SHETLAND BIRD NEWS, PHOTOS, BIRDING, LIFE AND MORE! MY 16th YEAR ANNIVERSARY 2026!


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Tuesday, 10 February 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
Tundra Bean Goose at Loch of Clumlie, north of Boddam. 
 
ISLANDS 
Tundra Bean Geese x 2 at Baltasound, Black Redstart at Kirkaton, Norwick, Unst.
 
 
I had to go to Tesco and the Co-op yesterday evening after work and again this evening – the supermarkets are mostly stocked up again thank goodness. Phoned Lucy before I went to work today, no reply and the same in my lunch break but eventually she answerered her phone this evening so I could sing Happy Birthday to her!
 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TO MY DEAR SISTER LUCY

🥳 🎂 💐 🎁 🎉 😻 💝 😘 🎻 🎶 

Monday, 9 February 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
Taiga Bean Geese x 3 still at Virkie.
King Eider 1w. fem still at Bay of Quendale. 
 
ISLANDS 
No news.
 
 
Heavy rain all day again.
 
Mother holding me at The Firs, Holme
 
Happy Birthday to my dear mother who would have been 86 today 💕 xx
Sending you love – thinking of you today and always 💔
 

Bad Bunny's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show!

This has to be the best half time show ever, for so many reasons. I loved it and can't stop watching it over and over again! Lady Gaga was one of his surprise guests, who looked totally stunning – watching her dancing with Benito has got to be the hottest moment in history!

 
 
 
 

 One of the commercials at Super Bowl – Benson Boone!

Sunday, 8 February 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
Little Auk at Quendale.
 
ISLANDS 
Tundra Bean Geese x 6 at Cullivoe, Yell.
 
 
Heavy rain and wind all day long. Went to Tesco and to the Co-op and there were no vegetables or fruit at all and also a huge lack of general products – shelves stripped bare. So my shopping bill was considerably cheaper than I expected it to be. I managed to get some spring onions and potatoes in my local shop though. I will survive without any of the things I couldn't get, but the most important thing was bottled water as I only have four bottles left. I probably haven't mentioned this before but I have had to buy bottled water since last Spring when I discovered through a test with Scottish Water that I have a lead pipe from the Scottish Communication pipe to my kitchen and the lead levels are higher than they should be. The quote for replacing this pipe was/is £6,500 which I obviously don't have, so the only alternative is to buy bottled water. Filtered water does not remove the lead content in case anyone messages me. I obviously didn't know this when I bought the house. I only buy the water for drinking, so still having to cook and shower with lead contaminated water. Anyway I hope they get some bottled water in soon! Weather forecast for the rest of the week remains poor. Back to work in the morning! It would have been my mother's birthday tomorrow 💞
 
NFL Super Bowl live on Channel 5 now and "Bad Bunny" (Benito) is the half time show! For anyone not able to sleep, he will be worth watching! 🔥🔥🔥 
 
Benito was born in Puerto Rico, the Grammy-winning singer, rapper, and producer is known for driving the global popularity of Latin trap and reggaeton. Known as the King of Latin Trap. He is considered one of the best Latin rappers of all time.

Saturday, 7 February 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
Black Redstart still at Sandsayre, Leebitten, north of Sandwick.
King Eider still at Bay of Quendale.
 
ISLANDS 
Glaucous Gull at Loch of Littlester, Tundra Bean Geese x 6 at Cullivoe, Yell.
 
 
Weather back to being rubbish. Some essential chores done, exercises done and generally had a chilled day at home and started to read a novel this evening. Putting off going to Tesco, but guess I will have to go tomorrow before returning to work on Monday. Brambling and Robin still in the garden.

RBA Weekly Round-Up 30th January to 5th February!

By Jon Dunn 

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Friday 6th February
Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
King Eider still at Bay of Quendale.
Northern Bullfinches x 3 (1 male) in garden of Isleburgh House Hostel.
Black Redstart still at Sandsayre, Leebitten, north of Sandwick.
Taiga Bean Geese x 3 at Pool of Virkie.
 
