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Nature in Shetland

winner of a Shetland Environment Award 2004

Shetland Bird Club

 

October 2005 Bird Sightings and Photos

Send  in your news. Full details of Fair Isle sightings are on the FIBO website. Photographs are copyright of the named photographer and may not be used for any other purpose without their permission. For details on how to submit records by e-mail 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. Species in red are BBRC rarities. Species in orange are local rarities.

Monday 31st October 2005

Waxwings at Lerwick - Steve Minton

The Olive-backed Pipit has reappeared in the crop at Sumburgh Hotel. The American Golden Plover is also back at Fleck. The Black-bellied Dipper is still at Channerwick. A Whimbrel is at Scatness and there are 3 Grey Plovers at Scord. A Common Redpoll is at Wester Quarff.

There is a Yellow-browed Warbler and a Bullfinch at Scalloway. There are 3 Waxwings at Hoo Fields, Lerwick. A Waxwing and a Siskin are at Voe and a male Bullfinch is at Sandgarth, Voe. The Smew is still at Lochend and another Yellow-browed Warbler is at South Collafirth and 2 Bullfinches at Oxensetter, Northmavine.

A Rough-legged Buzzard is on Fetlar. There are 2 juvenile Pomarine Skuas at Ulsta on Yell. On Unst, a Bullfinch is at Norwick and a Wheatear is still at Haroldswick.

Sunday 30th October 2005

Black-bellied Dipper at Channerwick - Hugh Harrop

An Arctic Redpoll and a Waxwing are at Sandgarth, Voe. The Smew is still at Lochend, 2 Common Redpolls and a Sparrowhawk are at Sullom and a Waxwing and 4 Common Redpolls are at Voe.

The Black-bellied Dipper is back at Channerwick, along the Burn of Claver, and Grey Wagtail and a Yellowhammer are there.

On Unst, a juvenile Long-tailed Skua flew over Uyeasound along with a first-winter Glaucous Gull, there are 1200 Golden Plovers on the island, and a Waxwing and 11 Barnacle Geese are at Baltasound.

Saturday 29th October 2005

Blackcap at Norwick - Mike Pennington

A Black-bellied Dipper at Channerwick later skipped burns and was seen at Bigton; it may even be the bird that was at Hoswick earlier. A Short-eared Owl was on the hill at Scousburgh.

A Rough-legged Buzzard was seen about 3 km west of Walls. The redhead Smew is still at Lochend in Northmavine. There are 2 Waxwings at Upper Sound in Lerwick.

On Unst, 10 Common Redpolls are at Norwick, a Yellowhammer and a Wheatear are at Haroldswick, and a Waxwing and a Lesser Whitethroat are at Baltasound.

Friday 28th October 2005

Yellowhammer at Hoswick - Hugh Harrop

A female Yellowhammer is at Hoswick. Another Yellowhammer is at Haroldswick. There are 3 Waxwings at Sandgarth, Voe. A Bullfinch and a Waxwing are at South Collafirth, Northmavine.

Thursday 27th October 2005

Waxwing at Lerwick - Hugh Harrop

The Rustic Bunting is still at Hoswick along with a Black-bellied Dipper.

In Northmavine, a redhead Smew is at Lochend, a Rough-legged Buzzard and 3 Scaups are at North Roe, a Bullfinch is at Sandwick, Eshaness, and 8 Pink-footed Geese are at Stenness, Eshaness. A Mistle Thrush and 10 Common Redpolls are at Sullom.

A Yellow-browed Warbler, a Sparrowhawk, a tristis Chiffchaff and 2 Common Crossbills are at Kergord. A juvenile Arctic Skua is at Ulsta, Yell.

At least 11 Waxwings are in Lerwick and at least 3 are on Unst.

Wednesday 26th October 2005

Olive-backed Pipit at Sumburgh - Hugh Harrop; Jack Snipe at Skaw, Unst - Micky Maher

An Olive-backed Pipit is at Sumburgh Hotel, along with a Yellowhammer. There are 15 Common Redpolls, at Toab and 40 Bramblings,  3 Shovelers and a Little Grebe at Spiggie. There are 100 Bramblings in Lerwick.

On Whalsay there are 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Yellowhammer,  9 Greenfinches, a Water Rail, 2 Jack Snipes, 28 Common Redpolls (all Mealy) and 21 Pink-footed Geese, which were seen flying north.

A Bullfinch and a tristis Chiffchaff are at Collafirth, Northmavine.

A male Stonechat is at Burrafirth on Unst, a Siskin is at Baltasound and there are 9 Common Redpolls at Skaw.

There are 10 Waxwings at Sletts Park, Lerwick, 12 at Charlotte House, Lerwick, 2 at Sandgarth, Voe, and at least 5 on Unst.

