May 2005 Bird Sightings and
Photos
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Tuesday 31st May 2005
King Eider at Collafirth - Dougie Preston; Oystercatcher chicks at
Sandgarth, Voe - Tony Gerrard
A sub-adult King Eider is around mussel rafts at Collafirth,
Delting.
A singing Icterine Warbler is at Toab. There are 2 Sandwich Terns
in Lerwick harbour. There are still Sedge Warblers singing at Virkie
Willows and near the Ness boating Club at Virkie.
A Red-backed Shrike is still at Northdale, Unst. A Common Rosefinch
is in song at Haroldswick and a Quail is in song at Northdale.
Birds of particular note on Foula were a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a
Quail, a Turtle Dove and a Tree Pipit. There were also the
Grey Heron, the Whooper Swan, 5 Wigeons, 4 Golden
Plovers, the Knot, 4 Whimbrels, a Common Sandpiper, 2
Turnstones, the Short-eared Owl, 5 Swallows, a House
Martin, a Pied Wagtail, a White Wagtail, the Redwing,
the Marsh Warbler, the Common Whitethroat, the Lesser
Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaffs, the Spotted Flycatcher, the
Rook, 7 Snow Buntings and a Reed Bunting.
Monday 30th May 2005
Golden Oriole at Halligarth - Stef McElwee
A Hobby is at Sumburgh Head. A first-summer Glaucous Gull is at
Geosetter. The Mandarin Duck is still at Loch of Hillwell along with a
male Garganey, a pair of Goosanders and a male Gadwall.
There are Sedge Warblers singing at Virkie Willows and near the Ness
boating Club at Virkie. Two flava Wagtails flew over Scatness. A
Kestrel is at West Voe of Sumburgh.
There are 2 Golden Orioles at Kergord, one an adult male. A first-summer
Glaucous Gull is still around Shetland Catch in Lerwick. There are still
29 Wood Pigeons at Catfirth. A male Golden Oriole is at Scalloway
along with a Brambling.
A Golden Oriole is still at Halligarth in Baltasound and a Whinchat
is at Skaw.
On
Foula the best bird of the day was a Quail and there was also a Manx
Shearwater offshore, the Grey Heron, the Whooper Swan, 5
Wigeons, a Golden Plover, a Knot, 4 Whimbrels, the
Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Turnstones, 8 Black-headed Gulls, the
Short-eared Owl, 2 Wood Pigeons, 2 Swallows, a Pied
Wagtail, 2 White Wagtails, a Dunnock, a Robin, the
Redwing, the Marsh Warbler, a Common Whitethroat, a Lesser
Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, a Spotted
Flycatcher and 7 Snow Buntings.
Sunday 29th May 2005
A Little Ringed Plover is at the north end of Loch of Spiggie and a
Grey-headed Wagtail is at Scatness. A Quail is still calling at
Swinister, Sandwick. A summer plumage Grey Plover is at Gulberwick.
A Tree Pipit and a Lesser Whitethroat are on Fetlar.
A male Common Whitethroat and a male Blackcap were new on Foula
and also present were the Whooper Swan, the 3 Wigeons, 5
Whimbrels, the Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Turnstones, c15
Lesser Black-backed Gulls, the Short-eared Owl, a Wood Pigeon,
a Common Swift, 3 Swallows, 3 Pied Wagtails, a Redwing,
a Song Thrush, the Marsh Warbler, 6 Chiffchaffs and 4
Snow Buntings.
Saturday 28th May 2005
 
Great Northern Diver at
Baltasound - Mike
Pennington; Lapwing chick at Haroldswick - Chris and Anne Meller; Gannet
from the Hrossey off Noss - Brian Gray; Great Skua and Gannets from the
Hrossey off Noss - Chris White
A Hoopoe is at Aith
Ness, Fetlar.
The Golden Oriole
is still at Halligarth in Baltasound and a male Red-backed Shrike is at
Northdale.
A Linnet is still
at Virkie. A Quail is calling at Swinister, Sandwick.
On Foula a Grey Heron
and a Rook were unexpected but few other observations were made though
the Whooper Swan, 3 Wigeons, 2 Whimbrels, the
Black-tailed Godwit, a Turnstone, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls,
a Short-eared Owl, a Swallow, the Marsh Warbler, the
Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaffs and 3 Snow Buntings were
also seen.
