With June transitioning into July, it heralded the supposed start of Summer. From a wildlife perspective, that usually signals a quiet spell for migration, briefly, before autumn migration offers signs of commencement, with returning south bound waders.
However this is Shetland, and surprises are always just around the corner. July was welcomed in with one of my best birding experiences ever. Whilst not actually birding.
I had decided to take a break from working on the laptop for a few minutes, so decided to gaze out of the bedroom/office window at the garden. A wheatear was bouncing around the pond, and Arctic terns were dancing across the fields heading inland, each one carrying a fish. Anecdotal evidence, seems to point to a decent year for seabirds, with plenty of food being photographed being brought in by multiple species.
What happened next was the real wow! from the left of the garden behind next doors trees emerged an absolutely exquisite adult long-tailed skua! It continued through the garden showing off all its glory and magnificent long tail streamers, as it bounded onwards inland. Being a birder rather than a photographer (I know you're shocked due to the quality of images) I naturally reached for my binoculars to try and track where it was heading. It continued onwards to Clumlie loch just up the road. I was left shaking my head in disbelief that I had stared into the eye of an immaculate long-tailed skua, passing through at head height in my garden!
Despite a brief search, I couldn't relocate it. But it would eventually be seen again by a couple of locals.
A productive day at work followed, before heading out in the afternoon to arrive just in time to see a Turtle dove at Paul's, before it vanished for a few hours. First of the year, and yet another migrant. A lovely record, but always one tinged with sadness and frustration. A once common migrant and indeed widespread breeder down south, they are now in heavy decline, certainly not helped by the continued hunting of this evocative species on their spring migration, through Europe.
Some excellent trips north surveying, were very productive, with some more red-throated diver chicks seen, as well as some lovely views of territorial whimbrels.
Whimbrel on territory
A couple of broods of merlin were ready for ringing too, so that was completed whilst out and about.
News of a pod of orca, (the 27 pod), were reported to be heading our way. We could easily have waited at the living room window and added them to the window list, but opted to head to the bay, as they were coming into the bay hunting.
We arrived to get sensational views, including a bull, surfacing a few feet away. The sound of the blowing and the sheer size was incredible.
We were enjoying them too much to bother with photos, but did manage a few when they went more distant.
The female red-backed shrike continues to linger at Sumburgh quarry, and a mini arrival of Two-barred crossbills has started, with 5 at Kergord. Is it the start of another excellent influx of these beautiful birds?
Watch this space.
A week of practical management and survey work lies ahead, so lots to look forward to.
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