Tuesday 25th October 2005

Rustic Bunting at Hoswick - Hugh Harrop

A White-billed Diver is off Kirkabister, Nesting. There are 20 Waxwings in Lerwick at Charlotte House. There are 5 Greenfinches, a Waxwing and a Water Rail at Sandgarth, Voe.

The Rustic Bunting is still at Hoswick along with a Yellowhammer. At Sumburgh Head there were 2 Pomarine Skuas, a Little Auk, 3 Waxwings, 2 Woodcocks and 150 Fieldfares.

A male Bullfinch is at Haroldswick.

Monday 24th October 2005

A Rustic Bunting is along the burn at Hoswick. A Jack Snipe was along the Burn of Hamarifield at Sandwick. There are still 3 Common Redpolls at Sandgarth, Voe.

On Unst, there are 12 Waxwings, 7 Common Redpolls and the Grey Plover are at Baltasound and a Black Redstart is at Haroldswick.

Sunday 23rd October 2005

Waxwings on Unst - (3 photos) Mike Pennington; (one photo) Anne Meller; Mealy Redpoll and Greylag Goose at Spiggie - Hugh Harrop

A Richard's Pipit and 5 Waxwings are on Fitful Head. A Greenland White-fronted Goose and 2 Pink-footed Geese are with 19 Barnacle Geese at Spiggie along with 3 Water Rails, a Little Grebe and 15 Common Redpolls. A Yellow-browed Warbler and 2 Greenfinches are at Ocraquoy.

The neck-collared Greylag Goose there has the following history of sightings:

Loch Eye 13/11/2004; Hilton, Tarbat Ness, Easter Ross 23/12/2004; Wilkhaven, Tarbat Ness 29/12/2004; Balaldie, nr. Loch Eye 11/01/2005; nr. Newton, nr. Loch Eye 16/04/2005; Loch of Spiggie, Shetland 20/10/2005

On Unst, there have been 19 Waxwings at Norwick, 8 at Haroldswick and 17 at Baltasound, all apparently different flocks. The Hawfinch and a female Common Crossbill is still at Baltasound. An adult Glaucous Gull is at Burrafirth.

A female Hen Harrier is at Sand Water. There are single Yellow-browed Warblers at Voe and Sandgarth, Voe and 2 at Kergord, along with a Woodcock and a Waxwing. A Little Auk is at Vidlin. There are 2 Waxwings at Voe.

Saturday 22nd October 2005

A Great Grey Shrike is at Channerwick, there are Waxwings at Ocraquoy and Skelberry in Dunrossness, a Yellow-browed Warbler and 20 Common Redpolls are still at Quendale and a Whinchat is at Boddam. There are still 3 Slavonian Grebes on Loch of Spiggie.

There are 2 Common Crossbills and a Yellow-browed Warbler at Sullom plantation.

The Hawfinch and the Bluethroat are still at Baltasound along with a Long-eared Owl.

Friday 21st October 2005

Yellow-browed Warbler at Quendale - Steve Minton

The American Golden Plover is still at Fleck. There are 2 Yellow-browed Warblers at Quendale along with a Little Bunting seen briefly on the edge of neep crop, a Grey Wagtail, 70 Bramblings, 18 Common Redpolls, a Reed Warbler and 3 House Martins. A flock of 20 Goldfinches was feeding on thistles near Spiggie Voe.

The Little Bunting is still at Swining, along with a Yellow-browed Warbler and there are 2 Yellow-browed Warblers at Kergord. A Waxwing is at Clickimin. A male Hen Harrier is at Sand Water. There are 2 Little Grebes on Loch of Tingwall.

A Pallas's Warbler is at South Ham, Bressay. A Little Bunting and a Waxwing are on Fetlar. A Hawfinch, a Waxwing and a Bluethroat are at Baltasound.

Thursday 20th October 2005

Dusky Warbler at Norwick - Mike Pennington; Pallas's Warbler at Wester Quarff - Hugh Harrop; Goldcrest at Bigton - John Quirk

A Dusky Warbler is at Norwick, the Pectoral Sandpiper is back at Baltasound, there are Yellow-browed Warblers at Burrafirth, Norwick and Baltasound, Reed Warblers at Norwick and Baltasound, 5 Common Crossbills and 85 Barnacle Geese at Baltasound an Arctic Tern at Skaw, and 2 Common Crossbills, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Common Redstart at Norwick.

An adult male Subalpine Warbler is at Quendale Mill along with 2 Yellow-browed Warblers and 20 Common Redpolls. A Barred Warbler is at Scatness. A Yellow Wagtail is at Grutness, and the Common Sandpiper is still there. There are Pallas's Warblers at Garths Ness and Wester Quarff. A Spotted Flycatcher and a Lesser Whitethroat are at Wester Quarff. There are 201 Barnacle Geese and a Swallow at Sandwick.

