By Chris Batty
Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Tuesday, 14 May 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Pied Flycatcher along Hoswick Burn. Pallid Harrier juv.
flew over Channerwick, then Levenwick. Red-spotted Bluethroat male at Grutness Pool. Black-necked Grebe, Wood Sandpiper, Black Redstart at Loch of Hillwell.
Bonaparte's Gull at Norwick, Green-winged Teal at Baltasound, Unst.
Nightjar at The Manse, Red-backed Shrike at Tresta, Fetlar.
Bluethroat fem., Blue-headed Wagtail male at Foula.
Red-backed Shrike, Bluethroat fem., Icterine Warbler, Hawfinch on Out Skerries.
Alex the builder has been at my house all day, whilst I was at work and he was still there when I got home. He has finished insulating the two outside walls, the plasterboard is on and he has refigured the window frames. Plasterboard tape to put on and a few gaps to fill. I then need to paint the plasterboard and the new skirting wood, then he can fix these up to the walls.
I desperately wanted to head south to see the male Bluethroat at Grutness this evening, but I was beyond exhausted and it wouldn't have been safe to drive. More hoovering up etc. On holiday from Thursday!
Monday, 13 May 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Hobby at Grutness. Wood Warbler in plantation at Vidlin. Pallid Harrier juv. flew over Levenwick, then south over Setter, Sandwick. Wood Sandpiper flew towards Sumburgh Head.
Red-backed Shrike at Skaw, Hawfinch at Norwick, Unst.
Pied Flycatcher at Feal, Fetlar.
Bluethroat at Skaw, Whalsay.
Today was not the best of days, my entire RSPB bird feeding pole bent and broke, bringing all my bird feeders crashing to the ground – I didn't witness it, probably a good job I didn't. Very strong south east winds, thunderstorm and lashing rain. I know its Shetland, but this feeder pole has only been up since January! It might have been the increased number of feeders I added though! Climbed onto my step ladder to hang my bird feeders anywhere I could from the tree, so at least my birds can continue feeding, even though I can't see most of them from my window.
Alex, the builder was at my house today (whilst I was out) and has started the room insulation! Went to the tip again and dumped my old storage heater and then visited Jewsons and GTS to plan for the next jobs to get done in the house! Back to work tomorrow.
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Sunday 12th May
Rare Bird Alert News
Ring-necked Duck at Loch of Hillwell. Little Stints x 2 at Loch of Spiggie. Waxwing found dead at Kergord. Mealy Redpolls x 2 at Dalsetter, Boddam.
Bee-eater at Tripwell, Short-eared Owl at Skaw, Whalsay.
Ring Ouzel at Skaw, Garganey at Uyeasound, Ring Ouzel at Haroldswick, Unst.
Wrynecks x 2, Icterine Warbler, Long-eared Owl, Ring Ouzels x 2 on Out Skerries.
Saturday, 11 May 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Hawfinch at Toogs, West Burra. Pied Flycatcher, Waxwings x 2 at Burn of Sound, Waxwing flew over Lerwick. Long-eared Owl, Hawfinch at Brae. Orca at Esha Ness.
Short-toed Lark, Shorelark at Skaw, Unst.
Common Rosefinch fem./1s male at Leagarth, Houbie, Fetlar.
Ring Ouzel on Out Skerries.
Orca x 2 south past lsle of Bressay.
It was seriously hot here (for Shetland) today and reached 20°c – south wind and blue skies all day!!! People walking round Scalloway in shorts and t-shirts! One Siskin today, along with House Sparrows, Blackbirds x 2, Starlings, Rock Doves, Collared Doves and heard the Great Spotted Woodpecker. Potentially good for migrants in the next couple of days – switches south east from 1pm tomorrow and then stays south east with rain on Monday and I have that day off as annual leave!