Friday 27th May 2005
Reed Warbler at Skaw,
Unst - Mike
Pennington (one photo);
Micky Maher
(next two)
A rather dull Reed
Warbler is at Skaw on Unst. A male Red-backed Shrike is at Norwick
and the Golden Oriole is still at Halligarth.
A male Red-backed
Shrike is at Boddam. A first-summer Glaucous
Gull, 24 Knots and a male Shoveler are at Scatness and a
Sand Martin is at Sumburgh Hotel. The
Mandarin Duck is still at Hillwell. A Sedge Warbler is still at
Virkie along with a Linnet. A juvenile Stonechat is at Wester Quarff.
There were Short-eared Owls at Geosetter, Clumlie, Virkie and Scatness.
A Glaucous Gull is
at Gremista, Lerwick.
On Foula there was little
new apart from a male Blackcap and 2 Spotted Flycatchers but also
seen were the Whooper Swan, 4 Whimbrels, the Black-tailed
Godwit, 3 Turnstones, a Collared Dove, a Common Swift,
c15 Swallows, 2 House Martins, a Pied Wagtail, a White
Wagtail, a Dunnock (singing), a Robin, a Redwing, a
Sedge Warbler, the Marsh Warbler, the Lesser Whitethroat from
before, 7 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers and 4 Snow Buntings.
Thursday 26th May 2005
The Golden Oriole is still at Kergord. Another Golden Oriole is
at Sullom plantation. There are 4 Tree Sparrows, a male Siskin and
a Sparrowhawk at Collafirth.
A pair of Common Scoters are in West Voe of Sumburgh and a Sand
Martin is at Hillwell.
First-summer Glaucous Gulls are still on Unst at Westing and
Burrafirth.
There
was little of note on Foula though a Common Whitethroat was new and there
were also the Whooper Swan, the Red-breasted Merganser, a
Whimbrel, the Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Turnstones, 2 Swallows,
a Pied Wagtail, a White Wagtail, a Redwing, 3
Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Spotted Flycatchers and 7
Snow Buntings.
Wednesday 25th May 2005
Spotted Flycatcher at Northdale on Unst -
Micky Maher
An Icterine Warbler,
a Common Rosefinch and 2 Song Thrushes are around Helendale. A
Golden Oriole is at Kergord and there are Cuckoos at Kergord and
Upper Kergord. Another Golden Oriole is in Scalloway. There are 48
Wood Pigeons at Catfirth. The Great Crested Grebe is still on Loch of
Tingwall. A Turtle Dove is on Trondra.
There are 2 singing
Sedge Warblers at Brig of Bakkasetter and another at Virkie and a
Short-eared Owl is at Sumburgh.
A Brent Goose is at
Sandness.
New
on Foula was a Common Rosefinch and there were also the Whooper Swan,
a Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Common Swift, 6+
Swallows, 3 House Martins, a Sand Martin, a Pied Wagtail,
a White Wagtail, a Dunnock (new), a Redwing, 2 Sedge
Warblers, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow
Warblers, 8 Snow Buntings and a Reed Bunting.
Tuesday 24th May 2005
Snow Bunting at Eshaness - Dougie Preston
A Common Rosefinch is at Haroldswick, the male Red-backed Shrike
is still at Northdale and at least one Golden Oriole is still in
Halligarth, a Greenshank and a Brambling are at Baltasound and a
Glaucous Gull is still at Burrafirth.
A Golden Oriole is at Veensgarth and the Great Crested Grebe is
still on Loch of Tingwall.
An Icterine Warbler is at Gulberwick. A Sparrowhawk, a
Kestrel and a Robin are at Easter Quarff. The Mandarin Duck is
still at Loch of Hillwell.
Of particular note on Foula were a male Red-backed Shrike, a Marsh
Warbler and a female Bluethroat while there were also the Whooper
Swan, the 9 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Wigeons, a Red-breasted
Merganser, 2 Whimbrels, a Short-eared Owl, a Collared Dove,
5+ Swallows, 3 House Martins, a Pied Wagtail, a White
Wagtail, a Ring Ouzel, a Redwing, a Song Thrush, 2
Sedge Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 7 Chiffchaffs, 4
Willow Warblers, a Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Snow Buntings and a
Reed Bunting.