A Hawfinch and a Mistle Thrush are at Kergord along with 4 Sparrowhawks, at least 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, 5 Siskins, a Pied Flycatcher and 200 Goldcrests. There are 2 Yellow-browed Warblers and a Long-eared Owl at Scalloway. There are 12 Common Crossbills at Bridge of Walls.

The Lesser Yellowlegs is still on Out Skerries along with a Great Grey Shrike, a Yellow-browed Warbler and 2 Black Redstarts are on Out Skerries.

A Waxwing is at Sullom along with 2 Yellow-browed Warblers and 2 Long-eared Owls and a Yellow-browed Warbler are at South Collafirth.

Wednesday 19th October 2005

Mealy Redpoll at Skaw and Common Crossbill at Baltasound - Mike Pennington; Little Bunting at Swining - Hugh Harrop

A male Desert Wheatear is on Out Skerries along with a Lapland Bunting and a Grasshopper Warbler.

A Parrot Crossbill was at Swining before flying off and the Little Bunting is still there.

The Dusky Warbler is still at Voe, along with a Yellow-browed Warbler and 2 Pied Flycatchers.

The Pallas's Warbler was back at Gardentown, Whalsay, in the evening.

On Unst there are 2 Common Crossbills at Haroldswick and one at Baltasound, along with about 20 Common Redpolls on the island.

There are 752 Barnacle Geese at Fleck, 490 at Ringasta, 136 at Clumlie, 202 at Sandwick, 80 at Cullingsburgh on Bressay and 85 at Baltasound. A Pale-bellied Brent Goose is at Scatness.

Tuesday 18th October 2005

Spotted Flycatcher at Cunningsburgh - Jim Nicolson; Whooper Swans at Uyeasound and Redwing at Baltasound - Mike Pennington

The American Golden Plover is still at Fleck along with 1125 Barnacle Geese. Another 201 Barnacle Geese are at Sandwick. A Spotted Flycatcher is at Cunningsburgh. A Little Grebe is on Sandy Loch, Lerwick.

The Dusky Warbler is still at Voe along with a Yellow-browed Warbler. There are 4 Common Crossbills, 7 Common Redpolls and a Yellow-browed Warbler at Sullom plantation.

On Unst, there are 2 male Bluethroats at Baltasound along with the Reed Warbler and 180 Bramblings, a Lapland Bunting at Haroldswick with another on Lamba Ness, a Yellow-browed Warbler on Hermaness, and a Lesser Redpoll and a Goldfinch at Norwick while at least 35 Common Redpolls are on the island, most of not all Mealies.

There are 2 Yellow-browed Warblers on Fetlar along with the Bluethroat, a Common Redstart and a Black Redstart.

Monday 17th October 2005

American Golden Plover (with Golden Plovers) - (2 photos) - Hugh Harrop; (one photo) Roger Riddington

The American Golden Plover is still at Fleck. A Lapland Bunting is at Toab and a juvenile Arctic Tern is at Pool of Virkie. There are 191 Barnacle Geese at Sandwick and 22 at Cunningsburgh. A Great Grey Shrike is at Maywick along with 2 Yellow-browed Warblers.

A Pallas's Warbler is at Gardentown, Whalsay. There are 300 Barnacle Geese on Fetlar.

A Little Bunting is at Swining. There are Yellow-browed Warblers at Swining, Kergord, Vidlin, Out Skerries, Norby, Gott, Frakkafield, Seafield, Wester Quarff and Quendale. There are 4 Yellow-browed Warblers and 2 Hawfinches at Scalloway. A Common Redstart is at Norby and a Willow Warbler is at Dale of Walls. There are flocks of about 10 Siskins at Lower Voe and Sandgarth, Voe.

On Unst, there is a Long-eared Owl and the Grey Plover at Baltasound, 5 Pink-footed Geese at Haroldswick, 10 Common Redpolls at various sites and 116 Barnacle Geese in 3 flocks.

Sunday 16th October 2005

Dusky Warbler at Voe- Hugh Harrop; Mealy Redpoll and Goldcrest at Norwick, Common Snipe and Pectoral Sandpiper at Baltasound - Mike Pennington; Long-eared Owl at Freester, Nesting - Steve Minton

A Dusky Warbler is at Voe, along with a Yellow-browed Warbler. A Tree Sparrow, a Goldfinch, a Yellow-browed Warbler and 25 Goldcrests are at Lunna. Another Yellow-browed Warbler and 60 Goldcrests are at Eswick and a Long-eared Owl is nearby at Freester. There are 700 Rock Doves at the south end of the Tingwall valley.