I did two packed car runs to the Recycling centre in Lerwick this morning, the first one was all cardboard boxes and the second was all kinds of stuff including old bathroom radiator, old garden border fencing, garden waste etc. Stuffed a ton of newspaper used for packing into the paper/card wheelie bin. Swept the wood shed out and its now super tidy and ready to get a log delivery when I need it, not right now!
My house is lovely and cool in hot weather, thank goodness. Spent a long time cleaning up after the work that went on in the bathroom and washed all the floors and did some housework. Dismantled the storage heater that has been removed from the office so I could remove the eight fire bricks inside and this then enabled me to carry the storage heater outside, ready to take to the tip. Had a super healthy salad tea, sitting outside on the patio – from here I can see telegraph wires over my wall on the hill – hoping for a Bee-eater on there one day! My Sycamore tree leaves are now fully out and looking magical against the blue skies. Everything looked so pretty today and all my pots and plants are all looking good. Bluebells now out in the front garden.
Had a lovely card from Debbie Jackson today. Sisters Debbie and Ruth are daughters of the late Ruby and Peter Jackson, who were very close friends of our family. Peter was very close friends with Richard Richardson and my father. Peter did several trips to Fair Isle with Richard. Debbie writes in her card "..... I hope you're ok and loving living in Scalloway, I remember Shetland, its just so beautiful and wild and green. Uncle Richard and my dad would be pleased you moved there....." I've just noticed the address in her card, that she has moved from Hertfordshire to Norfolk!
No Northern Lights here yet, but its still not completely dark, maybe later........
Friday, 10 May 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Waxwings x 3 at North Road, Boddam. Ring-necked Duck at Loch of Hillwell. Common Crane few south over Swinister, Sandwick. Long-eared Owl at Eswick. Glaucous Gull at Gilbertson Park, Lerwick.
Nightjar at Leagarth, Fetlar
Wryneck on Out Skerries
Hen Harrier at Hamister, Whalsay
Wood Warbler at Bellevue, Yell
No Siskins today at all for the first time in ages. Very busy day with electricians here – new Rointe Elba Oval Electric Towel Rail and an extractor fan installed above the shower, which proved difficult to do and two holes had to be cut into the ceiling to link up with a wire to get this installed. Ceiling now patched up and will be finished and smoothed over next time David has a gap in his busy schedule. They also put in a new cable in the office and conversed with my builder Alex (who kindly popped round to chat with them) about cables etc in preparation of putting two new double sockets in and the new radiator. Will now have to wait until Alex can come out to insulate the two outside walls and put new skirting in etc. Then electricians can return and then I can book the carpet shop to fit my carpet that I have aleady paid for. A long process for one room!
No amazing show of Northern Lights showing here, due to cloud cover!!! Meanwhile, the rest of the UK seems to be having a dazzling show of colours, even in Norfolk! Eddie told me he was watching the lights from the East Bank at Cley and he couldn't believe what he was seeing – he said it was the best he had ever seen, with lots of swathes of colours visible to the naked eye!
Thursday, 9 May 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Pomarine Skua at sea west of Scalloway. Glaucous Gull at Shetland Catch, Wood Warbler at Helendale, Icterine Warbler in garden at Lerwick. Ring-necked Duck at Loch of Hillwell.
Woodchat Shrike, Garganey x 2 on Isle of Foula
Mealy Redpoll at Baltasound, Pomarine Skua at Skaw, Unst
Sardian Warbler male in garden on Sunday at Kirkabister, Isle of Bressay
Northern Bullfinch at Hillend, Hen Harrier at Otterswick, Yell
Several Siskins in the garden this evening. Electrician coming tomorrow to put my new towl rail up and install an extractor fan in the bathroom. I have annual leave for one day on Monday, so now have four days off! Next week I'm back at work on Tuesday and Wednesday and then have Thursday to Tuesday off as annual leave and there are plenty of east winds forecast!
Wednesday, 8 May 2024
One Year Anniversary!
