June and July 2005 Sightings
and Photos
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Full details of Fair Isle sightings are on the
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are copyright of the named photographer and may not be used for any other
purpose without their permission.
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check the
Bird Club's
Recording page. NOTE that ALL records go into the database used in the
compilation of the Shetland Bird Report EVEN IF they do not appear on this page.
Saturday 30th July 2005
The King Eider is still off Wester Quarff. A few Whimbrels
are moving through, with 6 at Sandwick.
Friday 29th July 2005
Puffin on Muckle Flugga - William Nixon
The Common Crane flew over Baltasound this morning and a Green
Sandpiper is at Loch of Tingwall.
Thursday 28th July 2005
A Turtle Dove and 3
Jackdaws were at Veensgarth today.
Tuesday 26th July 2005
juvenile Puffin at Burrafirth -
Micky Maher
The Common Crane is still at Haroldswick and at least 5 juvenile
Puffins had taken a wrong turn and ended up at Loch of Cliff.
Monday 25th July 2005
Turtle Dove at Sandgarth - Tony Gerrard
A Turtle Dove is at Sandgarth, Voe. There are 2 Fieldfares at
Quendale. A count of 223 Redshanks at Pool of Virkie is a Shetland
record.
Sunday 24th July 2005
The Common Crane is still at Haroldswick.
Saturday 23rd July 2005
King Eider and Common Crossbills at Wester Quarff - Dougie Preston
An immature male King Eider is in Clift Sound, viewable from Wester
Quarff. At least 2 Common Crossbills are at Wester Quarff and 2 flew
over Baltasound.
A juvenile Puffin was on Loch of Spiggie and a Fulmar was seen
caught by an Otter at Loch of Brindister.
Wednesday 20th July 2005
Linnet at Sumburgh - John Quirk
This male Linnet was at Sumburgh today, suggesting that they are
breeding in the area again.
Tuesday 19th July 2005
Bonaparte's Gull - Paul
Sclater
An adult Bonaparte's Gull was located at Veensgarth in the early evening.
It was relocated at Dale golf course later. It is the third for Shetland
following singles on Fetlar in July 1982 and at Spiggie in May 1989.
A female Common Crossbill is at Sumburgh Head and 2 flew over Bretta
Field, near Voe.
A Green Sandpiper is at Eshaness.
Monday 18th July 2005
Yet another out of season bird: an Osprey was at Maa Water before
flying off towards Lamba Water in the area between Aith and Bixter.
Saturday 16th July 2005
An unseasonable Pink-footed Goose is at Scatness.
Friday 15th July 2005
There are 56 Sanderlings at Pool of Virkie.
A Cuckoo is still at Sullom plantation.
Thursday 14th July 2005
An unseasonable ringtail Hen Harrier is at Gulberwick.
Monday 11th July 2005
A Green Sandpiper flew over Mousa and there were 31 Redshanks
there with another 65 on Pool of Virkie.
Sunday 10th July 2005
A Sparrowhawk is at Sullom plantation.
A Green Sandpiper is at Loch of Huesbreck. There are 8 Bar-tailed
Godwits at either Scatness or Virkie and 154 Redshanks at Virkie.
Saturday 9th July 2005
The Marsh Warbler is still singing at Norwick.
The 2 Sandwich Terns are still at Pool of Virkie.
Friday 8th July 2005
Arctic Skua on Mousa - Chris White
A Marsh Warbler is singing at Norwick; it seems likely to be the bird
heard recently at Baltasound and Haroldswick.
Thursday 7th July 2005
A female Red-backed Shrike, 2 males Common Crossbills and a
singing Lesser Whitethroat are all at Gulberwick in what continues to be
a strangely prolonged spring. A Cuckoo was on Fetlar, being mobbed by
Arctic Terns at Loch of Funzie.
Wednesday 6th July 2005
There are 4 Bar-tailed Godwits and 72 Redshanks at Pool of
Virkie.
Tuesday 5th July 2005
A third-summer Glaucous Gull is at Lerwick Catch. A Black-tailed
Godwit is at Loch of Hillwell. A Cuckoo is at Sullom plantation.
Monday 4th July 2005
A Marsh Warbler is singing at Haroldswick.
Only the Common Swift was still at Skaw, Whalsay. There were 5
Common Swifts over Sumburgh Head.
A flock of 11 Common Crossbills are at Kergord and there are still 2
at Eswick.
