Monday 31st January 2005
There are 38 Snow Buntings at Cunningsburgh.
An adult Glaucous Gull, 2 Ruddy Ducks and 18 Barnacle Geese
are at Loch of Spiggie and a male Pintail is at Boddam.
Sunday 30th January 2005
Turnstones, Purple Sandpipers and Starlings at Westing -
Mike Pennington
The Gyrfalcon was seen on Fetlar again.
There are 25 Snow Buntings and a Jack Snipe at Scatness.
In Lerwick, there are at least 7 Iceland Gulls and 2 Glaucous Gulls
in Lerwick, and 4 Chaffinches and a Brambling at Helendale.
The small Canada Goose is still at Loch of Spiggie along with an adult
Glaucous Gull, 2 Ruddy Ducks, 2 Shovelers and 32
Barnacle Geese.
Saturday 29th January 2005
Twite at Norwick and Purple Sandpiper and Iceland Gull at Westing -
Mike Pennington
On Unst, there are Iceland Gulls at Burrafirth, Baltasound and
Westing, a Glaucous Gull at Skaw, a Velvet Scoter at Belmont and a
winter record 321 Greylag Geese scattered around the island.
In Scalloway, there are 10 Iceland Gulls and 3 Glaucous Gulls,
there are Little Grebes at Scalloway and Loch of Tingwall and a
Glaucous Gull is at Weisdale. At Sand Water, in the late afternoon, there
were 3 Hen Harriers, 2 Sparrowhawks, a Merlin and a
Peregrine.
A male Bullfinch is at Cunningsburgh.
Friday 28th January 2005
Iceland Gull (2 photos) and Glaucous Gull in Lerwick
-
Micky Maher
The female King Eider is still off Belmont, Unst.
There are at least 8 Iceland Gulls and 2 Glaucous Gulls in
Lerwick.
There are still 7 Bar-tailed Godwits at Pool of Virkie.
Thursday 27th January 2005
The female King Eider, now in its third winter, has reappeared off
Belmont, Unst, among 600 Common Eiders and a Velvet Scoter is off
the south end of Linga in Bluemull Sound.
A first-winter male Ring-necked Duck is on Loch of Funzie, Fetlar. A
first-winter Iceland Gull is at Baltasound, Unst.
There are 2 Dunnocks, 4 Greenfinches, a female Chaffinch,
2 Robins, a Song Thrush, a male Brambling and 6 female
Bullfinches in Helendale.
Wednesday 26th January 2005
The Dark-breasted Barn Owl is still at Reawick.
Three Hen Harriers are still roosting at Sand Water. There are 59
Slavonian Grebes in the westside voes and single first-winter Iceland
Gull and Glaucous Gull are at Whiteness. A Goosander is on
East Voe of Scalloway and there are 18 Snow Buntings at Sandwick.
A second-winter Glaucous Gull is at Scord and 6 Jack Snipes, 77
Snipes and a Song Thrush are at Sumburgh Hotel. A Shoveler
is on Loch of Spiggie.
An adult Iceland Gull and a first-winter Glaucous Gull are at
Haroldswick.
Tuesday 25th January 2005
The Ross's Gull is still near Hillwell.
Another Black Redstart is on Whalsay, along with a first-winter
Iceland Gull and a female Bullfinch.
There are at least 9 Iceland Gulls in Lerwick, 9 in Scalloway and 6 at
Asta. One of the birds at Scalloway shows features of Kumlien's Gull. A
Glaucous Gull is at Scalloway and 2 are at Lerwick.
Three Hen Harriers are roosting at Sand Water. A Chiffchaff is
still at Helendale.
There are 46 Fieldfares, 12 Redwings and 2 Skylarks
around Brow and 2 Ruddy Ducks, 106 Tufted Ducks and 15 Pochards
on the loch, while 11 Bar-tailed Godwits are at Pool of Virkie and
another 10 Redwings are at Boddam.
Monday 24th January 2005
hybrid Glaucous x Herring Gull and Glaucous Gull
-
Micky Maher
The American Coot is still on Loch of Benston.
There are Black Redstarts at Scatness and in Lerwick; there are only
seven previous midwinter records.
A second-winter Glaucous Gull is still at Baltasound, along with a
rather sorry-looking first-winter hybrid Glaucous x Herring Gull, which
was also seen at Haroldswick last week. Also on Unst, a Barnacle Goose
and a Song Thrush are at Norwick.
At least 9 Iceland Gulls and a Glaucous Gull are still in
Lerwick. Another 11 Iceland Gulls are at Scalloway.
In the Helendale area there are 3 Dunnocks, a Woodcock, 8
Greenfinches, a Brambling, a Chaffinch, a Song Thrush
and 2 female Bullfinches, while there is also a male Bullfinch,
a Dunnock and 2 Greenfinches at Sletts Park.