Exactly a year ago today I started my new post as Occupational Therapy Assistant at The Gilbert Bain Hospital. I'm still extremely happy and feel privileged to be working with such caring and lovely staff and being able to assist and work with so many amazing patients. Thank you to everyone I have worked with, both staff and patients. Looking forward to working with you all for many more years. 😘 🤗
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Ring Ouzel at Swinister, Sandwick. White-billed Diver on sea at Tangwick, east of Esha Ness. Iceland Gull at Loch of Hillwell. Waxwing at Kergord.
Goshawk flew west over Norwick, Unst
Wryneck at The Manse, Tresta, Fetlar
Rustic Bunting on Foula
Hawfinch at Bellevue, Yell
Landslide at Kergord: https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2024/05/08/video-footage-shows-landslide-wind/
10+ Siskins, House Sparrows, Blackbird, Starlings, Collared Doves and Rock Doves at
my feeders this evening. Rainy and cold here and I lit the fire, whilst Vivien and Ray are baking hot down south! The weather is going to get warmer and sunnier here again from Saturday.
Lucy phoned with some shocking news last night – she and the other residents where she has lived for the last 27 years were told they will have to move, as the building they are living in has been "condemmed" because of subsidence!!! This is going to be a very difficult time for her and the others who have lived there for so long and the staff as well. Vivien and I had an official email about it all from the manager today. No words really, a big worry what will happen next, but the manager did say in the email ".....we will be relocating and remaing a service. They are trying to source another home within the local area but depending on current circumstances and what's on the market, this may not be possible....."
Tuesday, 7 May 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Pied Flycatcher at Quendale Mill. Common Crane at Quendale. Hawfinch at Bakkasetter. Waxwing at Sandveien, Sound, Pied Flycatcher at Burn of Sound, Pied Flycatcher at Helendale, Glaucous Gull at Shetland Catch, Pied Flycatchers x 3 in garden at Twageos, Lerwick. Icterine Warbler at Levenwick. White-billed Diver at Leebitten, north of Sandwick. Pied Flycatcher at Eswick. Thrush Nightingale (probable) singing in garden at Frakkafield.
Red-backed Shrike male on Foula
Red-backed Shrikes x 2 on Isle of Mousa
Icterine Warbler, Wood Warblers x 2, Pied Flycatcher at Cullivoe, Yell
Red-spotted Bluethroat at Baliasta, Short-toed Lark at Skaw, Unst
Red-backed Shrike in garden on Out Skerries.
Brilliant night's sleep after taking serious pain relief for my back and felt a million times better this morning, thank goodness. Went to the garden centre again after work. Lovely day here and the two day's of fog has disappeared.
14 Siskins, 1 Chaffinch, House Sparrows, Blackbird and Collared Doves at my feeders this evening. Planted two pine trees in the largest ceramic pots I could buy at the garden centre and stood them either side of the front gate pillars. I will be planting a packet of wild flower seeds into three tubs over the next few days, but need to cover them with something, a piece of glass or something until they have sprung into action.
Monday, 6 May 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Hawfinch fem. in garden at Scalloway. Wood Warbler at Hillwell. Wood Warblers x 7, Pied Flycatchers x 5 between Helendale and Sound, Icterine Warbler at Helendale, Red-backed Shrike male at Helendale House, Lerwick. Pied Flycatcher in garden at Sandwick. Eastern Subalpine Warbler late evening in roses by Quendale Mill.
Icterine Warbler, Wood Warblers x 2 at Cullivoe, Yell.
Thrush Nightingale in garden at Symbister (for 3rd day), Whalsay.
Red-spotted Bluethroat male, Red-backed Shrike on Out Skerries.
Same cat, same place at 5.20am and the female Hawfinch again perched in the tree peering down at the cat! Why was I up at this time on a work day? Couldn't sleep because of back pain, more than probably due to the heavy gardening and lifting I've been doing. Tried to verbally shoo the cat away, when in reality I just wanted to stroke it and fuss it, it knew this and didn't budge an inch. It simply looked up and seemingly smiled at me. It knew I meant business when I returned dressed and it heard me unlocking the door and duly shot out of the garden, although, only a few yards out of my sight.... or so it thought. When I appeared round the corner of the house, it realised that a new birdwatching/snack diner needed to be found!
