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Recent sightings

We try to include most records sent directly to us and we collect records from many other sources. As a news site, there will inevitably be errors included - in identification and in compilation. This site does not constitute an official record; this is published annually in the Shetland Bird Report, using records which have been formally submitted and assessed by local and national committees.

Species in red are national (BBRC) rarities. 
Species in orange are local/Scottish rarities.

 
12th October 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll & 2 Hawfinch at Norwick. Pectoral Sandpiper at Westings. Tree Pipit at Clibberswick. Slavonian Grebe at Haroldswick.

Whalsay: 2 Waxwing at Isbister.

Foula: Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll at Ham.

North Mainland: Snow Bunting at Eshaness Lighthouse & Grey Plover at Stenness junction.

West Mainland: Common Redpoll & Lesser Redpoll at Fogrigarth.

Central Mainland: Waxwing at Voe. Siberian Stonechat still at Hamnavoe, Lunna Ness. Ringtail harrier at Kergord  and Siberian Chiffchaff at Asta.

South Mainland: Yellow Warbler at Hoswick. Whinchat & Brambling at Sannick. Slavonian Grebe at West Voe.

Cetacean Sightings:

Report of Orca from Belmont Ferry.

 
11th October 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:   Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll, 2 Hawfinch & Grey Wagtail at Norwick. Pied Wheatear still at Northdale. Slavonian Grebe at Haroldswick.

Yell: Surf Scoter  off Burravoe.

Fetlar:  White-crowned Sparrow still at Peerie House, Houbie.

Central Mainland: Siberian Stonechat still at Hamnavoe, Lunna Ness. Magpie at Kergord. 400 Redwing near Veensgarth. Scaup at Loch of Tingwall. 16 Knot & 48 Oystercatcher on AHS playing fields.

South Mainland: Slavonian Grebe at West Voe of Sumburgh.

 
10th October 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:   Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll, Mealy Redpoll, 25 Brambling and brief visit from Common Swift at Valyie.  . Pied Wheatear still at Northdale. Hawfinch at Norwick and 2 Hawfinch at Leawart. Little Bunting, Yellow-browed Warbler & Siberian Chiffchaff at Setter Hill Estate (SHE) and 11 Snow Bunting on East Hill. 2 Waxwing at Halligarth. 2 Velvet Scoter off Baltasound. Short-eared Owl on fishing boat 10 miles north of Unst.

Yell: Surf Scoter still off Burravoe - visible from end of Old Haa road

Fetlar:  White-crowned Sparrow still at Peerie House, Houbie . 2 Grey Plover & 2 Brambling at Funzie..

Whalsay: Common Rosefinch at Skaw.

Foula: American Wigeon on Mill Loch.

Bressay: White's Thrush still at Gorie plantation & Song Thrush. Blackcap at Voehead.

North Mainland: Yellow-browed Warbler at Gluss.

Central Mainland: Barred Warbler near Garths cemetry, South Nesting. Yellow-browed Warbler & Garden Warbler at Kergord. Curlew Sandpiper briefly at Sea Road, Lerwick.

South Mainland: Cattle Egret still at Sumburgh Farm.

Insect Sightings

 5 Angleshades, 3 Dark Sword-grass & Setaceous Hebrew Character on sugar at Bakkasetter.

 
9th October 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Summary:  Continued migration of Redwing, Fieldfare & Brambling reported along with other common migrants including Robin, Blackcap & Goldcrest.

Unst:  2 Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll & 2 Waxwing briefly at Valyie. Also Ring Ouzel, Pied Flycatcher, Common Rosefinch, Hawfinch, Siskin & Redpoll sp at Valyie and Waxwing at Norwick.. Pied Wheatear at Northdale. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Burrafirth Shore Station. 3 Ring Ouzel at Leawart. Yellow-browed Warbler at Uyeasound, Baltasound and Setter Hill Estate (SHE). Also at SHE, Little Bunting & Sparrowhawk. Dusky Warbler at Alma/Westbrek Road. Siberian Chiffchaff along road to Eastings.

Yell: Surf Scoter off Burravoe.

Fetlar:  White-crowned Sparrow still at Peerie House, Houbie + Little Bunting in area. Ring Ouzel & Lesser Whitethroat at Tresta.

Out Skerries:  Bluethroat, Common Rosefinch, 10 Chiffchaff & Lapland Bunting.

Bressay: White's Thrush still at Gorie plantation & Red-breasted Flycatcher. Long-billed Dowitcher at Leira Voe. Slavonian Grebe at Noss Sound.

North Mainland: Ring Ouzel at Sandgarth. Grey Plover & Yellow-browed Warbler at Scatsta. Barred Warbler & Reed Bunting at Hillswick. Ring Ouzel & Stonechat at Collafirth.

Central Mainland: Siberian Stonechat at Hamnavoe, Lunna.  Magpie and Tundra Bean Goose at Kergord. Red-breasted Flycatcher at Garth, South Nesting. Ring Ouzel & Hawfinch on hill above Anderson High School and Yellow-browed Warbler at Clickimin, Lerwick.

South Mainland: Cattle Egret still at Sumburgh Farm and Yellow-browed Warbler & Pied Flycatcher at Sumburgh Head. Short-eared Owl over Scatness. 123 Shag at West Voe. 4 Snow Bunting and138 Turnstone at Grutness. 4 Ring Ouzel & Song Thrush at Mossy Hill. Bluethroat at Bakkasetter. Siberian Chiffchaff at Hoswick. Ring Ouzel and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Levenwick. 16 Pink-footed Geese over Hoswick & 18 over Sumburgh Head. 

 

Cetacean Sightings:

 4 Orcas reported off Mangaster travelling south. 27s Orca pod at Stenness and Eshaness.

 
8th October 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: American Golden Plover with flock of 150+ Golden Plover at East Hill. Lapland Bunting, Short-eared Owl and 60 Snow Bunting flew over Halligarth.  3 Fieldfare at Uyeasound.  Dusky Wabler, 12 Brambling, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 2 siskin, Pied Flycatcher, Hawfinch, Waxwing, and lesser White throat at Valyie. Velvet Scoter, Long-eared Owl and Curlew Sandpiper still at Houb Baltasound. 3 Brambling and Lesser Whitethroat at Burrafirth. Little Bunting at Setter Hill Estate (SHE).

Fetlar:  White-crowned Sparrow at Peerie House garden.

Out Skerries:  Richard's Pipit, 2 Rosefinch, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin, 4 Blackcap, 11 Twite, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Brambling, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jack Snipe, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Fieldfare, Whinchat, 30 Redwing, 56 Snow Bunting and a Little Auk from the Ferry. 

Bressey: White's Thrush still there.

North Mainland: 25 Snow Bunting, 30+ Twite and Jack snipe at Eshaness.

West Mainland:  4 Goldeneye at Hula water, Shoveler at Loch of Norby. 5 Red Grouse at Burn of Lunket.

Central Mainland: Siberian Stonechat still at Luna.  Barred Wabler and Yellow-browed Wabler at Lerwick. Lesser Whitethroat at Muckle Roe.

South Mainland: Cattle Egret still at Sumburgh Farm and a Hen Harrier.  Wood Warbler and Yellow-browed Warbler at Hillwell.  6 Snow bunting at Grutness.  Kestrel and Yellow-browed Warbler at Channerwick.  2 Long-tail duck, Great Northern Diver, Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter, 2 Knot at Quendale.  Little Bunting at Cunningsburgh.  Common Rosefinch at Geosetter.

Cetacean:  Risso's Dolphins reported off Bluebell sound Ferry and Minke Whale seen off Braewick.

 
7th October 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: 2 Pintail and a Peregrine at Skaw.  2 Tree Pipit, Pied Flycatcher, 3 Rosefinch, Lesser Whitethroat and Song Thrush at Norwick.  Barred Warbler at Haroldswick, Lesser Whitethroat at Uyeasound.  Blackcap at Leawart. and Curlew Sandpiper still at Houb.

Foula:  Olive Backed Pipit

Out Skerries:  Rosefinch and Chiffchaff.

Fetlar:  Ring Ouzel reported

Yell: Red-flanked Bluetail.

Bressay: White's Thrush still, Yellow-browed Warbler,  Willow Warbler, Blackcap, 3 Ruff and Goldcrest.

North Mainland: 20 Snow Bunting, Arctic Redpoll, Rosefinch, Twite and Jack Snipe at Eshaness.

West Mainland: Amur Stonechat at Norby still along with a Cormorant and Whinchat.  Blyth's Reed Warbler at Melby.  Barred warbler at Da Gardins O'Sand. Siberian Chiffchaff, Yellow-browed Warbler, Brambling and 300+ Redwing at Walls.  Yellow-browed Warbler and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Vementry.

Central Mainland: Great Spotted Woodpecker at lower Voe, 5 Mealy Redpoll, Fieldfare, Garden Warbler, Grey wagtail at Sullom.  Reed Warbler at Voxter.  2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 Redpoll and 2 Crossbill at Brae. Yellow-browed Warbler, Redpoll, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, 4 Purple Sandpiper and a Brambling at Lerwick. Eastern Subalpine Warbler and Hawfinch still at West Quarff along with 4 Brambling, 2 chiffchaff, 3 Robin, 2 Blackcap, Siskin, 3 Goldcrest, Barred Warbler and 50+ Redwing. Siberian Chiffchaff, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Warbler and brambling at Scalloway.  Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, and Fieldfare at Muckle Roe.

South Mainland: Cattle Egret still at Sumburgh Farm.  4 Pintail, 5 Moorhen and a Shoveler at Hillwell. Icterine Warbler at Bigton.  Barred Warbler and Yellow-browed Warbler at Hoswick.  4 Pochard at Spiggie.  Marsh Warbler, 2 Great Northern Diver, 3 Long-tailed Duck, 9 Red-throated Diver, Ruff, Knot, 16 Oystercatcher, Peregrine, Slavonian Grebe, Common Scoter at Quendale.  Lesser Whitethroat and Yellow-browed Warbler at Levenwick.  Lesser Whitethroat, Whooper Swan, Great Northern Diver at Exnaboe.

Cetacean:  Common Dolphins crossing Papa Sound this morning and 7-8 Risso's Dolphins reported off Urafirth Voe tonight.

 
6th October 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Summary:  The seasonal migration continues all over Shetland with lots of reported sights of flocks of Redwing.

Unst: Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Barred Warbler, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Rosefinch, 100+ Redwing at Norwick. Arctic Warbler, Still 100+ Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap and 2 Whinchat at Skaw. Song Thrush and Northern Wheatear at Westing.

Out Skerries:  2 Rosefinch

Fetlar:  Ring Ouzel reported

Yell:  Yellow-browed Warbler at Hoswick, Ring Ouzel and Greenshank at Mid Yell.

Bressay: White's Thrush still, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher, Goldcrest and 2 Redwing.

Whalsay: American Golden Plover still at Skaw.

North Mainland: Pink-footed Goose at Braewick.  

West Mainland: Amur Stonechat at Norby.  Grasshopper Warbler and Pied Flycatcher at Melby.  Red-breasted Flycatcher and Barred Warbler at Da Gardins O'Sand.  23 Goosander at Tresta.  7 Goosander and a Yellow-browed Warbler at Dale of Walls.

Central Mainland: Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Swallow, 2 Brambling, Song thrush, 30-40 Redwing and a Great Spotted Woodpecker at Vidlin.  Tree Pipit at Brae.  Honey Buzzard and Red-throated Diver at Gulberwick. Eastern Subalpine Warbler and Hawfinch still at West Quarff. 2 Merlin and a Sparrowhawk at Kergord. Long-eared Owl and Sparrowhawk at Urdale.

South Mainland: Cattle Egret still at Sumburgh Farm along with a White Wagtail. 10 Snow Bunting still at Grutness.  3 Goldeneye at Spiggie Loch.  3 Yellow-browed Warbler between Toab and Exnaboe.  Little Bunting at Boddam.  Brambling at Sandwick.

 
5th October 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Summary:  The seasonal migration continues all over Shetland.

Unst: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Barred Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Rosefinch, Hen Harrier still and Whinchat at Northdale.  Arctic Warbler, Still and Whinchat at Skaw. Rosefinch, Little Bunting and Yellow-browed Warbler at Shore station.  Siberian Chiffchaff at Hermaness. Swallow at Haroldswick, 3 Rosefinch and a Brambling at Valyie, Curlew Sandpiper back at the Houb.

Fetlar:  Yellow-browed Warbler

Bressay: White's Thrush still, Magpie 2 Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Yellow-browed Warbler, Long-tailed duck and 5 Goosander.

North Mainland: Pink-footed Goose at Braewick.  Hawfinch at Murrion. 14  Grey Heron at Haggrister.

West Mainland: 3 Yellow-browed Warbler and a  Barred Warbler at Sandness.  Rosefinch, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler and a suspected Stejneger's Eastern Stonechat at Melby.  Blyth's Reed Warbler, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler and a Goldfinch at Dale of Walls.

Central Mainland: Lots of Redwing recorded overnight between 1-4am.  Siberian Stonechat still at Lunna. Hawfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Crossbill at Lerwick.  Eastern Subalpine Wabler and  Northern Tree Creeper still at West Quarff.  Barred Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest and 50 Redwing at Kergord. 4 Red-throated Diver and 6 Great Northern Diver at South Nesting Bay.

South Mainland: Cattle Egret still at Sumburgh Farm. Yellow-browed Warbler, Robin, Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, 11 Snow Bunting and a Great Northern Diver at Grutness.  Mealy redpoll and Blackcap at Hoswick.  Redstart, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Robin, 2 Blackcap and 30+Redwing at Geosetter.  Arctic Warbler at Levenwick. Barred Warbler at Cunningsburgh.  Red-breasted Flycatcher at Fladdibister.  3 Yellow-browed Warbler between Toab and Exnaboe.

Cetacean:  Small pods of active Risso's Dolphins, Harbour Porpoise and a Minke Whale throughout the day reported off South Mainland.  A Risso's Dolphin was reported off Haroldswick, Unst.

Insects:  Convolvulus Hawkmoth was reported overnight at Scalloway.

 
4th October 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Summary:  The seasonal migration continues all over Shetland.

Unst: Merlin, Hen Harrier and Whinchat at Northdale.  Arctic Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, at Skaw. Barred Warbler, Tree Pipit, Reed Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Rosefinch at Norwick and Northdale.  2 Short Eared Owls, Pink-footed and Pale-ballied Geese at Baltasound.  Little Egret at Snarravoe. 2 Reed Wabler at Halligarth.  3 Rosefinch, Siskin, Mealy Redpoll, Brambling, Yellow-browed Wabler, Reed Wabler and Tree Pipit at Valyie.  

Foula:  Olive-backed Pipit

Fetlar: Little Bunting

Bressey: White's Thrush reported.

