Small steps

Hello again. Another week has flown by and still migration has stuttered on, rather than gain any real momentum. Having said that the week had many highlights as it often does up here, even when it is relatively quiet for migrants. 

The week started with some new arrivals late in the day, after I had posted my last blog (23rd). A male red-backed shrike appeared in less than ideal shrike viewing conditions, with gusty winds and squalls. In addition a female type golden oriole was seen at Swinster (c8 miles away).

As the 24th dawned I set off along the coast for a walk and scan of some sheltered spots, stunning views as always, brilliant views of great and Arctic skuas as well as plenty of wheatears, but nothing in the way of passerine migrants, until a sedge warbler dived out of a ditch near Clumlie loch and a few swallows sailed past.

The following day delivered what would easily have been bird of the week (had it not been for a late entry), with Roger Riddington finding a stunning singing male serin at Scatness. I couldn't face the uphill cycle in a strong Southerly wind, so I waited until the following morning before work. Despite being flighty, it was great to get views as it fed on the front lawn of a house. My first in the UK, after seeing plenty abroad.

serin, Scatness

Again, a trickle of migrants arrived through the day, with 2 bee-eaters frustratingly out of range (15 minute drive away if we were allowed). So staying locally I found a black redstart flitting around the fields on the edge of Loch of Spiggie, and a couple of willow warblers too, all snatched moments of exercise away from the temporary office at home. 

My daily exercise the following day took a slight diversion as Paul Harvey had an Icterine warbler in his garden, unfortunately no further sign, but it did complete the list of previously expected predictions to arrive locally. The rest of my walk consisted of enjoying local breeding birds that continuously make me smile, birds such as Arctic terns, golden plovers and breeding curlews all calling with a backdrop of breath-taking scenery. 

I am looking forward to getting back to field work once restrictions are eased, and one of our star species that we manage for; red-necked phalaropes, have been starting to return from their incredible migration, wintering in Peru. 

Female red-necked phalarope

The remainder of the week saw belated news of a stunning record emerge. A black and white warbler from America had been photographed on the 28th in Aithsetter, but no further sign. A local Long tailed skua also evaded local birders yesterday, with only the finder enjoying views, on what was the first day we have been allowed to drive short distances for exercise. This has been extremely welcome, and meant I could take my happy family up to Sumburgh Head for a walk, to enjoy the throngs of seabirds, beautiful sea pinks and sensational views. 

So, with some outdoor work set to commence in the next few weeks, I hope to bring you more updates on our work here in Shetland, as well as any sightings of interest that occur. There is still time for birds to arrive. It is currently beautiful sunshine and SSE winds. Come on, surely there is more to come?

Guillemots on the stack at Sumburgh

Sea pinks

Scousburgh sands, with Spiggie behind

Sumburgh Head (My Office, when we are allowed back)

Looking across the bay at our house, second in from the left.

A mixed bag

Hello. So a week ago, I was looking forward to a spell of easterly winds which would bring further migration to Shetland. What we got was more of a mixed bag really. The winds did indeed switch to the east and had a distinct southerly warmth to them too, which delivered some predictable highlights, but again lacking in any real numbers of birds.

We enjoyed some beautiful sunny days early in the week, which were soon followed, as is often the case at this time of year with mist, making visibility obviously poor. Prior to the 21st, the week sort of limped into action, with a notable scattering of siskins and a small number of hawfinches around, I had to make do with a brief goldfinch over the garden (my first of the year). The supporting cast for the start of the week was made up of single willow warblers and blackcaps and a couple of locally singing chiffchaffs, but largely due to the winds not really originating from anywhere of note, migration was still stunted. Others enjoyed cuckoo, tree sparrows and the odd sedge warbler, but nothing else really.

Then came the 21st, and despite thick mist, birds were certainly arriving throughout the day. Headlined locally (my street) by a bluethroat. Excellent. I headed straight out about 100 metres up the road to the location it was found. Despite no sign for about 5 minutes, a likely looking ditch proved the sensible option, with the bird popping out and into a neighbouring garden before deciding to alight to the roof of the house before vanishing down the other side. Not the brightest bluethroat (appearance I mean) so likely a second year male or adult female.