Busy day at work. Second day of fog here. Local people via Facebook are saying the same as me yesterday, but worse, not only are some people not putting their fog lights on, some are not even putting any lights on! If you have automatic lights, check they are actually on or better still, manually switch to lights on. There is a car on its roof (with police tape around it) at Loch of Tingwall, yards from the water, goodness knows what happened there! I had heard that everyone inside was ok, but I don't see how looking at the crushed state of the car – very, very lucky people indeed, to climb out of that unscathed and it could have been an entirely different outcome had the car landed a few yards further into the loch upside down! I was very close to witnessing this accident, which happened on Saturday. Myself and other drivers had to turn round at the Loch carpark, as the road was blocked with people assisting – as we all turned round to take a detour, the police were only just turning up to the scene.
Lots of Siskins in the garden again, around l5 this morning feeding on the niger seed and similar this evening. No Turtle Dove yet! Still foggy.
Sunday, 5 May 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Red-backed Shrike male, Wood Warbler, Hawfinch, Pied Flycatcher at Helendale, Lerwick. Waxwing at Sandveien, Sound, Lerwick. Hawfinch in garden at Sandwick. Hawfinch in garden at Scalloway. Wood Warbler at West Burrafirth, Bridge of Walls. Pied Flycatchers x 4, Ring Ouzel at Geosetter. Ring Ouzel at Quendale. Pied Flycatchers x 2 at Quendale Mill. Wryneck at Clumlie, Boddam. Wood Warbler in plantation at Vidlin. Red-backed Shrike in garden at Spiggie. Pied Flycatcher, Mealy Redpolls x 4 at Brae. Hawfinch at Sandgarth, north of Voe.
Waxwing at Burravoe, White-billed Diver at Vatsetter, Turtle Dove on Yell.
White-billed Diver at sea from MV.Resolute, Red-spotted Bluethroat, Icterine Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Wrynecks x 5, Pied Flycatchers x 6, Ring Ouzels x 2, Black Redstarts x 2 on Out Skerries.
Icterine Warbler, Pied Flycatcher at Northdale, Pied Flycatcher at Skaw, Unst.
The last of my Roamwild birders feeders arrived yesterday and I managed to get them set up late evening. I woke up seriously early and went straight to peer out of the stable door at the bird feeders. A big bulky bird was sitting in the tree, another Hawfinch! A female this time, it was looking agitated and kept looking up and down. A few Siskins also in the garden (15 later on). I suddenly realised why the Hawfinch was looking agitated – the ginger and white fluffy cat was sitting motionless under the fuchsia bush, which is about 2ft from the main feeders and half a foot from the main bird bath! I don't know if this cat had been out all night or if it was let out early, but this is not good for my birds. I adore cats as you all know, but this could be an issue. If I hadn't got up at that time, I wonder how many Siskins or other birds its had for breakfast over the course of the last few weeks? A short while later a dark brown tabby cat also inspected the garden, but carried on and jumped over the wall out of the garden.
The Starlings are not happy at all. However the Siskins, House Sparrows and my Robin are very happy feeding inside the Starling proof cages on the fat ball feeder, peanut and mealworm feeder, general seed feeder, sunflower heart feeder and *niger seed feeder (*didn't buy an add on cage for this one as Starlings don't like it for some reason). I still have peanuts and seed accessible to Starlings in other feeders though, I can't be totally mean.
From my house it looked a little foggy on the horizon, but I could still see the harbour, so not too bad here at all. It took me a while to get out of the house, as I have overdone the gardening and I ache all over. As I headed south, the fog was like pea soup. Went to Quendale Mill and had fabulous views of two striking male Pied Flycatchers, several Lesser Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs, House Sparrows, male and female Blackcaps, Starlings and Oystercatchers.