Monday 23rd May 2005
Common Crane at West Sandwick, Yell - Andy Gear
A Common Crane is near Tingon, Eshaness. It has been present for about
2 weeks and so may be the bird seen earlier in the spring. Another Common
Crane is at West Sandwick on Yell and it has apparently been reported from
Burravoe and Whalefirth on Yell over the last week.
A Long-tailed Skua flew over Brae in the late morning. A Goldfinch
is at Tingwall. A Whinchat is at Quendale and a Turtle Dove is at
Hillwell with the male Mandarin Duck still on the Loch of Hillwell.
A female Bluethroat,
2 Icterine Warblers, a male Red-backed Shrike and a Rook
are on Whalsay.
A flock of 18 Barnacle Geese flew north over Burrafirth and a
Short-eared Owl is on Hermaness. The Red-backed Shrike is still at
Northdale and a Redwing and a pair of Pintails are at Baltasound.
On Foula there were the Whooper Swan, the 9 Pink-footed Geese,
12 Golden Plovers, 4 Whimbrels, the Black-tailed Godwit, a
Common Sandpiper, a Common Swift, 15 Swallows, 2 House
Martins, a Sand Martin, a Dunnock, a Robin, a Common
Redstart, a Redwing, a Sedge Warbler, an Icterine Warbler,
5 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 8
Snow Buntings and a Reed Bunting.
Sunday 22nd May 2005
Rustic Bunting at Baltasound and Red-backed Shrike at Northdale - Mike
Pennington; Osprey at Virkie -
Roger Riddington
A Rustic Bunting was at Trolla Water, Baltasound, a for a couple of
hours in the afternoon. Also at Baltasound are 2 Golden Orioles, a
Wood Warbler and a Long-eared Owl at Halligarth as well as the 2
Tree Sparrows, a Garden Warbler, a Sparrowhawk, a
Short-eared Owl and 11 Knots. The Red-backed Shrike is at
Northdale. Another Red-backed Shrike is at Skaw along with 2 Garden
Warblers and a Spotted Flycatcher. A good scatter of Swallows
included 20 at Northdale.
A pair of Dotterels is on Fetlar. Another Dotterel is at Ward
of Clate on Whalsay. A male Linnet is also on Whalsay.
The Osprey was still present early morning at Pool of Virkie, where
there were also 19 Swallows, a pair of Shelduck with a brood of
10, 19 Knots, 50 Sanderlings, 8 Whimbrels, 4 Bar-tailed
Godwits, and 6 Bar-headed Geese which on the sea off the boating club
and later seen flying north over. The male Mandarin Duck is still at Loch
of Hillwell. The Red-backed Shrike is still at Scatness along with a
Sedge Warbler and a Carrion Crow. A female Red-backed Shrike
is at Sumburgh, by the airport buildings. A Common Whitethroat and 2
Reed Buntings are at Geosetter. What may have
been the same Osprey flew over Channerwick in the afternoon.
A Carrion Crow and 51 Turnstones are at Sandwick. A Spotted
Flycatcher and a Lesser Whitethroat are at Quarff. A Short-eared
Owl is at Gulberwick. There are 16 House Martins at Loch of Clickimin
and a Kestrel at Dales Voe, Lerwick. There are 47 Wood Pigeons at
Catfirth. At Fethaland, there are 3 Snow Buntings.
On
Foula there were the Whooper Swan, 8 Pink-footed Geese, 2
Greylag Geese, the Green-winged Teal, 2 Wigeons, a
Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Tufted Ducks, a Kestrel, 20+
Dunlins, 8 Whimbrels, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Green
Sandpiper, a Collared Dove, a Wood Pigeon, c20 Swallows,
15 House Martins, 3 Sand Martins, 2 Tree Pipits, a
Grey-headed Wagtail, a White Wagtail, a Common Redstart, a
male Bluethroat, a Redwing, a male Blackcap, 6
Chiffchaffs, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Redpoll (sp.), 9 Snow
Buntings and a Reed Bunting.
