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21st November 2023

Magpie - A slightly less exciting Whalsay first!

Magpie at Whitefield 17/11

One of two Blue Tits at Sodom 18/11.

One of four Woodcocks at Skaw 20/11

Siberian Chiffchaff at Skaw 21/11

Came home on 16/11 after a few weeks at the mackerel fishing with good numbers of Orcas off the East side of Shetland and a few Sooty Shearwaters as well.  With the ongoing Easterly weather I missed a few interesting birds but after the excitement at Skibberhoull I dont really care!  A Little Auk was off Skaw 23/10, A male Bullfinch, 3 Goldfinches and a flock of 20  Waxwings were seen 24/10, Potentially very interesting was the  Swift sp. which bombed North through Skaw 26/10 with a Pallid Swift in Lerwick the previous week and other individuals seen in other parts of the UK around the same time. A Lapland Bunting was also found 26/10. A Yellowhammer was at Skaw on 6/11 but was eclipsed by our first ever island record of Magpie the same day around the primary school, found by non birdwatchers. Luckily this bird has stayed around though is very mobile and unpredictable, ranging around the South of the island. I was lucky enough to see it straight away but am still waiting for a decent photo!

20th -21st October 2023

Western Olivaceous Warbler - A first for Britain on Whalsay!

Little Bunting at Sandwick

If you were to ask any of us morons that chase around trying to find rare migrant birds what their ambition would be I would think a fair percentage would answer "to find a National first"! I never expected this to happen to me but you just never know living in a great migrant trap like Shetland. The morning of the 20th was fairly uneventful with lesser numbers of common stuff to the North of the island. A jaunt to the deep South in the afternoon yielded a Little Bunting on a small tattie rig at Sandwick which I assumed would likely be bird of the day. WRONG. On exiting Frankies plantation at Skibberhoull I spotted a milky tea coloured Warbler with a real javelin for a bill! I fired off a few photos as is was strangely showy and was approaching me rather that vice versa. A whatapp message was sent to our local bird group requesting help and attaching a "back of the camera" snap with the words "Eastern Olivaceous Warbler?" Comments were supportive of this so I put it out nationally with the same pic attached. Jon Dunn and Steve Jones quickly arrived on site and the bird was watched till the light started to go around 5pm. We briefly discussed the possibility of Western Olivaceous but never seriously entertained this as it would be a UK first and "it was never going to be that". In the evening I was messaged by two prominent birdwatchers wondering if the bird had been seen to dip its tail (a classic trait of EOW), I had to admit I had not witnessed this. Apparently there was a bit of online discussion favouring the bird as the rarer Western due to the very uniform nature of the wings and one or two other minor differences. Luckily is was still on site on the morning of the 21st and mist netted, ringed and released quickly by licensed ringers Paul Harvey, Roger Riddington and Phil Harris. It went back to its same circuit remaining really active and confiding to allcomers. Measurements helped reidentify the bird as Britains first Western Olivaceous Warbler making the day of all present, which by that stage included my wife and daughter. Could it ever get better than this. Well yes actually! Brian Marshall is "south" at the moment visiting relatives and has missed out and I am truly gutted for him.   In other news - this is my 280th species for Whalsay so my goal of 300 in my lifetime seems a real possability assuming I am lucky enough to live into old age! If I can average one new bird per year from now on I will hit 300 when I am 78.

19th October 2023

Coal Tit influx

A good period of SE winds began yesterday and the island is now heaving with Goldcrests. A Northern Treecreeper in the Skaw plantation in the  morning added a bit of quality though it disappeared almost immediately without a photograph. I was back on site in the afternoon hoping to refind it when a "different" call had me looking up into a spruce tree to the sight of three Coal Tits! There are only two previous island records of two at Gardentown on 29th September 1965 when I was four months old and a single also at Gardentown on 12th April 2020 identified from a non birdwatchers photo so this was kind of a big deal. Little did we know this was to be the start of an influx of the species into Shetland with pretty much everywhere getting one or a few small parties.

12th October 2023

Waxwings

Cattle Egret at Sumburgh a Shetland tick!

A couple of Waxwings were in the Isbister plantation today and were my first seen on the isle since 2019! Steve Jones also had a flythrough Brent Goose at Skaw today which would have been a year tick.

3rd - 4th October 2023

Large Pipit fiasco. Richard`s or Blyth`s?

At about 4pm on 3/10 I flushed a large Pipit from the roadside at Challister. As luck would have it my window was down allowing me to hear a fairly high pitched "Sweeoo" call reminding me of a "Flava Wagtail" as it shot off. I have seen somewhere in the regions of six to eight Richard`s Pipits previously though probably not in the last ten years and (strangely for a supposedly vocal species) had never heard one to call! Like everyone I was aware of the Shreep call and also that there were other variants. My first port of call was to check Richard`s call on youtube on my phone. The first video sounded pretty close and as I had thought the tail quite long I just needed a view on the deck. It proved difficult to approach but long range observations seemed to show a large and long legged bird so happy enough with this I put it out as a Richard`s. It continued to give me the run around but was quite vocal continuing with the single "sweeoo" call whenever taking to the wing though studying the bird on the ground wasnt happening. At 8am on 4/10 I refound it in the same field and not wanting to flush it before Brian could get up to see it, took a few photos at long range (80m?). I quickly phoned Brian, looked up and the bird had disappeared and was never seen again. In the afternoon I uploaded the seven photos taken and was disappointed that they were even worse than I had feared,the two above being the best of a sorry bunch. Only when I put them on the Whalsay whatsapp group did Peter Stronach question how small the bill looked and that the tail really didnt look overly long at all. Bollocks! I went back and listened to Blyth`s Pipit calls (something I should have done immediately!) and it sounded even better than Richard`s. Having to admit I had made a total balls of it I sent the photos to Paul Harvey and Roger Riddington. Both replied that they thought the bird was "not safely identifiable" due to the blurredness of the photos.

Pauls take on the pics - Pro Blyth`s features - Bill length (although see plate on page 132 of svennson and shirihai )showing a shorter billed Richards. Mantle - pretty neat and contrasty. Wingbars -Due to how striking they are. The description of call. 

Pro Richard`s features - Crown - which doesnt look evenly streaked, rather it appears to show eyebrows.  Jizz - to me it looks leggy and upright.

The problem is there is just too little detail to be seen on my blurred photos and so little point in submitting as anything other than Richard`s/Blyth`s. Anyone out there with an opinion!  johnlowriebirds@gmail.com

30th September 2023

The American Golden Plover relocates to the Houb

The adult American Golden Plover was at the Houb today with over 170 European Goldies continuing its long stay on the island. Not a great deal to report in the last few days though a skulking Red breasted Flycatcher was in the Isbister plantation and 250+ Barnacle Geese flew over in three flocks on 28/9.

26th September 2023

Blackburnian Warbler at the South mainland, 2nd Shetland record

An incredibly rare Blackburnian Warbler was found in the Geosetter burn at the South mainland today so Brian, Angela and myself decided to twitch it. It did not disappoint posing down to about fifteen feet! This is a second Shetland record after one on Fair Isle in 1988 and a fifth for the UK.

19th September 2023

Little Bunting and American Golden Plover

Home again after two and a half weeks at the herring fishing east of Orkney. This went pretty well and plenty of Sooty Shearwaters were seen though the hoped for Great or even Cory`s never materialised. Our homecoming has coincided with a bout of SE winds which cant be bad with a decent scatter of migrants found. A second adult American Golden Plover for the year was found on the edge of the Skaw airstrip by Steve Jones on 16/9 mirroring the spring bird though it has taken me until today to finally see it!  A Little Bunting was around the wall outside the Skaw plantation yesterday feeding alongside a Common Rosefinch though it flew off after a few minutes and before I could get within range for a clear photo.

26th August 2023

Arctic Warbler

Icterine warbler at Skaw 25/8.

It has been a reasonable spell lately with a good scatter of mostly common migrants.  A bit of quality was added with Wrynecks at Isbister and Symbister 20/8 and 25/8, several Icterine Warblers including at least three on 20/8, at least three Great spotted Woodpeckers have been seen since 20/8 and unusually large numbers of Common Swifts passed through with twenty seven birds recorded on both 22/8 and 23/8. Bird of the period so far was found in the bushes near the roadside at Myrtle Cottage, Brough today with a fairly skulking Arctic Warbler present. A few very uncomfortable hours were put in with swarms of midges to get a few photos but it was well worth the pain!