North Mainland: Merlin, Snow Bunting, Blyth's Reed Warbler, and Golden Plover at Ronas.  Hawfinch at Eshaness. Blyth's Reed Warbler and Tree Sparrow at Hillswick.  Bluethroat and a Dotterel still at Stenness.

West Mainland: Red-breasted Flycatcher at Da Gardins O'Sand and Carrion Crow at Walls.

Central Mainland: Barred Warbler at Scatsta.  Garden Warbler and Barred Warbler at Sullom plantation. Olive-backed Pipit at Voxter.  Siberian Stonechat and Black Redstart still at Lunna Kirk. Magpie, Barred Warbler and 3 Crossbill at Lerwick.  Eastern Subalpine Warbler and  Northern Tree Creeper at West Quarff.  2 Brambling, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Water Rail at Vidlin.

South Mainland: Cattle Egret still at Sumburgh Farm along with 2 Long-tailed Ducks. 150+ Barnacle Geese at Dunrossness.   Marsh Warbler at Quendale.  Jack Snipe, Merlin and Whimbrel at Geosetter.  Pallid HarrierRed-breasted Flycatcher,  3 Swallow and a Rustic Bunting at Hoswick.

Cetacean:  10-12 Risso's and Harbour Porpoise and a Minke Whale reported off South Mainland.  25-30 Dolphins reported off Haroldswick, Unst.

Insects:  3 dark swords and an Angle Sword at Burravoe, Yell reported overnight.

 
3rd October 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: 2 Blackcap, Rosefinch and 9 Twite at Shore station.  Hen Harrier at Northdale.

Foula:  Lapland Bunting  

Fetlar: Hawfinch, American Golden Plover still with Golden Plover flock.  Little Bunting and Jack Snipe reported.

Whalsay: Richard's Pipit reported.

Noss:  Pectoral Sandpiper.

North Mainland: Snowy Owl at Mid Field along with a Snow Bunting and 5 Golden Plover, Ronas.  40-50 Snow Bunting at Eshaness. Great Snipe at North Roe.  Blyth's Reed Warbler at Housetter.

West Mainland: Magpie at Melby.

Central Mainland: Barred Warbler at Scatsta.  Red-breasted Flycatcher at Sullom plantation.  Olive-backed Pipit, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Blackcap at Voxter.  River Warbler at Brae.  Siberian Stonechat and Black Redstart, along with Shetland's 4th Veery still at Lunna Kirk. Magpie, Merlin, 4 x Common Crossbill at Lerwick.  Eastern Subalpine Wabler at West Quarff.  Barred Wabler, 3 lesser White Throat at East Quarff.  Eastern Stonechat at Hamnavoe.

South Mainland: Cattle Egret still at Sumburgh Farm. 11 x Barnacle Geese and a Short-toed Lark at Scatness. Bluethroat Throat, 30 x Twite and a Dotterel with Flock of Golden Plover at Stenness. 2 x Curlew Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit at Pool of Virkie. 123 Barnacle Geese at Spiggie. Pallid Harrier, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Wabler and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Hoswick.  Hawfinch at Sandwick. Marsh Wabler at Quendale.  Jack Snipe at Boddam.  Sand Martin at Mail. Redstart, Sparrow hawk, 3 x Goldcrest and a Robin at Geosetter.  Rosefinch, Peregrine and Rustic Bunting at Bigton.

Insects:  A Deaths Head Hawkmoth was reported overnight.

 
2nd October 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint and 2 Dublin at Buness.  Richard Pipit at Haroldswick. 2 Yellow-browed Wabler and Jack Snipe at Baltasound.  Willow Wabler, Blackcap and 2 x Whooper Swan at Westing.  Barred Wabler at Kirkaton.  Collard Dove, Blackcap, Willow Wabler at Halligarth.  

Fetlar: Hawfinch, American Golden Plover with Golden Plover flock reported.

Yell: Jack Snipe and 2 x Knot at Loch Papil.

North Mainland: Snowy Owl at Mid Field, Ronas.  30 Snow Bunting, Hawfinch, Barred Wabler and Pomarine Skua at Eshaness. Yellow-browed Warbler at Hillswick.

West Mainland: Goosander at West Burrafirth.  Yellow-browed Wabler, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Siskin and Common Crossbill at Tresta.

Central Mainland: River Warbler at Brae.  Siberian Stone Chat, Jack Snipe and Black Redstart, along with Shetland's 4th Veery still at Lunna Kirk. 37 x Snipe Pullers Loch and 3 x Purple Sandpiper, Sea Rd, Lerwick.  Bluethroat  and Yellow wagtail near West Hall, 2 x Rosefinch, Moorhen and Yellow-browed Warbler at Sound. Little Bunting, Grey Wagtail and 2 Brambling at Lerwick.  Ruff and Lapwing at Tingwall.   House Martin, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Red-throated Diver at Lower Voe. Red-throated Diver at Scalloway.  Barred Wabler at Gulberwick.  

South Mainland: 2 Common Crossbill and Cattle Egret at Sumburgh. 2 Pintail Ducks and a Short-toed Lark at Scatness. 3 Snow Bunting, Yellow-browed Wabler, Common White Throat and 5 Linnets at Grutness. Dotterel with Flock of Golden Plover at Stenness. Curlew Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit at Pool of Virkie. Scaup, Slav Grebe, 135 Barnacle Geese and 19 Pink-footed Geese at Spiggie. Great Spotted Woodpecker and Whinchat at Boddam. Peregrine at Dalsetter. 3 Bar-tailed Godwits at Virkie. Red-breasted Flycatcher at Swinister. Eastern Subalpine Warbler at Wester Quarff.  Marsh Wabler at Quendale. Pallid Harrier, Curlew Sandpiper and 2 Redwing at Sandwick. Grey Plover recorded overnight at Toab. 40 Barnacle Geese at Leebitten.

 

 
1st October 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a Curlew Sandpiper at Baltasound. Barred Warbler, Redstart and Little Bunting at Norwick. Brambling and 2 Yellow-browed Warbler at Setter Hill Estate. Long-eared Owl at Clingera. Sparrowhawk at the Shorestation. Yellow-browed Warbler at Burrafirth. Barred Warbler and Little Bunting at Uyeasound. 2 Yellow-browed Warbler at Valyie.

Fetlar: Little Bunting at Feal Plantation.

Out Skerries: Rosefinch, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Whinchat, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Redstart and Brambling.

Whalsay: American Golden Plover still at Skaw.

Bressay: 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, Snow Bunting, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Robin.

Foula:  Olive-backed Pipit.

North Mainland: Dotterel and Pectoral Sandpiper at Stenness. Hawfinch at Eshaness. Yellow-browed Warbler at Hillswick.

West Mainland: Siskin, Tree Pipit and Reed Bunting at Cuslwick. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Walls.

Central Mainland: River Warbler at BraeShetland's 4th Veery still at Lunna Kirk. Citrine Wagtail, at Seafield, Bluethroat near West Hall, Rosefinch, Garden Warbler and Yellow-browed Warbler at Sound. Sparrowhawk and 2 Brambling at Vidlin. Great Spotted Woodpecker and Turtle Dove at Voe. 

South Mainland: Cattle Egret at Sumburgh. Short-toed Lark at Scatness. 12 Snow Bunting and Greenish Warbler at Grutness. 2 Scaup at Spiggie. Great Spotted Woodpecker and Whinchat at Boddam. Peregrine at Dalsetter. 3 Bar-tailed Godwits at Virkie. Whinchat and Marsh Warbler at Quendale. Tree Sparrow at Hillwell. Red-breasted Flycatcher, Rosefinch, Spotted Flycatcher and Barred Warbler at Hoswick. Red-breasted Flycatcher at Swinister. Eastern Subalpine Warbler at Wester Quarff. Rustic Bunting at Cunningsburgh. Pallid Harrier at Maywick.

 
29th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Eastern Yellow Wagtail at Haroldswick. Long-eared Owl and Yellow-browed Warbler at Clingera. Little Bunting and 25 Snow Bunting at Norwick. Whinchat and Northwestern Redpoll at Burrafirth. Hen Harrier at Northdale. Crossbill and 2 Yellow-browed Warbler at Setter Hill Estate. 

Fetlar: Tennessee Warbler at Feal Plantation. Also Hawfinch, Yellow-browed Warbler, 50 Snow Bunting and Spotted Flycatcher. Red-backed Shrike Tresta. American Golden Plover at Aith.

Out Skerries: Corncrake, Wryneck, Rosefinch and 2 Little Bunting.

Whalsay: American Golden Plover still at Skaw.

Bressay: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Snow Bunting, Redwing, 2 Fieldfare.

North Mainland: Kestrel at Hillswick. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Ollaberry. Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Grey Plover, Hawfinch, Siskin and Yellow-browed Warbler at Eshaness.

West Mainland: Yellow-browed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat at Walls. 6 Siskin Bixter. Yellow-browed Warbler at Burrafirth. 

Central Mainland: Shetland's 4th Veery was found at Lunna Kirk. Citrine Wagtail, at Seafield, Bluethroat near West Hall, Rosefinch and Yellow-browed Warbler at Sound. 2 Brambling, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Sparrowhawk at Vidlin. Barred Warbler, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat at Lunning. 4 Snow Bunting, Black Redstart and Yellow-browed Warbler at Lunna. Little Bunting at Clickimin, Lerwick.

South Mainland: Cattle Egret at Sumburgh. Dunnock at Wester Quarff. Redstart and Common Scoter at Quendale. Yellow-browed Warbler at Virkie. 6 Pintail and 254 Wigeon at Spiggie. Short-eared Owl and Spotted Flycatcher at Burraland, Sandwick. Spotted Flycatcher and Pied Flycatcher Swinister Burn, Barred Warbler and 3 Yellow-browed Warbler at Hoswick.

Cetacean Sightings:

27's Orca pod travelled South down the East coast of Yell and then from Mossbank to Lunning.

 
30th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Eastern Yellow Wagtail at Haroldswick. Little Egret at Snarravoe. 3 Little Bunting at Norwick. 2 Rosefinch, Reed Warbler at Valyie. Little Bunting at Uyeasound. Reed Warbler at Lund. Yellow-browed Warblers at Clingera and Halligarth. Hen Harrier at Loch of Cliff.

Yell: Redstart, Dunnock, Lesser Whitethroat and White Wagtail at Mid Yell.

Fetlar: Hawfinch near Feal Plantation. Yellow-browed Warbler at Houbie. 50 Snow Bunting at Velzie.

Out Skerries: Little Bunting, 3 Redstarts and Yellow-browed Warbler.

Whalsay: American Golden Plover still at Skaw.

North Mainland: Dotterel at Eshaness.

West Mainland: Yellow-browed Warbler at West Burrafirth. 

Central Mainland: Shetland's 4th Veery still at Lunna Kirk. Citrine Wagtail, at Seafield, Bluethroat near West Hall, Rosefinch, Garden Warbler and Yellow-browed Warbler at Sound. Little Bunting, Magpie, Yellow Wagtail and Yellow-browed Warbler at Clickimin, Lerwick. Slavonian Grebe and 2 Sparrowhawk at Sandgarth. Pied Flycatcher at Swining. Rosefinch, 2 Grey Wagtail, Pied Flycatcher, Short-eared Owl, North Road, Lerwick. Yellow-browed Warbler, Grey Wagtail and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Voe. Great Spotted Woodpecker and 6 Siskin at Brae. Hawfinch at Hamnavoe. Yellow-browed Warbler at Lunna. Red-breasted Flycatcher and Yellow-browed Warbler at Kergord. 

South Mainland: Cattle Egret at Sumburgh. Red-breasted Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher and Pied Flycatcher Swinister Burn, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Barred Warbler and 3 Yellow-browed Warbler at Hoswick. Short-toed Lark and Curlew Sandpiper at Scatness. 12 Snow Bunting and Greenish Warbler at Grutness. Pallid Harrier at Channerwick. Rosefinch at Toab. 2 Paled-bellied Brent Geese at Hestingott. Short-eared Owl Virkie. Spotted Flycatcher Ireland. 

Cetacean Sightings:

27's Orca pod travelled South from Ocraquoy, through Mousa Sound and round Sumburgh Head.

Insect Sightings:

Death's head Hawkmoth at Lerwick.

 
28th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Tree Pipit, 3 Redstart and 2 Lesser Whitethroat at Haroldswick. Little Egret at Snarravoe. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Ordall. Water Rail and 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker at Westing. Crossbill at Setter Hiller Estate. Yellow-browed Warbler at Halligarth. Barred Warbler at Baltasound. Tree Pipit and Barred Warbler at Norwick. Little Bunting and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Uyeasound. Barred Warbler at Clivocast. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Skaw.

Yell: Arctic Warbler at Arisdale Burn.

Fetlar: Barred Warbler and Hawfinch at Houbie. Yellow-browed Warbler at Feal Plantation. Red-backed Shrike and Barred Warbler at Tresta.

Whalsay: American Golden Plover still at Skaw with Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher and Yellow-browed Warbler. 

Bressay: 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Songthrush, Dunnock and Robin.

Noss: Little Bunting, Kestrel, Redstart, Whinchat, 4 Robin, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Garden Warbler, 9 Blackcap, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, Yellow-browed Warbler, and 2 Chaffinch.

Foula: Olive-backed Pipit

North Mainland: Yellow-browed Warbler, Great-spotted Woodpecker and Tree Sparrow at Hillswick. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Brae.

West Mainland: Great Spotted Woodpecker at Skeld. Goldeneye, Stonechat, Yellow-browed Warbler at Walls. 2 Crossbill, 2 Bramblings, 7 Common Redpoll and 2 Siskin at Aith. Magpie still at Melby. Little Bunting and 2 Whinchat at Dale of Walls.

Central Mainland: Citrine Wagtail, at Seafield, Bluethroat near West Hall, Rosefinch and Yellow-browed Warbler at Sound. Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Brambling at Vidlin. Sparrowhawk, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff at Tingwall. Blackcap, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robin, Lesser Redpoll at Sandgarth. Barred Warbler, Grey Wagtail, Great Spotted Woodpecker at Voe. Cuckoo, Little Bunting, Barred Warbler, Wryneck and Grey Wagtail at Clickimin, Magpie at King Harold Street, Lerwick. Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler and Reed Bunting at Lunna.

South Mainland: Pallid Harrier at Quendale and Spiggie. Cattle Egret at Sumburgh. Red-breasted Flycatcher at Noness, Curlew Sandpiper at The Wart, Sandwick. Rustic Bunting, Yellow-browed Warbler and Dunnock at Wester Quarff. Great Spotted Woodpecker at West Voe. Yellow-browed Warbler, Whinchat and Spotted Flycatcher at Swinister Burn. Yellow-browed Warbler at Sumburgh. 20 Snow Buntings at Grutness. Yellow-browed Warbler at Geosetter. 2 Grey Plover and 3 Ruff at Virkie. Firecrest at Exnaboe. Rosefinch at Toab. Mediterranean Gull at Spiggie. Spotted Crake at Quendale. 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose and Blyth's Reed Warbler at Hestingott. Little Bunting at Sumburgh Head.

