https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
Quick write up as didn't get home until just after 9pm.
Purple Heron at Boddam Voe! Everyone's favourite place to go birding! I have seen Purple Heron's in Norfolk before, but never seen one this close! Absolutely wow views! Found by Nat Hall, thank you! First live one since 1981 local birders tell me! A Snipe was also seen here.
Went to Quendale Mill to see if I could find the Black Redstart seen earlier, but no luck with that. Returning back from the dam, I had a single Redwing in the main area of trees behind the stone wall and several Blackbirds around. 6 Ravens flew overhead. Searched all the roof tops of the farm buildings for the Black Redstart, but only found Starlings. Bumped into Cerys and Michelle H. going for a stroll – lovely to have a catch up. Then Hugh rang me to say he had the Green-winged Teal again at Hillwell Loch, which I then saw through my scope!
Someone called Jake put news out that the Night Heron was being mobbed above the outdoor centre at Bridge End, Burra. Would I get there in time? I tried my best. Jake had been watching it south of the outdoor centre, but it was now out of view when I arrived. I remained by myself and scoped in hope. I was serenaded by a Blackbird singing its heart out and a Otter a few yards from me. Kevin Kelly arrived on scene and said he had seen it from the top road. I flew up to the top road and a birder called Natasha also arrived at the same time and Kevin returned to see if he could pick it up again for us. In the very fading light, we could not see it. Thank you to Jake for putting the news out and for Kevin for kindly coming back to help me see it. Oh well, maybe another day.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
Rang TalkTalk again first thing this morning, waste of time – my issue has been 'escalated' and someone will ring me in two days time - yeah, right!
No sign of my Hedge Sparrow today, but lots of House Sparrows, Starlings, Collared Doves, Rock Doves and Blackbirds, after I filled all the bird feeders up. Went to Planticrub Garden centre for the first time this year. Purchased a new ground level bird bath. 36 Oystercatchers at Tingwall Loch. Such a beautiful day here with blue skies and fluffy white clouds.
Spent a long time around Bridge End, Burra and Papil looking for the Night Heron this evening, failed with that. Found a Grey Heron at the outdoor centre, along with two very defensive, yapping dogs. On Papil Loch there was a single Mute Swan, Tufted Ducks, Teal and a Redshank. Three Turnstones were on the beach opposite. Not seen any cute lambs yet skipping amongst the daffodils, they must be due soon!
Spent the evening by Tingwall Loch, waiting and hoping for the Aurora to show and also wanted to test out my (now old) iPhone 11 Pro Max. I was quite pleased with my pictures, but nothing more than an 'Amber Alert' on the Aurora App, so nothing spectacular achieved.
From the Shetland Webcams on Sunday morning:
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!
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.
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! 💞
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.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
I was a 'one man band' at work today and was so busy, I can't even tell you what the weather has been doing, but it was raining when I finished work this evening. I have some weird things going on, which I hope are temporary and related to my food poisioning, if not then I will have to go and see my GP at the end of the week.
So many things going on in the next few weeks, including my MOT booked for this Friday – just pray it goes through with no issues. The daffodils are putting on a good display in my driveway and garden. Nice to see everything coming into bud, looking forward to Spring and Summer here! 🌱 🌺 🐝 😎
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
Feeling considerably better today, but didn't have enough energy to go out in the glorious sunshine. What a wasted weekend – oh well. Margaret very kindly dropped me in a few of her divine oatcakes, which I very much enjoyed. I've lost 7lbs this weekend, although not the way I wanted to lose it! Love it when the clocks go forward – makes birding after work possible now!
💐 🌸 🌷 🌹 🌼 🌺
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
Still feel rough – nauseous and faint. My limbs feel weak and have no energy to do anything. Hopefully things will improve tomorrow.
Siskin in the garden this morning.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
Last night was terrible to say the least. I'm not going into details of where I purchased my tea, but I have food poisoning from mid evening last night, violently sick – so badly I won't be eating a single thing until tomorrow and will just opt for a slice of dry toast at most when I do attempt to eat. The sickness stopped this morning, but I feel really rough – giddy and faint. Spoke to a GP on the phone this afternoon and they agreed it couldn't be anything else. Been drinking tons of water.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
Back to work today. Heavy rain all day long, which is more than probably why there is no bird news here today! On my return home from work I counted 30 Collared Doves perched in the trees opposite my garden, which is a record. My last biggest count was 27 on 18th February 2024.
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.
I had a single Siskin on my feeders this morning (first one this year), also a Robin and the usual Starlings, Blackbirds, House Sparrows, Collared Doves and Rock Doves. Did an essential Tesco run, had lunch and then went birding.
Headed south and found a Chiffchaff flitting around the Grutness Garden, along with 3 Robins, Starlings and House Sparrows. I went for a second look at the Bufflehead at Loch of Hillwell, which was far better views than I had at Spiggie Loch, but still very distant – it seemed very settled on the loch and spent alot of time preening whilst I watched it. Other birds seen: Blackbirds, Curlews, Greylag Geese, Redshanks, several Oystercatchers, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Ducks.
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