ISLANDS 
Kumlien's Gull or Thayer's Gull 3w still at Dam Loch, Uyeasound, Unst.
Tundra Bean Geese x 6 at Cullivoe, Yell. 
 
 
Had my physio appointment at 10.15am and was given more advanced exercises to continue strengthening my shoulder and neck – next appointment in two weeks time. It was nice to bump into some of my physio colleagues whilst waiting for my appointment. Popped into my OT office to say hello to Catherine before I left the hospital. Returned home, had a quick 20 min power nap and something to eat and then for the first time in weeks I actually went out birding!!!
 
Today was the first day in at least twenty days where there has not been any wind and it was dry and a little bit sunny!!! I could see the forecast for Saturday and Sunday returns back to being dire, so knew it was a good time to get out for my mental state, which has not been good at all since being off sick on my own at home.
 Little Gull at Sandsayre, Leebitten

Rock Pipit foraging at Sandsayre, Leebitten

Black Redstart at Sandsayre, Leebitten

 
Drove to Leebitten (13 miles away) to see the Little Gull that was found yesterday. As soon as I parked up the Little Gull was on the sea – very close to the shore. So lovely to see and it did me the world of good. Three other birders were here enjoying watching this beautiful Little Gull. I spent longer here than I had intended to as I wanted to see the Black Redstart that has been here for a few weeks – eventually I got to see it, which was lovely. There were also two Red-breasted Mergansers on the sea briefly.
 
Drove home, lit the fire, cooked tea and watched TV. Looking forward to returning to work and normality on Monday!

Thursday, 5 February 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
Little Auk off Catti Geo, Leebitten, north of Sandwick.
Waxwing still in garden at Mulla, north of Voe.
 
ISLANDS 
Tundra Bean Geese x 6 south of Kirk Loch, Yell.
 
 
Physio appointment tomorrow, back to work on Monday.

Wednesday, 4 February 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
No news.
 
ISLANDS 
Little Auk off Vats-Houll, Isle of Whalsay.
 
 
Sleet, snow showers, rain and strong winds. Robin and Brambling in the garden.

Tuesday, 3 February 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
American Wigeon drk at Setter, Loch of Spiggie.
Taiga Bean Geese x 3 at Virkie.
Black Redstart still at Sandsayre, Leebitten, north of Sandwick.
 
ISLANDS 
Kumlien's Gull or Thayer's Gull 3w still at Easter Loch, Uyeasound, Tundra Bean Geese x 5 at Baltasound, Unst.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Monday 2nd February
Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
King Eider 1w. fem still at Bay of Quendale.
Taiga Bean Geese x 3 at Exnaboe.
American Wigeon drk at Setter, Loch of Spiggie.
 
ISLANDS 
Kumlien's Gull or Thayer's Gull 3w still at Easter Loch, Uyeasound, Tundra Bean Geese x 9 at Hamar, Unst.

Monday, 2 February 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Sunday 1st February
Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
King Eider 1w. fem still at Bay of Quendale.
Waxwing at Mulla, north of Voe. 

ISLANDS 
No news.

Rubbish weather here again. The Robin remains in my garden.

Sunday, 1 February 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Saturday 31st January
Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
King Eider 1w. fem still at Bay of Quendale.
Waxwing at Mulla, north of Voe.
Taiga Bean Geese x 3 still at Virkie.
American Wigeon drk at North Shore, Loch of Brow.
 
ISLANDS 
Kumlien's Gull or Thayer's Gull 3w still at Easter Loch, Uyeasound, Unst.
 
 
Brambling and Robin along with the usual birds in the garden today. Same weather as yesterday!

Saturday, 31 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Friday 30th January
Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
No news..
 
ISLANDS 
No news.
 
 
Another dire day of weather, which included sleet, snow, hail, rain and strong winds! Went to my physio appointment at the GBH (hospital) and was given new and different exercises to do. Left in pain after being assessed. Next appointment with new physio is next Friday. Went home and lit the fire at 11am, the earliest I have ever done this. Didn't go looking for any owls, far too cold and wet. Robin in the garden along with three Blackbirds, Starlings, House Sparrows and a few Collared Doves.