Cetacean Sightings:

2 Risso's Dolphins from the Whalsay Ferry. 2 Orca seen North of Noss.

 
27th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Little Bunting and Yellow Wagtail at Haroldswick. Blyth's Reed Warbler and Garden Warbler at Halligarth. Barred Warbler and Tree Pipit at Leawart. Reed Warbler at Lund. Little Bunting at Skaw. Long-tailed Duck on Easter Loch. Barred Warbler and Whinchat at Baltasound. Dunnock at Easting. Little Egret at Snarravoe. Barred Warbler at Baliasta. Pied Flycatcher at Norwick. Yellow-browed Warbler at Cameron Cottage.

Yell: Arctic Warbler at Arisdale Burn. Lesser Whitethroat and Bar-tailed Godwit at Gutcher.

North Mainland: 10 Snow Bunting at Eshaness. 

West MainlandHoney Buzzard at Walls. Lesser Whitethroat and Grey Wagtail at West Burrafirth.

Central Mainland: 5 Knot on Sound Beach. Yellow-browed Warbler and Mealy Redpoll at Burn of Sound. Grey Plover at Gilbertson Park, Lerwick. Wood Warbler at Asta. White-tailed Eagle, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Garden Warbler at Sandgarth. Yellow-browed Warbler at Sullom Plantation. Sparrowhawk at Scatsta.

South Mainland: Barnacle Geese at many sites in the south. Yellow-browed Warbler and Red-breasted Flycatcher at Geosetter. Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Whinchat and Pied Flycatcher at Boddam. Whinchat, Yellow-browed Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher and Grey Wagtail at Swinister Burn. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Sandwick. Spotted Flycatcher and Fieldfare at Gulberwick. Brambling, Kestrel and Pied Flycatcher at Sumburgh. Cattle Egret, 10 Ruff and Red-backed Shrike at Spiggie. Redstart at Cunningsburgh. 15 Snow Buntings at Grutness. Yellow-browed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Blackcap at Wester Quarff. Turtle Dove at Exnaboe. Pallid Harrier around the south between Dunrossness and Quendale again. Rustic Bunting at Wester Quarff. Wryneck at Ringasta. Little Egret at Sumburgh Farm. 

 
26th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: 2 Rosefinch, Little Bunting, Barred Warbler, Whinchat, 2 Pied Flycatcher and Red-breasted Flycatcher at Norwick. Eastern Yellow Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail at Haroldswick. Bluethroat at Baliasta. Lesser Whitethroat at Skaw.

Yell: Arctic Warbler at Arisdale Burn.

Whalsay: American Golden Plover still at Skaw.

North Mainland: American Golden Plover and Grey Plover at Eshaness also 2 Snow Bunting.

West Mainland: Sparrowhawk, 2 Redstart and Goldcrest at West Burrafirth.

Central Mainland: Citrine Wagtail, at Seafield, Bluethroat near West Hall, Barred Warbler and Magpie at Clickimin, Lerwick. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Helendale. 

South Mainland: Blackburnian Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Yellow-browed Warbler at Geosetter. at Pallid Harrier at Quendale and Spiggie. Red-backed Shrike also at Spiggie still. Blackcap, Yellow-browed Warbler and Long-tailed Duck at Grutness. Little Stint at Scatness. 24 Barnacle Geese at Noss Farm. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Sandwick.

 
25th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: 2 Rosefinch, Little Bunting, Barred Warbler and Red-breasted Flycatcher at Norwick. Sand Martin, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whinchat at Skaw. 2 Ruff at Uyeasound. Little Egret still at Loch of Snarravoe. Storm Petrel at Easter Loch. Redwing at Ramnageo.

Yell: Arctic Warbler at Arisdale Burn.

Whalsay: American Golden Plover still at Skaw.

Bressay: Lesser Whitethroat at Voehead, 2 Snow Bunting at the Noss car park.

North Mainland: Grey Plover at Eshaness, Kestrel at North Collafirth. Pochard at Loch of Housetter.

West Mainland: Possible Eastern Towhee at Melby. Glaucous Gull, 3 Goldcrest and 2 Carrion Crows at Skeld. Peregrine at Sandness.

Central Mainland: Red-backed Shrike and Sparrowhawk at Swining. Citrine Wagtail, at Seafield, Bluethroat near West Hall, Barred Warbler and Magpie at Clickimin, Lerwick. 15 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Rosefinch at Loch of Sound. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Loch of Voe. 2 Ruff at Laxo. 

South Mainland: . Pallid Harrier at Quendale. Red-backed Shrike, 8 Ruff, 2 Redwing, Kestrel at Spiggie. 16 Ruff at the Wart, Sandwick. 2 Ruff, Little Stint and a Snow Bunting at Scatness. Common Scoter at Levenwick. Snow Bunting at Bakkasetter. 7 Ruff, 21 Pink-footed Goose, 14 Barnacle Goose at Fleck.

 
24th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: 22 Snow Bunting & 2 Swallow at Burrafirth Burn. Little Bunting at Kirkton and Little Bunting at Norwick. Merlin & Stonechat at Skaw. Red-breasted Flycatcher, Common Rosefinch & Tree Pipit at Valyie. Common Crossbill at Clingera. Barred Warbler & Icterine Warbler at Leawart. 7 Whooper Swan, 6 Tufted Duck, 6 Wigeon, Long-tailed Duck & Common Guillemot on Easter Loch.  Little Egret still at Loch of Snarravoe.

Yell: Arctic Warbler at Arisdale Burn.

Whalsay: Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Common Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher & Song Thrush at Skaw plantation.

Out Skerries: Blyth's Reed Warbler, 3 Hawfinch, Barred Warbler, Common Redstart, Chaffinch, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, Swallow, Song Thrush, Robin & Whinchat on island & Sooty Shearwater offshore.

Bressay: Blyth's Reed Warbler at Gorie. Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Fieldfare & 9 Barnacle Goose on island.

North Mainland: Wood Warbler at Hamnavoe & 12 Snow Bunting at Eshaness Lighthouse. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Sandgarth, Dale. 

West Mainland: Yellow-browed Warbler at Dale of Walls. Garden Warbler at Vementry. 15 Goosander at Bridge of Walls. Magpie at Sandness and Great Northern Diver at Melby.

Central Mainland: Red-backed Shrike at Swining. 9 Red Grouse at start of track to the Hams, Muckle Roe. Wood Warbler at Asta. Citrine Wagtail, at Seafield,  Bluethroat near West Hall & Barred Warbler at Clickimin, Lerwick.

South Mainland: . Pallid Harrier over and Red-breasted Flycatcher & Fieldfare at Sandwick. 44 Knot & Ruff at Noness.  Red-backed Shrike still at Spiggie Hotel. Pectoral Sandpiper & Yellow-browed Warbler at Noss Farm, Spiggie. & 12 Knot at Noss. Marsh Warbler at Quendale burn and 3 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, Dunnock  & Bluethroat at quarry. Common Rosefinch briefly at Toab.

 

Cetacean Sightings:

2 Minke off St Ninian's Isle.

 
23rd September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Little Bunting at Burrafirth shore station. Hawfinch, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Common Rosefinch, 2 Whinchat, Tree Pipit, & Brambling at Valyie. Little Bunting, Blackcap & 3 Knot at Norwick. Arctic Warbler, Blyth's Reed Warbler,  Wood Warbler & Barred Warbler at Halligarth. Little Egret still at Loch of Snarravoe.

Yell: Spotted Redshank, 2 Wood Warbler & 2 Lesser Whitethroat at Gutcher.

Whalsay: American Golden Plover still at Skaw.

Foula: Buff-breasted Sandpiper & 2 Little Bunting.

North Mainland:  Great Spotted Woodpecker at Sandgarth & Kestrel over.

Central Mainland: Common Redstart & Sparrowhawk at Mulla, Voe. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Houll Road, Scalloway. Hen Harrier at Catfirth. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Wester Quarff. In Lerwick - Great Spotted Woodpecker at Nederdale, .Citrine Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Yellow-browed Warbler, Bluethroat & Barred Warbler in Seafield Park area, Common Rosefinch & Magpie at Hayfield House, Blyth's Reed Warbler at Gremista & Little Grebe at Lerwick Marina.

South Mainland: Bluethroat at Fladdabister.160 Golden Plover, Ruff & 4 Knot at the Wart & Pink-footed Goose & 3 Gadwall at the Broch of Burland, Sandwick.. Whinchat, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler & Lesser Whitethroat at Swinister Burn and Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and White-tailed Eagle over. Pallid Harrier over Spiggie/ Hillwell. Pectoral Sandpiper, Yellow-Browed Warbler & 3 Knot  at Noss Farm, Spiggie. Red-backed Shrike still at Spiggie Hotel & Kestrel over. Blyth's Reed Warbler at Hestingott. Red-breasted Flycatcher & Lesser Whitethroat on St Ninian's Isle. Rosefinch & Mealy Redpoll at Grutness. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Dalsetter & at Boddam. Kestrel & 5 Swallow at Sumburgh Head.

Cetacean Sightings:

Minke off Sumburgh Head and Noness. Risso's Dolphin off Sumburgh Head & pod of approx 12 White-beaked Dolphin off Mousa. 2 Harbour Porpoise off Scarvister.

Insect Sightings: 

Sword-grass, 5 Dark Swordgrass & 11 Angleshades on sugar at Bakkasetter.

 
22nd September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:   2 Little Bunting, Willow Warbler & Swallow along burn and Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, Whinchat, Common Whitethroat & 2 Blackcap at Shore Station, Burrafirth. 3 Redpoll & Blackcap at Northdale. Collared Dove, 5 Blackcap, 2 Common Rosefinch, Hawfinch, Yellow-browed Warbler & Red-breasted Flycatcher at Valyie. Arctic Warbler & Pied Flycatcher at Halligarth. Redstart & Whinchat at Uyeasound.

Yell: Arctic Warbler & Little Bunting at West Sandwick. Wood Warbler at Gutcher. Garden Warbler & Willow Warbler at Burravoe. Sparrowhawk, Redstart, Blackcap & 2 Goldcrest at Arisdale. 3 Bar-tailed Godwit & 5 Sanderling at Galtigarth.

Whalsay: American Golden Plover & Yellow-browed Warbler at Skaw.

Out Skerries: Hawfinch, Little Bunting & Yellow-browed Warbler.

Foula: Buff-breasted Sandpiper & Bluethroat along Hametoun Burn. Fieldfare on island.

Bressay: Blackcap at Voehead.

North Mainland: Common Crossbill, Yellow-browed Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Sparrowhawk & Swallow at Gluss. Great Spotted Woodpecker & Chiffchaff at Sandgarth. Blyth's Reed Warbler at Oxensetter, North Roe. 

West Mainland:  Goosander at Weisdale Voe & Merlin at West Burrafirth..

Central Mainland:  Tree Pipit, Common Redstart, Goldcrest, Willow Warbler & Peregrine at Lunna. Common Redstart at Mulla & Pied Flycatcher at Voe. Pallid Harrier at Tingwall. Citrine Wagtail & Yellow Wagtail in Seafield area & Yellow-browed Warbler at Law Lane, Lerwick. 2 Blackcap, Pied Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler & Tree Pipit at Strand Plantation.

South Mainland: Blyth's Reed Warbler, Little Bunting, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler & Lesser Whitethroat at Swnister Burn. 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Robin & Goldcrest at Geosetter. Pectoral Sandpiper at Noss Farm, Spiggie. 14 Ruff and Gadwall at Spiggie hide. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Crofthouse Museum. Wryneck, Redstart, Whinchat, Merlin & 20 Swallow at Quendale. 2 Little Stint, 2 Merlin & 5 Barnacle Goose at Scatness. 25 Barnacle Goose over Virkie and 24 at Sumburgh Head.

Cetacean Sightings:

5 White-beaked Dolphin off Dalsetter.

Insect Sightings: 

Pearly Underwing at Scatness.

 
21st September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:  Little Bunting, Sparrowhawk & Merlin at Skaw. 2 Little Bunting, Garden Warbler & Whinchat at Burrafirth. Sparrowhawk, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat & Snow Bunting at Northdale. Robin & Collared Dove at Valyie and Redstart at Norwick Beach. Arctic Warbler & Swallow at Halligarth. Barred Warbler, Merlin & Blackcap at Baltasound + 2 Little Stint and 5 Knot. Barred Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler & Blackcap at Hillsgarth. Grey Plover at Smaa Waters. Garden Warbler & Pied Flycatcher at Westing. Common Rosefinch at Uyeasound.

Yell: Arctic Warbler at West Sandwick.

Out Skerries: Hawfinch, 2 Tree Pipit, 2 Whinchat, 3 Little Bunting, 4 Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher & 23 Snow Bunting.

Fetlar: 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, Barred Warbler, Common Rosefinch & Grasshopper Warbler on island.

Foula: Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper (at Ristie Pools) & Little Bunting.

North Mainland: Common Crossbill at Gluss. Barred Warbler & Kestrel at Hillswick.

West Mainland: Yellow-browed Warbler at Walls & Whinchat at Dale of Walls. 10 Goosander at Bridge of Walls. Jack Snipe at Melby.

Central Mainland:  Pallid Harrier at Tingwall. Honey Buzzard over Scalloway. Whinchat at Nordavatn, Goldcrest, Willow Warbler & Lesser Whitethroat at Netherdale & Citrine Wagtail at Seafield Park, Lerwick. 

South Mainland:  Red-backed Shrike & Citrine Wagtail at Spiggie Hotel. Little Bunting at Toab. Wryneck at Quendale. Redwing over Swinister & 5 Knot at Sannick, Sandwick. Little Stint & Curlew Sandpiper at Scatness. 2 Long-tailed Duck at Grutness. Whinchat & 2 Goldcrest at Sumburgh Quarry.

Insect Sightings: 

2 Dark Swordgrass to sugar in Sandwick.

 
20th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:  Blyth's Reed Warbler still at Northdale.Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Whinchat, & 2 Robin at Burrafirth Shorestation. Little Bunting still along Burrafirth Burn. Sedge Warbler at Holsen's Road & Siskin at Skaw. 

Foula: Buff-breasted Sandpiper still at South Ness.  Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler 2 Barred Warbler at Ham.

Bressay: Blackcap, Goldcrest & Garden Warbler at Voehead.

Central Mainland:   Magpie at playpark, King Harald Street. Common Rosefinch, Yellow-browed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler & Pied Flycatcher near Lerwick power station. Yellow-browed Warbler & Great Spotted Woodpecker in Helendale area. Kestrel, Sparrowhawk & Merlin over North Staneyhill. Pied Flycatcher, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Chaffinch & Swallow at Gulberwick.