18th August 2023

East winds bring in migrants at last

Wood Warbler at Grunitaing

Red Grouse near Vevoe, one of a family party of eleven birds with another ten nearby!

After a birdless first half to the month a SE breeze has brought in a decent scatter of migrants today. Wood Warblers at Grunitaing and Skaw, Barred Warbler at Skaw, Icterine Warbler at Grunitaing, two Greenshanks over Hamister with another at Isbister loch and five Ruff at Skaw plus a few commoner species. Hopefully a good autumn starts here!

9th August 2023

Breeding Whooper Swans

Ringed Merlin with a Meadow Pipit for breakfast at Grunitaing 4/8/23.

This is the third year that a pair of Whooper Swans have attempted to breed on Vatshoull loch and without wishing to jinx anything, it is looking promising with three large young from four hatched still present. One chick survived from a brood of five in 2021 but was driven off by the adults when they hatched their brood in 2022, it panicked and hit overhead wires and was killed. All of the 2022 birds were predated, at least one taken by a Great black backed Gull. The sheep and horses around the loch get a hard time with the male swan seen duffing up a small flock of ewes with their lambs today possibly not endearing themselves to local crofters.

31st July 2023

Hudsonian Godwit at Grutness a first for Shetland

 

A Hudsonian Godwit was found at Grutness, South mainland on 30/7 somewhat upstaging our Melodious Warbler found the same day!  A new bird for Shetland, 3rd for Scotland and 5th for the Uk so when it was still present the following day I took a run down with Brian and got great views on its favoured small pool near the roadside. Two lifers in two days in July cant be bad.

30th July 2023

Melodious Warbler

Steve Jones found a Melodious Warbler in his garden at Skaw today and is only the second island record after one my grandfather found at Hamister on 28th May 1976!  A Whalsay tick for me and Brian too.

16th July 2023

Juvenile Cuckoo

Red Grouse chick at the roadside.

Young Guillemot at the houb

Whimbrel on territory.

After missing a Cuckoo earlier in the spring I managed to catch up with a juvenile at Midfield today. Not much else to be seen at the moment though the Whooper Swans have bred again so we can only hope for a better outcome this year!

12th June 2023

Red backed Shrike

Brian found a female Red backed Shrike this morning on the roadside fences between Vatshoull and Vevoe.  Although I missed it by about thirty seconds it reappeared halfway down the Vevoe road in the afternoon.

10th June 2023

Marsh Warbler

An "acro" type warbler was silently skulking in the Skaw plantation today so Brian came and got the net up. Just for once we managed to trap in on our first attempt!.  Wing measurements pointed towards Blyths Reed but it proved to be a Marsh Warbler albeit with wing length shorter than given in the ringers manual.

30th May 2023

American Golden Plover

Long eared Owl at Symbister since 24/5 photographed 28/5.

May 2023 has been another disaster bird wise. Constant Northerlies being replaced with Westerlies and with no sign of any Easterly winds for the foreseeable future so it has been beyond quiet throughout.  Finding a yank on Whalsay doesnt happen often so when Brian phoned about our islands third American Golden Plover in the field on the South side of the North loch of Skaw I was out the door at high speed. A beauty of a summer plumaged adult as well, - a fine birthday surprise for myself!

7th May 2023

Blue-headed Wagtail

Ringed Reed Warbler at Sandwick 7/5

Whinchat at Grunitaing 5/5.

Brian found a smart Blue-headed Wagtail in the Symbister meadow today so I went and got a few long range photos. A ringed Reed Warbler was in the ditch above Sandwick beach in the afternoon and attempted pics  only yielded the letters "15" which isn't of much use though Brian reckoned the ring looked foreign!  A decent scatter of common migrants has been seen in the last days or two with a Grasshopper Warbler in the Skaw plantation 5/5 plus Brians Cuckoo and Linnet both in the Lubba area 6/5 which I missed.

4th May 2023

Sandwich Tern

A Sandwich Tern was fishing below the trap area at Skaw this afternoon before a short stop at the houb in the early evening. This is our first island record for five years!

21st April 2023

Moorhen

Trying to hide among some seaweed!

Its been a year or two since my last island Moorhen so it was good to see one along the shore at the houb today. I went over for a few photos when it tried to bury itself among some seaweed and hide behind a wall. A Sparrpowhawk shot through at the same time.

20th April 2023

Hawfinch

Brian trapped a  Hawfinch in his garden at Marrister today so I went along for a photo or two. The Tree Sparrow is still visiting our feeders occasionally and could be seen to be ringed though the above photo isnt up to much!. Possibly N2 something?

18th April 2023

A light scatter of migrants

Kinda blurred Tree Sparrow taken out our bedroom window today.

Greenfinch at Isbister 17/4.

Black Redstart at Grunitaing 16/4.

Bathing Goldcrest at Skaw 16/4

Came home to a light scatter of common migrants on 16/4 with bird of the day being a Black Redstart at Grunitaing. A Greenfinch in the Isbister plantation 17/4 was a good Whalsay bird as its a number of years since my last one on here. Today saw a garden first with a single Tree Sparrow at our feeders at Hamister and a Sparrowhawk seen later at Skaw.

24th March, 2nd April and 10th April 2023

Great Shearwaters West of Outer Hebrides

Home again after just over a month at the Blue Whiting fishing which went well. The last three "trips" were taken West of the Outer Hebrides with a few Great Shearwaters seen on each occasion.  Two on 24/3 -  56 17`N 9 55`W, 4+ on 2/4 -  57 09`N 9 20`W and at least one 10/4 (with an adult Pomarine Skua) - 9 38`N 9 38`W. There were probably a few more but it is difficult to estimate numbers with the birds constantly circling around.

11th March 2023

Deep snow

Red Grouse near the Vevoe junction

Jack Snipe at Symbister

It has been many years since we had deep snow for a whole week but thats whats going on here at present. The first three days we couldnt get the car out but the road has now been ploughed so you can get around the island with care. A few birds are more obvious in these conditions - the Red Grouse on the hills stick out against the white hillside and Common Snipe are everywhere trying to find  any marshy areas not under a blanket of snow! A good few Jack Snipe have been reported around Shetland in the last few days with a single outside our house at Hamister yesterday and the poser (above) in the meadow at Symbister today. In other news the two Long eared Owls at Skibberhoull first seen 15/2 have now become three since 6/3 with Steve Jones finding another Goldfinch at Skaw on the same date.

21st February 2023

Black throated Diver

Maalie photobombing the Black throated Diver (left) and a Great Northern Diver.

Two Pink footed Geese ( center bird and one with its head down) with Greylags.

Pintail also among the Greylags at the Burns today.

 A Black throated Diver turned up fairly close inshore below the trap area at Skaw around midday today. Typically it started diving and moving much further out once I went down to the shore for photos but you can still see what it is from the poor long range pics above. A pair of Pink footed Geese were among the Greylags and five Euro White fronts at the burns as well today. We just need one of the Tundra Beans lingering in Shetland to turn up on the island now!

15th February 2023

Long eared Owls

Two of four European White fronted Geese at the burns

Iceland Gull at Symbister

After a quite good month for migrants in January things have quietened down and the first half of February has been typically quiet.  The Grey Plover has been seen at the houb a couple of times (6/2, 12/2) with the drake Pintail at the burns (14/2), an Iceland Gull was around Symbister 11/2 with a single Snow Bunting at Skaw the same day and the four Euro White fronted Geese are still among the Greylags at the burns today. I got a message from Gordon Irvine this morning to say a couple of Owls were in the trees at Frankies and sure enough two Long eared Owls were present and even posed briefly for the camera!

21st January 2023

Rough - legged Buzzard

Grim record shots!