Saturday 21st May 2005
Bluethroat and Lesser Whitethroat at Skaw, Unst - Mike
Pennington (first two);
Micky Maher
(next two);
Knots at Gulberwick - Chris White
A Bluethroat, a Common Swift and 2 Sparrowhawks are at
Skaw on Unst, a Red-backed Shrike is Northdale, an Osprey is at
Burrafirth, another Sparrowhawk is at Norwick, a Slavonian Grebe
is at Haroldswick and the 2 Tree Sparrows are still at Baltasound, along
with 38 Wood Pigeons, a Long-eared Owl, and 4 Carrion Crows.
A Golden Oriole is
at Helendale and a Spotted Flycatcher and 12 Wood Pigeons are at
Helendale. The Great Crested Grebe,
3 Scaups and a Common Swift are at Loch of Tingwall. There are
also Common Swifts at Sumburgh Head and in Lerwick. A male Golden
Oriole is near Weisdale shop.
The Bluethroat and the Red-backed
Shrike are at Scatness along with 34 Knots. A Common
Whitethroat is at Geosetter. An Osprey arrived late on and roosted
overnight at Pool of Virkie.
A Long-eared Owl and a Spotted Flycatcher are at Toab. There are 6 Knots
at Gulberwick.
A Waxwing is at Collafirth, Northmavine.
On Whalsay there is a Grasshopper Warbler and a Marsh Harrier
at Skaw, plus 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Common Swifts, 6 Swallows
and 12 House Martins.
On Foula the Green-winged Teal was seen again and there were also the
Whooper Swan, the 9 Pink-footed Geese, the pair of Wigeons,
the Kestrel, 3 Whimbrels, c30 Common Gulls, 46 Lesser
Black-backed Gulls, 11 Arctic Terns, 4 Swallows, 2 House
Martins, a White Wagtail, 2 Redwings, a Sedge Warbler,
7 Chiffchaffs, 3 Snow Buntings and 2 Reed Buntings.
Friday 20th May 2005
Red-backed Shrike at Scatness - Dougie Preston
A Red-backed Shrike and a Bluethroat are at Scatness and a
Green-winged Teal is at Grutness. Also at Scatness are a female Reed
Bunting, a female Snow Bunting, a female Scaup, a male
Shoveler, 2
Lesser Whitethroats and a Common Whitethroat. Another Lesser
Whitethroat is at Geosetter, 16 Sanderlings are at Pool of Vikie
and 3 Gadwalls are at Loch of Hillwell along with 20 Swallows.
A Common Rosefinch and a flava Wagtail are on Whalsay.
There
were few observations on Foula but birds seen included the Whooper Swan,
3 Whimbrels, a Kestrel, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 6
Arctic Terns, a Swallow, a White Wagtail, a Redwing,
a Sedge Warbler, at least 2 Chiffchaffs, a Snow Bunting
and a Reed Bunting.
Thursday 19th May 2005
A Sedge Warbler is at Geosetter and there is a Lesser Whitethroat
and a female Scaup at Scatness.
There are 35 Knots at Puller's Loch, Lerwick.
There are Sparrowhawks at Burrafirth and Skaw and a Glaucous Gull
at Burrafirth.
There
was little of note on Foula though a pair of Wigeons and a Reed
Bunting were new and still present were the Whooper Swan, 9
Pink-footed Geese, a Redwing, 5 Chiffchaffs and 4 Snow
Buntings.
Wednesday 18th May 2005
Mandarin at Hillwell -
Roger Riddington; Lapwing at Skaw, Unst -
Micky Maher
A Long-tailed Skua was drifting over Hill of Susetter, Voe, in the
morning.
A male Mandarin Duck is at Loch of Hillwell. A female Snow Bunting
is at Skelberry, Dunrossness. A flock of 5 Canada Geese flew through
Lerwick harbour. A Short-eared Owl is at Loch of Asta.
There are 3 Ring Ouzels and 2 Siskins at Norwick, and 2
Linnets and a Greenshank is at Baltasound. There are 20 Knots
at Burrafirth and 17 at Baltasound.
On Foula a Knot was new and there were also the Whooper Swan, 8
Pink-footed Geese, 11 Whimbrels, 4 Turnstones, c40
Arctic Terns, the Long-eared Owl, a White Wagtail, a
Redwing, 3 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, the female
Chaffinch and 5 Snow Buntings.