Sunday 3rd July 2005
Pallid Swift at Skaw, Whalsay - Pete Ellis
A Pallid Swift is at Skaw, Whalsay. It is only the second for Shetland
with the previous record coming from Fair Isle in October 2002. A flock of 8
Black-tailed Godwits and a Common Swift are also there.
The Common Crane is still at Haroldswick and a Greenshank is also
there.
Saturday 2nd July 2005
A Long-eared Owl is at Marrister, Whalsay. A Sandwich Tern is at
Laxo.
The Sparrowhawk is still at South Collafirth. Another Lesser
Whitethroat is in song in Lerwick. There are 3 Mealy Redpolls at
Virkie.
Thursday 30th June 2005
Eiders defending chicks from Bonxie off Uyea Isle - Steve Hesketh
A Lesser Whitethroat is in song in Lerwick. There are still 4 Common
Crossbills at Kergord.
Wednesday 29th June 2005
The Marsh Warbler was singing at Baltasound in the morning and the
Common Crane is still at Haroldswick.
Tuesday 28th June 2005
A Marsh Warbler was singing at Baltasound in the morning and the
Common Crane is still at Haroldswick.
A redhead Goosander is at Strand Loch. There are 4 Common Crossbills
at Kergord.
A Robin and a Sparrowhawk are apparently newly arrived at South
Collafirth and 2 House Martins are at Haggrister.
Monday 27th June 2005
The Common Crane is still at Haroldswick. Two Common Crossbills
flew over Eswick. There are 3 House Martins at Loch of Spiggie. There are
Quails calling at Northdale, Unst, and Fladdabister in south Mainland.
Sunday 26th June 2005
Wheatear on Unst - Steve Hesketh; Collared Dove at Brae - Brian Gray
A Sooty Shearwater found dead at Banna Minn, Burra, had already been
dead at least a week so it is a rather early record.
Saturday 25th June 2005
Gannet and Guillemot off Hermaness - Mike
Pennington
The male Mandarin Duck is still at Loch of Hillwell but it is now in
eclipse plumage and very elusive. An orange-breasted Swallow of unknown
race (but possibly just a aberrant) is at Loch of Hillwell for the second time
this week.
Friday 24th June 2005
At least 3 Sandwich Terns flew over Sumburgh Head during the day
and there were 3 off Scord in the morning. Tow juvenile Stonechats
are at Sumburgh Head and 2 Canada Geese and 11 Swallows are at
Loch of Hillwell with another Canada Goose at Boddam. Another juvenile Stonechat is at Wester Quarff,
along with a Lesser Whitethroat.
Thursday 23rd June 2005
Paddyfield Warbler at Skaw - Hugh Harrop;
Common Crane at Haroldswick - Mike
Pennington
The Paddyfield Warbler is still at Skaw, Unst, along with 3 House
Martins, and the Common Crane is still at Haroldswick, along with a
Quail.
A Hobby flew south over Marrister, Whalsay.
A Sandwich Tern is at Scatness and a Quail was seen at Fleck.
Another Quail is calling at Mid Walls.
Wednesday 22nd June 2005
Paddyfield Warbler at Skaw -
Micky Maher (2
photos); Mike
Pennington
A Paddyfield Warbler is at Skaw, Unst; it is the 5th for Shetland away
from Fair Isle and the second spring record in successive years. A Common
Rosefinch is also at Skaw.
An Icterine Warbler is on Noss.
Tuesday 21st June 2005
Common Crane - Steve Hesketh
The Common Crane is still at Haroldswick.
A Short-eared Owl is at Mossy Hill, Dunrossness, and a there were 5
Common Swifts near Voe.
Monday 20th June 2005
Common Crane -
Micky Maher
The Common Crane is still at Haroldswick, the Common Scoter is
still at Burrafirth and a Kestrel is at Baltasound. A Sparrowhawk
is at Norwick.
A Lesser Whitethroat is still in song at Lerwick and a Sandwich
Tern is at Strand Loch.
A Quail is still calling at Swinister, Sandwick.
Sunday 19th June 2005
Arctic Tern at Gulberwick -
Chris White; Great Skua and
Great Black-backed Gull chick at Brindister - Brian Gray
A Fieldfare and 11 Sanderlings are at Norwick and the
first-summer Glaucous Gull is still at Burrafirth along with 2
Sanderlings.
A Little Stint is at Pool of Virkie.
