Monday, 28 April 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Sunday, 27 April 2025
Lea Gardens Open Today and Birding!
Brought my garden ornaments out of the shed today and arranged creatively. Sorted out the bird feeders and ponds. No exciting birds at my feeders, but a Robin visiting regularly.
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This afternoon I visited Lea Gardens at Tresta for the first time (famous for the Tengmalm's Owl in February 2019). I fell in love with these beautiful gardens. So many species of trees – wild, rambling, full of surprises, so much colour and has to be the best garden in Shetland! Can't wait to go back. Surprisingly though, I only heard a Blackcap singing, no other birds seen at all.
Headed to Lerwick, filled up with petrol and did a food shop in Tesco, returned home and went out again. Lots of cute lambs near Berry Road, but couldn't find any migrants. At Tingwall Loch there were 14 Tufted Ducks and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers and in fields around: Oystercatchers, Lapwings and Curlew. Tried to find my own Blue-headed Wagtail, but no luck with that. Went to Bridge End at Burra, just in case the Night Heron was still around, it wasn't. Raining late afternoon and this evening.
Lots of pictures of Da Gairdins at Sand added to my post on 20th April.
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Friday, 25 April 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
RBA Weekly Round-Up 18th to 24th April!
Thursday, 24 April 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Wednesday, 23 April 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Tuesday, 22 April 2025
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Sunday, 20 April 2025
EASTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER at Skaw, Whalsay and Da Gairdins at Sand!
Within seconds of getting out of the car, we immediately saw the Eastern Bonelli's Warbler in the plantation, which was flighty and seemingly feeding well. There was a couple and a single man along with Hugh and I, to see this very rare bird. Fantastic birding views, but the light wasn't brilliant for photography at this time of the day. Fabulous bird and a new tick for me! There was a Willow Warbler (singing) and a Chiffchaff in the plantation too and also a Red Grouse distantly in the heather!
Hugh was out of sight and round the end of the plantation, when I turned to see the other two birders walking as fast as they could over the boggy/mossy ground, to check on the lady who was laying on the ground! She had apparently fainted, so I administered first aid (feet up) until the colour came back to her cheeks. She was ok and was able to get up a while later and return to her car with her husband. Hugh arrived on scene, shocked at seeing us all there together in a huddle and thought we were all looking at plant or something! Whilst this had been going on, Hugh had got a fabulous shot – best picture I have seen so far by miles and I doubt if anyone will get a better one! (see Twitter/X here). Caught the 12.45pm ferry back to Laxo, which was another smooth crossing. Huge thanks to Hugh for giving me a lift over there.
I decided to visit Da Gairdins at Sand, which was about half an hour away. I went for the first time last year and have been wanting to return. These gardens are spectacular and have several nature ponds, many varieties of trees, shrubs and plants and a stunning beach close by. I thought I might find some exciting birds there, but alas only found 1 Blackbird, 1 House Sparrow and 2 Collared Doves. Got a nice photo of a Blackbird singing on top of a New Zealand Flax. Chatted to Ruby who runs and works these spectacular gardens and I remarked how surprised I was to see Sea-buckthorn here (which reminded me of Holme). Went to the beach where I photographed a Wren singing its heart out on a boulder. Black-headed Gull here, a Rock Pipit and a Wheatear.
Headed south – stopped at the shop at Bixter and bought a small bag of Kitkat Easter eggs! Not far from Scalloway I stopped and checked out the Burn of Njugalswater, which is SW of the Bridge of Fitch (where the Arctic Warbler was last Autumn) – nothing here at all. Went to Gulberwick to walk along the burn towards Wick House and no birds seen here either. Returned home and lit the fire. I was disappointed to find that I hadn't got one pleasing shot of the Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, oh well, can't get good shots every time! Back to work on Tuesday.