Tuesday 17th May 2005
Glaucous Gull at Westing -
Micky Maher
Off Wats Ness, 3 Long-tailed Skuas and 2 Pomarine Skuas moved
north during the morning.
There are 8 Snow Buntings (7 males) at Skaw, Unst, and a
first-summer Glaucous Gull is at Westing. Also on Unst there were 3
flocks of Knots with 16 at Skaw, 40 at Baltasound and 17 at Muness.
A Long-eared Owl is at Ocraquoy. A first-summer Iceland Gull
is on Loch of Spiggie and the female Scaup is still at Scatness. A
Garden Warbler is at Geosetter. A Short-eared Owl is at Fleck.
The
Green-winged Teal was still present on Foula and there were also the 9
Pink-footed Geese, the Whooper Swan, 4 Golden Plovers, 14
Whimbrels, a Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Arctic Terns (only),
the Long-eared Owl, 3 Swallows, a White Wagtail, a
Dunnock (from 4 days ago), c100 Wheatears on South Ness again, a
Redwing, 5 Chiffchaffs and 3 Snow Buntings.
Monday 16th May 2005
Snow Bunting at Skaw, Unst - Mike
Pennington; Green-winged Teal on Foula -
Tony Mainwood
The Spotted Redshank, the Greenshank and the 6 Carrion
Crows are still at Haroldswick, a Linnet is still at Baltasound, a
Ring Ouzel is at Norwick and 2 male Snow Buntings are Skaw,
Unst, with another at Norwick.
There are 2 Garganeys at Loch of Gards, Scatness, and 29 Knots
at Pool of Virkie. Three first-summer Iceland Gulls are still at
Gremista, Lerwick. A flock of 16 Knots flew over Sumburgh Head.
New on
Foula were 9 Pink-footed Geese and a Green-winged Teal and there
were also 15 Whimbrels, a Short-eared Owl, a Long-eared Owl,
a Cuckoo, 3 Swallows, a White Wagtail, 4 Chiffchaffs
and 2 Snow Buntings.
Sunday 15th May 2005
Spotted Redshank at Haroldswick -
Micky Maher (3
photos); Hugh Harrop (2 photos), Greenshank at Haroldswick - Mike
Pennington; White Wagtail at Dale of Walls - Dougie Preston
The Spotted Redshank and the Greenshank are still at
Haroldswick, along with 6 Carrion Crows, while 2 Tree Sparrows,
a Kestrel, a Linnet, a Dunnock, 3 Knots and a
Redwing are at Baltasound.
A Wood Warbler is at Toab. A female Scaup and 31 Knots
are at Scatness. A Garden Warbler is at Geosetter and a Sand Martin
is at Hillwell. A Cuckoo is still at Kergord. A flock of 7 Whimbrels
flew south over Sumburgh Head.
On
Foula there were the Whooper Swan, 6 Golden Plovers, 12
Whimbrels, 8 Dunlins., a Purple Sandpiper, 3 Swallows,
2 White Wagtails, c100 Wheatears on South Ness, a Redwing,
7 Chiffchaffs, the Willow Warbler and the female Chaffinch.
Saturday 14th May 2005
A Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank are at Haroldswick, 2
Linnets are at Baltasound, the Sparrowhawk is at Norwick and a
Short-eared Owl is at Skaw.
A Knot is at Virkie, 10 Swallows are at Hillwell, 2
Shovelers and 2 Goosanders are at Scatness, 2 Pintails and 2
Scaups are at Spiggie with another Scaup and a Goosander at
Brow and a Willow Warbler at Sumburgh Hotel.
On
Foula there were the Whooper Swan, 8 Golden Plovers, 5 Dunlins,
6 Whimbrels, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Collared Doves, a
White Wagtail, 8 Chiffchaffs (at least 6 of them new) and the
Willow Warbler from yesterday,
In
addition a Manx Shearwater was seen from the Foula ferry about 2.5 km
miles from Vaila.
Friday 13th May 2005
A Rough-legged Buzzard seen flying north over Fair Isle at 11:50
flew north over Sumburgh Head at 12:40. A pair of Linnets are at
Virkie, along with 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Knots, a female
Scaup, 36 Sanderlings, 37 Dunlins and 9 Shelducks. At
Hillwell there are 5 Swallows. On Spiggie there is a redhead
Goosander, a pair of Scaups and 9 Long-tailed Ducks and on
Brow there are 52 Tufted Ducks, a male Scaup and a male
Pochard.
