SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

Greenish Warbler still at Dave's Trees, Sumburgh Head.

White-billed Diver again off West Burrafirth, north of Walls.

Quail at Setter, Sandwick. 

ISLANDS

No news.

 

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

 

Was up until the early hours researching filtered shower heads that remove metals – long story short, through desperation I ordered a Curo Filtered Shower head and also set up to have filter replacements every 90 days at £34.00 for a filter. I'm praying this will help as I can't take much of my intensely itchy scalp. Because of this I wasn't able to get up as early as I had wanted to.

 

Checked out the Grutness Garden and pool, nothing of note found. The mass concrete area opposite the pool is so ugly – its needs to be dug up and everything put back as it was, it truly looks depressingly awful. Got to Sumburgh Head and spent far too many hours trying to see the Greenish Warbler at "Dave's Trees". Initially there were too many people and too much talking going on, so I knew it would be a long time before I saw it. Most people then left to go and see the Summer plumaged White-billed Diver which had been found again this morning, so I was left alone. Later, I had to return to my car as the rain was too heavy for my camera and I sat and had lunch and then returned. At 2.45pm I had a brief glimpse and no pictures. An hour (ish) later I had much better views along with Kevin K. and his family and managed to get some pictures. I got wet several times in rain showers.

 

Later I spent nearly two hours at the roses by the lighthouse trying to see the Subalpine Warbler, no joy with that but there were at least 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Wrens and 1 Blackbird in the roses. Saw some Puffins and took some funky scenery shots.

 

Filled up with petrol by the airport road. Had a quick scan around Loch of Virkie, which was alive with waders in awesome light and sunshine. Feeling rebellious, I went birding at Boddam. Five fluffy teenage Shelducks were seen with parents, Eiders, Curlew, Turnstones and unusually not much else. No hassle, but I guess it was tea time! 😉 Was thinking about driving to see the White-billed Diver, but it would have been late evening, so not worth the risk financially, so returned home.