Grey Plover at the Houb 19/1

I am now back in the game with the arrival of a new Canon 90D though the idiots guide supplied doesn't tell me much so I have a bit to learn before I can hope to get decent photos. The year has started well with a few island scarcities - 3 Scaup on Sandwick loch from 4/1, a drake Pintail among the Greylags at the burns 5/1, up to 5 European White fronted Geese at the burns from 8/1, a Goldfinch in Skaw plantation 14/1, Grey Plover at Skaw Taing 17/1 with possibly the same bird at the houb 19/1, a briefly seen Great spotted Woodpecker at Symbister 18/1 was presumably the ringed female seen in the same area in late December, a couple of Glaucous Gulls and Iceland Gulls were also seen. Angela and myself were out for a drive in the car this afternoon when I clocked a large-ish bird of prey flying south towards us at the burns. It swept past at medium range showing a pale head, black underwing carpal patches, a black belly and white uppertail with broad black bar at the tip - a juvenile Rough Legged Buzzard! only my 2nd individual on the island and new for the "self found" list. I phoned BM and we attempted to follow it but lost sight down at the houb. Hopefully it reappears for him in the coming days as I am going away on 23rd. I will at some point do a review of 2022 which will basically be a massive rant of a terrible year missing out on two island firsts and a new all time low year total.

22nd November 2022

Still alive

Barnacle Geese at Isbister         Photo by Angela Irvine

Its been a very long time since I posted anything on here as I seem to have spent a good portion of the autumn off the island. I was home for a week or so from 19/10 and the unfortunate highlight was getting water in my camera on a very dreich day. I have humped around a camera daily for thirteen years so birding without one seems a bit weird. At least the lens seems intact so santa has been informed that another Canon is required! There has been a decent spell of SE winds lately, a late Yellow browed Warbler in Skaw plantation 14 - 16/11 might have had the decency to have been a Hume`s by now and there has also been a good scatter of Woodcocks seen. Brian found a couple of Tundra Bean Geese at the burns 16/11 and these were soon joined by a drake Gadwall,  five European white fronted geese and an Iceland Gull. The Gadwall is strangely rare on Whalsay with only a couple of known records - My grandfather Johnnie Simpson had a small flock of six many moons ago and Brian had a single on the pool at Vaivoe maybe ten years ago so this added another bird to my Whalsay list.  Long eared Owls at Skibberhoull 19/11 and Brough 20/11 was new for the year as was todays Barnacle Goose pair at Isbister.

24th September 2022

Yellow browed Warblers and a brief early autumn rarity

Still hopeless conditions for migrants with very little on the island. You can always rely on the odd Yellow browed Warbler getting through whatever the weather with the above bird at Skaw and another in the Sodom plantation today.  The best bird seen lately by some distance was the winter plumaged White billed Diver not all that far offshore below the heligoland trap area at Skaw yesterday 23/9. Brian got up to Skaw quickly which was lucky as it completely vanished ten minutes later without getting its photo taken! September records are rare and this may be the earliest autumn record for Shetland though I am not certain of this. Although this species is fairly regular around the Shetland coast in winter it remains a very rare bird on Whalsay, the last record being one moving between Symbister and Suther Ness 11-29/3 2007! This bird unfortunately had a damaged bill and was picked up dead on the last date turning up one day after I went to sea and dying the day before I got home again making yesterdays bird my first individual in about forty years!  A juvenile male Blackcap trapped 21/9 had been rung in Prague which is a decent record. Further details to follow.

13th September2022

Late Cuckoo

The winds have now swung North so the fun is probably over (pretty much before it began for me!). A late Cuckoo was around Toft, Isbister today and is likely the same bird from Skaw 11/9. My first Barred Warbler of the year was at Hamister and 20-30 Siskins flew past the same area. A juvenile Common Crossbill was in the Skaw plantation briefly 11/9 and was a year tick for myself.

10th September 2022

Woodpecker influx

Redstart at Skaw

Got home late on 9/9 and with the whole family away today was always going to be a big days birdwatching. On opening the curtains in the morning the first two birds seen were a Yellow browed Warbler followed by a Reed Warbler in next doors garden! and on going outside a Great spotted Woodpecker was drilling holes in the side of our house, things were looking good!. Perhaps the rest of the day didnt live up to expectations rarity wise but a good selection of common migrants were seen with a few scarcities thrown in - 3 Great spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Reed Warblers, Red backed Shrike, 2 Rosefinches, 2 Wood Warblers and a Common Sandpiper. Brian trapped a Blyth`s Reed Warbler at Skaw 8/9 but unfortunately it appears to have gone.

7th September 2022

Herring fishing

Great Shearwater off Orkney

Sooty Shearwater

Sparrowhawk

The Symbister Spotted Crake    Photo by Brian Marshall.

We are on our last herring trip of the season today in an area about six miles east from Start Point Orkney. At least three Great Shearwaters have been in attendance with loads of Sooty Shearwaters and a Sparrowhawk also lurking around. The last few days has seen SE winds at home with a good selection of scarce and common migrants being found. Brian found the best bird so far or he would have done had it still been alive! A very recently deceased Spotted Crake was picked up off the pavement outside the lower shop at Symbister today and would have been an island tick for all. Second place would have to go to the very much alive Arctic Warbler Jon Dunn flushed from the thistles behind his house 6/9 though this bird vanished thereafter. Hopefully there will be a few things left when I get home in a few days.

17th August 2022

Better photos of the Wood Warbler

The Wood Warbler is still present in the Skaw plantation and gave better views for the camera today. Another bird is in Jon Dunns garden along the road since 16/8 and we managed to view both birds this afternoon at the same time confirming that it isnt one bird moving between sites.

14th August 2022

Wood Warbler

Summer 2022 will go down as the worst ever with winds almost always over 20 knots, regular gales and zero percent sunshine. Only in the last couple of days have the winds fallen light and for the first time ventured to the SE though the sun is still playing hard to get! A Wood Warbler and Willow Warbler were in the Skaw plantation this afternoon hopefully kicking off a few migrants but with the forecast already predicting Northerlies for the next few days I doubt there will be a lot seen.

5th August 2022

Twitching the Unst Harlequin

I very rarely chase after other peoples birds unless they are on Whalsay but when Dave Cooper found a drake Harlequin Duck off Norwick beach on Unst and Angela said she fancied a run up there it was too tempting to resist! We got up just after 2 pm and were treated to great views of a very approachable bird even if the weather was crap as per usual. A bird I have always wanted to see and hopefully will find at home one day. No bird news at all in the last month though a Woodpigeon egg below the trees in the Skaw plantation confirms a first island breeding attempt with another presumed family party of five at Sodom also highly suspicious.

5th July 2022

New island breeding species and some suicidal Crossbills

Heron at Vatshoull

A Tufted Duck with six young appeared on Vatshoull loch today, a first breeding record for Whalsay so hopefully some of them will survive! It is a year or two since we had Common Crossbill on Whalsay so when a nice red male was photographed at Skaw on 2/7 by Sue Fermor we were pissed off to miss it.  Two more have turned up since then and both hit windows and died, a first summer at Saltness 3/7 and a juvenile today at Symbister. We await a living one any day soon.  A Red breasted Merganser with five or six chicks was in the North Voe 26/6 and is our first island breeding record for a number of years. Other migrant news consisted of a calling Quail at Hamister, four Siskins at Symbister and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth at Saeter 2/7 and a late/early Spotted Flycatcher at Skaw 3-4/7 at Skaw and a Magpie Moth at Sandwick 3/7.

25th June 2022

Twitching a rarity and catching up with Quail at last.

Wren on Sumburgh Head

When news broke on the 19th of a Pacific Swift at Sumburgh I couldnt get away and could only hope that this very rare first for Shetland would hang on for a second day. News and photos of the bird zipping around peoples heads was frustrating but me and Angela booked the 7am ferry for the next day and hoped for the best. The morning of the 20th was fresh and SW so we spent a couple of hours looking at Puffins and photographing a family of Wrens, not really what we had hoped for. All was not lost however with its reappearance at the Noup of the Noss on 21st! Me, Angela and Brian had a run across on Phil Harris boat and saw it although it was a long way up and I really shoudnt be ticking anything on views like that (I did of course!).