The pair of Pintails is still on Sandy Loch, Lerwick.
A first-winter Glaucous Gull, a Carrion Crow and the Common Redpoll are at
Baltasound along with 5 Gadwalls, while a Sparrowhawk is at
Northdale, a Song Thrush is at Skaw, and a Goosander and a
Long-tailed Duck are at Burrafirth.
On
Foula there was the usual Whooper Swan, 4 Dunlins, 12
Whimbrels, 16 Arctic Terns, 2 Collared Doves, a Wood
Pigeon, 3 Swallows, a White Wagtail, a Dunnock, a
Ring Ouzel, 3 Blackcaps, 9 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler
and a Common Redpoll.
Thursday 12th May 2005
The Great Spotted Woodpecker which has been around Helendale has
been taken into care; it is carrying a Norwegian ring. A Cuckoo is at
Kergord and a second-summer Iceland Gull is at Tingwall. There is a
pair of Pintails on Sandy Loch, Lerwick. A Short-eared Owl flew
in off the sea at Brettabister, North Nesting, in the evening.
A Sparrowhawk is at Sandwick. Two Mute Swans flew in off the
sea over Mousa and a Shelduck and a Snow Bunting are there.
There are 2 Siskins and 2 Goldcrests at Cunningsburgh.
A Siskin is at Norwick and the Common Redpoll is still at
Baltasound.
On
Foula were the Whooper Swan, 10 Whimbrels, 4 Turnstones,
c100 Arctic Terns, 6 Collared Doves, 4 Wood Pigeons, 3
Swallows, a Pied Wagtail, 2 Dunnocks, a Robin, a
Redwing, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcaps, a Common
Whitethroat, 16 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler and a
Chaffinch.
Wednesday 11th May 2005
A total of 43 Pomarine Skuas flew past Wats Ness from 09:00 to
12:30.
An immature male Peregrine Falcon and a Short-eared Owl are at
Loch of Clevigarth, Exnaboe, and a pair of Scaups are on Loch of Spiggie.
A male Pintail is at Sandy Loch, Lerwick. A male Snow Bunting is
at Sumburgh Fram.
A female Bullfinch, the 2 Pintails and the Common Redpoll
are at Baltasound, a first-winter Glaucous Gull is at Burrafirth and a
White Wagtail is at Westing.
On
Foula the Whooper Swan was still present and there were also 2 Greylag
Geese, 2 Whimbrels, a Collared Dove, a Swallow, a
Dunnock (singing), at least 5 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler,
and a Chaffinch.
Tuesday 10th May 2005
Red-necked Phalarope at Spiggie -
Roger Riddington; Brambling
and Common Redpoll at Baltasound - Mike
Pennington; Whimbrel at Scatness - Dougie Preston
Red-necked Phalaropes were at the NW corner of Loch of Spiggie
and in Booths Voe, Noss. Together with another on Fair Isle they are the
earliest ever recorded in Shetland. An Iceland Gull and 2 House
Martins were also at Spiggie.
About 160 Pomarine Skuas circled over Weisdale Voe and flew north in
the morning. The Common Buzzard that was at Laxo is now at Tresta. An
Iceland Gull is still in Lerwick and 7 Knots are at South Ness,
Lerwick.
A pair of Pintails, a Common Redpoll and a male Brambling
are at Baltasound and Arctic Terns have arrived in force with 158 on
Easter Loch, Uyeasound, where 2 Mute Swans remain.
On
Foula, 3 Arctic Terns were the first of the year otherwise very quiet
but still present were the Whooper Swan, 20+ Golden Plovers, 5
Whimbrels, the Long-eared Owl, a Dunnock, 3
Chiffchaffs, and a Chaffinch.
The Snowy Owl was reported
on Hermaness.
Monday 9th May 2005
Hawfinch at Baltasound -
Micky Maher
A total of 6 Long-tailed Skuas and 191 Pomarine Skuas were seen
flying past Eshaness during the day. Another 2 Long-tailed Skuas were
seen off Stenness, Eshaness. Another 4 Pomarine Skuas flew through West
Linga Sound, off Whalsay. The flock of Pomarine Skuas was still at the
mouth of Weisdale Voe.