South Mainland:  Little Bunting & Grey Wagtail  at Toab. Red-backed Shrike near Spiggie Hotel and 2 Yellow-browed Warbler & Chiffchaff at Southerhouse. Slavonian Grebe at N end of Loch of Spiggie. Marsh Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Robin & Goldcrest at Quendale. 6 Purple Sandpiper on Grutness Beach & Little Stint at the Pool of Virkie.

 
19th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:  Common Rosefinch, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Barred Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Whinchat, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat & Yellow-browed Warbler at Burrafirth Shorestation. Wryneck, 2 Barred Warbler, Wood Warbler, Little Bunting, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap & Willow Warbler along Burrafirth Burn. Peregrine, Wood Warbler & Willow Warbler at Skaw. Kestrel at Loch of Cliff. Blyth's Reed Warbler & Robin at Northdale. Colllared Dove at Quoys. Yellow-browed Warbler, Barred Warbler, Redstart, Tree Pipit, Merlin, Pied Flycatcher, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler & Arctic Warbler at Halligarth. Robin, Whinchat, Bluethroat, 2 Willow Warbler & Sparrowhawk at Holsen's Road. Redstart, Barred Warbler & Sand Martin at Baltasound. Barred Warbler, Garden Warbler, 3 Blackcap & Hawfinch at Leawart. 2 Common Rosefinch, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Tree Pipit, Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Warbler, Sparrowhawk, Collared Dove & Moorhen at Valyie. Common Rosefinch at Kirkaton. Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap, Garden Warbler & Willow Warbler at Setter's Hill Estate. Little Egret & 6 Tufted Duck at Loch of Snarravoe.

Whalsay: Wryneck, Redstart, 2 Barred Warbler, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, Common Rosefinch & American Golden Plover at Skaw. Yellow-browed Warbler at Symbister.

Out Skerries: Bluethroat on 18th.

Foula: Buff-breasted Sandpiper at South Ness & Little Bunting at Hametoun.

Bressay: Whinchat, Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Robin on island. 2 Goldcrest at Voehead and 2 at Bressay Lighthouse. Bar-tailed Godwit on Leira Voe.

Central Mainland:   Magpie at Anderson High School. Garden Warbler & Willow Warbler at North Road, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat & Barred Warbler at Clickimin and a Grey Wagtail at Helendale, Lerwick. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Mulla, Voe. 14 Collared Doves at Kalliness, Weisdale. cc 60 auks, mainly Razorbills in Scalloway Harbour.

West Mainland: Merlin at West Burrafirth.

South Mainland:  Little Bunting briefly at Swinister Burn and Lesser Whitethroat, Yellow-browed Warbler & Swallow at Sandwick. Barred Warbler, Garden Warbler and Willow Warbler at Noness. Bluethroat,

Red-throated Pipit, Barred Warbler, Common Rosefinch and Marsh Warbler at Quendale.

Insect Sightings:

20 Silver Y at Bakkasetter. Also a Brick & 2 Rusty Dot Pearl at sugar there. Brick at Boddam.

 
18th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Fall of migrants, particularly on east side, as winds became south easterly, .

Unst: Red-breasted Flycatcher & Common Crossbill at Valyie. Yellow-browed Warbler & 3 Goldcrest at Burrafirth. Wood Warbler & Willow Warbler at Halligarth. Blyth's Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, Redstart & 10 Redpolls at Northdale. Willow Warbler & Common Crossbill over Setter's Hill Estate. Common Rosefinch, Yellow-browed Warbler,  Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff & Garden Warbler at Uyeasound. Slavonian Grebe in Uyeasound Bay & 6 Curlew Sandpiper over.

Yell: 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Barred Warbler, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Wood Warbler & Willow Warbler at Gutcher.

Whalsay: American Golden Plover, Little Bunting, Common Rosefinch, Redstart, Garden Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, Barred Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Song Thrush, Dunnock & Great Spotted Woodpecker at Skaw.

Out Skerries: Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, Redstart, 3 Blackcap, 4 Goldcrest & Great Spotted Woodpecker. 

Noss: Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler, Greenish Warbler, Barred Warbler, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Flycatcher, 6 Redstart, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Chaffinch, 10 Blackcap, 9 Goldcrest, 6 Garden Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 23 Robin, 4 Dunnock, 2 Song Thrush, 6 Ruff & 6 Grey Heron on the island.

North Mainland: Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Eshaness Lighthouse & Great Spotted Woodpecker at Stenness.

Central Mainland:   Magpie at Anderson High School/ Helendale, Yellow-browed Warbler & Lesser Whitethroat at the Burn of Sound, Lerwick.  Lesser Whitethroat at Wester Quarff.

South Mainland:  Yellow-browed Warbler at Sandwick. Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Crossbill at Levenwick. Red-flanked Bluetail, 2 Garden Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Blackcap & Pied Flycatcher at Sandlodge. 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Goldcrest & Robin at Noness. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Sumburgh Quarry. Common Crossbill at Sumburgh Head & 3 Sooty Shearwater passing offshore. .Common Rosefinch, 3 Blackcap & Redstart at Sumburgh Hotel. Pied Flycatcher, Garden Warbler & 2 Goldcrest at Dalsetter. Barred Warbler, Common Rosefinch & Yellow Wagtail at Quendale. Osprey over travelling south.

Cetacean Sightings: 

Pod of Risso's Dolphin off Skaw, Whalsay.

 
17th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Little Egret still at Snarravoe.  Merlin at Skaw.  Whinchat at Holsen Lane.  Common Crossbill at Saxa Vord.  4 Barred Warbler, 4 Yellow-browed Warbler and a Hawfinch at Norwick.  Yellow-browed Warbler and a Garden Warbler at Burrafirth.  2 Blackcap, Garden Warbler and 2 Redpoll at Northdale Pines.  2 Rosefinch, Yellow-browed Warbler, Barred warbler, Willow Warbler and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Valyie.  Hawfinch at Leeward.  2 Kestrel at Noosthamar.  2 Red-throated Diver at Hamness.  Slavonian Grebe and 4 Tufted Duck at Uyeasound.

Foula:  Buff-breasted Sandpiper still there today.

Whalsay:  Blackcap and American Golden Plover still at Skaw.

Central Mainland:   Great Spotted Woodpecker and Robin at Sandgarth.  Hen Harrier at Stromfirth. 

South Mainland:  Blyth's Reed Warbler at Bakkasetter.

Cetacean and Fish Sightings:

Reports of Minke and White-beaked Dolphin continue today in Mousa Sound.  

Insect Sightings:

Setaceous Hebrew Character, Small Wainscot, Yellow Underwing and first Autumn Brindled Ochre reported overnight.

 
16th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Yellow-browed Warbler at Skaw.  2 Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 150 Golden Plover, 2 Ruff, Barred Warbler and Chiffchaff at Baltasound.  Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Rosefinch, Blackcap, Willow Warbler at Valyie. Slavonian Grebe, Knot, Pied Flycatcher and 2 Swallow at Uyeasound.  2 Pied Wagtail, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, and Song Thrush at Halligarth.  Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over Hillsgarth.  Yellow-browed Wabler, 4+Rosefinch, Hawfinch, and Common Crossbill at Norwick.  Red-backed Shrike at Muness.  Yellow-browed Warbler, Garden Warbler and Pied Flycatcher at Burrafirth.

Foula:  Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Yellow-browed Warbler.

Whalsay:  American Golden Plover.

Central Mainland:  Magpie  still in Lerwick.  Yellow-browed Warbler and Rosefinch at Burn of Sound.  30 Wood Pigeon, 3 Jackdaw, 5 Robin, 11 Goldcrest, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff at Kergord.

West Mainland: 2 Yellow-browed Warbler at Dale of Walls. 

South Mainland:  Barred Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Kestrel at Grutness.  Whinchat, Lesser Whitethroat and Little Stint at Boddam.  Yellow-browed Wabler at Swinister.  Swift and Yellow-browed Warbler at Quendale.  Lesser Whitethroat at Noness.  12 Swallow at Sandwick and 15+ Swallow at Hoswick

Cetacean and Fish Sightings:

Lots more sightings throughout today of Minke Whale, Harbour Porpoise, Risso's Dolphin, White-beaked Dolphin and a Basking Shark in Mousa Sound and off Sumburgh Head.  The day ended with a sighting of a pod of Orca moving North from Haroldswick to Holm Skaw off Unst.  

 
15th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Barred Warbler Northdale pines.  Pink-footed Geese, Great Spotted Woodpecker and 3-5 Rosefinch at Norwick.  Rosefinch, Blackcap and Hawfinch at Leawart.   40 Snipe and 20 Great Skua at The Noup, Saxa Vord.

Garden Warbler and Wood Warbler at Valyie. Slavonian Grebe at Uyeasound.

Bressay:  Willow Warbler.

Out Skerries:  Little Bunting in iris beds.

Whalsay:  8 Ruff, 2 Knot and a Barred Warbler at Skaw Plantation.  Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Chaffinch at Vatshoull.  Rosefinch at Marrister.

Central Mainland: Bittern sighted over Sellaness. Magpie still in Lerwick.  Redpoll, Wryneck, Yellow-browed Warbler and Rosefinch at Burn of Sound.  Great Spotted Woodpecker at Helendale. Greenland Northern Wheatear and 2 Willow Warbler at Njuggles Water Plantation.  2 Goldcrest at Weisdale.  2 Goosander at Scalloway and a Scaup at Loch of Tingwall.

South Mainland:  11 Common Tern, 7 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver, 5 Swallow, 22 Pink-footed Geese and a Black-throated Diver at Quendale Bay.  Barred Warbler, Common Redstart, Lesser White-throat and 2 Common Tern at Grutness. Curlew Sandpiper, 120+ Knot and 5 Bar-tailed Godwit on Virkie.  Little Stint and Wood Warbler at Boddam.  Moorhen and 6 Pink-footed Geese at Loch of Gards.  4 Moorhen and 3 Ruff at Loch of Hillwell.  Ruff at Sumburgh Farm.

Cetacean and Fish Sightings:

Lots more sightings today of Minke Whales in Mousa Sound, Dalsetter, Mail and North of Noss.  15+ Porpiose also reported.

 
14th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: 2 Rosefinch, Little Bunting, Barred Warbler, Whinchat, 2 Pied Flycatcher and Red-breasted Flycatcher at Norwick. Eastern Yellow Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail at Haroldswick. Bluethroat at Baliasta. Lesser Whitethroat at Skaw.

Yell: Arctic Warbler at Arisdale Burn.

Whalsay: American Golden Plover still at Skaw.

North Mainland: American Golden Plover and Grey Plover at Eshaness also 2 Snow Bunting.

West Mainland: Sparrowhawk, 2 Redstart and Goldcrest at West Burrafirth.

Central Mainland: Citrine Wagtail, at Seafield, Bluethroat near West Hall, Barred Warbler and Magpie at Clickimin, Lerwick. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Helendale. 

South Mainland: Blackburnian Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Yellow-browed Warbler at Geosetter. at Pallid Harrier at Quendale and Spiggie. Red-backed Shrike also at Spiggie still. Blackcap, Yellow-browed Warbler and Long-tailed Duck at Grutness. Little Stint at Scatness. 24 Barnacle Geese at Noss Farm. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Sandwick.

 
13th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: 51 Sooty Shearwaters passing East Hill.  Crossbill, Lesser Whitethroat, Tree Pipit and Barred Warbler reported at Norwick.  Lesser Whitethroat and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Haroldswick.  2 Great Northern Diver in Muness Bay.  45 Sooty Shearwater seen off Ham Ness.  Merlin and 5 Knot at Baltasound.  Tufted Duck at Easter Loch.  Lesser Whitethroat at Valyie.  Up to 90 Greylag Geese at the Houb, Baltasound.

Central Mainland:  Magpie and 2 Crossbill at Lerwick.  Willow Warbler at West Burrafirth.

South Mainland:  53 Knot and 1 Ruff at Virkie.  2 Great Northern Diver at Quendale, 10 Grey Heron at Ness.  100 Meadow Pipit, 20 Skylark 70+ Curlew at Noness, Sandwick.

 

Cetacean and Fish Sightings:

Another good day of sightings, with reports of Minke, Risso's Dolphin and Porpoise seen from Unst to Mousa throughout the day.

Insect Sightings:

A poor night for moths with only Frosted Orange, Rosy Rustic and Chevron reported

 
10th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Foula:  Yellow Warbler still at Ham Yard

Unst: Barred Warbler at Millfield, Norwick.  Little Egret still at Loch of Snarravoe.  Common Whitethroat at Burrafirth. 4 Crossbill flew over Uyeasound.  Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff at Halligarth.  

Yell:  3 Ruff at South Ladie, West Sandwick.  

Out Skerries:  Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, Barred Warbler, Merlin, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Swift, Redstart, Common Rosefinch, Common Sandpiper and Swallow.   

Central Mainland:  2 Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff at Veensgarth pumping station.  Great Spotted Woodpecker, Crossbill, 4 Grey Heron and 5 Willow Warbler at Clickimin.  Crossbill over Victoria Pier, Lerwick.  Magpie over Law Lane.  

South Mainland:  Barred Warbler and 8 Redpoll at Ocraquoy.  21 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Gadwall at Spiggie.  Swift, 120 Meadow Pipits, 12 White Wagtails and 10 Swallows heading south over Sumburgh Head.  30 White Wagtail at Grutness.  It appears that local breeding birds are continuing to leave our islands to head south.  

Cetacean and Fish Sightings:, 

Another bumper day of Minke sightings with whales being seen at Dalsetter, Noness, Levenwick, Mousa, Muckle Skerry, Eshaness, Sumburgh Head, Noss and Haroldswick.  10 Risso's and 20 White-beaked dolphin off Haroldswick.  Risso's also seen off Eshaness, Vin Taing at Noness and Mousa.  White-beaked also at Skaw, Whalsay, and off Sumburgh Head.  

Insect Sightings:

Hummingbird Hawkmoth on Foula, and at least 2 Convovulous Hawkmoth at Mulla, Voe.  Mouse Moth at Scatness.  Lobesia littoralis micro moth at Mid Yell.  

 
9th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Foula:  Yellow Warbler still at Ham Yard.

Unst: Common Sandpiper at Burrafirth.  Willow Warbler at Quoys quarry.  Little Egret still on Loch of Snarravoe with Peregrine and Merlin also there.  

Yell:  White Wagtail at Mid Yell.  

Central Mainland:  Short-eared Owl at Girlsta. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Sound Brae.  

West Mainland:  Magpie remains at Sandness.  Sand Martin at Effirth.  

South Mainland:  Redpoll at Cunningsburgh and St. Ninian's beach.  Merlin and 41 Swallow at Hoswick Burn.  Great Spotted Woodpecker at Ocraquoy.  

Cetacean and Fish Sightings:, 

Multiple sightings of Minke Whales continues with whales seen off Dalsetter, Mousa, Noness, Sandsayre.  Risso's dolphin seen off Mousa, and Dalsetter, 

Insect Sightings:

Further reports of Convolvulus Hawkmoth from Yell and Mulla, Voe.  Frosted Orange moth caught in Fair Isle is only the second record for Shetland.  