Quail has for years been my bogey bird on Whalsay, a couple of dead birds picked up in the Hamister valley being the sum total.  I was having a look at Skibberhoull on the afternoon of 24/6 and was greeted to the sound of one calling loudly out of a field of long grass below Frankies. Brian came for a look or should I say a listen as we never managed to actually see the bird.  I was left with the decision as to whether you can tick something you have never actually seen! This problem resolved itself the very next day when me and the bairns were out for a walk along the shore north of Nisthouse and flushed another individual. It flew low past me giving a decent view before landing in a field of long grass and disappearing. Now I need Marsh Harrier to follow suit and that will be good. I will surely see one eventually without having to twitch one on mainland.

17th June 2022

Nightjar

A Nightjar flushed out of Skaw plantation 15/6, a dark looking bird in flight lacking the white tail corners and white spots towards the wing tips making it a female. Brian came up for a look and we had one more flight view before we lost it. I have always wanted a photo of one of these birds but assumed I had missed my chance again. There was no sign yesterday but it flushed again this morning and sat up on a fence post for about a minute being harassed by one of the local Meadow Pipits. Unfortunately I only got photos from long range which was never going to be great and it flew back into the plantation when I tried to close the distance. It may hang on for another go and I will surely get my, point blank "asleep on a wall" shots some day!  This is my fifth island record the first being one on a fence post at Vatshoull on 3rd August 1979. It was seen as a fourteen year old and not by any of the adults so was never submitted to the Shetland rarities committee though there is no doubt about the record.

12th June 2022

Scaup

Red backed Shrike at Skaw 11/6.

Whimbrel on territory at Skaw - late May.

Brian found a nice drake Scaup on the pool at Symbister this morning and I managed to track it down to the Sandwick loch in the afternoon. This species remains a very scarce visitor to Whalsay with the last record being a female on Isbister loch in late April 2018. There has been little news since my last post as things stayed annoyingly birdless throughout. An Icterine Warbler in the Skaw plantation was only seen for a few seconds but not photographed 31/5 though it performed better than the singing Marsh Warbler in the same location 6/6 which was never seen at all! A female Red backed Shrike was at Roadside Skaw last night and I managed a long range record shot before it disappeared, unseen by anyone else - grim.

21st May 2022

Golden Oriole influx

Golden Oriole at Tripwell 19/5/22

Pied Flycatcher at Skaw 11/5/22

Spotted Flycatcher at Skaw 17/5/22

Sedge Warbler 19/5

When Steve Jones found a male Golden Oriole at Skaw on 17/5 and it disappeared before I got there I was getting really fed up with my lot for this year having pretty much missed every decent bird on the island. There is usually a number of years between sightings so the chances of seeing another really wasn't great. On the evening of 19/5 I was out washing the car when I got sent a "whats that bird" phone photo from Tripwell - it was a point blank pic of a female Golden Oriole sat on a window ledge! Me and Brian caught up with it at the North end of the Tripwell council estate and got a few mid range photos from a small garden before it vanished. Two birds were seen the following day (20th) with females at Skaw and Hamister and another female today (21st) videod in a garden at Gardentown. As this species is highly mobile it is hard to be sure how many individuals are involved, the Tripwell, Hamister and Gardentown  sightings could all be one bird? So at least three and possibly as many as five have been seen in the last five days which is likely as many as we have had in the last twenty years! Apart from these birds Whalsay has, as usual, been lagging behind the rest of Shetland for decent migrants - single male Linnets at Marrister 16/5 and Vatshoull 21/5, Common Sandpiper at Skaw 17/5, two Mute Swans on Sandwick loch and a Cuckoo at Skaw 18/5 and a Sedge Warbler trapped at Skaw 19/5 was about it.

15th May 2022

Colour ringed Knot

A small flock of nine Knot were at the Houb today with a colour ringed bird in their midst. I managed a few reasonable photos and later found out that it had been rung as a first winter on 22nd January 2022 by Highland ringing group at Ardersier near Inverness. Thanks to Peter Stronach and Bob Swann for the quick response. A few common migrants have started trickling through with a Grey Wagtail 14/5 at Skaw  as interesting as it has got so far.

28th April 2022

Short Eared Owl

A couple of grainy images of a Short eared Owl Brian found at the roadside just south of the Vevoe junction today. At least it waited till I got up to see it !

24th April 2022

Glossy Ibis - A second new bird missed in three weeks!

At 12:45 today I was getting sunday lunch ready when I received a text, Steve Jones had found a pair of Glossy Ibis in the sheep field on the south side of the golf clubhouse at Skaw. The same pair had been on Fair Isle and then Hillswick in previous days, and as a new bird for the Whalsay list it was one I really wanted to see. Angela took over the dinner, I did a "wallace and gromit" into my boots and shot out the door. My attempts to get to Skaw were hampered by a safe driver who, needless to say went the whole way to Skaw at 30mph and in the only safe place to overtake I was foiled by oncoming traffic. I missed the birds by minutes, a car had flushed them to the east and walks from Isbister to the Skaw Taing and beyond were a waste of time.  Our last island first was the Great Reed Warbler in May 2019 so to miss two new birds in three weeks is a real sickener.

3rd - 11th April 2022

Snow Geese - an Island first missed.

All photos by Angela Irvine

On the 4th of April Angela had a phonecall from Carleen Hughson -  three white geese with black wing-tips had flown from Creadyknowe North towards Myrtle Cottage/Challister and after consulting her field guide wondered if they might be Snow Geese! As I was west of Ireland in a boat I texted Brian to check it out though she had already phoned him and he was on it. Sure enough she was quite right, an island first. Angela took on the role of local Papparazzi, catching up with them in the parks on the north side of Myrtle Cottage and got a few pretty good photos with her small camera on full zoom at quite long range. Norman Poleson came out for a look and said they had been there since the previous day (3rd). As you can see on Angelas photos above, the birds had an orange wash to their faces  making it likely to be the same three that had spent a few months (January till 31/3) at Slimbridge Gloucestershire. As there are feral populations of Snow geese in Germany and Holland it is possibly unlikely that these birds will be accepted as wild, apparently an effort was going to be made to get a few feathers for DNA analysis to try to work out which bit of the world they came from but I am unsure what came of this (and as I never saw them couldnt really give a -). As I was due home around 20/4 it was always going to be a long shot that they would hang on that long and sure enough they departed on the 11th.

There has been little seen since my last post in late January- I also managed to miss a Black throated Diver Brian found offshore below Marrister 16/2. Likewise the Stonechats at Skaw in March on 11th and 14th and a Jackdaw at Vatshoull 12th. Things can only better as the song says!

30th January 2022

Glaucous Gull

Great Northern Diver off Symbister.

It is surprising, given the amount of gales this month has produced that there hasnt been more white winged gulls on the island.  It has been a rare calm day today so a walk around Skaw Taing produced our first Glaucous Gull of the year.  A single grainy image was captured as it flew south past me. Not much to report since the last post - a Water Rail ran across the road at the Burns 4/1, 3 Knot have been at the houb for most of the month and probably best was the 2 Little Auks which lifted and flew South from the harbour enterance at Symbister 12/1.

3rd January 2022

Jack Snipe

2022 has begun pretty quietly for birds, a few common thrushes and very little else so far. Both the best two birds were seen out the window of our house at Hamister! - a Pink footed Goose was among the Greylag flock on new years day and a Jack Snipe was in a ditch today so I took a few mid range photos off the balcony.

31st December 2021

Whalsay bird review 2021

January

The year began with 9+ Blue Tits still raking around from last years influx including a bird with a ring on the left leg at Sandwick, the ring code was never determined unfortunately. A Carrion Crow was around the Hillhead/Symbister area for a few weeks from 3/1 with two Dunnocks in one Symbister garden around the same time. Two Glaucous Gulls were at west loch of Skaw 9/1 with a Jack Snipe at Traywick 29/1. Belated news of a Great Tit at Houll for most of the month came after its departure and was the only individual for the year.

 

 

 

February

A Jack Snipe was in a roadside ditch at Symbister 5/2 with a Glaucous Gull at Skaw 13/2.  A small party of three Blue Tits at Symbister included a Stavanger ringed bird, though again the whole ring code could not be seen. A Sparrowhawk was at Whitefield 21/2, our first Skylark at Hamister 23/2 and the only Snow Bunting of the spring at Pouster 25/2.

 

 

 

 

March

Little was seen till a female Velvet Scoter was off Skaw Taing 12/3.  A couple of Risso`s Dolphins off Symbister 29/3 was also notable.