An American Golden Plover and a White-rumped Sandpiper are with Golden Plovers at Fleck. At least 258 Barnacle Geese and the first-winter Glaucous Gull are at Scatness. There are at least 900 Barnacle Geese in Dunrossness.

A Pectoral Sandpiper is at Baltasound and there are 4 Common Redpolls at Norwick, a Pied Flycatcher at Northdale and 3 Little Grebes and 2 Scaups at Burrafirth.

There are 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 15 Siskins, a Short-eared Owl and a Sparrowhawk at Sullom and 150 Bramblings and a Sparrowhawk at South Collafirth.

Saturday 15th October 2005

Long-eared owl at Toab - - Hugh Harrop; Robin at Cunningsburgh - Jim Nicolson; Goldcrest at Baltasound - Mike Pennington

The Lesser Yellowlegs is still on Out Skerries along with a Richard's Pipit, a Long-eared Owl, a Short-eared Owl, a Yellow-browed Warbler and a Hawfinch.

At Scatness, there are 200 Greylag Geese, 192 Barnacle Geese and 2 Pink-footed Geese along with 82 Bramblings, the first-winter Glaucous Gull, a Whimbrel and a Long-eared Owl. A Yellow-browed Warbler and 237 Barnacle Geese are at Swinister, Sandwick. There are 2 Swallows at Ocraquoy and 38 Bramblings and 12 Barnacle Geese at Cunningsburgh.  A Yellow-browed Warbler is at Wester Quarff.

A Yellow-browed Warbler and a Sparrowhawk are at Sullom and 2 Sparrowhawks and 4 Common Redpolls are at South Collafirth. There are 2 Yellow-browed Warbler at Voe.

On Unst, 3 Arctic Terns are at Skaw, 120 Bramblings are at Norwick, a male Bluethroat, a Yellow-browed Warbler are at Baltasound and 85 Barnacle Geese were seen in 4 flocks.

A Bluethroat is on Fetlar along with 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 42 Barnacle Geese, a Willow Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat.

Friday 14th October 2005

A Pectoral Sandpiper and a Richard's Pipit are at the Toab end of the Quendale dunes. A Swallow is at Sandwick.

On Unst there is a Barred Warbler and 2 Common Redpolls at Norwick, a Hawfinch at Northdale, a juvenile Hobby at Halligarth, a male Bluethroat at Baltasound and 2 Gadwalls at Uyeasound.

Thursday 13th October 2005

Brambling at Baltasound - Mike Pennington

The Greenish Warbler is still at Wester Quarff.

On Unst there were 590 Greylag Geese (three times as many as in the census last weekend), 18 Pink-footed Goose and lots of Redwings, while the Hawfinch is still at Baltasound along with 20 Greenfinches.

There are 320 Greylag Geese at Quendale, 83 at Scatness along with 21 Pink-footed Geese, and 158 at Spiggie along with 4 Slavonian Grebes, 4 Shovelers and 27 Pochards.

Wednesday 12th October 2005

Black Tern at Grutness - Jim Nicolson; White-rumped Sandpiper at Baltasound - Steve Minton

The White-rumped Sandpiper, a juvenile, was relocated at Baltasound at mid-day, with Golden Plovers near the school before flying off. Also on Unst there was a Common Redstart at Norwick, and the Grey Plover, the Black-tailed Godwit, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Mealy Redpoll at Baltasound.

A Black Tern is at Grutness Voe. A late Arctic Skua is at Boddam. There are 6 Greenfinches at Sandgarth, Voe.

Tuesday 11th October 2005

Greenish Warbler at Wester Quarff - Hugh Harrop; Common Sandpiper at Grutness - Steve Minton

A White-rumped Sandpiper was seen flying in off the sea and calling at Baltasound and it was relocated briefly at dusk in damp fields west of the head of the voe. Also at Baltasound were 16 adult Whooper Swans also flying in off the sea, the Grey Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Sparrowhawk, 12 Greenfinches, the Hawfinch, a male Bluethroat, the Reed Warbler and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers. A Peregrine Falcon is at Skaw and 40 Bramblings are at Norwick.

The Greenish Warbler is still at Wester Quarff. A Whinchat, 2 Willow Warblers and a Dunnock are at Quendale with 3 Slavonian Grebes, 22 Pochards and a Pintail on Loch of Spiggie, along with a Water Rail and 6 Barnacle Geese. The Glaucous Gull is still at Scatness along with 2 Pink-footed Geese, a Greenshank is still at Huesbreck along with 36 Barnacle Geese, a Common Sandpiper is still at Grutness and a Ring Ouzel and a Lapland Bunting are at Sumburgh.

Another Slavonian Grebe is on Loch of Benston (where there is still no sign of the American Coot, last seen on 1st).

