SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

Barred Warbler at Leebitten, north of Sandwick.

Barred Warbler still at Loch of Clickimin, Lerwick.

Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Maywick.

Curlew Sandpipers x 3 at Scatness.

Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Geosetter.

Ring-necked Duck at Loch of Tingwall.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Lunna.

Corncrake in tyres near Eswick.

Corncrake at Brake, near Loch of Hillwell.

Common Rosefinch at Lunning, NE of Vidlin.

Little Bunting, Common Rosefinches x 3, Yellow-browed Warbler at Scousburgh. 

Ring Ouzel at Channerwick.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Levenwick.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Isbister, North Roe. 

Yellow-browed Warbler at Dalsetter, Boddam.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Kergord.

Ring Ouzel on west hillside at Cott, Yellow-browed Warbler north of churchyard at Cott, Tresta.

Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Wester Quarff.

SIBERIAN THRUSH 1w. male between 3pm and 4.40pm and then no further sign this evening at Scatsta Plantation.

Yellow-browed Warbler in plantation at Sullom Voe.

Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Eswick. 

 

ISLANDS

Short-toed Larks x 2 by cattle grid at Otterwick, Yell.

Radde's Warbler at Valyie, Norwick, Hornemann's Redpoll at Valyie, Norwick, Citrine Wagtail at north end of beach, Norwick, Yellow-browed Warbler at Baltasound, Glossy Ibis x 7 at Haroldswick, Unst.

Little Bunting at Oddsta, Little Bunting at Everland, Fetlar.

Red-breasted Flycatcher on Out Skerries. 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

Long story short as now shattered and all dipped out!

Not quite dawn, but before sunrise I arrived at Noness to try my luck with the Black-faced Bunting. There were around 15 other birders here before me on a cold but beautiful morning. Others continued to join us. Another dip, no sign. Got to work by 8.50am.

Towards the end of my working day, I gasped to see news of a 1w. SIBERIAN THRUSH found at Scatsta Plantation, which is basically a long way north near Sullom Voe. OMG I needed to see this, FAR, FAR more than a Black-faced Bunting! Drove straight from work with no messing about. Arrived on site to the largest crowd I've seen since the Red-eyed Vireo twitch at Brae Community Woodland on my 2021 trip on 4th October. There were around a 100 birders maybe, possibly more. Most people looked pretty glum and this look continued to dwindle as the evening wore on, without a single sighting by anyone after I arrived. On a positive note it was lovely to see Mick Davis and two friends visting from Norfolk (for the first time) and also Norfolk birder Marcus Nash. Jill and Rob arrived a couple of minutes after me and several of the local Shetland birders (second time I had seen John Coutts today!) including Lerwick rarity finder Andy Johnson were here and lots of visiting birders, including Shetland regulars Lyn Griffiths and Ray O'Reilly.

The plantation was dense and I felt instantly that I was going to dip again and I would be correct! Triple dip in 24 hours, not going well at all Penelope!!! After standing for ages with others, I got restless and walked further along the path where I discovered some fabulous large landscaped gardens with lots of cover for a Siberian Thrush – I had heard that it had flown from one of these gardens earlier. This entire situation was insanely frustrating and highly disappointing, I was gutted to say the least.

Several Bramblings calling and seen, along with a surprise Moorhen appearing from the pond and also a few blackbirds seen. Left after dusk and cruised home. Spent alot of time trying to support my dear sister Vivien this evening, as Ray has had a major operation today and is in recovery but ok I think.