SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon at Loch of Hillwell.

AMERICAN COOT still off Setter Marsh, Loch of Spiggie.

Black Redstart at Grutness.

 

Snow Bunting on beach at Haroldswick, Unst.

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

My Skoda sailed through its MOT with flying colours, as stated by Scalloway Garage!

New bird in the garden today, a Hedge Sparrow!

Lots of boring jobs had to be completed today – although one of them can't be it seems. TalkTalk do not operate in this part of Shetland, so I have been with Plusnet for the internet which has been brilliant. I wanted to keep my TalkTalk emails, but its impossible to join or register for TalkTalk Mail Plus, where you choose to pay £5 monthly or £50 for the year to keep using their email service. When you click the £50 choice its asks for your email and then says its you are not registered and you can't apply as a new customer. Another hour plus on the phone today with no success and then a live chat for over another hour later. I tried to sort this weeks ago, gave up and have been putting off ringing again as I knew what would happen. How difficult can it be?! You would think they would want my £50. Its all very worrying, as if you don't subscribe to this, your entire email account is deleted after two years and and I can't have that happening. The two years is almost up. I will try and ring AGAIN tomorrow!

RBA Weekly Round-Up 28th March to 3rd April!

By Jon Dunn

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2025_14.aspx?s_id=956645999

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Thursday 3rd April

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

American Wigeon at Loch of Hillwell.

AMERICAN COOT still off Setter Marsh, Loch of Spiggie.

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

Went birding around Clickimin Loch in Lerwick after work, but only saw a couple of Blackbirds. Chilly north easterly winds today.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

American Wigeon at Loch of Hillwell.

Snow Buntings x 2 at Haroldswick, Unst.

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

Another gorgeous day here – my favourite weather, sunny and chilly! Several bees around the garden this evening after work. Its a massively uplifting change in the weather here and set for the rest of the week! Pity I have to start my day off on Friday with an MOT and then a hospital appointment – birding straight after that though. The first Puffins returned to Sumburgh Cliffs on Monday, looking forward to seeing them again.

It can be very, very difficult to cope with your own wellbeing and deciding when to step back for your own sanity, when your dear sister Lucy (who has been mentally ill for virtually all of her adult life), is going through a very difficult time right now. I spent a long time emailing a few people in relation to Lucy's issues last night. Knowing that your are doing your absolute best for her in every way possible, but she simply doesn't want to know, is difficult to deal with and accept.

Right now, Vivien and I are both exhausted with trying to do the right thing. Sometimes, you simply have to close the door to give yourself and Lucy space. We should be used to it by now, but its neither easy or straight forward – always a delicate balance and can be both challenging and emotional. Currently Lucy is not talking to me or texting me, which is very unusual. I'm sure we'll be chatting again in a few days, hopefully anyway! 💞

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

Ross's Goose still at Toft.

White-billed Divers x 2 at Lunna Ness.

Iceland Gull at Shetland Catch.

 

Hawfinch at Valyie, Norwick, Unst.

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

No April Fools from me this year, couldn't think of anything brilliant enough to fool you all! Another very busy day at work. The sea glittered in the sunshine from the hospital windows and it looked like it was the best day here since last Summer and it was a balmy 13 degrees! I felt too tired to go out anywhere after work though. Filled the bird feeders up this evening and put some washing out. Lots of plants springing up and a couple of Bees seen! First Swallow of 2025 seen here by someone I noticed on Facebook.

The sky tonight (late) as I was hanging washing out was magical – so many stars and fluffy, streaky white clouds against black sky at the top of Gallow Hill above my house. The Northern Lights were showing on the webcams, but you can't see them directly from my house, as I face south and Gallow Hill is north, so I would have to climb to the top of the hill and this would not be sensible to do at night. So looking forward to the weekend to get out in the nice weather.