Thursday, 29 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
TENGMALM'S OWL – on Tuesday in Weisdale and Whiteness area at undisclosed location.
American Wigeon drk between Culsetter and Ringasta, NW of Hillwell.
Waxwing still in garden at Voe.
 
ISLANDS 
Kumlien's Gull or Thayer's Gull 3w still at Easter Loch, Uyeasound, Unst.
 
 
Interesting that RBA seem to now know the area that the Tengmalm's Owl was and still around on Tuesday – this has not been mentioned on our WhatsApp groups. Oh well, if it has actually moved on and its not a cover up, then Scalloway could be a good bet. I will have a thorough check tomorrow in pouring rain after my physio appointment if I feel up to it.

Wednesday, 28 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
TENGMALM'S OWL – no sign of yesterday in undisclosed location on West mainland.
American Wigeon drk on muddy pool between Culsetter and Ringasta, NW of Hillwell.
King Eider 1w. fem still at Bay of Quendale.
Black Redstart still at Sandsayre, Leebitten, north of Sandwick.
Tundra Bean Geese at Loch of Spiggie.
Waxwing still in garden at Voe. 
 
ISLANDS 
No news. 
 
 
Woke up in too much pain to continue sleeping, so got up and took more pain relief, had a hot chocolate and marmalade on toast and then went back to bed and woke up insanely late. Robin in the garden again. Crappy weather. Received a lovely birthday card from Pete Snook, thank you! Tengmalm's Owl has gone or relocated, maybe its headed over to Lea Gardens? This is where the last one was in 2019?! Wouldn't it be fabulous if it was the same bird?!
 
Previous records of Tengmalm's Owl in Shetland from the fabulous previous records resource from RBA:
 
I had a record 26 Collared Doves descend into the garden in one go after throwing down a load of bird seed, meal worms and sultanas.

Tuesday, 27 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
Tundra Bean Geese at Loch of Clumlie, north of Boddam.
 
ISLANDS 
No news. 
 
 
Had a second physio appointment with my surgery physiotherapist yesterday and my first one with a Physio at the hospital this coming Friday. Still off sick with painful shoulder and neck, although its not as excruciating as it was and my physio was pleased with my progress so far, after doing all the exercises she prescribed daily. Pretty miserable being alone all this time, but there we go – not good at being on my own for long periods of time. Sooner I get back to work the better. Put my monthly electric readings in for the month (which is always on the 27th) and the bill for the last four weeks was a shocking £575.29 – I won't ever be able to afford to retire on the state pension. The extra money I earn working for NHS Scotland is taken by the electric. 😒 Lovely birthday surprise that was!
 
I have not bothered with a seperate birthday post this year as there is nothing exciting to report. Had lovely cards from both my sisters (plus presents) and one from Malcolm and one from John, thank you all. I guess others will arrive later due to cancelled ferries and planes. Huge thank you to all those lovely people who sent me very kind messages via Facebook, messenger and by text, much appreciated. 🤗 
 
Poor weather here again. Had a Brambling in the garden and a Robin. Sadly no further updates on the mega Tengmalm's Owl. Couldn't face going to Up Helly Aa as the cold would have made my shoulder and neck even more painful, Oramorph would have helped, but you can't drive with that! 

Live from Lerwick, Shetland: Up Helly Aa 2026 torchlit procession and Vi...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy8p2rjeyveo

Monday, 26 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
TENGMALM'S OWL
in undisclosed location on the west side of mainland. 
Waxwing in garden at Voe.
Taiga Bean Geese x 3 still at Virkie.
 
ISLANDS 
Kumlien's Gull or Thayer's Gull 3w still at Easter Loch, Uyeasound, Unst.
White-billed Diver, Iceland Gull at south end of Hascosay Sound. 
 
 
TENGMALM'S OWL 
in undisclosed location on the west side of mainland.
 This is a screenshot from a post earlier today on Facebook
 
 
What I would give to see this, just WOW! I remember all the excitement about the one at Lea Gardens at Tresta in 2019 when I was living in Norfolk and here I am living in Shetland, another turns up and nobody can go and see it, utterly heartbreaking. Hopefully the owner will change their minds about birders coming to see it. Its not as if the place will be flooded with twitchers from 'south' with the current weather conditions, more ferries and flights being cancelled over the next few days, plus any cheque book twitchers (as I call them 😉) would have nipped over in 2019 so won't need to come here again.