Monday 10th October 2005

There are 23 Barnacle Geese at Sandwick and 11 at Clumlie, a Little Stint at Boddam, and 21 Pochards and 2 Slavonian Grebes on Loch of Spiggie. A Great Northern Diver and 3 Common Scoters were seen off Sumburgh Head.

A Water Rail is at Sandgarth, Voe. There are Yellow-browed Warblers at Voe, Kergord and Upper Kergord. A Wryneck was seen on hills between Brae and Voe.

On Unst there are 5 Barnacle Geese at Skaw, the Bluethroat at Northdale, a Yellow-browed Warbler at Norwick and another 7 at Baltasound where there was also the Grey Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Grey Wagtail, the Reed Warbler, a Common Rosefinch and the Hawfinch.

On Foula there were 200+ Pink-footed Geese, c 150 Greylag Geese, c 80 Barnacle Geese as well as the Red-throated Diver, a Pochard, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, a Merlin, a Sanderling, 2 Woodcocks, 4 Jack Snipes, a Short-eared Owl, the Woodpigeon, 3 White Wagtails, a Dunnock, a Robin, 15 Wheatears, the Whinchat, 4 Song Thrushes, c300 Redwings, 4 Blackcaps, a Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest, a Chaffinch, 3 Bramblings, 4 Common Redpolls, a Siskin, c 30 Snow Buntings and 6 Lapland Buntings.

Sunday 9th October 2005

Glaucous Gull at Scatness - Steve Minton; Long-tailed Duck on Foula (3 photos) - Russell Wynn

The Greenish Warbler is still at Wester Quarff along with a Common Rosefinch. Another Common Rosefinch is at Quendale. A Glaucous Gull is at Scatness along with 2 Goosanders, a Gadwall, a Scaup and 2 Pink-footed Geese. There are 10 Pochards, a Scaup, 4 Goosanders, 3 Water Rails, 3 Jack Snipes and a Slavonian Grebe at Spiggie and 23 Barnacle Geese at Sandwick. A Swallow is at Cunningsburgh.

The Red-necked Grebe is still at Cat Firth. A Lesser Whitethroat is at Vidlin. A Sparrowhawk, 2 Barnacle Geese and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers are at South Collafirth, Northmavine.

On Unst, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Barred Warbler, a Swallow, the Reed Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers and a Hawfinch are at Baltasound, the Bluethroat is still at Northdale, a Swallow and a Rook are at Norwick and a Yellow-browed Warbler is at Skaw.

On Foula there were 2 Red-throated Divers, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Whooper Swans, 9 Pink-footed Geese, 31 Greylag Geese, 13 Teals, a Wigeon, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, a Merlin, a Peregrine Falcon, a Water Rail, 250 Golden Plovers, the American Golden Plover, 9 Purple Sandpipers, 4 Jack Snipes, the Common Swift, the Woodpigeon, 3 White Wagtails, 3 Robins, 15 Wheatears, the Whinchat, a new Bluethroat, 7 Song Thrushes, 250 Redwings, a Garden Warbler, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, a Chaffinch, 4 Bramblings, 4 Common Redpolls, a Siskin, 15 Snow Buntings and 7 Lapland Buntings.

Saturday 8th October 2005

The Lesser Yellowlegs is still on Out Skerries.

The Greenish Warbler is still at Wester Quarff. A Barred Warbler is at Hoswick along with 3 Yellow-browed Warblers. A Water Rail is at Sumburgh Head. There are 2 Yellow-browed Warblers at Scalloway and singles at Kergord, Voe and Catfirth. A Red-necked Grebe and a Slavonian Grebe are at Cat Firth. The Little Bunting is still at Sandgarth, Voe, along with a Yellow-browed Warbler.

On Foula there were 2 Red-throated Divers, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Whooper Swans, 18 Pink-footed Geese, 33 Greylag Geese, 6 Mallards, 11 Teals, 5 Wigeons, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Goosander, 2 Merlins, the American Golden Plover, 8 Ringed Plovers, 3 Purple Sandpipers, 9 Dunlins, 6 Jack Snipes, 10 Curlews, 50 Turnstones, the Woodpigeon, a Common Swift, 3 White Wagtails, 2 Robins, 15 Wheatears, the Whinchat, 8 Song Thrushes, 1500 Redwings, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest, 2 Chaffinches, 8 Bramblings, 5 Common Redpolls, 2 Siskins, 17 Snow Buntings and 6 Lapland Buntings.

On Unst, the Reed Warbler, 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Bluethroat and 2 Greenfinches are at Baltasound, 3 Arctic Terns at Haroldswick with another 5 at Norwick and a Swallow at Norwick.