A female Hawfinch is at Baltasound along with the Jackdaw , a
lingering male Brambling and 4
Carrion Crows.
There are 2 Snow Buntings at Eshaness. The Great Crested Grebe
is still on Loch of Tingwall. A Common Sandpiper is near Voe and 6
Swallows are at Strand. Four first-summer Iceland Gulls are still at
Gremista, Lerwick. A male Scaup and a redhead Goosander are on Loch of
Brow.
There are 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Sanderlings and 37 Dunlins
at Pool of Virkie. The Long-eared Owl is still in the Virkie willows.
There
was little new on Foula though 30 Golden Plovers was an increase. Still
present were the 11 Greylag Geese, the Whooper Swan, 2
Dunlins, the Long-eared Owl, a Swallow, a Redwing, 2
Chiffchaffs and a Chaffinch.
Sunday 8th May 2005
A total of 378 Pomarine Skuas flew past Eshaness between 12:00 and
18:00. A White-billed Diver also flew past, plus one Manx Shearwater.
A flock of 250 skuas, some which long tails, and seen off the Scalloway isles by
Billy Reid must also be Poms. Another 8 Pomarine
Skuas flew through West Linga Sound, off Whalsay.
A second-summer Little Gull is at Setter on Burra, along with a
first-summer Iceland Gull, while a Shelduck is at Ayre Dyke,
Burra. A Common Scoter is in Lerwick harbour. A Long-eared Owl is in the Virkie willows. A Carrion Crow
is still at Sandwick. A Barnacle Goose is at Melby.
The Jackdaw is still at Baltasound, along with 4 Carrion Crows,
a female Bullfinch, while a Slavonian Grebe is at Norwick.
On
Foula observations were again limited by the weather but the Whooper Swan
is still here as well as 11 Greylag Geese, a Peregrine Falcon, c15
Golden Plovers, 3 Whimbrels, the Long-eared Owl, 4
Chiffchaffs, a Chaffinch, a Brambling and a male Bullfinch.
Saturday 7th May 2005
A total of 124 Pomarine Skuas flew past Wats Ness between 06:30 and
18:30, but most were between 12:00
and 14:45 despite watches from early morning. Four Manx Shearwaters and
plenty of Arctic Terns and Great Skuas also moved past.
Arctic Terns were also reported from several other sites today.
A Jackdaw, the Pied Flycatcher and 3 Gadwalls are at Baltasound.
What is presumably the same Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Wester
Loch in Lerwick.
A male Peregrine Falcon was seen on Foula, 25 Ringed Plovers on
South Ness were probably migrants and there were also 11 Greylag Geese,
the Whooper Swan, 11 Whimbrels and 4 Chiffchaffs.
Very early Ringed Plover chicks were seen at Eshaness.
Friday 6th May 2005
A Pied Flycatcher and Carrion Crow are at Baltasound.
A first-summer Glaucous Gull is at Tingwall. A pair of Goosanders
is at Loch of Spiggie.
There
was limited coverage on Foula but a male Bullfinch was seen as well as
the Whooper Swan, 9 Greylag Geese, the 2 Gadwalls, a
Kestrel, 3 Whimbrels, 11 Turnstones, a Dunnock, 2
Redwings, a Chiffchaff, 2 Chaffinches and a Brambling.
Thursday 5th May 2005
A Long-eared Owl is at Norwick, a White Wagtail is at
Haroldswick and 3 Carrion Crows and 4 Linnets are at Baltasound.
The Snowy Owl has not been seen today.
New on Foula were a Rook and a Carrion Crow and there was also
the Whooper Swan, 7 Greylag Geese, 4 Wigeons, the pair of
Gadwalls, a Kestrel, a Sparrowhawk, 8 Golden Plovers,
the Long-eared Owl, a Swallow, a Song Thrush, 4
Chiffchaffs, a Chaffinch and 2 Bramblings. In addition the
first Shag egg of the year was seen.
Wednesday 4th May 2005
Snowy Owl on Hermaness - Mike
Pennington
A Snowy Owl is on Hermaness, initially around Sothers in the morning
then around Mouslee Hill in the afternoon. Although it is possibly the bird
seen on Fair Isle in April, these are the first sightings in Shetland for a
decade.