April

Nothing of note was seen early in the month with our first Wheatear back on the late date of 14/4. A surprisingly scarce island bird was the Rook at the Burns 17/4 (my first in nine years!) with Goldcrest, Willow Warbler and Siskin making their debuts the same day. A male Hawfinch was at Saltness 18/4 with a female trapped at Marrister 20/4 and another male at Skaw 26/4. A Water Rail was at Skaw 18/4 with an early(ish) Whimbrel on the golf course 20/4. The first Minke Whale was also off Skaw Taing 23/4 with a Black throated Diver in the voe below the Skaw trap for a week from 24/4. A Green Sandpiper was in various ditches at the burns 30/4.

May

The Green Sandpiper at the burns was joined by a male Grey Wagtail 1/5. A brief male Linnet at Hamister was the sole record for the year. The first Arctic Tern was quite late on 8/5 at Vatshoull loch.  A better scatter of common migrants appeared from 9/5 headlined by a Wryneck at Symbister and supported by five Ring Ouzels, two Hawfinches and a House Martin. A Great spotted Woodpecker was at Symbister 10/5 with Cuckoo at Symbister, Kestrel at Sandwick, Greenshank at Skaw and Common Tern at Symbister 11/5. A Wryneck at Isbister13/5 and a Hawfinch at Marrister 14/5 was best of a decent scatter of common migrants mid month. The years only Shelduck was at the houb for a matter of minutes 19/5. Likewise the years only Icterine Warbler at tripwell 24/5, identified from a photo six days after the event! A Marsh Warbler was at Skaw 25/5 with two Tree Sparrows at Skaw 27/5 and another three at the burns 29/5.

June

Bird of the spring was a brief early morning Lesser Grey Shrike found at Skaw by Peter Stronach 3/6.  Annoyingly it was flushed by a car towards Vevoe and not seen again. This is a fifth island record. A female Red backed Shrike was some compensation at Skaw 5/6 with six Common Scoters off Challister 6/6. A Cuckoo was at Skibberhoull 10/6. A nationwide influx of Rose- coloured Starlings reached Shetland and singles at Challister 12/6 and Houll/Brough 24/6 were most welcome. Our second Marsh Warbler was, like the last one, in the Skaw plantation 16/6. Excitement towards the months end concerned two new island breeding records - The Whooper Swan pair on Vatshoull loch hatched out four chicks 28/6, though only one survived

Photo by Peter Stronach.

July

The quietest month as usual. The Tree Sparrow pair were successful with three young birds seen flying around early in the month.  A small colony of Manchester treble Bar moths were found at Skaw with at least ten in one small field. A Green Sandpiper was at west loch of Skaw 28/7.

 

 

August

A Cuckoo was at Newtoon and a Long eared Owl at Skaw 3/8. A Convolvulus Hawkmoth was at Hamister 6/8 and single Red backed Shrikes at Grunitaing and Brough 13/8. A small flock of four Common Rosefinches were at Isbister 23/8 with single Barred and Wood Warblers. A juvenile Hen Harrier flew north through Skaw 24/8, landing briefly before being driven off by Hooded Crows. a Long eared Owl was at Skaw and a Wood Warbler at Brough 25/8. A Minke Whale was off Skaw 28/8.

 

 

 

September

A Sparrowhawk was at Skaw 5/9. Barred Warblers were at Skaw (2) and Isbister with twelve Ruff at Skaw 10/9. A Wryneck was at Skaw10/9 and a Grey Wagtail at Houll loch 20/9. Forty Pink footed Geese flew South over the isle in two small flocks 22/9. A decent migrant appeared 26/9 with a Red flanked Bluetail in the Skaw plantation. This was our 6th in the last fifteen years and 5th for Skaw!  Yellow browed Warblers turned up late this year with our first at Skaw 27/7. It was a poor year for this species with four 29/9 the best day total.  29/9 proved a better day with a Rustic Bunting, Red breasted Flycatcher and Grey Wagtail in and around "Frankies" at Skibberhoull.

October

What may or may not have been the same Rustic Bunting from Skibberhoull turned up in the small reed bed at Symbister 1-2/10. A very flighty and camera shy Little Bunting was around the ditches below Whitefield 5/10. A Hoopoe spent the day of 7/10 hoovering up earwigs from the newly cut grass at Vatshoull. A  Long eared Owl was at Skaw and a Hawfinch at Brough 19/10. A Yellowhammer was at Brough 24/10.

 

 

November

Two Glaucous Gulls were at Skaw 1/11. Mackerel shoals around the island attracted three Humpbacks around the east isles 3/11 with another two off Skaw 9/11 and again there 14-15/11. A Black throated Thrush was among some Blackbirds and Redwings at Skaw 15-16/11 and was a second island record and bird of the year.  A Water Rail was at Marrister 15/11. A Peregrine north over Symbister 28/11 was the only record for the year. Two Jack Snipes were at Hamister and three Glaucous Gulls at Skaw 29/11.

 

 

December

A Long eared Owl was at Skaw 8/12. Whalsays third Bittern was at north loch of Skaw 15-18/12, the last two were hit and killed by cars. Sadly this one also died, it was found to be a first year male and severely underweight. The last notables for the year were a Jack Snipe at the houb 28/12 and a Woodcock at Skaw 30/12.

In 2016 I had a terrible year with only 129 species for the year and not a single national rarity on the island! At the time I said " I will never have a worse year unless I go blind or die"!  Well for such a long time 2021 seemed to be heading for an all time low - month after month with absolutely no migrants at all. So many common species went unrecorded this year - White fronted Goose, Barnacle Goose, Black and Bar tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Iceland Gull, Sedge Warbler, Black Redstart etc... I missed a few species as usual, most notably the Lesser grey Shrike in June. I ended the year on 130 just about crawling past the 2016 total and with Black throated Thrush and Bittern adding two more species to my island list. We live in hope that 2022 will be better but the days with big falls of migrants are getting to be a distant memory.

18th December 2021

The Bittern sadly dies

The above photos were taken on 17/12 and at that stage we were hoping the Bittern was going to be ok. A steady stream of Sticklebacks were being eaten and it seemed livelier than the previous two days. Unfortunately this proved to be a false dawn with the bird sat looking sorry for itself today and not eating. I was not present but the birders on site decided its only chance was taking it into care. Sadly it died weighing only 590g. It was found to be a first winter male which should weigh from 966 -1940g apparently.

15th December 2021

Bittern

A Bittern was found this morning in the ditch which goes under the road and into the north loch of Skaw by new island birder Steve Jones. It was well camouflaged and me and Brian walked straight past it at about three foot range without seeing it!  It is a bit worrying that it was allowing us so near without flushing  so possibly might not be in the best of health?  It could not be found later in the morning however so hopefully it is ok and not lying feet up somewhere? This is only the third island record and the first seen alive, the previous two were both hit by cars! Predictably there's not been much news lately - a Peregrine north over Symbister 28/11 was a a year tick and a Long eared Owl in the Skaw plantation 8/12 was best.

23rd November 2021

Siberian Chiffchaff

Autumn migration is now grinding to a halt as is usual at the back end of November and my year list is now one species behind the worst ever year in 2016!  There has been so many common birds unrecorded on here this year so I may yet limp past the dire total of 129 and with things like Iceland Gull, Little Auk, White fronted Goose etc still to make an appearance all is not yet lost. The Black-throated Thrush was seen in the same field at Skaw intermittently till dusk on 16/11 but disappeared overnight. A Siberian Chiffchaff with a nasty looking tick below its eye was in our garden at Hamister this afternoon.

15th November 2021

Black throated Thrush

One of two Humpbacks off Skaw

Late Whinchat at the Houb 13/11.

Sometimes the best days are the unexpected ones! When you reach mid November and the winds are SW you really don't expect to have a new bird or pretty much any bird come to that. The morning kicked off with a pair of Humpbacks off Skaw. Me and Rory had seen them distantly yesterday but Jon Dunn found them again at first light much closer in. After viewing these I set off South for some breakfast and could see a good few Redwings and Blackbirds in Colin Eunsons lower field. Pretty much right away a very grey looking bird hopped out at reasonably close range - a Black throated Thrush! This is a second island record, Brian having had one out the surgery window on 19th October 1993. I came home the following day, couldn't find it only to hear of its reappearance at Skibberhoull 23/10 after I had gone away again. A very late Lesser Whitethroat was in the same area today and I also caught up with the Water Rail which has been lurking in Brians Marrister garden for the last week or so.

