Before the northward journey the start of the week still held some surprises, as migration continued and not just birds, with a small influx of Silver Y moths and red admiral butterflies certainly more abundant. In terms of birds, Foula seemed to be dominating the highlights with a nice scattering of scarce migrants, until Fair Isle stepped up with a green warbler!
Locally, migrant birds were still around, with a mirrored picture of the influx of marsh warblers down south, also hitting Shetland. The 17th saw a rarity arrive in Lerwick, which I didn't go up for due to the travel distance restrictions for non-essential travel. A Moltoni's warbler was found in Phil and Becca's garden, a female which thankfully called to seal identify of the normally tricky genus. An unseasonal waxwing and a small scattering of crossbills added to the mix.
A reed warbler and a couple of common redpoll were also new for the spring closer to home.
The 18th, I was finally able to head north to start red-necked phalarope monitoring, and it was great to be out in the field, with the patchy mist allowing monitoring to take place. Not only was it brilliant to record decent numbers of red-necked phalaropes, it was superb to find the first chicks of the year too. These tiny bumble bee type fluff balls, have to be one of the cutest wader chicks around. A successful day surveying 3 sites, and heading back south by mid-afternoon.
Arriving south I headed out with the family locally to Virkie, to enjoy nice views eventually of another rarity- a Paddyfield warbler found earlier in the day by Roger. It was joined in the willows by both reed and sedge warblers. With the Savi's warbler still present in Scatness, a couple of decent rarities locally. On the way home we diverted past Spiggie to check on the curlew chicks (all present and accounted for) and great to see the Whooper swans with their brood of 5 cygnets.
In the fields, flocks of gulls were worth going through, and it was relatively easy to relocate the Ring-billed gull that had been around for a while, so that was nice to catch up with.
The garden is starting to look better, with more trees planted and a lovely abundance of wild flowers adding a splash of colour to the garden.
Nearly midnight
Sumburgh head
The mist is lifting and the sun is shining, so the week ahead will hopefully allow more outside monitoring. And I am sure a few more surprises too!
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