The Osprey is still at Loch of Cliff, a Short-eared Owl is also on Hermaness, a Green Sandpiper and a Peregrine Falcon are at Burrafirth on
Unst, a Spotted Flycatcher is at Norwick and a Stonechat and a Black-tailed Godwit are at
Haroldswick.
A Kestrel is at Dales Voe, Delting.
On
Foula there was the Whooper Swan, 9 Greylag Geese, 4 Teals,
4 Wigeons, c25 Golden Plovers, 3 Dunlins, the
Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Whimbrels, a Long-eared Owl, 2
Swallows, a Pied Wagtail, 5 White Wagtails, 7 Dunnocks,
a Fieldfare, a Song Thrush (still singing), 7 Chiffchaffs,
a Chaffinch, 2 Bramblings and 9 Twites (including a colour
ringed bird originally ringed in Orkney in Jan 2004 and also seen and trapped on
Foula last autumn).
A photo of the Bearded Seal is on the Latest Sea Mammals page.
Tuesday 3rd May 2005
Wren - Dougie Preston
An Osprey is still at Loch of Cliff, with a Common Sandpiper at
Burrafirth, a Kestrel at Haroldswick and 3 Linnets and a Tree
Pipit at Baltasound.
The Mandarin Duck is still at Sand, west Mainland. There are 7 Wood
Pigeons and a Linnet at Voxter and 4 Wood Pigeons are at
Scatsta and another 6 at Collafirth. The 3 Black-tailed Godwits are
still at Sandy Loch, Lerwick.
A Kestrel and a male Gadwall are at
Scatness. There are 4 Wood Pigeons, a Robin, a Chiffchaff
and a Willow Warbler at Ocraquoy.
On
Foula there was a Great Grey Shrike as well as a Whooper Swan, 6
Greylag Geese, a Peregrine Falcon, 16 Golden Plovers, the
Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Whimbrels, a Common Sandpiper, 2
Turnstones, the Short-eared Owl, 6 Swallows, a House Martin,
250+ Meadow Pipits (on South Ness alone), 3 Pied Wagtails, 4
Dunnocks, a Robin, 2 Song Thrushes (including one singing), 5
Chiffchaffs, a Chaffinch, a Brambling and a Reed Bunting.
Monday 2nd May 2005
piping Oystercatchers - Mike
Pennington
A Red Kite was reported at Dales Lees,
north of Voe.
An Osprey is at
Loch of Cliff on Unst, a Green Sandpiper and 3 House Martins
at Skaw, a Pied Flycatcher at Norwick and the Pied Flycatcher,
3 House Martins, 3 Linnets, a Tree Pipit and the Greenshank at
Baltasound.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker is at
Helendale. There are 3 Black-tailed Godwits at Sandy Loch and 4 at
Scatness. A Goldfinch is at Maywick and 2 Arctic Terns are at Loch
of Spiggie.
Lapwing chicks were seen at Eshaness and
Skaw, Unst.
On Foula there was a Whooper Swan, 4
Wigeons, 2 Gadwalls, 2 Teals, a Sparrowhawk, a
Kestrel, 16 Golden Plovers, 5 Whimbrels, a Collared Dove,
a Short-eared Owl, 2 Swallows, a White Wagtail, 2
Dunnocks, 3 Robins, a Redwing, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2
Willow Warblers, a Chaffinch, 5 Bramblings, 8 Twites
and a male Bullfinch.
Sunday 1st May 2005
House Sparrow and Willow Warbler on Yell - Brian Gray
A Goldfinch is at Virkie and 2 Shovelers are at Grutness.
The Pied Flycatcher is still at Baltasound. A Carrion Crow is
at Burravoe, Yell.
On Foula
there were 6 Greylag Geese, a Whooper Swan, 4 Wigeons, 2
Gadwalls, 11 Golden Plovers, 4 Dunlins, a Black-tailed
Godwit, a Long-eared Owl, 3 Swallows, a Pied Wagtail, 2
Dunnocks, 2 Robins, a Common Redstart, a Fieldfare,
a Song Thrush, 3 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, a
Chaffinch and 5 Bramblings.
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Nature in Shetland