24th October 2021

Yellowhammer

A Yellowhammer was around the byre at the Burns this morning with two Reed Buntings adding one more species to the year list. Heading to the mackerel fishing tonight so this will be the last gripping(!) post for a while.

22nd October 2021

Another poor migration season

Lots of Bramblings passing through atm.

Robin numbers are increasing

One of two Snow Buntings on Skaw Taing today.

Long range Hawfinch at Brough 19/10.

Another disappointing migration season is almost over with ten Ring Ouzels seen 18/10 and Long eared Owl and Hawfinch 19/10 as close to rare as we have got in the last few weeks.

7th October 2021

Hoopoe at Vatshoull

Ruby Sales phoned in early afternoon to say that a Hoopoe was wandering around outside their house at Vatshoull!  It performed well for the rest of the day albeit in very dreich conditions. In other news a Little Bunting was found at Whitefield on 5/10, feeding in various ditches. I managed to see it but as it was pretty mobile and had no luck with the camera

1st October 2021

Rustic Bunting(s)

On the 29th September I was at Frankies,  Skibberhoull looking among about a hundred Chaffinches and a handful of Bramblings in the bushes  when I heard a ticking call coming out of one of the Fuchsias. A quick scan revealed a cracking Rustic Bunting though it shot off before it had its picture taken never to return. A Red breasted Flycatcher and Grey Wagtail in and around the same garden followed suit making it a good days birding and a poor days photography! Excitement yesterday (30th) centred around another visit from the local Shetland Orca pod the "27s" which me and Chloe tracked from Skaw to Symbister in a real dreich day. I decided to try the small reedbed at Symbister this afternoon and was greeted by a pair of Whinchats and then out came a Rustic Bunting onto the wall! It looked pretty much identical to the Skibberhoull individual so who knows if its the same bird or not. Anyway this one hung around and after a lot of circling of the reeds I managed one reasonable photo. An interesting pale brown warbler was up and down again in the same reeds and despite a lot of effort wasn't seen again so will be hoping its still there tomorrow.

 

26th September 2021

Red-flanked Bluetail

Its not often you go a whole month without a single bird post at this time of year but there has been a real lack of migrants, possibly the worst ever!  Three Barred Warblers were recorded 10/9, a Wryneck at Skaw 15/9, a Common Rosefinch at Hamister 18/9 and a Grey Wagtail at the Houll loch 20/9 was as good as it got. A decent migrant arrived at last today with the discovery of a Red-flanked Bluetail in the Skaw plantation and was a relief to say the least. Once a near mythical rarity it has now become far more regular in the Uk with this being our sixth Whalsay individual in the last fifteen years and fifth for Skaw! These records were - 21/10/06 at Skaw, 30/9/10 Skaw, 27/9/12 Skaw, 22/9/15 Whitefield and 6/10/20 Skaw. A historical record of one "collected" also at Skaw by one of Angelas relatives, Sammy Bruce 7/10/1947 was only Britains second record at that time. Will always be a great bird to unearth whatever the future status may be.

25th August 2021

Wood Warbler and Long eared Owl

A Long eared Owl flushed out of the Skaw plantation this morning, not hanging around to get its photo taken. A Wood Warbler at Brough later in the day performed a bit better though.

24th August 2021

Hen Harrier

A juvenile Hen Harrier flew north through Skaw this morning, landing briefly above the Wirlie quarry before being driven off by Crows. Our first for a year or two. Not much else today - two Whinchats were briefly at the Skaw plantation, a Kestrel was on Symbister Ness and yesterdays Barred Warbler was still at Isbister.

23rd August 2021

A few migrants at Isbister

Barred Warbler

Common Rosefinch,one of four birds present.

Its been pretty quiet lately but a couple of days of light SE winds has produced a very light scatter of common migrants though its already back at the SW.  Isbister produced all the best quality today with a small flock of four Common Rosefinches, a Wood Warbler and a Barred Warbler together in one yard. A few Willow Warblers and Pied Flycatchers were the only other birds seen.

13th August 2021

Red backed Shrikes

Red backed Shrikes were at Grunitaing and Brough today with a couple of Swifts and a Sparrowhawk at Skaw.

11th August 2021

Fetlar trip by boat

Dennis Coutts and Brian Marshall on the Noss boat, 164 years of birdwatching experience!

Brian trying to track down the Pratincole on Fetlar

Success! Juvenile Black-winged Pratincole.

Had a trip into Fetlar with Brian today. Phil Harris picked us up on his boat and we set off to try for Shetlands 2nd Black-winged Pratincole!  after one on Fair Isle in 1927. John and Dennis Coutts were also passengers and you have to admire the fitness of Dennis at 87 years, nipping up and down the ladders on the piers like a rat up a drainpipe! After a worrying first hour the bird was refound and we got splendid views as it fed around a small field chasing insects and running close past us on several occasions. A four hour round trip and hugely enjoyable. Birds of interest in the last week or so on Whalsay were a juvenile Cuckoo at Brough 3/8, and a Long eared Owl at Houll 5/8. A Convolvulus Hawkmoth was at Hamister 6/8 and Bird cherry Ermines at Hamister 6/8 and Skaw 11/8.

27th July 2021

Bird-cherry Ermine moth

Rory and Chloe were out for a walk at Skaw tonight and on returning to the car a strange spotty white moth was on the drivers window. They took it home and we released in at Gardentown. It is a Bird-cherry Ermine which is a Shetland scarcity though there does seem to be one or two turning up at the moment. Needless to say its a first for Whalsay.

26th July 2021

Manchester treble bar moths invade Skaw

I was walking around the outside of the Skaw plantation on 24/7 when I saw a pretty whitish moth with a few bars across its wings. A few photos were taken followed by a failed attempt to find it in my moth book. Paul Harvey came to the rescue identifying it as a Manchester treble bar " reasonably well established on Shetland moorland though considerably scarcer on the UK mainland". I went back to the same field yesterday and was surprised to find another two which were both clearly different to the first one.  Another look today and another six were found so there is surely a small population in the area. A bonnie beast and previously unrecorded on Whalsay.

9th July 2021

Another Orca visit

The 27s pod of Orcas put on a show around the holm of Sandwick this morning, circling the isle and passing within metres of where me, Angela and Chloe were standing on the beach. A very close and prolonged encounter.

30th June 2021

Another addition to the Whalsay breeding list

Tree Sparrows feeding as yet unseen chicks in a roof at Skaw.

We have been keeping an eye on a pair of Tree Sparrows at Skaw since early May and today our suspicions were confirmed with both birds seen carrying food into an outbuilding roof. Like the Whooper Swans this is a first breeding record for the island and hope both will be successful.  Watch this space....

28th June 2021

Whooper Swan family

The nest photographed at the start of incubation in late May.

A Whooper Swan pair on Vatshoull loch hatched out four chicks today and is our first breeding record of this species on the island.

24th June 2021

Another Rosy Starling

"Argyrotaenia ljungiana"

Cloud-bordered Brindle

John Simpson phoned this morning about a starling with a light back which had landed in his garden bushes at Houll. This proved to be our second Rose-coloured Starling of the spring though the long range photos in the rain hardly do it justice. Myself and Brian both saw it at distance and may yet get better pics if still present tomorrow as it is supposed to be a dry day. Yesterday saw a second record of "Argyrotaenia ljungiana" moth at Skaw following our first on Symbister Ness a few days ago. A Cloud- bordered Brindle was also just outside the plantation and also a new one for me (what isn't!).