Sunday, 25 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
King Eider 1w.fem still at Bay of Quendale.
Taiga Bean Geese x 3 still at Virkie.
Tundra Bean Goose at Trondra Hall Junction, Trondra. 
 
ISLANDS 
Kumlien's Gull or Thayer's Gull 3w briefly at Easter Loch, Uyeasound, Unst.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Saturday 24th January
Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
King Eider 1w. fem still at Bay of Quendale.
Green-winged Teal drk at Culswick Marsh. 
 
ISLANDS 
No news.

Friday, 23 January 2026

RBA Weekly Round-Up 16th to 22nd January!

By Jon Dunn

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
King Eider 1w.fem a Bay of Quendale.
Taiga Bean Geese x 3 still at Virkie.
American Wigeon ad.drk still at Loch of Spiggie. 
 
ISLANDS 
Black-throated Diver at Otterswick, Yell.
 
 
This is the third day of the Northlink Ferry being cancelled, which is unusual, well it certainly is since I have been living here. The gales have continued and are still raging outside as I type, but there seems to be a bit less wind from 2pm tomorrow, which will give us all a bit of a break and hopefully the ferry will depart for those needing to travel.
 
Nothing exciting in my garden apart from the usual House Sparrows, Starlings, Collared and Rock Doves. Vivien visited Lucy and we did a video call, which was lovely and finally managed to get Lucy to decide what she would like for her birthday.
 
I have not watched any of the other Traitor series, but I have been completely hooked by this last one and last night was a terrible cliffhanger, couldn't believe how the semi-final ended! I'm so glad Rachael and Steven were faithful to each other to the very end in tonight's final, even though they were both Traitors and brilliantly played by both of them.
 
A birthday card arrived today and on the envelope it was titled "Lady Pennykins Clarke", who on earth wrote that I pondered? Then the penny dropped, I knew exactly who this was from 😂 😂 😂 – I haven't opened it and won't until the 27th, but thank you John! 🤗 

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Thursday 22nd January
Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
Taiga Bean Geese x 3, Russian White-fronted Goose at Exnaboe.
Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull at Loch of Spiggie. 
 
ISLANDS 
No news.

Wednesday, 21 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
Northern Bullfinches x 2 in the Jubilee Flower Garden, Lerwick.
 
ISLANDS 
No news.
 
 
Another long night's sleep because of Oramorph! I have a physio appointment at the hospital on Friday 30th January. One of my prescribed exercises is fairly easy, two are tolerable and two are not! Very sleepy with medication. First birthday card arrived today from Vivien. Robin in the garden again. Gales here and heavy rain. The ferry I should have been on tonight was cancelled and the next couple of days are under review, so I wouldn't have been going to Norfolk anyway! I doubt the Black-winged Kite will hang on for my rescheduled trip.

Tuesday, 20 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
White-billed Diver 2.5 miles NE of Vidlin, north of Lunning, from Whalsay Ferry.
Glaucous Gull juv. at South Collafirth.
 
ISLANDS 
No news.
 
 
Had a full night's sleep last night, thank goodness for Oramorph! Had a physio appointment at 9.30am and given exercises to do four times a day and am being referred 'urgently' to out patient physio team at the hospital (I think the physios in the practices here only see people as an emergency and then refer you on to the main physio team at the hospital. It was too painful to do a couple of the exercises and the physio could see the pain was too much and said that when the pain has improved I should be able to do these a bit better. Had another GP telephone appt. today to discuss pain relief as I had to stop taken the Naproxen last night due to side effects. Now back to taking the Codeine Phosphate, along with Ibuprofen and Paracetemol. Very sleepy on/off throughout the day.

Monday, 19 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
Ring-necked Duck drk at Loch of Housetter.
Iceland Gull at Loch of Spiggie.
Taiga Bean Geese x 3 at Exnaboe.
 
ISLANDS 
No news.
 