                                               Picture from the archives-bluethroat 

Other areas of Shetland saw turtle dove, yellowhammer, a few spotted flycatchers and a honey buzzard.

Yesterday, more predicted species arrived. Another bluethroat at the end of my street, a definite female this time. With Common rosefinch on Foula and red backed shrike on Unst.

Whilst out and about I managed to add a few new additions to the year list, with a singing sedge warbler, and a well attacked (from local starlings and house sparrows) female cuckoo. Beautifully captured below.

I am still hopeful of some more migrants despite the current strong winds. A brief furrow into the field today added greenshank to the year as well as a pair of Arctic skuas harassing the local oystercatchers. With strong southerly winds for now, I am sure more will be found in the next few days. It would be nice to open the curtains and see a bright red male Common rosefinch looking back at me!

I also promised a few scenic pictures last week. Until I take some, here are some local snaps to finish off.

                                                       Cliffs up behind the house.

                                                                    Our house.

Welcome Spring

Hello, so this is the first blog from me. Are you looking for world class photos? intelligent writing and captivating posts? If you answered yes, I can refer you to some other very good blogs out there.

So that's the expectations dealt with, on to the posts.

I am very fortunate to be living and working in my dream destination. A location I would visit annually as a kind of pilgrimage, to clear my mind and connect with the natural world, with a backdrop of stunning scenery, special birds and special people too.

Whilst the majority of my birding has been carried out previously to coincide with the wonder of spring or autumn migration, I am now in a position to watch and enjoy the full range of the seasons and everything they have to offer.

It has been a strange start to life up here, with the lockdown restrictions and illness to my wife. But we are so fortunate to have so much on our doorstep to enjoy.

Well, that's the start bit done, on to the posts about birds and local wildlife.

Spring has been trickling on over the last few months, with everything looking greener, an increase in wading birds and a small pulse of passing migrants and returning breeding birds.
Movements here are very dependant on the winds, and the recent northerly and westerly winds are not conducive to successful northwards passage of birds. However easterly winds are on the horizon (from Monday 18th), so hopefully migration of passerine birds will turn up a notch.

As alluded to previously, there have been small pulses of migrants coming through, with tree pipit, wheatears, siskins, brambling, willow warblers and blackcaps all appearing in the garden. And species such as whinchat and pied flycatcher present briefly, a short walk away.

There have been some nice additions to my Shetland list in between, with great white egret a short cycle away, red kite over the house and a superb woodchat shrike down at Grutness. As is the case with everyone else in the current lockdown situation, I have missed plenty to, by not being able to travel by car or even originally go out more than once a day. So species such as Eastern subalpine warbler 8 miles away were missed (more on that shortly) and slightly further afield, spring arrivals  like hoopoe and little bunting were out of reach.
But good things come to those who respect the rules and have patience, as the saying goes.

I have enjoyed common crane from the front window (3 of them) and an elusive red kite, finally did the decent thing and just came over my house. Then of course there was the Eastern subalpine warbler. After missing the one 8 miles away, Paul Harvey found one just across the bay from me. So a short cycle of less than a mile in distance and I was enjoying one of my favourites!

                                         Eastern subalpine warbler- Boddam

                                          Red kite- over the house Dalsetter

It is currently blowing a force 7 outside, so I am not expecting much today. But still, there are Arctic terns, Great and Arctic skuas from the front window, as well as a nice scattering of birds on the sea in the bay, which consist of black guillemots, red throated and great northern divers, fulmars and shags.
And for when the wind drops, we are extremely lucky to have the cliffs behind the house, that hold razorbills, guillemots and puffins. 

Future posts will be shorter, and less waffle I promise, with some more landscape shots too, to paint a picture of the views. 

If the weather is accurate and the birds play ball, it is that time of the year here for species like red backed shrike, bluethroat, common rosefinch and icterine warblers! Fingers crossed.