 
11th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Foula:  Yellow Warbler still at Ham Yard

Unst: 550 Golden Plover at Muness, Lesser Black-backed Gull at Easter Loch, House Martin at Haroldswick, Little Egret still at Loch of Snarravoe.  Blackcap at North Dale Pines. 6 Knot at Norwick, Lesser Whitethroat and Barred Warbler at Valyie pines.

Central Mainland:   Common Whitethroat at Burra and 4 Crossbill at Voe.  45 Rooks at Stendaal.  

West Mainland:  White-tailed Eagle reported West of West Burrafirth. Robin at Dale of Walls. 130 Golden Plover, 2 Knot and 4 Ruff below Bixter cemetery.

South Mainland:  21 Pink-footed Geese over Sumburgh Head.    

Cetacean and Fish Sightings:, 

Another good day of Minke sightings, with a single Risso's Dolphin and Porpoise galore seen at  Cradle Holm, Noness, Levenwick, Mousa, Sumburgh Head and Yell Sound. 

Insect Sightings:

Pink-Barred Swallow, Sliver Y and Small Wainscot reported

 
12th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Foula:  Rosefinch and Barred Warbler at Ham Yard

Unst: Lapland Bunting, Swift reported at Skaw along with an estimate of 2500 Knot, Gannets and 1000 Fulmars passing per hour.  A pair of Tufted Duck on Easter Loch, Barred Wabler, 2 Tree Pipit, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Goldcrest at Norwick. 

South:  Wryneck at Hillwell and Barred Warbler at Burn of Sound.

Cetacean and Fish Sightings:  Lots of Minke sightings off Mousa. 

Insect Sightings:

Frosted Orange and Dark Swordgrass reported overnight.

 
7th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Foula:  Yellow Warbler still at Ham Yard, along with Barred Warbler, Common Rosefinch, Redpoll, and Willow Warbler.  The Yellow Warbler is continuing to attract a small number of intrepid birders who are finding all kinds of ways to get to the island!  

Unst: Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Common Crossbill at Norwick.  Wood Warbler, Blackcap and 2 Willow Warbler at Shore Station.  2 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2 Knot Baltasound.  Common Crossbill, Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff at Haroldswick.  

Yell:  Great Spotted Woodpecker at Burravoe.  4 Sanderling and Black-tailed Godwit at Galtigarth, Willow Warbler at Arisdale and Otterswick.  Garden Warbler at Aywick.  

Bressay:  Whitethroat.  

Central Mainland:  3 Crossbill at Longland, Lerwick.  Merlin at Robins Brae.  Wood Warbler, Magpie, Lesser Whitethroat, Crossbill, 3 Willow Warbler and 2 Siskin at Helendale, Lerwick.  

South Mainland: Great Spotted Woodpecker at Fladdibister, and another at Swinister, along with 2 Lesser Whitethroat. Crossbill at Hoswick Burn.  2 Great Spotted Woodpecker at Hillwell.  Little Bunting at Sumburgh Head, along with a Crossbill.  Report from Good Shepherd with 4 Sooty Shearwater north of Sumburgh.  

Cetacean and Fish Sightings:, 

Pod of 6 Orca (females, youngsters) heading south, seen from boat crossing to Foula this afternoon.  2 dolphin seen breaching off Mossbank.  

 
8th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Foula:  Yellow Warbler still at Ham Yard

Unst: Peregrine, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Crossbill and Common Rosefinch at Norwick.  Barred Warbler at Northdale.  Lesser Whitethroat and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Valyie.  

Out Skerries:  3 Barred Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Redstart, Whinchat and possibly 2 Common Rosefinch.  

Central Mainland:  Teal/Wigeon hybrid at Loch of Benston, South Nesting.  Garden Warbler and Redpoll at Clickimin.  

South Mainland:  Barred Warbler at Brakefield Road, Sandwick.  Pallid Harrier seen heading south over Sumburgh Head.  Common Rosefinch at Exnaboe and another at Grutness. . Citrine Wagtail and 7 Pink-footed Geese at Bakkasetter.  Green Sandpiper, House Martin and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Culsetter. 

Cetacean and Fish Sightings:, 

Cetacean Sea Watch undertaken today.  Results were incredible - from Mousa Sound:  2 Humpback, 15-20 Minkie Whale, 20 White-beaked and 20 Risso's dolphin and numerous Harbour Porpoise.  6 Risso's dolphin past Sumburgh Head.  Harbour Porpoise multiple sightings from many locations.  

 
6th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Foula:  Yellow Warbler still present at Ham Yard, with Barred Warbler and 3 Common Rosefinch.    

Unst: Lesser Whitethroat at Valyie.  

Yell:  6 Knot, 9 Dunlin and Bar-tailed Godwit at Hamnavoe.  

Noss:  Barred Warbler on Noss.  

Central Mainland:  Barred Warbler at Burn of Sound.  

South Mainland: 2 Sooty Shearwater south past Sumburgh Head.  Harrier sp heading out to sea at Clumlie.  2 Barred Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Willow Warbler at Quendale.  

 
5th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Foula:  Yellow Warbler found at Ham on this island!  Likely to attract birders from Shetland mainland and further afield!  

Unst: Lesser Whitethroat at Maundeville, Uyeasound.  2 Barred Warbler and 6 Crossbill at Norwick.  

Yell:  Merlin at Gutcher.    Redstart and Kestrel at Camb.  2 Lesser Redpoll at Otterswick, and 3 Bar-tailed Godwit at Galtigarth.  Common Crossbill at Cullivoe.  

North Mainland:  Common Crossbill at Gluss.  

Central Mainland:  Wood Warbler, Magpie, Lesser Whitethroat, Crossbill, 3 Willow Warbler and 2 Siskin at Helendale, Lerwick.  

South Mainland: Barred and Wood Warbler, and Sandwich Tern at Quendale.   Over 800 Meadow Pipits flew south over Sumburgh Head this morning.  Arctic Warbler at Exnaboe.  

The Good Shepherd spotted 2 Sooty Shearwater, a Puffin, and a Cormorant on the return trip to Fair Isle.  Another ship recorded Sooty Shearwater 3 miles east of Mousa (6) and 7 miles east of Noss (3).  

Cetacean and Fish Sightings:, 

Minke Whale sightings today include Fetlar (1), Levenwick (5),  Dalsetter (1),  Sumburgh Head (1)

4 Risso's dolphin 8 miles south of Sumburgh, and 6 at Mousa, and Levenwick, and 6 at Skaw, Whalsay.  Possible Humpback south of Mousa.  8 White-beaked dolphin off Sumburgh Head, with another pod seen near to Bressay from sea (The Swan) and land.  

Insects:

Convolvulus Hawkmoth sightings continue with emergence of Shetland bred Red Admiral butterflies, and Silver Y moths also continuing.  

 
4th September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Common Rosefinch at Halligarth.  

Yell:  2 Goosander at Gutcher.  

West Mainland:  Great Spotted Woodpecker and Magpie at Sandness.   

South Mainland: Sea-watch off Fora Ness at Spiggie produced singles of Manx and Sooty Shearwater.  Merlin flew north over Hillwell.  Pallid Harrier at Noss, Spiggie.  

Cetacean and Fish Sightings:

6 White-beaked dolphins offshore of Dalsetter, South Mainland.  

Insects:

Convolvulus Hawkmoth visiting flowers at Mulla, Voe.  

 
3rd September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Little Egret at Snaravoe. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Halligarth. Sparrowhawk at Burrafirth.

Whalsay: Swift at Skaw.

Foula: 4 Common Rosefinch.

Bressay: 29 Knot at Gunnista, Willow Warbler at the Lighthouse.

Central Mainland: Magpie still in Lerwick.

South Mainland: Pallid Harrier at Boddam. Short-eared Owl and Merlin at Brow Marsh. 

 

 
2nd September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Great Spotted Woodpecker at Halligarth.

Central Mainland: Yellow Wagtail over Sound.

South Mainland: Great Spotted Woodpecker at Geosetter and Bakkasetter. 19 Ruff, 1 Black-tailed Godwit at Hillwell. Wood Warbler, Garden Warbler, 4 Willow Warbler at Quendale. 20 Ruff, 10 Knot, 3 Shelduck at Virkie

 

Cetacean Sightings:

Minkes off Haroldswick (4), Levewick (1), Dalsetter (1). Humpback of Levenwick (2). White-beaked Dolphin off Troswick (10), Haroldswick (12). Rissos off Brei Wick (6). Basking Shark close in off Lunna Kirk.

 
1st September 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Barred Warbler at Easting Road. Red-backed Shrike at Valyie. 

Yell: Ruff, 3 Knot and 6 Sanderling at Cullivoe.

Skerries: Rosefinch, Red-backed Shrike and Barred Warbler

Bressay: 2 Ruff at Mail.

North Mainland: 2 Crossbill, 2 Willow Warbler and a White Wagtail at Gluss.

West Mainland: Little Gull at Norby.

Central Mainland: Rose-coloured Starling still near Banna Minn car park.

South Mainland: Wood Warbler at Sumburgh Head,

 

Cetacean Sightings:

2 Minke around Mousa and a pod of Rissos Dolphins off Bressay.

 
31st August 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Barred Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler at Skaw. Wood Warbler at the School, Baltasound. Red-backed Shrike, Barred Warbler and 6 Crossbill at Norwick.

Whalsay: Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Redstart at Skaw.

Central Mainland: Rose-coloured Starling still near Banna Minn car park. 2 Ruff at Weisdale Voe.

 

Cetacean Sightings:

Rissos Dolphins off Levenwick (8). Minke Whale at Eshaness.

 
30th August 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Barred Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler at Skaw.

Whalsay: Greenshank at Vatshoull Loch.

Bressay: 13 Ruff at South Road.

West Mainland: 8 Knot, 2 Ruff and 150 Golden Plover at Effirth Voe.

Central Mainland: Rose-coloured Starling still near Banna Minn car park. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Lower Voe.

South Mainland: Great Spotted Woodpecker at Spiggie. Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat at Sandwick. Wryneck at Gulberwick. Sooty Shearwater past Mousa from the Northlink Ferry. Little Stint at Virkie.

At Sea: 3 Sooty Shearwater seen south of Sumburgh from the Good Sheppard.

 

Cetacean Sightings:

Minke off Levenwick (5), Mousa (2), Heliness (1), Dalsetter (1) and Sumburgh Head. Possible Humpback off Levenwick. Risso's Dolphin off Hascosay, Yell (30) and Olnafirth (2). White-beaked Dolphin off Hascosay Yell (10). White-sided Dolphin off Sumburgh (10)

Insect Sightings: Convolvulus Hawkmoth at Boddam.

 
29th August 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Bressay: Whitethroat and 3 Ruff Bressay.

Central Mainland: Rose-coloured Starling still near Banna Minn car park. Greenish Warbler still at Burn of Sound. Magpie still Helendale. Common Whitethroat, Lerwick. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Sandgarth.

South Mainland: Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Grey wagtail at Hoswick. Barred Warbler still Sumburgh Quarry. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Hillwell.

 

Cetacean Sightings:

Minke off Levenwick (1), Mousa (1), Skaw, Whalsay (2), Colgrave Sound, Yell and Sumburgh Head. Harbour Porpoise in Mousa Sound (2),  Colgrave Sound, Yell (2).  Risso's Dolphin off Bressay (20), Colgrave Sound (4), Aywick (6). White-beaked Dolphin off Noss (30), Sumburgh (8)

 
28th August 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:  Red-backed Shrike & 2 Swift at Valyie.  2 Pied Flycatcherat Uyeasound. 2 Ruff at Ordaal

Skerries: Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Foula: Red-backed Shrike, Rosefinch, Whinchat, Crossbill and 3 Garden Warbler around Foula.

Mousa: Merlin

Central Mainland: Rose-coloured Starling near Banna Minn car park, Woodcock also in West Burra. Greenish Warbler still at Burn of Sound. Also Magpie in Clickimin area. 

South Mainland: Redstart, Grey Wagtail, 22 Sanderling, 15 Knot at Quendale. Barred Warbler at Sumburgh quarry. Pink-footed Goose at Sandwick, also Wood Warbler at Swinister and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Hoswick. Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart at Maywick. Wood Warbler at Virkie.

 

Cetacean Sightings:

Minke off Mousa (1), Noss (1). Harbour Porpoise in Mousa Sound (6), Muness, Unst (6).  Risso's Dolphin off Levenwick (8), East of Noss (10), off Sumburgh Head and Cullivoe, Yell (2). Basking Shark close in at Minn Beach.

 
27th August 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:  Red-backed Shrike & 2 Common Crossbill at Valyie.  Wood Warbler & Pied Flycatcher at Baltasound

Yell: Common Rosefinch at Camb.

Noss: Icterine Warbler.

Mousa: Greenish Warbler.

Central Mainland: Rose-coloured Starling near Banna Minn car park. Greenish Warbler still at Burn of Sound. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Helendale. Green Sandpiper over South Nesting.

South Mainland: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wood Warbler, Reed Warbler & Grey Wagtail at Quendale. Wood Sandpiper at Hillwell. 5 Ruff near Spiggie Hide. 22 Sanderling, 6 Willow Warbler & Spotted Flycatcher at Grutness. 12 Swallow & Willow Warbler at Sumburgh Hotel. Reed Warbler at Sumburgh quarry. 30 + Dunlin at Boddam.

 

Cetacean Sightings:

Minke off Levenwick, Mousa (4), Haroldswick (2), Muness & Sumburgh Head. Harbour Porpoise in Mousa Sound (2), off Jarlshof (2), & Westerskeld (3),  Risso's Dolphin off Mousa, Bressay, Noup of Noss (2) & Skaw, Whalsay (6).

Insect Sightings:

Sallow at Boddam.

 
25th August 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Wryneck and 2 Common Crossbill at Shorestation.  Barred Warbler at Daisy Park.  Red-backed Shrike and Pied Flycatcher at Valvie.  Great Spotted Woodpecker at the Booth.  

North Mainland:  

Foula:  Red-backed Shrike, Barred and Icterine Warbler on the island.  

Whalsay:  Pink-footed Goose at Burns.  Wryneck at Symbister, Icterine Warbler at Skaw, and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Saeter.  

Fetlar:  Red-backed Shrike at Feal Burn.  

Out Skerries: Booted Warbler, 2 Barred Warbler, Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike and Great Spotted Woodpecker on the island.  

Central Mainland: 3 Crossbill at Vidlin. 5 Grey Heron in off the sea at South Nesting. 3 Crossbill, Willow Warbler, 3 Garden Warbler and Pied Flycatcher at Frakkafield.  8 Whimbrel flew south over Lerwick.  Red Grouse in Kantersted Road! Ruff at Clickimin, with 52 Oystercatcher.  Pied Flycatcher at North Staney Hill plantation.  