Sunday 23rd January 2005
Collared Dove and Iceland Gull (with Greylags) at Baltasound - Mike
Pennington
The American Coot is still at Loch of Benston.
The Ross's Gull is still in the fields at Brake, near Hillwell, and a
Hen Harrier is at Brow. There are 2 Fieldfares at South Nesting and one at Scousburgh. An
adult Glaucous Gull is at Scatness.
There are 10 Iceland Gulls at Scalloway, one at Trondra and at least 3
at Lerwick, along with a Glaucous Gull. The Little Grebe is still
on Loch of Tingwall and there are 7 Goosanders at Strand Loch. There are
3 Greenfinches on Trondra. A first-winter Glaucous Gull is at
Urafirth, Northmavine.
On Unst there are 2 first-winter Glaucous Gulls at Uyeasound and
another at Burrafirth, and a first-winter Iceland Gull at Baltasound,
while a Skylark and 6 Redwings are at Norwick.
A Waxwing ringed at Maywick on 24 October 2004 was caught by Grampian Ringing
Group at Inverurie, outside Aberdeen the following weekend. It was given yellow
and lime-green colour rings and was rediscovered in Aberdeen at Christmas,
before being sighted in Sheffield on the 21st January. With another couple of
months of winter to go we may again hear of this bird with a Shetland
connection.
Saturday 22nd January 2005
Greenfinch - Mike Pennington
The American Coot is still at Loch of Benston.
The Ross's Gull is still in the Hillwell/Ringasta area, along with 2
first-winter Iceland Gulls, while the small Canada Goose is still
at Spiggie, along with 2 Ruddy Ducks, 2 Shovelers and a Grey
Plover.
The Dark-breasted Barn Owl is still at Reawick.
At least 5 Iceland Gulls are still in Lerwick and there are 7 at
Scalloway. A male Brambling,
a female Bullfinch and a Dunnock are at Helendale. A Grey Wagtail is
wintering at Veensgarth and there are 3 Greenfinches there.
There are 2 Greenfinches and a Little Grebe at Baltasound.
Friday 21st January 2005
A first-winter Lesser Black-backed Gull on Loch of Clickimin is very
unusual, while there are 4 Glaucous Gulls off the Victoria Pier in Lerwick,
and a Chaffinch and a Song Thrush are at Helendale. Another
Pied Wagtail is at Cunningsburgh. A second-winter Iceland Gull is at
Westing on Unst. Another second-winter Iceland Gull is at Ennisfirth,
Northmavine.
Thursday 20th January 2005
A male King Eider is off Whalsay in West Linga Sound.
The Ross's Gull is still at Ringasta, along with 85 Barnacle Geese.
An adult Glaucous Gull is at Scatness along with 40 Snow Buntings.
There are 18 Bar-tailed Godwits at Virkie and 7 Sanderlings are at
Grutness. The 2 Ruddy Ducks are still on Loch of Spiggie, along with a
Shoveler.
The Gyrfalcon was reported on Fetlar again.
There are at least 10 Iceland Gulls in Lerwick, mainly frequenting the
Catch, while there are also 2 Glaucous Gulls, a first-winter and a
second-winter, and another out-of-season Pied Wagtail around the Victoria
pier.
A first-winter Glaucous Gull is at Uyeasound, Unst.
Wednesday 19th January 2005
Iceland Gull
-
Micky Maher
The American Coot is still on Loch of Benston. There are 37
Red-throated Divers and 9 Great Northern Divers off Kirkabister,
while a Little Grebe and a Slavonian Grebe are on Loch of
Tingwall. A female Chaffinch is at Helendale.
There are first-winter Iceland Gulls at Westing and Uyeasound and a
second-winter Glaucous Gull is at Baltasound, while a Bar-tailed
Godwit is at Uyeasound and the Shelduck is still at Haroldswick.
A first-winter Iceland Gull is at Scatness. The Pied Wagtail is
still at Sandwick.
Three Iceland Gulls and a Glaucous Gull are at various sites in
Northmavine.
Tuesday 18th January 2005
A first-winter White-billed Diver is off Brough, Fetlar; it is a
different bird to the one that was in the Bluemull triangle earlier in the month
as that was an adult.
An unseasonable Pied Wagtail is at Sandwick, along with a Song
Thrush and 11 Oystercatchers.
Monday 17th January 2005
The adult Ross's Gull is still at Ringasta, the male American
Wigeon is at Hillwell, the small Canada Goose is still at Spiggie
along with 85 Barnacle Geese, while some interesting wader totals
included 54 Dunlins, 12 Bar-tailed Godwits and 11 Sanderlings
around Virkie, Scatness and Grutness, while 2 Jack Snipes are at
Troswick.
There are 3 Bullfinches ( male and 2 females) at Westerloch, Lerwick.