 
Terrible night's sleep due to pain and couldn't get comfortable. Phoned the surgery dead on 8.30am, engaged as expected and pressed the call back repeat button continuously for 25 mintues – got through to a receptionist at 8.55am and the emergency physio appointment had been taken!!! VERY frustrating. Was given a physio appointment for next week. Booked another GP appointment, which I got for 11.15am today. Was prescribed Oramorph to take at night time, so I can hopefully get some sleep. The GP agreed to stop taking the Codeine Phosphate as not making any difference and to just continue with Naproxen and Paracetemol. The GP also got me a sooner physio appointment for tomorrow morning! Updated work as is expected etc.
 
My electric bills are going to much higher, being as I'm at home, but nothing I can do about that. Robin in the garden again, sunny here today, but poor weather on the way again this week.

Sunday, 18 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
King Eider drk at North Shore, Loch of Brow.
American Wigeon ad.drk at Setter, Loch of Spiggie.
Taiga Bean Geese x 3 still at Virkie.
 
ISLANDS 
No news.
 
 
Having to type this with left hand, so won't be typing too much. Had to cancel my Norfolk trip next week as sadly there is no way I can drive all that way back, even with me staying half way. Re-booked the trip, which cost me several hundred pounds more! It even hurts to lift a cup of tea up. Can't get comfortable at night because of the pain, so poor night's sleep each night. Phoning surgery to get the last (as they suggested) emergency physio appointment tomorrow and will also be requesting Oramorph as the prescribed medication of Naproxen, Codeine Phosphate and Paracetemol is doing nothing for me at all. The only thing that help a bit is hot water bottles around neck and shoulder. 
 
Its two years to the date since I bought my house here! Good night.

Saturday, 17 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
King Eider drk at North Shore, Loch of Brow.
Northern Bullfinches x 5 at Helendale, Lerwick.
Northern Long-tailed Tit in plantation near Strand Loch, Tingwall.
Iceland Gull at Loch of Spiggie. 
 
ISLANDS 
No news.

Friday, 16 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
King Eider 1w.fem at Bay of Quendale.
White-billed Diver on sea between Sound Gruney and Linga, Bluemull Sound.
 
ISLANDS 
No news.

Gorgeous sunny day here. Indoors and dosed up on high pain relief all day.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MALCOLM!

😊 🦋 🦔 🐸 🐞 🐛 🐝  

RBA Weekly Round-Up 9th to 15th January!

By Jon Dunn

RBA Review of the Year 2025: Part Two

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/Review_of_The_Year_2025_Part_2.aspx?s_id=218649676

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Thursday 15th January
Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
Glaucous Gull from boat off Sumburgh Head.
King Eider 1w.fem at Bay of Quendale.
Bullfinches x 3 at Sound, Lerwick.
Taiga Bean Geese x 3 between Fleck & Boddam, then at Pool of Virkie. 
 
ISLANDS 
No news.

Poor night's sleep through pain, which became excruitating at around 5am – couldn't lay down after that. Went to get a battery for my Tens machine, which didn't really do much for me. Phoned GP, had telephone appointment at 11.15am and was prescribed a higher dosage of one of yesterday's medications. Not able to go to work as would not have even been able to do any 'light duties' today. I was told to keep back, shoulder and neck warm. Had to fill in a DATEX form over the phone with a colleague, being as it was work related. Dosed up with heavy pain relief all day.

 

Received my copy of the Shetland Bird Report 2024 today and was shocked and disappointed to see that my photograph of the Eastern Crowned Warbler at Turriefield on the 3rd October has been captioned incorrectly, as being taken by Tom Hines!!! (Page 166).

Here is the link to my photograph: 

https://pennyshotbirdingandlife.blogspot.com/2024/10/mega-eastern-crowned-warbler-first-for.html 

Wednesday, 14 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
Iceland Gull juv. at Loch of Spiggie.
 
ISLANDS 
No news.