Mousa:  Bar-tailed Godwit on the island.

South Mainland: Red-backed Shrike and Spotted Flycatcher at Grutness Garden.  Short-eared Owl, Tree Pipit, Fieldfare, Barred and Greenish Warbler at Sumburgh Quarry.  Kestrel, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Redstart and Pied Flycatcher at Sumburgh Head.  6 Crossbill at Sumburgh Farm. 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel in field near Spiggie Loch Hide.  

Cetacean and Fish Sightings:

2 Orca reported from the Hrossey between Sumburgh and Fair Isle.  

Insects:

Convolvulus Hawkmoth at Valyie, Norwick, Unst.  

 
26th August 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Barred Warbler at Skaw.  Red-backed Shrike & Common Whitethroat at Valyie.  

Foula:  Red-backed Shrike, Garden Warbler, Reed Bunting & 7 Willow Warbler.  

Whalsay:  Arctic Warbler at Brough. Icterine Warbler at Marrister.

Noss: Reed Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Common Redstart, 6 Willow Warbler, Tree Pipit & 6 Grey Heron.

West Mainland: 6 Redpoll & 3 Common Crossbill in East Burrafirth plantation. 3 Common Crossbill at Sandness. 2 Goosander Brig of Twatt. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Bixter. Greenish Warbler, 4 Pied Flycatcher, Lesser Whitethroat, Tree Pipit & Common Sandpiper at Burn of Sound, Lerwick. Also Magpie in Clickimin area, Common Sandpiper at Victoria Pier and 20 Knot at Sandy Loch.

Central Mainland: Merlin at Gott & 3 Swallow at Veensgarth. Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher & 2 Common Crossbill at Lower Voe. Rose-coloured Starling near Banna Minn car park. Red-backed Shrike, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Willow Warbler & Barred Warbler at Wester Quarff.

South Mainland: Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Whinchat & 3 Common Crossbill at Swinister Burn/Hoswick. Grasshopper Warbler at Channerwick. 20+ Swallow at Levenwick & Red-backed Shrike at Levenwick campsite. 5 Knot at Boddam Voe. Red-backed Shrike & Merlin at Grutness. Wryneck at Ellister Burn. Red-backed Shrike at Toab. Common Rosefinch at Hillwell. Green Sandpiper at Bakkasetter. Pied Flycatcher at Geosetter & Williamsetter. Wood Warbler at Hestingot. 3 Common Crossbill at St Ninians. Black-throated Diver at Bay of Quendale. 3 Pied Flycatcher, Garden Warbler & 2 Willow Warbler at Sumburgh Head. Barred Warbler at Sumburgh quarry.

 

Cetacean Sightings:

50+ White-beaked Dolphin off Sumburgh Head. 20 Risso's Dolphin off Sumburgh Head moving north to Mousa Sound. Minke off Dalsetter, Mousa & 2 off Sumburgh Head. Risso's Dolphin off Bressay. 12 Harbour Porpoise in Quendale Bay, 3 off Lundawick, Unst & small pod off Burravoe. Also pod of Dolphin sp off Burravoe. 4 + Orca 1.5 m SE of Sumburgh Head.

Insect Sightings:

Red Wasp at Mulla, Voe. Angleshades at Cunningsburgh. >30 Pink-barred Sallow in garden in South Nesting.

 
23rd August 2023

Bird Sightings:

Unst:  Greenish Warbler at Norwick. Great Spotted Woodpecker, Golden Oriole, Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler, 8 Willow Warbler &  Blyth's Reed Warbler  at Halligarth.  9 Knot at Easter Loch. Ruff at Baltasound. 5 Swift over Sotland.

Yell: 46 Knot at Cullivoe.

Whalsay:  27 Swift over Skaw.

Out Skerries: Great Spotted Woodpecker & Swift.

Bressay: Willow Warbler at Voehead. 4 Swallow at Cullingsbrough.

North Mainland: 3 Swift at Gluss. 6 Manx Shearwater & 2 Sooty Shearwater past Eshaness.

Central Mainland:  Spotted Flycatcher, 4+ Crossbill, Merlin & 11 Swallow at Clickimin. Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler & 27 Rook at Frakkafield. Magpie at Helendale. Green Sandpiper & Red-backed Shrike at South Nesting.

South Mainland: Reed Warbler at Ocraquoy.  Pied Flycatcher & 17 Swallow at Swinister Burn. Great Spotted Woodpecker & Common Rosefinch at Quendale. Little Stint on Quendale Beach. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Toab. Wood Warbler & Pied Flycatcher at Dalsetter. Short-eared Owl at Bakkasetter.

Cetacean Sightings: Pod of White-sided Dolphin off Haroldswick.

 

Mammal Sightings: Soprano Pipistrelle on Fair Isle.

Insect Sightings: Dog's Tooth at Boddam.

 
24th August 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:  Wryneck at Shore Station.  Swifts east of Setters Quarry (2), at Quoys turn (3), Clingera (3), Dam Loch (10), and Hermaness (3).  Barred Warbler at Northdale Pines.  Red-backed Shrike, Pied Flycatcher, and Whitethroat at Valvie.  Bar-tailed Godwit at Baltasound and 2 Knot at Westing.  

Yell:  Great Spotted Woodpecker at Hillend.  Spotted Flycatcher at Windhouse.  Pied Flycatcher, Crossbill and 2 Merllin at Camb.  Pied Flycatcher at Gutcher.  

North Mainland:  11 Swift and House Martin at Eshaness.  2 Bar-tailed Godwit at Stenness.  

Foula:  Icterine Warbler at Ham. 

Bressay:  Willow Warbler at Voehead. 

Mousa:  Pied Flycatcher.  

Central Mainland:  Crossbill, Whitethroat, 2 Garden and 3 Willow Warbler, and 2 Pied Flycatcher at Frakkafield.  Crossbill, Whitethroat, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Garden and 3 Willow Warbler at Frakkafield. 

South Mainland:  Sparrowhawk, Pied Flycatcher and Willow Warbler at Hoswick.  Interesting male Crossbill spp seen at Maywick.  Greenish and Barred Warbler plus 4 Common Crossbill at Sumburgh Head, 2 at Quarry, and 1 at Grutness Garden.  

Cetacean and Fish Sightings:

12 dolphins seen off Lunning, Voe.  

Insects:

Dogs Tooth moth at Wiltrow, Boddam.  Convulvulous Hawkmoth and Epinotia caprana (2nd record) on Foula.

  

 
21st August 2023

Bird Sightings:

Continued easterly influx of common, scarce and very scarce migrants continued, but fewer, with Willow Warbler most frequent.

Unst: Blyth's Reed Warbler, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wryneck, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Wryneck, > 6 Garden Warbler & Lesser Whitethroat at Halligarth with a Golden Oriole in nearby garden. Greenish Warbler

at Valyie. Wood Warbler, Red-backed Shrike & Barred Warbler at Norwick. Grasshopper Warbler at Easting.

Fetlar: Mistle Thrush at Glebe, 3 Whinchat, 2 Tree Pipit & 2 Garden Warbler at Feal. 

Foula:  3 Wood Warbler, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Whinchat, 2 Common Crossbill, Reed Bunting, 2 Green Sandpiper, Garden Warbler & Barred Warbler.

Whalsay:  Icterine Warbler & 2 Swift at Skaw. Icterine Warbler at Lubba.  

North Mainland: Cuckoo at Gluss.

Central Mainland: Kestrel at Muckle Roe. Wryneck at Frakkafield. Magpie near Lerwick Marina.

West Mainland: Pied Flycatcher at Dale of Walls. Ruff, 2 Sanderling & 2 Knot, Melby.

South Mainland: 2 Garden Warbler & 4 Whinchat, Swinister Burn. Icterine Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher & Garden Warbler at Hoswick. Wood Warbler at Levenwick. Greenish Warbler, Common Redstart, Whitethroat, Swift & Sparrowhawk at Sumburgh Head. Wryneck at Bakkasetter.

Cetacean Sightings: 6 Dolphin sp off Dalsetter. Minke off, Haroldswick, Gutcher, Vementry & Noness. 8 White-beaked Dolphin off Haroldswick. 2 Harbour Porpoise in Yell Sound.

Insect Sightings: Bedstraw Hawkmoth, Convolvulus Hawkmoth & Lesser Yellow Underwing at Boddam. 2 Sallow at Whiteness. First Shetland record of Tachystola acroxantha at Law Lane, Lerwick. Double Dart & Dog's Tooth at Voehead, Bressay.

 
22nd August 2023

Bird Sightings:

Notable passage of Common Swift reported from various locations. 

Norwick (15 + 45), Cullivoe (27), Skaw, Whalsay (27), Fetlar (3), Sandwick/Hoswick (16), Veensgarth (4), Mousa (4) & Bixter (2).

 

Unst:  Greenish Warbler, Wood Warbler, Barred Warbler, Common Crossbill & 2 Red-backed Shrike  at Norwick.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Golden Oriole & 2 Lesser Whitethroat at Halligarth. Green Sandpiper, 9 Knot & Black-tailed Godwit at Baltasound..

Yell: 2 Pied Flycatcher at Gutcher.

Fetlar: Greenish Warbler at Glebe. On island - 16 Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Common Redstart, 2 Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Tree Pipit, 2 Whinchat & 5 Pied Flycatcher.

Whalsay:  Icterine Warbler at Grunitaing & Great Spotted Woodpecker at Symbister.

Foula: Barred Warbler at Ham. 

Bressay: Willow Warbler at Voehead.

Central Mainland:  Crossbill, Common Redstart, 2 Wood Warbler & 4 Pied Flycatcher at Lower Voe. Great Sotted Woodpecker & Common Crossbill at Kergord. Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher & Common Crossbill at Helendale, Lerwick. 

South Mainland: 6 Common Crossbill at Ocraquoy.  Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler & Pied Flycatcher at Swinister Burn. 3 Whinchat, 2 Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Whitethroat, 3 Common Crossbill & several Willow Warbler at Hoswick. 2 Pied Flycatcher & 2 Willow Warbler at Levenwick campsite. Barred Warbler at Scatness. Wryneck & 43 Ruff at Bakkasetter. Red-backed Shrike at Scousburgh & Common Redstart at Sumburgh Head. Sooty Shearwater & Manx Shearwater from Good Shepherd. 

Cetacean Sightings: 6 Dolphin sp (poss White-beaked) off Dalsetter. 6 Common Dolphin off South Nesting.

Insect Sightings: Lime Speck Pug recorded on Fair Isle. Least Yellow Underwing & 2 Nutmeg at Boddam. 14Spot Ladybird from Tresta, Fetlar.

 
20th August 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Bumper day of scarce and common migrants although still spread mostly along the east coast.  Willow Warblers and Pied Flycatcher by far the most numerous and found in all areas posting sightings today.  

Unst:  Arctic Warbler at Burrafirth burn.  Lesser Whitethroat at Ordaal.  Icterine and Garden Warbler at Maundeville.  Wryneck at Skaw.  2 Wryneck, 6 Garden Warbler,14 Knot, 4 Ruff, and Spotted Flycatcher at Trolla Water.  Garden Warbler at Easting Road, 2 Garden Warbler at Burrafirth Bridge.  3 Barred Warbler, Wryneck and Red-backed Shrike at Norwick.  Icterine Warbler at Houlland and Clingera, Crossbill at Hunterswood, Redstart at Baliasta.  Red-backed Shrike and Barred Warbler at Kirkaton.  Red-backed Shrike at Valyie.  Blyth's Reed Warbler at Halligarth.  

Yell:  Great Spotted Woodpecker at Windhouse.  Another at Hillend, along with 2 Wryneck, 2 Wood Warbler, 3 Crossbill, Whitethroat and Merlin. Garden Warbler and 2 Merlin at Camb.  Garden warbler at Gutcher and Cullivoe.  4 Redpoll spp. and Icterine Warbler at Otterswick, with Wood Warbler also there.  21 Knot and 6 Sanderling at Brough Bay, Cullivoe.  Short-eared Owl and Merlin at Sand Water.  Reports of large raptor at Sellafirth.  

North Mainland:  Crossbill on track to Fethaland.  Whinchat at Gluss. 

Foula:  Common Rosefinch, Red-backed Shrike, Whinchat, Common and Green Sandpiper, Crossbill, 2 Garden Warbler on the island.  

Whalsay:  Wryneck at Isbister Plantation.  Icterine Warbler at Grunitaing, and 2 at Skaw.  Great Spotted Woodpecker at Hamister.  

Out Skerries: Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wryneck, Kestrel, Red-backed Shrike, 3 Swift, Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Icterine Warbler, 3 Garden Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Whinchat, Redstart, Flava Wagtail, Tree Pipit and Crossbill.   

Bressay:  Garden Warbler at Voehead.  

Noss:  2 Red-backed Shrike, Icterine Warbler, 3 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, Swift and 2 Ruff on the island.  

Central Mainland: Greenshank at head of Weisdale Voe.  Red-backed Shrike and Redstart at Eswick, and Red-breasted Flycatcher and Lesser Whitethroat along the road.  Barred Warbler, Whinchat and flock of Siskin over South Nesting School. 8 Crossbill at Skellister shop plantation.  Great Spotted Woodpecker over Hillhead, Lerwick.  Clickimin area held Wood Warbler, 2 Crossbill, 2 Siskin, Grey Wagtail, Whimbrel and Sparrowhawk.  Barred Warbler, and 3 Garden Warbler at Wester Quarff.  

Mousa:  Knot on the island.  

South Mainland: Hudsonian Godwit continues to favour airport near to Bristow's Hangers. Spotted Flycatcher at Cunningsburgh, and one at Hoswick burn. Great Spotted Woodpecker at Swinister burn.  Wryneck at Levenwick campsite.  Red-backed Shrike at NW Spiggie.  Greenish Warbler and Barred Warbler, plus Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat at Dalsetter.  Wryneck at Quendale near the quarry, with Turtle Dove and Sparrowhawk also in area.  Barred Warbler, 3 Reed and 2 Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher and Black-tailed Godwit near Brake.  Green Sandpiper at Ellister roadside pools.  Sandwich Tern at St Ninian's.  Greenish Warbler at Sumburgh Head along with Redstart, Tree Pipit, Garden and Sedge Warbler.  Whitethroat and Garden Warbler at Sumburgh quarry.  Whinchat, Tree pipit at Sumburgh Farm.   Icterine Warbler at Exnaboe, and another at Noness, Sandwick.  Whitethroat, Whinchat, Tree Pipit, Garden Warbler and 20 Swallow at Scatness.  Kestrel and Garden Warbler at Geosetter.  Spotted Flycatcher at Williamsetter burn.  

 
19th August 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Strong Easterlies coupled with rain ensured a good spread of migrants today along the east coast.  