There are Collared Doves incubating in Lerwick! Two Iceland Gulls
are still on Trondra.
There is a first-winter Iceland Gull at Westing on Unst, a
second-winter Glaucous Gull is at Haroldswick with an a adult at
Burrafirth, and a Bar-tailed Godwit is at Baltasound.
Sunday 16th January 2005
Ross's Gull - Hugh Harrop; Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull
-
Micky Maher
A Gyr Falcon flew south over Spiggie during the afternoon; it remains
to be seen whether this is another new individual. The Ross's Gull was
also relocated at Ringasta.
Also in south Mainland, there are now 2 Ruddy Ducks on Loch of Spiggie
with an increase to 104 Barnacle Geese there, along with the small
Canada Goose and a Grey Plover, while a male Pintail and 3
Shelducks are at Boddam. A ringtail Hen Harrier is at Brig of
Bakkasetter.
At Helendale, there are 4 Redwings, 2 Dunnocks, a Chaffinch,
a Brambling and a Chiffchaff. At least 2 Iceland Gulls are
still at Shetland Catch in Lerwick. There are 2
Iceland Gulls on Trondra, a Glaucous Gull at East Voe of Scalloway, a
Little Grebe on Loch of Tingwall along with 21 Whooper Swans and 33 Tufted Ducks,
a pair of Goosanders on Strand Loch and 10 Greenfinches and 2
Chaffinches in Scalloway.
There are 5 Barnacle Geese at Bousta, Sandness. A male Scaup is
on Muckle Roe.
On Unst, there are 8 Iceland Gulls, including 6 (a second-winter and 5
first-winters including one showing characteristics of Kumlein's Gull)
between Uyeasound and Muness, a second-winter at Baltasound and an adult at
Haroldswick. There are also 5 Glaucous Gulls, a first-winter at
Uyeasound, a second-winter at
Burrafirth and 2 first-winters and an adult at Burrafirth. Also on Unst there is
a Sanderling at Norwick, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Meadow Pipits,
35 Snow Buntings and the Shelduck at Haroldswick, and 5
Barnacle Geese at Westing.
Saturday 15th January 2005
A white phase Gyr Falcon, probably a first-winter female, is on
Fetlar, around the banks at Funzie. It is different to the Fair Isle bird, which
is probably a male and was seen on Thursday. There are also 2 Barnacle Geese on
Fetlar.
On Unst, the ringtail Hen Harrier was at Burrafirth, along with 2
Glaucous Gulls (an adult and a second-winter), while a Shelduck is at
Norwick, 13 Whooper Swans and 10 Snow Buntings are at Haroldswick,
a second-winter Iceland Gull is at Westing and a male Pochard is
at Uyeasound. There was no sign of the Dipper on Hermaness, just 2 Woodcocks.
The American Wigeon is at Scatness along with 3 Bar-tailed Godwits
and a first-winter Iceland Gull. A Water Rail is at Ocraquoy.
There are 2 first-winter Iceland Gulls and a first-winter Glaucous
Gull at Loch of Clickimin and a female Bullfinch in Helendale. A
first-winter Iceland Gull is on Trondra.
Friday 14th January 2005
The Black-bellied Dipper is still on Unst, along the Burn of
Winnasworta on Hermaness. Also on Unst there is a first-winter Iceland Gull,
a second-winter Glaucous Gull, an Oystercatcher, a Little Auk
and a female Bullfinch, all at Baltasound.
The Dark-breasted Barn Owl is still at Reawick.
Counts of Iceland Gulls (all first-winters unless stated) comprised 2
(one adult) at Shetland Catch in Lerwick, one at Rova Head north of Lerwick, 3
at Scalloway, one at Sand near Garderhouse, one at Aith and one at Norby. A
third-winter Glaucous Gull was at Huxter, Sandness, and a first-winter is
at East Voe of Scalloway.
A female Bullfinch is at Cunningsburgh, where an exhausted Little
Auk was found. There are 32 Purple Sandpipers and 3 Shelducks
at Boddam. There are still 2 Greenfinches at Sandgarth, Voe.
Thursday 13th January 2005
The first-winter Little Gull is still at Melby along with a
third-winter Glaucous Gull.
There are 4 first-winter Iceland Gulls at East Voe of Scalloway and 2
first-winter and an adult Iceland Gull at the Shetland Catch, along with
an adult Glaucous Gull. A Song Thrush is at Helendale while a
female Bullfinch is at Sound. A Little Grebe and 2 Goosanders
are at East Voe of Scalloway. Another Bullfinch is at Sandgarth, Voe.
There are Little Auks at North Ness in Lerwick and found exhausted at
Eshaness.
Wednesday 12th January 2005
There are 3 Barnacle Geese at Scatness. A male Bullfinch is at
the Sletts in Lerwick.
Tuesday 11th January 2005
The Ross's Gull was at Ringasta, near Quendale, in the afternoon.