Saturday 18th June 2005
Great White Egret at Scalloway - Hugh Harrop
(one photo)
Dougie Preston (3 photos);
Common Crane and Arctic Terns at Haroldswick - Mike
Pennington
A Great White Egret is at East Voe of Scalloway.
The Common Crane is still at Haroldswick, along with a
Short-eared Owl, while a Common Scoter is at Burrafirth. There was
no sign of the Terek Sandpiper.
A Garden Warbler is at Voe and a Spotted Flycatcher is at
Brae.
Friday 17th June 2005
A selection of recent photos from May and June (Wren, Snow Bunting,
Shelducks, Oystercatcher, Guillemots, Great Northern Diver, Fulmar -
Guenther Degenfelder
A Terek Sandpiper is at Haroldswick, presumably the bird from
Fetlar, but it is extremely elusive having been seen just briefly twice in 5
hours. The Common Crane has also been seen in the morning, but not
later, while a Siskin is at Haroldswick, a Spotted Flycatcher is
at Norwick and a pair of Gadwalls are at Uyeasound.
The male King Eider is still at Dales Voe, Delting. A Long-eared
Owl is at Swining and a female Common Crossbill is at Voe. The
Lesser Whitethroat is still at Leog in Lerwick.
The 3 Sandwich Terns and 4 Bar-tailed Godwits are at Pool of
Virkie.
Thursday 16th June 2005
There are 2 Sandwich Terns at Pool of Virkie.
Another Sandwich Tern is at Cole Ness between Aith and Voe. A
Garden Warbler is at Helendale and a Lesser Whitethroat is at Leog
in Lerwick.
A Sedge Warbler is at Haroldswick and a Garden Warbler is at
Norwick.
Wednesday 15th June 2005
A Knot and 3 Sandwich Terns are at Pool of Virkie.
A Common Crossbill is on Out Skerries.
There are 6 Knots at Gluss.
Tuesday 14th June 2005
A Rough-legged Buzzard flew south over the Shore Station at
Burrafirth.
The male King Eider that was in Collafirth has moved to Dales Voe,
Delting, where it has been for several days.
A Pied Flycatcher is on Fetlar.
A Tree Sparrow is still at North Collafirth.
Monday 13th June 2005
Terek Sandpiper on Fetlar -
Dougie Preston
The Terek Sandpiper is still at Funzie on Fetlar, moving between the
bay and the loch.
There are 5 Common Scoters in Bressay Sound and a first-summer
Glaucous Gull is at Strand Loch.
Saturday 11th June 2005
The Terek Sandpiper is still at Funzie on Fetlar.
The Marsh Warbler is still at Toab.
Friday 10th June 2005
A Terek Sandpiper is at Funzie on Fetlar; it is the fourth for
Shetland and the first since 1995.
Thursday 9th June 2005
A first-summer Glaucous Gull is at Belmont.
Wednesday 8th June 2005
The Common Crane is still at Haroldswick and a Golden Oriole
is still at Baltasound, but at the surgery, while a Fieldfare is at
Northdale and a Pink-footed Goose is at Uyeasound.
A female Red-backed Shrike is at Skaw, Whalsay.
Very few observations again on Foula but 2 Collared Doves, a
House Martin, 2 Swallows and at least 3 Chiffchaffs were
seen.
Tuesday 7th June 2005
Short-eared Owl and Common Crane at Haroldswick - Mike
Pennington; Common Crane -
Micky Maher
A first-summer Common Crane is at Haroldswick along with 2 Tundra
Bean Geese and a Short-eared Owl.
A female Red-backed Shrike is at Haggrister, Northmavine, and 2
Tree Sparrows are still at North Collafirth. Two fledged Pied Wagtails
are at Collafirth.
A singing Marsh Warbler is at Toab.
A
Blackcap and a Garden Warbler were new on Foula and there were also
4 Turnstones, 2 Swallows, a House Martin, a Pied
Wagtail and 4 Chiffchaffs.
Monday 6th June 2005
Despite howling
northerlies, a female Subalpine Warbler is at Toab, at the end of the
road near the Sumburgh airsock. A House Martin is at Sumburgh Head. There
are 2 Black-tailed Godwits and a male Gadwall at Loch of Hillwell
and the Glaucous Gull is still at Geosetter.
A Common Crane is
on Fetlar for a second day, while there is still one at West Sandwick.
A male Red-backed
Shrike is still at Eswick.
On
Foula few observations were made but there were 2 Swallows, a House
Martin, a Pied Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaffs and the Rook.