Friday 7th October 2005

Bluethroat on Foula - Russell Wynn; Whooper Swans and Mute Swans at Uyeasound - Mike Pennington

The Lesser Yellowlegs and the Eastern Yellow Wagtail are still on Out Skerries along with 4 Jack Snipes, 3 Wrens, a Whinchat, 6 Wheatears, c 100 Redwings, c 20 Song Thrushes, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Goldcrest, 2 Chaffinches, 9 Bramblings, a Siskin and 3 Snow Buntings.

The Greenish Warbler is still at Wester Quarff along with a Common Rosefinch and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers.

On Foula there were 4 Red-throated Divers, a Grey Heron, 4 Whooper Swans, 50 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Greylag Geese, 7 Mallards, 3 Wigeons, a Long-tailed Duck, 2 Merlins, an Oystercatcher, c 350 Golden Plovers, the American Golden Plover, 8 Ringed Plovers, 7 Purple Sandpipers, 6 Dunlins, a Sanderling, 5 Jack Snipes, 3 Razorbills, 8 Guillemots, a Short-eared Owl, a Woodpigeon, 2 White Wagtails, a Robin, 25 Wheatears, the Whinchat, a Bluethroat, 6 Song Thrushes, 100 Redwings, a Blackcap, a Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaffs (including one of an eastern origin), a Chaffinch., 8 Bramblings, 6 Common Redpolls, 2 Siskins, 58 Twites, 11 Snow Buntings and 7 Lapland Buntings.

The Little Bunting was relocated at dusk at Sandgarth, Voe, with the Common Rosefinch and 3 Common Redpolls also there.

On Unst, there are 2 Mute Swans at Uyeasound, a Reed Warbler, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Bluethroat and 2 Greenfinches at Baltasound, 3 Arctic Terns at Haroldswick and a Swallow at Norwick.

Thursday 6th October 2005

Lesser Yellowlegs and Brambling on Out Skerries Michael McKee; Siskin, Brambling (2 photos) and 'dusky' House Sparrow on Out Skerries - Steve Minton

The Lanceolated Warbler is still on Out Skerries along with the Lesser Yellowlegs, the Eastern Yellow Wagtail, 2 Jack Snipes, a Robin, a Whinchat, 10 Wheatears, 15 Redwings, 2 Song Thrushes, 5 Blackcaps, 2 or 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Tree Pipit, 8 Bramblings, 2 Goldfinches, a Siskin, 40 Twites, 2 Lapland Buntings, 5 Snow Buntings and several 'smoked' House Sparrows.

A Hoopoe is at Sandgarth, Voe, along with a Little Bunting, a Common Rosefinch, a Pied Flycatcher, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Brambling and 2 Common Redpolls. A flock of 10 Barnacle Geese are at Loch of Strand.

The Greenish Warbler is still at Wester Quarff along with a Red-breasted Flycatcher, a Common Rosefinch and a Yellow-browed Warbler. There are 21 Barnacle Geese at Sandwick. A Yellow-browed Warbler is at Quendale.

On Foula there was a Great Northern Diver, 3 Red-throated Divers (including an adult with a juv), 4 Whooper Swans, a Merlin, a Sparrowhawk, a Water Rail, c 350 Golden Plovers, the American Golden Plover, a Sanderling, 6 Jack Snipes, a pale phase adult Arctic Skua, a Common Gull, 6 Black-headed Gulls, the Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Swallow, 3 White Wagtails, 3 Robins, 25 Wheatears, the Whinchat, 4 Song Thrushes, 150 Redwings, 3 Blackcaps, a Lesser Whitethroat, the Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest, 4 Bramblings, 8 Common Redpolls, 3 Siskins, 15 Snow Buntings and 12 Lapland Buntings.

A Richard's Pipit is on Fetlar, along with a Goldfinch, a Lapland Bunting and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers.

There are 8 Yellow-browed Warblers on Unst, a Common Rosefinch and 2 Black-tailed Godwits at Baltasound, Bluethroats at Northdale and Burrafirth, an Arctic Tern at Haroldswick, and 3 Lapland Buntings at Skaw.

About 500 Redwings are around Sullom and Gluss in Northmavine. A juvenile Common Tern is at Norby, Sandness.

Wednesday 5th October 2005

Lanceolated Warbler (2 photos) and Eastern Yellow Wagtail on Out Skerries - Michael McKee; Red-breasted Flycatcher and Lapland Bunting on Foula - Russell Wynn

On Out Skerries, a Lanceolated Warbler and an Eastern Yellow Wagtail were the highlights among the new arrivals and the Lesser Yellowlegs was still present while other birds included the Whimbrel, a Whinchat, 10 Wheatears, 2 Fieldfares, c 150 Redwings, 3 Song Thrushes, 7 Blackcaps, a new Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Goldcrests, a Chaffinch, 7 Bramblings, a Siskin, a Common Redpoll, 34 Twites, 8 Lapland Buntings and 2 Snow Buntings.