21st June 2021

Moths and flowers on Symbister Ness

photo  Angela Irvine

Went for a walk around Symbister Ness yesterday (20th) with Angela and Chloe and soon fell behind due to the amount of moths in the area. I am a complete beginner with this so anything I find is rare to me. Once home I sent  a few photos to Shetland moth expert Mike Pennington for ID. As per usual most of it was a load of shite - with one exception. The photo above is a " Argyrotaenia ljungiana",( I am not a fan of all this Latin bullshit but haven't managed to find a common name for it). Anyway it is quite rare apparently with only three Shetland records before "a few" were found on Hermaness this year. We went back today but due to the windier and colder conditions the moths had moved on but found an unusual flower species instead. We managed to identify it as Chickweed Wintergreen from our flower book which is quite scarce in Shetland. There is apparently a known site on Symbister Ness in the Shetland flora records book though we stumbled on them by accident. Bird migration seems to be over now with a Marsh Warbler on 16/6 and Lesser Whitethroat 17-18/6 both singing in the Skaw plantation the only birds of note in the last week or so.

12th June 2021

Rose-Coloured Starling

A large influx of Rose-Coloured Starlings arrived in the Uk in early June with a few appearing in Shetland in the last few days. Martin Shearer phoned Brian about a funny Starling on his hen run at Challister today and sure enough we had our first one for a few years. It was quite approachable and gave good views to all who came to have a look.

6th June 2021

Red Backed Shrike

Red throated Diver or "rain goose" at Skaw.

Sand Eels jumping out of the water to avoid the Rain Goose.

Brian found a female Red Backed Shrike in and around the Skaw plantation yesterday (5th) and although I saw it well enough only got a photo or two today. A Rain Goose was fishing close in at Skaw and I managed a few blurred pics of the Sand Eels it was after jumping out of the water as they tried to avoid being eaten. Both the Skaw Tree Sparrows are still present today with a small flock of six Common Scoters offshore below Challister late on in the evening.

3rd June 2021

Lesser Grey Shrike

Photo by Peter Stronach

It was good to welcome back Peter Stronach to the island for a couple of days birdwatching after a five year absence, arriving late on 1/5 and departing midday on 4th. We had a good look around on the 2nd with little success though a scattering of common migrants began to arrive in the afternoon. You cant keep Peter quiet for long though and my mobile went off at 6:45am today with news of a Lesser Grey Shrike on the fences around the Skaw plantation! This being a 5th island record after singles in 1929, 1965, 1970 and 1990. Slightly worryingly the bird had been flushed towards Vevoe by a passing car though surely we would soon refind it? I staggered into my clothes and set off north arriving at the same time as Brian and the hunt began. Unfortunately it was never seen again despite our best efforts. Can this spring get any worse!

25th May 2021

Tree Sparrow pair and a Marsh Warbler

Collared Dove at Sandwick

Its the same old story on here with plenty of migrants elsewhere, Skerries is reportedly sinking under the weight of Bluethroats while we have had slightly less than one!  A Marsh Warbler was a decent bird at last today with a pair of Tree Sparrows joining it in the Skaw plantation. The warbler was only giving long range views so the poor photos are relegated beneath the commoner sparrow.

20th May 2021

Reed Bunting

Not great when you are putting on photos of a Reed Bunting in what should be peak migration season!  It is absolutely dead with stiff Notherlies forecast well into June. Brian trapped his third garden Hawfinch of the spring 16/5 and had a Shelduck at the houb 19/5 though even that didnt have the decency to hang on five minutes till I got there to see it.  Moan moan.......

14th May 2021

Another Wryneck and some Sanderlings

Mallard brood on the sea below Symbister shop.

Another Wryneck was briefly in the Isbister plantation yesterday (13th) but, like the last one disappeared before Brian got there. The Northerly arctic blast continues and birds of interest today consisted of the Great Spotted Woodpecker in Caths Symbister garden again, a Kestrel over Brough and our first Sanderlings of the year, a party of eight on the kirk beach at Brough.

12th May 2021

Tree Pipits

There was a good scatter of migrants yesterday (11th) with Cuckoo, Kestrel, Sand Martin and Greenshank the best scarcities seen. Today the winds are back NE with the predictable clearout of birds well underway. Still  a few Tree Pipits around with singles at Sandwick (above), Skaw and two at Symbister. Our first Reed Buntings of the year were at Symbister and Grunitaing.

10th May 2021

Great spotted Woodpecker

Had an enjoyable morning mist netting birds with Brian at Skaw with sixteen migrants trapped - mostly Willow Warblers with a couple of Robins and Blackcaps. A Great spotted Woodpecker in Caths Symbister garden in the afternoon was new for the year but I got rained off soon after this and hope for something good tomorrow as it is meant to be dry with SE winds.

9th May 2021

Wryneck

Pied Flycatcher

Winds have at last ventured into the East and a reasonable scatter of common migrants were found today. Pick of the bunch was a brief Wryneck at Symbister which appeared and promptly disappeared as they tend to do. Support cast consisted of Hawfinches at Skaw and Symbister, Ring Ouzels at Skaw (3) and Hamister (2), Pied Flycatcher at Skaw, Common Whitethroats at Newpark and Isbister, Redstarts at Skaw (2) Sandwick and the Burns, House Martin at Vevoe,  Collared Doves at Symbister and Skibberhoull, Woodpigeon at Brough,  Whinchats at Skaw and Lubba, with good numbers of Willow Warblers and Blackcaps scattered around.

2nd May 2021

Linnet

Lesser black backed Gull at Vatshoull

A male Linnet was at the roadside at Hamister very briefly this afternoon and disappeared before I could better the crap photo above. Although there is a small breeding population and is fairly common at the South mainland it is still a decent migrant on Whalsay and one I have a habit of missing, this being my first on here for a few years.

1st May 2021

Green Sandpiper and Grey Wagtail

 

Distant Black throated Diver off Skaw.

Since my last post the endless summer of Northerlies has never ceased and is ongoing. I doubt there has ever been less birds at this time of year so any migrant is welcome at the moment. A Minke Whale was our first island record of the year off Skaw Taing 23/4. Brian found a Black throated Diver off Skaw for the third year in a row 24/4 with our third island Hawfinch also at Skaw 26/4. Nothing else of interest appeared until a Green Sandpiper was in the burn appropriately at the Burns yesterday 30/4. I went back today to try for photos and had the added bonus of a male Grey Wagtail in the same ditch though neither allowed me anywhere near so had to make do with the poor record shots above.

20th April 2021

Another Hawfinch

Siskin at Marrister

Male Merlin North of Vatshoull

After the bonnie male Hawfinch at Saltness a couple of days ago a female turned up today in Brians Marrister garden. I went for a look, taking in the male Siskin that was also present before being called back when Brian managed to trap it. A Whimbrel was on Skaw Taing in the afternoon and is likely about a week earlier than usual on Whalsay.

18th April 2021

Hawfinch

Goldcrest at Skaw 16/4.

After a long period of Northerlies winds swung South mid month and a light passage of common migrants began to appear. Our first Wheatear was on the late date of 14/4 with Goldcrest and Chiffchaff next up on 15/4. A brief flythrough Rook was at the Burns 17/4, a strangely rare bird on Whalsay! I missed the last record of two birds at Skaw in September 2018 and have to go back nine years to 2012 for the last one I saw on here. A very obliging Hawfinch was at the back of my parents house at Saltness today feeding a few metres from the kitchen window and although a much commoner bird these days it is always a good bird to see.

11th April 2021

Great Shearwaters West of Ireland in March

Glaucous Gull in Skagen harbour, Denmark 7/4/21

Just back from a few weeks at the Blue Whiting fishing which went pretty well. Bird highlight was the three Great Shearwaters which attended the boat West of Ireland on our first trip on 20/3/21. Very little has been seen at home in this time and with light Northerlies still hanging on nothing seems set to change for a while and a few Meadow Pipits was about all I could muster today.

13th March 2021

Velvet Scoter

A female Velvet Scoter was offshore on the east side of the Skaw Taing this afternoon so I took a few poor quality record shots.  Very little else has been seen in the last few weeks, a Sparrowhawk took out one of our garden Sparrows at Hamister 3/3 and three Blue Tits were still raking around the Sandwick area 11/3.

25th February 2021

Snow Bunting

A Snow Bunting was feeding around the road edges at Pouster today allowing a few photos to be taken.  A Sparrowhawk was at Whitefield 21/2 with a Woodcock and Blue Tit at Isbister 22/2.