Grutness Pier and the pool: main highlight was a Bonxie hurtling over the pool with a presumed gull's egg and being mobbed by every gull in the area – a huge commotion! Fabulous views of several Lesser Whitethroats, male Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs catching flies from the large boulders on the pier and all along the stone walls alongside the pool. Also saw a couple of Twite here, pair of Mallard and 5 Turnstones. A Common Tern flew over and a Black Guillemot was on the sea. In the Grutness garden, which is looking exceptionally pretty with its yellow, red and multi-coloured Tulips, Honesty plant (think that's what it was) – in the garden, there were Lesser Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs, House Sparrows and some Starlings.
Walked back to the car and went to Sumburgh Quarry to see if we had an Alpine Accentor?! (one found in a quarry at Ivinghoe, Bedfordshire today). Nothing here apart from Fulmars, a Wren and a few Starlings. Drove home in the fog. Its amazing to find that some driver's don't bother to put on their fog lights – I don't think they realise how dangerous this could potentially be.
I'm hoping for a Turtle Dove in my garden, fingers crossed!
Saturday, 4 May 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Wood Warbler at Setter Marsh, Loch of Spiggie. Red-backed Shrike in garden at Spiggie. Pied Flycatchers x 3, Wryneck, Siberian Chiffchatt at Geosetter. Pied Flycatchers x 3 at Hoswick. Pied Flycatcher at Sumburgh Quarry. Icterine Warbler, Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatchers x 2, Hawfinch, Red-backed Shrike male at Helendale, Wood Warbler at Lerwick. Pied Flycatcher at Montfield, Lerwick. Waxwings x 2, Pied Flycatcher at Sound, Lerwick. Pied Flycatcher, Bluethroat, Ring Ouzels x 2 at Quendale Mill. Pied Flycatcher in garden at Skeld. Hawfinches x 2 at Busta House Hotel, Brae. Pied Flycatcher at Toab. Pied Flycatcher at Gulberwick.
Woodchat Shrike, Bluethroat, Wood Warbler on Isle of Foula.
Wryneck at Tresta, Fetlar.
Wood Warbler at Brough, Whalsay.
Bluethroat, Icterine Warbler, Wrynecks x 2, Pied Flycatcher, Black Redstart, Red-backed Shrike on Out Skerries.
Mealy Redpolls x 3 at Haroldswick, Unst.
Alex was here from 10.20am to 3.20pm replacing the floor with Kingspan insulation board and an anti-mould chipboard floor. All the skirting board had to be taken out. As Alex stated "Phase One is complete". He will let me know when he came come back to put in new skirting and insulate the room. The old storage heater has been removed. Texted David (electrician) to ask him to order me a new heater for that room
Whilst Alex was working, I was also working in the front garden – I removed all the weed suppressing material and dug in lots of seaweed compost in the border where the elder, rowan and rhubarb is, ready for planting. Late afternoon I went to the garden centre again and bought several shrubs to put in the border and in pots. On route home, I had to turn back and do a detour as someone had managed to roll their car alongside Tingwall Loch and it was sitting on its roof – its a single track road with passing places, I don't really see how this happened. Nobody was hurt thank goodness.
Friday, 3 May 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Red-backed Shrike fem. at Culsetter, Loch of Spiggie. Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher at Helendale, Wood Warbler at Burn of Sound, Waxwings x 6 at Isleburgh Hostel, Lerwick. Wryneck, Pied Flycatchers x 2 at Geosetter Burn. Pied Flycatcher, Ring Ouzel at Hoswick. Bluethroat in quarry, Ring Ouzels x 2, Pied Flycatcher at Quendale. Wryneck, Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher at Loch of Hillwell. Red-backed Shrike male at Sumburgh Hotel. Wryneck in garden at Grutness. Wood Warbler in plantation at Vidlin. Wood Warbler by Beach Road, Wryneck, Wood Warbler at North Punds, Levenwick. Ring Ouzel in quarry at Sumburgh Head. Green-winged Teal at Loch of Trondavoe. Eastern Subalpine Warbler in garden at Scatness. Wryneck at Ringasta. Pied Flycatcher at Brae Community Woodland. Ring Ouzels x 4 on Mossy Hill, Pied Flycatcher male at Scousburgh.