On Foula the American Golden Plover was still present but the Bobolink was not seen. There was also a Grey Heron, 4 Whooper Swans, 22 Pink-footed Geese, 17 Greylag Geese, 8 Mallards, 18 Teals, 3 Wigeons, a Merlin, a young Hobby, an Oystercatcher, c200 Golden Plovers, 9 Ringed Plovers, 3 Purple Sandpipers, 7 Dunlins, 2 Woodcocks, 5 Jack Snipes, a Short-eared Owl, the Woodpigeon, a Grey Wagtail, 3 White Wagtails, 3 Robins, 25 Wheatears, the Whinchat, 4 Song Thrushes, 300 Redwings, 3 Fieldfares, 10 Blackcaps, the Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Willow Warblers, the Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrests, a Red-breasted Flycatcher, a Chaffinch, 3 Bramblings, 7 Common Redpolls, 9 Snow Buntings and 14 Lapland Buntings.

The Greenish Warbler is still at Wester Quarff along with a Yellow-browed Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat.

The three Bluethroats remain on Unst and a Yellow-browed Warbler is at Norwick along with a Common Redpoll.

There are 30 Redwings and a Song Thrush at Kergord.

Tuesday 4th October 2005

Black-throated Thrush at Geosetter - Hugh Harrop; Yellow-browed Warbler on Foula - Russell Wynn

A female Black-throated Thrush is at Geosetter. There are 21 Barnacle Geese and 400 Golden Plovers at Sandwick. The Greenish Warbler is still at Wester Quarff, along with a Yellow-browed Warbler.

On Foula, the American Golden Plover was seen in the morning but searches for the Bobolink drew a blank till it was seen in the late afternoon. In addition there was a Sooty Shearwater, a Grey Heron, 4 Whooper Swans, 16 Pink-footed Geese, c 30 Greylag Geese, 7 Mallards, 9 Teals, 3 Wigeons, 215 Eiders, a Merlin, an Oystercatcher, c 220 Golden Plovers, 9 Ringed Plovers, 36 Lapwings, 3 Purple Sandpipers, 6 Dunlins, 6 Jack Snipes, 6 Common Gulls, the Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Kittiwakes, a Razorbill, a Guillemot, the Woodpigeon, 3 White Wagtails, 2 Robins, 30 Wheatears, the Whinchat, 2 Song Thrushes, 20 Redwings, a Barred Warbler, the Yellow-browed Warbler, the Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, a Chaffinch, 6 Common Redpolls, 50 Twites, 15 Snow Buntings and c 30 Lapland Buntings.

On Out Skerries, the Lesser Yellowlegs was relocated in the evening and other birds included the Red-throated Diver, 5 Grey Herons, the Whimbrel,  28 Skylarks, 2 Wrens, a Whinchat, 5 Redwings, a Song Thrush, a Blackcap, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Chaffinches, a Common Redpoll,  2 Lapland Buntings and 21 Snow Buntings.

The Pectoral Sandpiper is still at Funzie, Fetlar, and there are 2 Yellow-browed Warblers at Houbie on Fetlar.

A Great Grey Shrike is at Sullom Plantation, a Pied Flycatcher is at Busta and a Sparrowhawk and a Yellow-browed Warbler are at South Collafirth.

On Unst, there are Bluethroats at Burrafirth, Northdale and Halligarth and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers at Norwick with another at Halligarth.

Monday 3rd October 2005

On Foula, the American Golden Plover and the Bobolink were re-located briefly and there was also a Grey Heron, 10 Whooper Swans, 25 Pink-footed Geese, 50 Greylag Geese, 150 Barnacle Geese, 5 Mallards, 22 Teals, 2 Wigeons, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Merlins, a Kestrel, a Water Rail, 2 Oystercatchers, c250 Golden Plovers, 11 Ringed Plovers, 15 Lapwings, 5 Purple Sandpipers, 9 Dunlins, a Jack Snipe, 10 Curlews, 9 Black-headed Gulls, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Kittiwakes, the Woodpigeon, 3 White Wagtails, the Robin, 30 Wheatears, a Whinchat, the Song Thrush, c 35 Redwings (most if not all Icelandic), the Yellow-browed Warbler, the Chiffchaff, 10 Common Redpolls, c 20 Twites, 60+ Snow Buntings, 25 Lapland Buntings and a Reed Bunting.

The Lesser Yellowlegs is still on Out Skerries. Also present is Grey Heron, 3 Greylag Geese, 10 Barnacle Geese, a Jack Snipe, a Whimbrel, the Collared Dove, 23 Skylarks, a House Martin, a Robin, 2 Whinchats, a Redwing, 2 Blackcaps, a Goldcrest, 5 Chaffinches, a 5 Lapland Buntings and a Snow Bunting.