Unst:  Icterine Warbler and Red-backed Shrike at Norwick.  Pied Flycatcher at Northdale.  Willow Warbler at Uyeasound.  Icterine Warbler and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Halligarth.  

Yell:  Willow Warblers at Cullivoe.  

North Mainland:  Crossbill on track to Fethaland.  Whinchat at Gluss. 

Whalsay:  Reed Warbler, Redstart, Cuckoo and Lesser Whitethroat at Skaw, and Spotted Flycatcher at Lubba plantation.  

Bressay:  Willow Warbler at Voehead.  

Noss:  Red-backed Shrike, Wood Warbler, Garden Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, Whinchat, Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher.   

Central Mainland: Red-backed Shrike, Whitethroat, 2 Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, 4 Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff at Eswick, South Nesting.  Magpie near Morrisons on King Harald Street, Lerwick.   Magpie at Toogs, Burra.  

Foula:  Wood Warbler, 2 Crossbill, Green Sandpiper, 2 White Wagtail, 5 Willow Warbler and 2 Chiffchaff.   

South Mainland: Great Spotted Woodpecker at Swinister Burn, Sandwick.  2 Pied and 1 Spotted Flycatcher at Geosetter.  Red-backed Shrike at Channerwick.  2 Black-tailed Godwit and 10 Ruff at Spiggie. 5 Swift, 4 Sand Martin, 2 Ruff and Wood Sandpiper at Dalsetter.  Hudsonian Godwit continues to favour airport near to Bristow's Hangers.  Great Spotted Woodpecker at Exnaboe and Toab.  Wood Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper at Grutness Pool.  Redstart, Garden Warbler, Pied Flycatcher and Whinchat at Sumburgh Quarry.  Willow Warbler at Sumburgh Head.  Greenish Warbler in Rosa, Sumburgh Head.  

Mammal and Fish Sightings:

Basking Shark in Dales Voe today.    

Insects:  

Multiple records of Pink-barred Sallow moth today confirming colonisation of Shetland in the last 3-4years.   

 
18th August 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Strengthening easterlies today has brought in the first influx of migrants!  And so it begins... 

Unst:  Barred Warbler at Leawart, Norwick and 4 Knot at Houb.  Pied Flycatcher and 3 Common Crossbill at Halligarth. 

Yell:  Wood Warbler at Hillend, Mid Yell.  Knot at West Yell.  7 Knot and 6 Sanderling at Papil beach, Cullivoe.  

Whalsay:  Icterine Warbler at Grunitaing.  Barred Warbler, Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Lesser Whitethroat and Whinchat at Skaw.  

Central Mainland:  Magpie around North Staney Hill plantation.  3 Willow Warbler at Clickimin, and 4 Sanderling at Ness of Sound.  

South Mainland: 2 Black-tailed Godwit at Spiggie. 11 Knot at Quendale Beach, Willow Warbler at Quendale quarry.  Hudsonian Godwit continues to favour airport near to Bristow's Hangers.  Pied Flycatcher and Garden Warbler in Sumburgh Head Rosa bushes.  Lesser White-throat at Sumburgh Hotel.  

Mammal and Fish Sightings:

Basking Shark at mouth of Vidlin Voe, and another in Boddam Voe.  6 White-beaked Dolphin seen off Baltasound heading south, later seen off Haroldswick.   

Insects:  

2 Convolvulus Hawkmoths feeding on Honeysuckle last night in Foula, and island's first Pink-barred Sallow moth.  Great Brocade moth at Baltasound.  

 
17th August 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:  5 Knot at Easter Loch. 

Yell:  Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Knot, and 3 Sanderling at Papil beach, Cullivoe.  Glaucous Gull at Mid Yell.  Fieldfare at Hillend, Mid Yell.  

South Mainland: 8 Common Swift at Sumburgh Head.  38 Ruff and Turtle Dove at Hillwell.  Green Sandpiper at Bakkasetter.   Hudsonian Godwit continues to favour airport near to Bristow's Hangers.  

Mammal and Fish Sightings:

3 Common Dolphin off Out Skerries.  Basking Shark at Gutcher, Yell.  Group of Risso's Dolphin off Mousa, with Basking Shark also present.  2 Minke Whale off Foula.  

Insects:  

Great Brocade moth trapped in Mid Yell is new species for the island.  Peacock butterfly was seen at North Dale, Unst and is first record since 2020.  Epinotia caprana and Dotted Clay moths were both trapped in Foula, and are new species for the island, with Convolvulus Hawkmoth seen too.  Flame Carpet moth trapped in Sandwick is only the second in Shetland along with Scarce Silver Y.  

 
16th August 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Foula:  juvenile Turtle Dove, Red-backed Shrike, 2 Swift, Short-eared Owl, Pied Flycatcher,  Willow Warbler, Green Sandpiper and Redwing on the island.  

Central Mainland:  Greenshank at Loch of Benston.  Magpie still St Olaf Street, Lerwick.  Large raptor seen above Dale Golf Course.  Leaches Storm Petrel offshore from Gletness, South Nesting. 

South Mainland: Grey Wagtail at Hoswick burn.  8 Common Swift over Sumburgh Lighthouse.  3 Lesser Redpoll at Hillwell.  Hudsonian Godwit continues to favour airport near to Bristow's Hangers.  

Mammal and Fish Sightings:

3 Risso's Dolphin seen off Boddam.  Minke Whale close to shore off Compass Head, another at Dalsetter, and one off Breiwick, Eshaness.  Also, Minke off Levenwick, and one at Heoganess, Burravoe, Yell.  Basking Shark reported in Mousa Sound.  

Insects:  

Manchester Treble-bar moth in South Nesting.  

 
15th August 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:  13 Ruff and approx. 500 Golden Plover at Clivocast.  Barnacle Goose at Ordaal.  Little Egret now at Snaravoe.  

Foula:  Pied Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike, Garden Warbler, 2 Common Swift and Turtle Dove present on the island.  

Central Mainland:  Ruff near Fire Station in Tingwall valley.  Ness of Sound, Lerwick 2 Sanderling, 40 Ringed Plover, and 5 Great Norther Diver.  

South Mainland: 2 Spotted Redshank, and 27 Ringed Plover on Hoswick Beach.  2 Green Sandpiper near to Bigton.   Hudsonian Godwit continues to favour airport near to Bristow's Hangers.  

Mammal Sightings:

Basking Shark reported off Grutness Harbour, and Mousa Sound today.  Minke Whale report from Colsay, Yell and from Sumburgh Head.  

 
14th August 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:  13 Ruff and approx. 500 Golden Plover at Clivocast.  Barnacle Goose at Ordaal.  Little Egret now at Snaravoe.  

Foula:  2 Red-backed Shrike, Green Sandpiper, and Common Sandpiper on the island.  

North Mainland:  191 Greylag Geese at Gluss.  Breeding groups of Greylag Geese are now starting to join up together to form flocks.  

Central Mainland:  100 Greylag Geese at Brae.  Grey Wagtail at Lerwick Harbour.  Juvenile Willow Warbler at Njugals Water plantation, Brig O'Fitch.  

West Mainland:  3 Chiffchaff at Hoganess, Burrastow.  

South Mainland: Quail singing at Hillwell. Hudsonian Godwit continues to favour airport near to Bristow's Hangers. 28 Swallow at Sumburgh Farm, and 50+ at Boddam.  

Mammal Sightings:

Basking Shark reported off Ness O'Brough, Fetlar.   Minke Whale report from Sumburgh Head.   Harbour porpoise sightings from across Shetland today.  


13th August

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler at Norwick.  Willow Warbler at Burrafirth and Haroldswick.

Foula: 2 Red-Backed Shrike at Ham. 3 Willow Warbler, Short-eared Owl, and Common Sandpiper also on island.

Noss: Storm Petrel sighted from boat, between North end of Noss and Score Point Bressay. 

Skerries:  Short-eared Owl, 5 Swallow and Willow Warbler reported.

Whalsay:  Ruff at North Loch, Skaw.

Central Mainland Green Sandpiper at Petra Dale.  Spotted Redshank at Clickimin Loch, Lerwick.

South Mainland: Hudsonian Godwit still at Pool of Virkie along with a Little Stint.

Insect Sightings: A few moths reported overnight including, Ingrained Clay, Rosy Rustic, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing.

Cetacean:  Minke Whale reported halfway across to Skerries and off Sumburgh head.


12th August

Bird Sightings: 

Foula: Red-backed Shrike at Ham.

Central Mainland: Magpie at NW end of Clickimin Loch, Lerwick with a Green Sandpiper.  4 Great Northern Divers sighted on Voe Sound.

South Mainland: Hudsonian Godwit still at Pool of Virkie along with a Little Stint.  A Quail was reported singing at Hillwell

Insect Sightings: A few moths reported overnight including, Convolvulus Hawkmoth,  Antler, Eana Penziana, S Ambigulis, Twin-spotted carpet, and Zeiraphera griseana.

Cetacean:  Yesterdays Orca sighting off Scarvister, on the West Mainland, was confirmed as 65's pod.


11th August

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Eagle species reported yesterday afternoon at Burrafirth and Pink-footed Goose opposite Ordaal today.

Central Mainland: Magpie still by Museum in Lerwick.  5 Goldeneye at Tingwall Loch.

South Mainland: Hudsonian Godwit still at Pool of Virkie.  A Manx Shearwater reported moving south off Sumburgh Head. 

Insect Sightings: A few moths reported overnight including, Rustic, Acleris Effractana, Garden Carpet, Dark Marble Carpet and Whiteline Dart.

Cetacean:  3 Risso's Dolphin seen heading South off Dalsetter.  A Minke Whale were seen off Sumburgh head moving North and Orca were also seen off Scarvister heading towards Westerwick this afternoon.


10th August

Bird Sightings: 

Foula: Red-backed Shrike, Willow Warbler, 2 Common Sandpiper seen at Ham.

Central Mainland: Magpie at Lerwick.

South Mainland: Hudsonian Godwit still at Pool of Virkie.  

Insect Sightings: Cream-streaked Ladybird reported at Sumburgh head.  The larvae of the fly Phytomyza Angelicae was reported making leaf mines.  

Cetacean:  Minke Whale were seen off Sumburgh head and the Knab today.  Orca were also seen off Meal Beach, Burra heading West this afternoon.


9th August

Bird Sightings: 

South Mainland: Hudsonian Godwit still at Pool of Virkie.  Juvenile Red-necked Phalarope at Grutness.

Insect Sightings: Nothing reported overnight.


8th August

Bird Sightings: 

Due to a change in weather and increase in winds, little has been reported.

Unst: Kestrel at Burrafirth.

South Mainland: Hudsonian Godwit still at Pool of Virkie.

Insect Sightings: Very low numbers of moths in traps reported overnight.


7th August

Bird Sightings: 

Foula: Red-backed Shrike at Ham.

South Mainland: Hudsonian Godwit still at Pool of Virkie.

Insect Sightings: Common Rustic, Rosy Rustic, July Highflier, Square spot, Red Carpet, Eana Osseana, Dotted Clay and Dark Arches reported overnight.

Cetacean Sightings: 4+ Risso Dolphin photographed East of Sandness.  2 of which have been identified in the Risso Catalogue.


6th August

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: 6 Sooty Shearwater off Hermaness.

Yell: Manx Shearwater off Gloup.

West Mainland: Magpie still at Sandness.

Central Mainland: Magpie in area around Museum & St Olaf Street, Lerwick

South Mainland: Hudsonian Godwit still at Grutness Beach for 8th day. Little Stint & 2 Merlin at Virkie. Ruff  at The Wart Sandwick (17), Quendale (4) & Virkie (3). 2 Sanderling at Grutness Beach & 19 Swallow at Noss. 

Insect Sightings: 2 Hummingbird Hawkmoths at Northmavine.

Cetacean Sightings: Approx 50 White-beaked Dolphin off Hermaness. 15 -20 Risso's Dolphin near North Havra.


5th August

Bird Sightings: 

Yell: Little Egret at Sandwater.

North Mainland: Short-eared Owl at Ronas Hill.

Central Mainland: Black-throated Diver at Banna Minn. 2 Merlin near Dury Voe.

South Mainland: Hudsonian Godwit at Grutness Beach. 26 Ruff at Setter, Spiggie. Quail still singing at Quendale & in Hillwell area.

Insect Sightings: 

Common Blue Damselflies in Nesting. Dotted Clay moth at Voehead, Bressay.

Cetacean Sightings: Minke off Levenwick, Papa Stour, Mousa & Skaw, Wahlsay (2). Humpback off Levenwick. Harbour Porpoise off Burravoe, Yell (4), Muness, Unst (2/3) & off Papa Stour.


4th August

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Greenshank near Ungirsta.

Foula: Common Rosefinch, Garden Warbler & Red-backed Shrike.

Bressay: Sparrowhawk at Voehead.

Central Mainland: Black-throated Diver at Banna Minn. 2 Crossbill over Law Lane & Willow Warbler near Anderson High School, Lerwick.

South Mainland: Hudsonian Godwit  still in Grutness Beach/ Sumburgh Airport area. 

Insect Sightings: 

Deceased Death's Head Hawkmoth found in Port Arthur, Scalloway. Twenty Plume moth at Nesting & a Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing at Voehead, Bressay.


3rd August

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Little Egret & Green Sandpiper at Haroldswick Pool. Greenshank at Lund. 2 Green Sandpiper at Skaw and Sooty Shearwater off Skaw. 2 Sooty Shearwater, 52 Storm Petrel & 3 Blue phase Fulmar off Hermaness.

North Mainland: Little Egret reported at Eshaness.

South Mainland: Hudsonian Godwit  still in Grutness Beach area. Yellow Wagtail at the Pool of Virkie. 18 Ruff  at Setter & 6 at Spiggie. 2 Merlin Sanick/Noness.

Insect Sightings: 

Approximately 150 Willow Ermine along Swinister Burn. Eudonia lineola at Bakkasetter.


2nd August

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: 10 Ruff at Gerratown & 2 at Baltasound. Swallow & Sand Martin at Haroldswick.

Yell: Little Egret at Gutcher.

Central Mainland: 6 Whimbrel over Law Lane.

South Mainland: Hudsonian Godwit  still in Grutness area for 4th day. Redpoll sp over Dalsetter.

Cetaceans Sightings:

Minke off Muness, Unst and Sumburgh Head. Pod of Orca off Helliness & Scatness. Report of Orcas in Firths Voe. 4 Dolphin sp off the Knab, Lerwick.

 

Insect Sightings: 

Scarce Silver Y, Fair Isle. Triangle Plume at Sandwick.


1st August

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Little Egret at Dam Loch. 3 Ruff at Baltasound.

Foula: Greenshank.

West Mainland: Magpie still at Sandness. Ruff at Effirth Voe.

Central Mainland: Magpie in Lerwick. 3 Crossbill sp over Law Lane.

South Mainland: Hudsonian Godwit at Grutness for 3rd day. 3 Shoveler at Grutness Pool.