Pied Flycatchers x 7 on Fetlar.
Bluethroat, Icterine Warbler, Wrynecks x 7, Red-backed Shrike,
Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatchers x 2, Ring Ouzels x 2, Black Redstarts x 2 on
Out Skerries.
Pied Flycatcher at Gutcher, Yell.
Mealy Redpolls x 4, Glaucous Gull at Baltasound, Unst.
My
electrician was supposed to be at my house today to finish some work, including putting in an extractor
fan in the bathroom and putting up a new chrome towel rail, so I knew I
wasn't going anywhere for a few hours, but he warned me last night he
wasn't well, and confirmed this morning that he still wasn't well. So,
being as I didn't get out early for birding, I changed my plans for the
day.
Its
extremely unusual for me to stay at home on my day off, when there were
so many good birds to see and potentially find. Did I miss anything I
haven't seen before? No, otherwise I would have left the house. My late
mother's plants, which have been in pots since we sold the family home
in 2019, have been seriously pot bound for a long time now. With a
gloriously sunny and warm day here, I felt I just had to focus and get
these sorted. I went to the garden centre again and bought four more
bags of seaweed compost and more large pots – I'm probably their
best customer over the last few weeks!
It
was 18c here today and almost too hot! My postman Donald said it was
too hot for him and another man chatting to me mid evening when I was
gardening said he was thinking of emigrating somewhere cooler after the
heat today! They wouldn't have coped with the serious heat down south! I had a single Fieldfare on Gallows Hill behind my house and an almost black feral pigeon amongst the Rock Doves. Had the usual Siskins, Bramblings, House Sparrows, Starlings and Collared Doves in the garden.
After repotting and sorting out all my pots in the patio area I
went to the chinese takeaway and had my tea sitting outside in the garden – I wasn't expecting to be able to do this in early May! I then started work in the front garden. I replanted a type of hebe that was
pot bound (already here when I moved in) into the front border of the
garden and also with lots of hard work and digging out slate and stones I
transplanted two of my mother's largest plants: Brachyglottis 'Sunshine'. I have seen these all over Shetland, so hopefully they will do well in my garden. Got the hose pipe out and watered everything and came indoors at 10.30pm!
My builder is coming tomorrow to insulate and put in my new floor. I have had to wait weeks and weeks to get this done. I don't think he works on Saturday's normally, so he's working an extra day to get the job done for me, which I appreciate. He is also going to insulate the two outside walls in the office, but don't think that will get done tomorrow as well. Whilst this is going on, I will finish sorting out pots and plants in the front garden and dig over the border with the Elder, Rowan Tree and Rhubarb, as I have bought some new plants to put in there. New plants bought recently and potted up today were Thyme (my thyme didn't survive the Winter in Lerwick), Borage, Purple Sage, Hebe (Veronica). Blackbird singing again on the top of a tall conifer
until after dark!
See Jill's account of migrants on her blog here, including a stonking male Bluethroat in the quarry at Quendale.
Thursday, 2 May 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Waxwings x 7 at Sound, Lerwick. Hawfinches x 2 at Burn of Sound, Lerwick. Hawfinch, Pied Flycatcher male at Helendale, Lerwick. Icterine Warbler, Wryneck, Ring Ouzel at Quendale Mill. Wryneck at Quendale. Garganey drake at Loch of Spiggie. Ring Ouzel at Noness. Red-backed Shrike male at Pool of Virkie. Ring Ouzels x 2, Pied Flycatcher at Sumburgh Head. Siberian Chiffchaff at Geosetter Burn. Hawfinch at Scousburgh. Wryneck (dead) at East Burrafirth. Wood Warbler at Voe Head, Pied Flycatchers x 3 at Boddam. Wood Warbler at Hillwell. Red-backed Shrike fem. on Out Skerries. Pied Flycatcher at Skaw, Whalsay. Pied Flycatcher at Gutcher, Yell. Black Redstart at Norwick, Unst.