A Pectoral Sandpiper is at Loch of Funzie, Fetlar.

Lingering Yellow-browed Warblers include 5 on Unst, 4 at Kergord and singles at Mid Walls, Lerwick, Sandwick and Maywick. A Lapland Bunting is at Grutness.

On Unst the Bluethroat is still in Northdale and another was at Burrafirth, while a Common Redpoll and a Grey Plover are at Baltasound.

 

Sunday 2nd October 2005

Lesser Yellowlegs on Out Skerries - Hugh Harrop; Pied Wagtail at Haroldswick - Mike Pennington

The Lesser Yellowlegs is still on Out Skerries; it flew off towards Whalsay at one stage but returned a little later. Also there were the Collared Dove, a Robin, 2 Blackcaps, a Goldcrest, a Chaffinch, a Common Redpoll, 5 Lapland Buntings and 3 Snow Buntings.

There are 2 Yellow-browed Warblers at South Nesting and 2 at Wester Quarff.

On Foula, there was a Grey Heron, 3 Whooper Swans, 3 Pink-footed Geese, 210 Greylag Geese, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Merlin, a Moorhen, an Oystercatcher, 2 Jack Snipes, 10 Kittiwakes, a Razorbill, 3 Guillemots, the Woodpigeon, the Richard’s Pipit, a Whinchat, a Song Thrush, a Redwing, the Yellow-browed Warbler, the Chiffchaff, 9 Snow Buntings and 12 Lapland Buntings.

On Unst the Bluethroat was still in Northdale and a Turtle Dove was there, while a few Yellow-browed Warblers are still around.

 

Saturday 1st October 2005

Yellow-browed Warblers at Skaw - (3 photos) Mike Pennington; and at Norwick - Micky Maher; Great Grey Shrike at Dale of Walls - Steve Minton; Common Redpoll (of NW race) - Russell Wynn

The Bobolink was seen again on Foula though it was very elusive. In addition there were 2 Grey Herons, 4 Whooper Swans, 7 Pink-footed Geese, 15 Greylag Geese, 9 Mallards, 20 Teals, 2 Wigeons, a Merlin, 2 Oystercatchers, c 200 Golden Plovers, 13 Ringed Plovers, a Purple Sandpiper, 8 Dunlins, 10 Jack Snipes, a Wood Pigeon, the Richard’s Pipit, a Pied Wagtail, 2 White Wagtails, a Robin, c 50 Wheatears, a Whinchat, a Song Thrush, 4 Redwings, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 2 Common Redpolls, 26 Snow Buntings, 12 Lapland Buntings, the original Little Bunting and the Reed Bunting.

The Lesser Yellowlegs is still on Out Skerries. Also there were a Red-throated Diver. 26 Greylag and 9 Barnacle Geese flying south, a Grey Heron, a Sparrowhawk, a Collared Dove, a Robin, 2 Whinchats, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers (one new), 2 Goldcrests, 21 Ravens, 5 Chaffinches, 4 Twites and 2 Lapland Buntings.

The Greenish Warbler is still at Wester Quarff along with 2 Yellow-browed Warblers and a Barred Warbler. One of the King Eiders is still in Clift Sound off Wester Quarff.  There are 17 Barnacle Geese at Sandwick and 4 Arctic Terns, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Knots and 7 Bar-tailed Godwits at Pool of Virkie. There are Yellow-browed Warblers at Sandwick, Quendale, Sumburgh & Toab. A Greenland Redpoll is at Maywick and a Barred Warbler and 22 Barnacle Geese are at Quendale.

A Little Bunting is at Skellister, Nesting, with a Marsh Warbler and a Common Crossbill at Catfirth and 4 Yellow-browed Warblers in South Nesting. The American Coot is still at Loch of Benston. A Yellow-browed Warbler is at Seafield, Lerwick.

A Great Grey Shrike is at Dale of Walls, with a Common Swift at Collaster, Sandness, 11 Arctic Terns at Norby, a Long-eared Owl and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers at West Burrafirth and Yellow-browed Warblers at Collaster, Dale of Walls, Kergord, Busta and Lower Voe.

There are 4 Common Redpolls (at least one a Greenland bird) at Sandgarth, Voe, along with a Yellow-browed Warbler and a Water Rail while a flock of 7 Taiga Bean Geese flew north at Swinister, Dales Voe, Delting.

On Unst, there is a Little Stint and a Lapland Bunting at Lamba Ness, a Bluethroat at Northdale, 13 Yellow-browed Warblers at various sites and at least 10 Arctic Terns at either Haroldswick or Norwick.