Went to work today, but I was in agony. Had GP appointment at 11am and was prescribed better pain relief than you can get over the counter and have to ring on Monday for an emergency Physio appointment, fingers crossed. Bought some BOOTS Freeze Spray to put on shoulder. I have Voltarol gel but can't apply this myself, as not a contortionist! The spray gave me a temporary light relief, expensive but worth it. Very sunny here today and this is a Black Redstart showing well at Leebitten, wouldn't mind seeing that at the weekend.

Tuesday, 13 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
King Eider 1w.fem still at Bay of Quendale.
Russian White-fronted Goose alt Quendale.
 
ISLANDS 
No news.

Didn't love my bus rides to work and felt travel sick, especially on the one home this evening, which is normal for me. My bill for the garage was £192 for "stripping/cleaning rear brakes, removed both rear wheel bearings and cleaned large deposits from ABS rings. ABS sensor reading perfectly at present although was badly contaminated. If ABS warning returns it will require a replacement sensor." In some ways I was lucky as although this was not a bill I was expecting, if the brake drums had needed replacing the bill would have much higher. The garage seem to think it will be ok now. I can already tell the difference as the handbrake holds the car on the hill without having to leave it in gear, which I can never do normally, but I have still left it in gear to be on the safe side. The real test will be when I next leave the car stationary in my drive for a couple of days. Hopefully it has been resolved.

Very painful shoulder, arm and back issues over last couple of days and at its worst this evening, I'm pretty sure its a pulled muscle and is work related. Feeling travel sick all evening and trying to do stretching exercises and use pieces of equipment I have (from previous issues) to relieve the pain has not made for a fun evening.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Monday 12th January
Rare  Bird  Alert  News

Gale Force winds and lashing rain continued all day again. There has been so much continuous heavy rain and last night was incredibly stressful with the front stable door leaking much more than normal and the water had reached the edge of my new wool dining room carpet – I could have cried. After lots of drying the floor with old towels, I managed to duct tape the entire bottom door up to the floor, which took far longer than I thought and then used almost an entire roll of Gorilla tape on top of that. Basically I won't ever be able to open this door again until its been replaced. I have had this looked at by two different tradesmen previously and they don't understand why it leaks, neither do I!!!

On top of that, the car has issues. I paid to have it checked out in my local garage on Friday and all was fine. This morning (and this has happened several times) I started the car and tried to start driving. I have to leave the car in gear as my drive is on a steep slope. If I don't drive the car for a few days, then something gets stuck seemingly. The clattering noise as I tried to drive has got even louder, basically I can't get into any gear at all and when the car almost reaches the T-junction at the bottom, the noise stops and the car starts driving normally, but this morning it came up with all kinds of error messages and none of them would disappear. Long story short, the car has to go to the garage tomorrow morning and I will have to catch the bus to work and back home again later. I hate catching the bus as it makes me travel sick, but not much choice I'm afraid. The owner of the garage thinks the brake drums either need cleaning out or replacing, more expense.

Sunday, 11 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
Little Auks x 2 flew past The Lookout at Sumburgh Head.
 
ISLANDS 
No news.

Awful weather, no chance of getting out in lashing rain and Gale Force winds from early morning to now and beyond. All ferries and planes cancelled. Four Bramblings and one male Chaffinch feeding again in my garden today. Found plenty of jobs to do indoors!

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Saturday 10th January
Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
King Eider 1w.fem still at Bay of Quendale.
Amercian Wigeon still at Setter, Loch of Spiggie.
Northern Long-tailed Tit in plantation near Strand Loch, Tingwall. 
 
ISLANDS 
Glaucous Gull juv. at Loch of Littlester, Yell.

Saturday, 10 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Friday 9th January
Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
Black Redstart fem/1w.male at Sandsayre, Leebitten, north of Sandwick.
Amercian Wigeon still at Setter, Loch of Spiggie.
Northern Long-tailed Tit in gardens by Upper Strand, Tingwall. 
 
ISLANDS 
No news.
 
Took my car to the garage for 8am and then went home and back to bed, I felt SO tired. Collected car later and everything is good, no issues with the car at all. 6mm tread on all my Winter tyres, all levels topped up and tyre pressures correct. Four Bramblings feeding in my garden today! Watched the brilliant firework display for the Scalloway Fire Festival from my house!