Stunning day here whilst I was at work. Tried to find my own migrants in Scalloway this evening and failed. The usual Siskins, Bramblings and Chaffinches in my garden. Couldn't find anything anywhere else. Potted some new plants up and cleaned and changed all the bird baths and finished this at 10.15pm! Blackbird singing on the top of a tall conifer until after dark!
Today is exactly one year since I moved to Shetland – can't believe I've been here that long! Best move I've ever made!
Wednesday, 1 May 2024
Toucan In the Garden!!!
Toucan in my garden this evening
This accidentally flew into my shopping basket on Amazon, I just couldn't resist it! It took a while to decide which branch was most suitable and took a while to get fixed up – this involved me standing on the very top step of my step ladder to screw this high up in the tree. It looks absolutely brilliant and has added some fun to the garden! It will help the Autumn twitchers find my garden when I get a real mega! 😂👍
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Pied Flycatcher at Hoswick. Red-backed Shrike reported at Channerwick. Ring Ouzels x 2, Pied Flycatcher at Mossy Hill, Scousburgh. Pied Flycatcher male at Twatt. Ring Ouzel at Brae. Pied Flycatcher at Pool of Virkie. Ring Ouzels x 3, Pied Flycatchers x 4 on Out Skerries. Waxwings x 3 at Hamister, Whalsay.
Tuesday, 30 April 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Ring Ouzel at Pool of Virkie. Ring Ouzels x 2 at Sumburgh Head. Ring Ouzel at Staney Hill, Lerwick. Quail at West Burrafrith, Bridge of Walls. Wryneck, Pied Flycatcher, Ring Ouzels x 6 on Out Skerries. Ring Ouzels x 2, Pied Flycatchers x 2 on Isle of Noss. Hawfinch at Skaw, Ring Ouzel at Isbister, Whalsay. Wryneck, Hawfinch, Ring Ouzels x 31, Pied Flycatchers x 2, Long-eared Owl, Mealy Redpoll on Fair Isle.
Missed Orcas in MY harbour at Scalloway this morning by approximately 10 minutes, whilst getting ready for work! 😒
Went birding straight after work around Lerwick. At West Hall, off Sea Road (Tescos) I checked out the horse paddocks, but only found one Woodpigeon, a few Blackbirds and two cute rabbits sitting in the garden amongst the Daffodils. Walked along the sycamore track that leads to Seafield Park – only birds found were Starlings, House Sparrows and Oystercatchers. Lots of Turnstones feeding amongst the rocks along the sea wall. At Pullar's Loch there was one Tufted Duck and more Turnstones feeding.
Nipped to Tescos to get some cash out and ended up buying a Bougainvillea plant in the outside stands by the cash machine. I think its highly unlikely this will survive here, but I decided to take the risk as I have always wanted one of these.
Checked
out Helendale Drive and area, hoping to see this morning's male Pied
Flycatcher – no chance. Saw very little, but huge number of Hooded Crows
in a large mature garden with very tall pine trees. Along Clickimin
Loch I had my first Spring Willow Warbler singing and seen, a female
Blackcap, a female Chaffinch and a female Brambling. Its a long time
since I have walked here and there were far more dogs off leads than I
usually see. I was horrified to find for the first time a green bag of
dog crap hanging in the one of the bushes – never seen this in Shetland,
I thought I had left all that behind in Norfolk! It will be very depressing, if that trend catches on here, it surely must be somebody moved up from the south, no way can this be a 'local' person.
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