The Canada Goose is at Loch of Brow, where there are 78 Tufted
Ducks and 3 Common Pochards as well as 15 Barnacle Geese. A
Grey Plover is still at Spiggie. A first-winter Glaucous Gull has
been feeding on a seal carcass at Scord all day.
A ringtail Hen Harrier is still roosting at Sand Water.
There are first-winter Iceland Gulls at Baltasound and Lamba Ness on
Unst and a first-winter Glaucous Gull at Skaw, while there are still 2
Greenfinches at Baltasound.
Monday 10th January 2005
There are still 3 first-winter Iceland Gulls at the Shetland Catch in
Lerwick, along with a first-winter Glaucous Gull, with another
first-winter Iceland Gull at Semblisetter, between Bixter and Skeld and
an adult Iceland Gull near Hulma Water, between Bixter and Walls. There
are 5 Goosanders on Strand Loch and a Pink-footed Goose at Bixter.
Sunday 9th January 2005
Ross's Gull - Roger
Riddington; Iceland Gull (2 photos) -
Micky Maher
The adult Ross's Gull is still at Loch of Brow, in a field north of
the loch. A first-winter Iceland Gull was also present. The American Wigeon is still at Hillwell along with 25 Moorhens,
5 Coots and 2 Fieldfares. An adult Glaucous Gull is at
Scatness.
The American Coot is still at Loch of Benston. There are 17 Mute
Swans there and 44 Snow Buntings in two flocks at South Nesting. A
Little Grebe and 28 Whooper Swans are on Loch of Tingwall. A
first-winter Glaucous Gull is at Weisdale.
There are at least 8 Bullfinches still in Lerwick, along with 14
Greenfinches at Sound. There
are 3 first-winter Iceland Gulls at the Shetland Catch in Lerwick and 2
Little Auks off the Victoria pier. A Little Grebe is still at East Voe of Scalloway.
Another first-winter Iceland Gull is at Ollaberry.
A Little Grebe is at Baltasound and a Carrion Crow is at
Haroldswick.
Saturday 8th January 2005
An adult Ross's Gull is at Loch of Brow.
The small Canada Goose is still at Loch of Spiggie, along with 15
Barnacle Geese and the Ruddy Duck, there are 4 Bar-tailed Godwits
and 4 Gadwalls at Pool of Virkie, a first-winter Iceland Gull is
at Boddam along with 3 Shelducks, and the male American Wigeon is
at Loch of Hillwell along with a Little Grebe.
There are 4 Greenfinches on Trondra and 5 Goosanders at East
Voe of Scalloway. A Grey Wagtail is at Effirth and a Little Gull
is at Sandness, both in west Mainland.
At least 2 Glaucous Gulls are in Lerwick along with 2 Iceland Gulls,
while a Goldcrest is at Helendale.
Friday 7th January 2005
The White-billed Diver is still in the Bluemull triangle.
A Chiffchaff is wintering in a garden in Scalloway and at least one
Little Grebe is still at East Voe of Scalloway, along with 7 Grey Herons.
There are 4 Woodcocks at Kergord.
There are 5 Bar-tailed Godwits at Voe of Leiraness on Bressay.
At Sandwick, there are 250 Turnstones, 91 Redshanks, 14
Redwings and 7 Snow Buntings in the fields, while a Blackbird
in song there is unusually early for Shetland.
Thursday 6th January 2005
A White-billed Diver is in Bluemull Sound, presumably the individual
that has been around for the last few winters, although it is seldom seen
There are 2 Glaucous Gulls and about 200 Kittiwakes at the
Shetland Catch in Lerwick.
Wednesday 5th January 2005
There are 3 Glaucous Gulls (an adult and 2 first-winters) and a
first-winter Iceland Gull at Belmont.
Tuesday 4th January 2005
There are 12 Greenfinches at Brae and an Oystercatcher is at
Graven. There are 183 Wigeons and 175 Curlews at Spiggie, while 15
Fieldfares and 8 Redwings are at Bigton. A Greenfinch is at
Sletts Park, Lerwick. There are 6 Goosanders in the East Voe of Scalloway.
Monday 3rd January 2005
There are 42 Snow Buntings at Sandwick and 2 Greenfinches and 6
Redwings at Sandgarth, Voe. Two female Bullfinches are still at
Sound, Lerwick. A Carrion Crow is at Baltasound.
There are 600 Eiders and 250 Long-tailed Ducks in the Bluemull
triangle and single first-winter Iceland and Glaucous Gulls at
Belmont.
Sunday 2nd January 2005
There are 2 Greenfinches still at Baltasound and 10 Snow
Buntings at Haroldswick. Two Velvet Scoters are in the Bluemull
triangle.
Saturday 1st January 2005
There are 2 Greenfinches at Baltasound.
Nature in Shetland