Cetacean Sightings:

cc 20 Harbour Porpoise east of Sumburgh Head. Also 1 at Bluemull Sound and 2 through Noss Sound. Minke off Fladdabister & Skaw, Whalsay.

 

Insect Sightings:

3 Manchester Treble Bar moths, Foula.

 
31th July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Little Egret at Burrafirth. 2 Cuckoo at Norwick. 2 Green Sandpiper over Haroldswick. Fieldfare at Gerratown.

South Mainland: Hudsonian Godwit at Grutness for 2nd day. 9 Ruff at Spiggie.

Insect Sightings:

27s pod made their way down the East coast of Unst.

 
30th July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Little Egret on Burrafirth Beach, also a Northern (Blue) Fulmar. Cuckoo and Black Redstart at Norwick. Cuckoo at Halligarth.

Yell: Short-eared Owl Gutcher

Whalsay: Melodious Warbler at Skaw

Central Mainland: Owl species at Brig of Fitch, Grey Heron at Girlsta

South Mainland: Hudsonian Godwit at Grutness, 1st record for Shetland, 5th for Britain. Honey Buzzard Grutness. Crossbill at Cunningsburgh

Insect Sightings:

Cream-streaked Ladybird at Sandwick, 1st record for Shetland. Convulvuous Hawkmoth Foula.

 
29th July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Central Mainland: Owl species at Brig of Fitch, Grey Heron at Girlsta

South Mainland: 7 Ruff at Pool of Virkie, Greenshank at Dalsetter and Scatness.

Mammal Sightings:

27s pod spent the afternoon hunting off the West side of Mainland, from Tresta, past Skeld and round towards Dale/Sandness.

 
28th July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Yell: 6 Bar-tailed Godwit at Hamnavoe

North Mainland: Sparrowhawk at Gluss

Central Mainland: 19 Goosander at Weisdale Voe

Insect sightings:

A Light Arches was trapped in Sandwick, South Mainland. The 1st record for Shetland.

 
27th July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Nothing to report.

Mammal Sightings:

Minke Whale South of Bressay and another North pas Hermaness.

 
26th July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Siskin Baltasound

Whalsay: Ruff at Skaw

Bressay: Sparrowhawk Voehead

Central Mainland: 7 Crossbill Lerwick

South Mainland: Ruff at Pool of Virkie

Mammal Sightings:

65s pod was spotted coming through between Lerwick and Bressay before continuing North all the way to Yell Sound and up the West coast of Yell.

 
25th July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Yell: Cuckoo at Cullivoe.

South Mainland: Cuckoo Mossy Hill, Scousburgh

Mammal Sightings:

Minke Whale South of Noss  

 
24th July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Yell:  Ruff at Loch of Littlestart and 2 Bar-tailed Godwit at Hamnavoe  

 
23th July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Yell:  Glaucous Gull at Mid Yell.  

Mammal Sightings:

65's pod were first sighted at Collafirth, Delting before heading around the islands in Yell Sound.  Dolphin species seen from Skerries ferry east of Lunna today.  Single small dolphin was seen from Good Shepherd approx. 5 miles south of Sumburgh.  

Insect Sightings:

Small Rivulet was seen feeding on Fuschia flowers, at Stendaal, South Nesting (3rd record for Shetland).

 
22nd July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:  Cuckoo in garden at Norwick.  

North Mainland:  3 Crossbill at Gluss.  

Central Mainland:  2 Common Crossbill at Loch of Voe.  

South Mainland:  Quail singing at Sumburgh Farm, and 2 heard from Sumburgh Hotel Carpark.  

Mammal Sightings:

Minke Whale seen at Dalsetter, and another east of Noss.  2 bull Orca spotted from Sumburgh Head lower carpark before heading around the point moving northwest.  

Insect Sightings:

Hummingbird Hawkmoth at Compass Head.  Nutmeg trapped at Bakkasetter.  3 Manchester Treble-bars at Skaw, Whalsay.  

 
21st July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:  Kestrel at Setter's quarry.  

North Mainland:  71 Curlew and 126 Oystercatcher gathered at Gluss.  

Central Mainland:  2 Common Crossbill at Loch of Voe.  Black-throated Diver still at south side of Bannaminn Beach, Papil.  

South Mainland:  Cuckoo north end of Spiggie.  2 juvenile Shelduck at Grutness.  2 summer plumaged Knot at Pool of Virkie.  

Mammal Sightings:

Minke Whale was spotted 2km NE of Fladdabister.  7 Risso's Dolphin seen from Skerries Ferry.  Harbour Porpoise were reported at Skerries, Muness, Noss and Burravoe, Yell today.  

 
20th July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:  Glaucous Gull near galley shed in Uyeasound.  

Mammal Sightings:

New calf for the 65's pod of Orca was announced today!  A pod of 4+ Orca was reported from West Yell in the evening heading south.  

Insect Sightings:

Migrant Willow Erimine moths are still being reported today.  

 
19th July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

No sightings of note today.  

Mammal Sightings:

Pod of Orca first seen in Dury Voe, before heading into Vidlin Voe.  Eventually they tracked west and then north, last being reported across the entrance to Sullom Voe heading north.  

 
18th July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Yell:  Juvenile Cuckoo reported from Hillend and Burravoe.  

West Mainland:  Magpie is still at Sandness.  

Central Mainland:  Rose-coloured Starling still at Norget House, Dale.  Cuckoo in a garden in Catfirth, South Nesting.  Crossbill sp, flew over Lerwick Harbour. 

Mammal Sightings:

65's Pod of Orca first seen off the Knab in Lerwick heading into the harbour, before heading northwards, only to return into the harbour later!  After a while, they headed north again, being last seen out past Eswick.  

 
17th July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Out Skerries:  Cuckoo on the island. 

South Mainland:  Common Crossbill at Sandwick.   

Mammal Sightings:

3 Northern Bottlenose Whales visible today from Lunna Kirk, Vidlin.  Minke Whale seen from Skaw, Whalsay.  

 
16th July 2023

Bird Sightings:

Unst:  3 Sanderling at Skaw.  Carrion Crow at Baltasound and Chiffchaff fledged at Haligarth.

Cetacean Sightings:  15 White-sided Dolphins reported off Rover Head, Lerwick.  3 Northern Bottlenose Whales last seen today at 1246hrs.  1 Minke Whale was seen heading North between Westwick and Culswick this afternoon.

Lepidoptera  Sightings:  A better night for moths with reports of the following; Willow Ermine, Notocelia cynosbattella, Twin Spot, Dioryetria sp, Exile, Dimond back, Snout, Mother of Pearl and Lychnis.

 
15th July 2023

Bird Sightings:

Central Mainland:  Rose-coloured Starling at Norget house, just South of Sandgarth, Dale.

South Mainland: Green Sandpiper at Dalsetter.

Cetacean Sightings:  3 Northern Bottlenose Whales reported today off East end of Yell Sound.

Lepidoptera  Sightings:  Quite night for moths with reports of the following; Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Willow Ermine, Common Rustic, Smoky Wainscott, Pinion-Streaked Snout and White-line Dart.

 
14th July 2023

Bird Sightings:

Central Mainland:  Rose-Coloured Starling still present at Norget house just South of Sandgarth, Dale.  Cuckoo at North Loch Drive Lerwick.

Cetacean Sightings: 2 Bull Orca reported heading South at Muckle Skerry. 2 Minke Whale reported off Skaw. 3 Orca seen from Islander aircraft 12 km north of Fair Isle. 

Lepidoptera  Sightings:  Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Scoria ambigualis and 3 Bactra furfurals micro moths reported at Foula. 

 
13th July 2023

Bird Sightings:

Unst: Collard Dove reported moving West through Uyeasound.

North Mainland:  Common Crossbill at Sternness.

Cetacean Sightings: The 2 Bull Orcas, known as Hulk and Nott delighted folk around Unst today.  7-8 Long Finned Pilot Whales were reported off Lunna Ness tonight moving North.  Another small pod of Porpoises were reported off Burravoe, Yell moving South.

 

Insect Sightings:   5 Pammene gallicana at Ham Foula.


12th July 2023

Bird Sightings:

Foula: 6 Crossbill at Southness.

Mousa: report of a Cuckoo.

Central Mainland:  Crossbill at Stromfirth.

Cetacean Sightings: Reports of 27's pod of Orca off Quarff, moving south began at 7am and continued all day. With the Pod moving around Sumburgh Head and into Quendale at 6pm.  2 Bull Orcas, known as Hulk and Nott were also seen this afternoon in the Sullom Voe and Yell sound area.

Lepidoptera  Sightings:  Heart and Dart moth, and Chrysoteuchia culmella were reported from Bakkasetter last night.

 
11th July 2023

Bird Sightings:

Unst: Bar-tailed Godwit at Ordeal.

Outer Skerries: Black redstart reported.

North Mainland: Cuckoo sighted at Gluss.  

South Mainland: Iceland Gull and Common Redpoll at Rerwick. Red Knot, Sandwich Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit at Pool of Virkie.  Cuckoo at Clumlie and Hillwell.

Central Mainland: Rose-Coloured Starling reported in the Dale, at Norget House, just South of Sandgarth.

Lepidoptera  Sightings:  Report of the first Pyrausta despicata on Foula along with Eucasma Cara last night. Today a day flying Chrysoteuchia Culmella was also reported.  Other reports overnight were of Dioryctria abiietella and Epiblema Foenellla.

 
10th July 2023

Bird Sightings:

Yell:  2 Goosander at Gutcher pier.

West Mainland: Quail calling between Redayre and Reawick.  

Cetacean Sightings: A good day for Orca in Yell sound.  100+ White-sided Dolphins reported off Noss too.

Insect  Sightings:  A good night for moths overall.  Reports of Silver Y, True Lovers Knot, Northern Rustic, Dark sword, Bright Line, Brown  Eye, Snout, Wood Tiger West, Hummingbird Hawkmoth to name but a few. Reports of Common Blue Damselflies at Sand Water and Orca Voe on Unst.

 
9th July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Central Mainland: Common Crossbill at Law Lane, Lerwick.

South Mainland: Quail calling and 2 Linnet at Sumburgh Farm & . 12 Common Swift & 2 Tree Sparrow at Sumburgh Head. 2 Knot at Grutness. Sedge Warbler singing at Hillwell.

Insect Sightings: Convolvulus Hawkmoth in Foula. Hummingbird Hawkmoth at Lerwick, Rerwick, Mavis Grind,

Out Skerries (2) and Foula (2). Gold Spot & Small Rivulet (2nd Shetland record) at South Nesting. Nettle Tap moth at West Burrafirth.

 
8th July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst: Glaucous Gull at Easter Loch.

North Mainland: Honey Buzzard at Glussdale Water & a Redwing at Gluss. 

Central Mainland: Kestrel at Petta Water.

West Mainland: Magpie still at Sandness & 3 Common Swifts. Common Redpoll singing at Michaelswood, Aith.

South Mainland: Pacific Swift briefly over the Pool of Virkie. Sedge Warbler & Hen Harrier at Hillwell. Common Swift at Fleck & Quail calling. 2 Sandwich Terns at Virkie.

Cetacean Sightings: Pod of dolphin species off Burravoe,Yell.

Insect Sightings: Willow Ermine moths at Scatness, Lerwick, Noss NNR, South Nesting  Foula (3). Moths Pammene gallicana & Phaulernis fulviguttella on Foula. Convolvulus Hawkmoth at Sumburgh Head.

Common Blue Damselflies (4) at Loch of Benston, South Nesting.

 
7th July 2023

Bird Sightings

Foula:- Common Crossbill

Central Mainland: Black-throated Diver at Banna Minn, Burra. Common Crossbill at Helendale, Lerwick  

South Mainland: Singing Quail near Sumburgh Farm. Sandwich Tern at Grutness & West Voe. 3 Common Crossbills at Sumburgh Head.  

 
6th July 2023

Bird Sightings:

Central Mainland: Iceland Gull at Sandy Loch & Common Sandpiper at Clickimin Loch with 2 Whimbrel flying over, Lerwick.

South Mainland: Quail calling near Sumburgh Farm. 4 + Common Crossbills at Leebitton.  Common Crossbill at Bakkasetter.

Mammal Sightings: Minke Whale off N end of St Magnus Bay, Hillswick. Pod of approx. 20 Harbour Porpoise off Burravoe, Yell.

 

Fish Sightings:

Basking Shark below Braewick Cafe.

 
5th July 2023

Bird Sightings:

Yell: Quail singing at North Sandwick.

Central Mainland: Singing Marsh Warbler & 2 Willow Warblers, and Common Redpoll at Clickimin, Lerwick.

South Mainland: Quail singing near Quendale. Pacific Swift seen at Boddam Voe early morning. Common Crossbills at Sumburgh Head (4) and at Compass Head (7).

 
4th July 2023

Bird Sightings:

Central Mainland: 2 Willow Warblers at Clickimin, Lerwick.

West Mainland: Glaucous Gull at Huxter Loch, Sandness

South Mainland: 5 Common Crossbills & a Common Redpoll over Brakefield Road, Sandwick. Quail singing near Quendale. Pacific Swift over Dunrossness area from Hillwell to Boddam. Broad-billed Sandpiper at Boddam Voe.

Insect Sightings:

Bright-line Brown-eye moth trapped at Bakkasetter.


3rd July 2023

Bird Sightings:

Central Mainland:  8+ Common Crossbills at Hillhead, Lerwick.  

South Mainland: Hen Harrier flying towards Hillwell. Glaucous Gull at Dalsetter.

Insect Sightings:

Hummingbird Hawkmoth at Uyeasound. Micro-moths Scoparia ambigualis and Crambus lathioniellus on moorland in Yell.

 
2nd July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:  Dead Common Crossbill at Haroldswick.  

North Mainland:  5 Crossbill at Gluss. 

Central Mainland:  Iceland Gull at rugby pitch at Clickimin, and Cuckoo at Helendale, Lerwick.  

West Mainland:  2 Common Crossbill at Michealswood, Aith.  

South Mainland: Honey Buzzard seen over Swinister Burn, and a second different bird was over Clumlie. Glaucous Gull and Broad-billed Sandpiper at Pool of Virkie.  Common Crossbill at Boddam. 3 Common Crossbill over Bakkasetter.  3 Common Crossbill at Compass Head.  Brief visit from a Pacific Swift, and 3 Common Swift at Sumburgh Head.  2 Crossbill at Rerwick.  

Cetacean sightings:

20+ White-beaked Dolphin south off Noss.  

 
1st July 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:  Common Quail singing at Baliasta Cemetery.  

South Mainland: 3 Crossbill over Swinister Burn.   

 
30th June 2023

Bird Sightings: 

Unst:  Kestrel at Nikavord.  

Central Mainland: Cuckoo at Kergord.  Black-throated Diver off south side of Bannaminn Beach.