Sunday 5th June 2005
Common Tern at Mavis
Grind and Lapwing at Scatsta - Brian Gray
The King Eider is
still at Collafirth, Delting.
A male Red-backed
Shrike is at Eswick. There are still 2 Golden Orioles at Kergord.
The first-summer
Glaucous Gull is still at Sumburgh.
There
was little of note seen on Foula though the Whooper Swan is still present
and seems likely to spend the summer here. There were also 2 Wigeons, 2
Whimbrels, 3 Swallows, a House Martin and 6 Chiffchaffs.
Saturday 4th June 2005
A Red-rumped Swallow
is at Head of Clate, Whalsay.
The Sardinian Warbler
is still in Lerwick.
A first-summer Glaucous
Gull is at Sumburgh Head with another at Geosetter. The Red-backed Shrike
is still at Wester Quarff, a female Pied Flycatcher is at Geosetter and a
Linnet is at Scatness.
On
Foula there were 4 Wigeons, a Tufted Duck, a Short-eared Owl,
3 Swallows, a House Martin, 2 Pied Wagtails, a White
Wagtail, a Redwing, a Common Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaffs,
a Spotted Flycatcher, a male Red-backed Shrike and the Rook
In addition 5 Arctic Skua nests with eggs were found.
Friday 3rd June 2005
King Eider at Collafirth - Hugh Harrop;
Red-backed Shrike at Wester Quarff - Russ Haywood
Arctic Tern, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Red-throated
Diver, Red-necked Phalarope, Snow Bunting, all taken on Unst or Fetlar over
the last week - Stef McElwee
The Sardinian Warbler
is still in Lerwick.
There are Marsh
Warblers at Northdale and Baltasound on Unst and the Golden Oriole is
still at Halligarth.
The King Eider is
still at Collafirth, Delting.
Very
few observations were made on Foula though the Rook was seen again and a
Chiffchaff managed a brief snatch of song.
Thursday 2nd June 2005
Common Crane at West Sandwick - Hugh Harrop
An elusive female Sardinian Warbler is near the Kveldsro Hotel,
Lerwick.
The Golden Oriole and the Common Rosefinch are still at
Halligarth in Baltasound.
The Common Crane is still at West Yell.
A first-summer Glaucous Gull is Spiggie.
On Foula some of yesterday’s birds had moved on but a
Grasshopper Warbler was new and there were still the Whooper Swan,
4 Wigeons, 2 Golden Plovers, a Common Sandpiper, the
Knot, 4 Whimbrels, 2 Collared Doves, c10 Swallows, 2
House Martins, a Tree Pipit, 3 Pied Wagtails, a White
Wagtail, the Grey-headed Wagtail, the Robin, the Redwing,
the Song Thrush, 2 Common Whitethroats, c12 Chiffchaffs,
2 Willow Warblers, a Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Snow Buntings.
Wednesday 1st June 2005
Red-backed Shrike at Northdale and dead Quail at Norwick -
Micky Maher
A male American Wigeon is on Loch of Tingwall.
A Red-backed Shrike is still at Northdale, Unst, Common Rosefinches
are in song at Haroldswick and Baltasound, a female Garganey is at
Baltasound along with the Golden Oriole and a Sparrowhawk and a
freshly dead male Quail was found dead at Norwick.
The Common Crane is still at West Sandwick on Yell.
A Sandwich Tern has been seen at Grutness and Pool of Virkie and 2-3
Linnets are around Sumburgh. A Brambling is at Cunningsburgh. A
female Red-backed Shrike is at Boddam and a Common Whitethroat
and a Robin is at Toab. An Icterine Warbler is at Sumburgh
Hotel. The
Mandarin Duck is still at Loch of Hillwell and a male Shoveler
is at Grutness.
On Foula there were 4 Greylag Geese, the Whooper Swan, 5
Golden Plovers, 4 Whimbrels, 2 (possibly 3) Short-eared Owls,
2 Collared Doves, a Common Swift, c15 Swallows, a
House Martin, 2 Sand Martins, 2 Tree Pipits, a Pied
Wagtail, a White Wagtail, a Grey-headed Wagtail, a
Dunnock, a Robin, a Common Redstart, a Whinchat, the
Redwing, a Song Thrush, the Marsh Warbler, 2 Garden
Warblers, 2 Common Whitethroats, the Lesser Whitethroat, c20
Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 3
Spotted Flycatchers, a red male Common Rosefinch and 7 Snow
Buntings.
Nature in Shetland
