hillwell to look for the Bufflehead, but couldn't find it. A message had been put out this morning that it was there, but I hadn't noticed a later message to say is was on Loch of Spiggie, so headed there next. Spent a while scoping the Setter area of the loch and was just about to give up, when I found the Bufflehead with 2 Mallard just east of the layby that overlooks Setter Marsh at around 4.10pm and watched it until the very last throws of light at 4.50pm, along with a lot of Wigeon and Tufted Ducks. Such a tiny little duck! Poor light and not able to get any pictures sadly, but even if I had, it would have been a blurry record shot at that distance.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