19th February 2021

Norwegian ringed Blue Tit

Dunnock

Starling

Three Blue Tits have been around Symbister and Gardentown for a few days and I caught up with them today in Caths Symbister garden. One bird bore a ring from Stavanger, Norway though I will need better photos from different angles to get the specific ring code. The Dunnock, Carrion Crow, Robin and four Chaffinches were in and around the same garden.

5th February 2021

Jack Snipe

It has been a very quiet start to the year on Whalsay with at least six Blue Tits from last years influx overwintering on the island.  This included a ringed bird at Sandwick 23/1 but I never got within range to try for photos of the ring code. A Carrion Crow was around Hillhead and Symbister for a few weeks from 3/1 and two Dunnocks were in one Symbister garden also from early January.  Two Glaucous Gulls were at West loch of Skaw 9/1. Some cold snowy weather helped turn up a Jack Snipe at Traywick 27/1 and Woodcock at Skaw 29/1.  Another Jack Snipe was in a roadside ditch today at Symbister allowing a fairly close approach in the car and a few photos.

31st December 2020

Whalsay bird review 2020

January

A fairly quiet start to the year began with an overwintering Bar tailed Godwit at the Houb remaining all month. A Pink footed Goose was at Brough for a couple of weeks from 4/1. A first winter Iceland Gull was at Symbister 6/1 with a female Common Scoter off Vatshoull 7/1. Another Iceland Gull was at the Houb 12/1. A single Snow Bunting at Skaw 21/1 was the only other notable sighting for the month.

 

 

 

February

A single Knot joined the Bar tailed Godwit at the houb 8/2 and a Sparrowhawk bombing north through Vatshoull 10/2 was the sum total.

 

 

 

March

Two Snow Buntings were at Skaw 4/3. An Iceland Gull was at Symbister 17/3. Two Siskins were at Saltness 19/3 with a Woodpigeon at Whitefield 20/3. A Glaucous Gull was at Skaw and a Pied Wagtail at Hamister 25/3 with a Chiffchaff at Skaw 27/3.

Merlin eating a Turnstone at Symbister.

April

Two Pink footed Geese were at Challister 9/4. A Barnacle Goose was also at Challister and a Woodpigeon at Skaw 11/4. All the isles birders missed a Coal Tit, photographed by John Dally in his trees at Gardentown 12/4. This was only a second island record after a pair also at Gardentown the  year I was born (1965!). Pink footed Goose numbers at Challister rose to seven on 14/4. A Hawfinch visited our garden feeder at Hamister 18/4 with Shelducks at Vevoe(2) and the houb and a Mealy Redpoll at Skaw the same day. Two Common Scoters were off Vatshoull 20/4 with a Long eared Owl and our first Swallow at Skaw 21/4. A Grasshopper Warbler was in Brian's  Marrister garden 25-26/4 but always stayed a step ahead of me! A Sedge Warbler and two Ring Ouzels were at Skaw 30/4.

 

 

May

The first of May started with a reasonable scatter of migrants with a Short eared Owl and a Reed Bunting both at Skaw pick of the bunch. A Tree Pipit was at Newpark 2/5 then three together at the burns 3/5. A dark bellied Brent Goose was at Sandwick 4/5 with our first Arctic Tern back at the houb the same day. A Pale bellied Brent Goose was at the houb 7/5 with a Tree Sparrow at Marrister for a few days from 8/5. An elusive Hoopoe toured various gardens around Gardentown/Harlsdale from 11-19/5. A Wryneck put in a very brief appearance at Skaw 17/5. Two House Martins were at Symbister 19/5 increasing to three 20/5 when there was also a Sedge Warbler at Skaw. A Cuckoo was at Creadyknowe 22/5 then a female Red backed Shrike at Skaw 23/5. The Skaw Shrike was joined by a female Bluethroat and a Sedge Warbler was at Sandwick 24/5. A female Black Redstart was at Sandwick and the years only Sand Martin at Skaw 25/5.  A nice male Bluethroat was at the Red Grind, a Common Sandpiper at Vatshoull loch and a pair of Red Grouse with at least ten chicks near Vevoe on 27/5. A female Kestrel was at Isbister 28/5 with a flythrough Common Swift at Skaw 29/5

 

 

June.

An incredibly elusive Marsh Warbler was in the Skaw plantation 4-9/6. An immature Black throated Diver began an extended stay off Skaw from 13/6 hanging around into mid august. A Cuckoo was at Clate and a House Martin at Symbister 20/6. A very unseasonal female Smew appeared on Vatshoull loch 24/6 and may well be the same bird seen on the same loch the previous April? This was only a second island record regardless. A series of Hummingbird Hawkmoth records began with one at the Wirlie, Skaw on 26/6. A minimum of seven were recorded in the next few days including three together in one Escalonia bush at the North Park 27/6.

 

 

 

Hummingbird Hawkmoth at Skaw

Short eared Owl at west loch

Smew on Vatshoull loch

Dark bellied Brent Goose at Sandwick

Hoopoe at Harlsdale

July

A Cuckoo was at Whitefield 5/7 and a scruffy juvenile Common Crossbill at Skaw 7/7. What could only have been a pair of Red necked Phalaropes were described to Brian from muddy loch, Skaw Taing 8/7 but were never refound. Another Common Crossbill was at Skaw 9/7 before a possible Corncrake was reported calling and see briefly at Isbister 10/7. Unfortunately like the Phalaropes we never managed to confirm this. A Grey Plover turned up among a few Golden Plovers at North loch 21/7 before relocating to the houb and staying into November. A very young juvenile Goldcrest was in the Skaw plantation 23/7 and was likely to have been Shetland bred. A Common Sandpiper was at West loch 28/7 with a Common Crossbill at Skaw 30/7.

 

 

August

An unseasonal juvenile Hawfinch was in Brian's Marrister garden 2/8.  A Greenshank was at Vatshoull 11/8 with a Reed Warbler at Skaw for a few days from 12/8. A juvenile Red backed Shrike was in various gardens at Hamister for a few days from 13/8. A Wood Warbler and another Greenshank were at Sandwick 18/8 with a Common Rosefinch at Isbister 19/8. Another Wood Warbler was in the Isbister plantation 20/8 with a much rarer and quite vocal Greenish Warbler. A Barred Warbler was at Skaw 21/8 with  three Ruff at Symbister 22/8 (the only record of the species this year!). Another Greenish Warbler was at Skaw 23/8 joining the still present Isbister bird. A Convolvulus Hawkmoth was released from a porch at Sandwick 28/8. The only Icterine Warbler of the year was at Sandwick 30/8 with another Barred Warbler at Isbister the same day.

 

 

September

Four Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Skaw Taing 2/9 with a late-ish Common Swift at Skaw from 3-4/9. Another quiet period had to be endured with an Angle Shades moth at Hamister a welcome distraction from the "no fly zone" 16/9. Two Yellow browed Warblers and a Common Rosefinch at Skaw showed signs of improvement 17/9. 60+ Pink footed Geese flew south over Hamister 18/9. A Great spotted Woodpecker was photographed at a Norrendal feeder 19/9 and again 23/9 but missed by all of us. The first of a few autumn Jack Snipes was at Skaw Taing 25/9. Another juvenile Great spotted Woodpecker was at Symbister 28/9 allowing us to see it this time. Our best day count of Yellow browed Warblers was twelve on 29/9.

 

Yellow browed Warbler at Sandwick

Black throated Diver off Skaw

Greenish Warbler at Skaw

Grey Plover at the houb

Red backed Shrike at Hamister

October

A rare bird arrived at last on 1/10 with a Radde`s Warbler in and around the yards at Roadside, Skaw for three days. A Common Rosefinch was at Skaw and a Kestrel at Hamister also on 1/10. In a year pretty much devoid of quality rares Whalsays third Pallas`s Grasshopper Warbler turned up at Skaw 3/10 creeping though a small field for four days. Coincidentally  the other two individuals were found within a couple of hundred yards of this bird. A Kestrel and thirty six Barnacle Geese were also at Skaw 3/10. A late-ish Wryneck was at Skaw with two Ring Ouzels and two Hawfinches plus another three of the latter species at Hamister 4/10. A large infux of Blue Tits into Shetland reached Whalsay 5/10 with eight on the island and seventeen seen the following day!  A Bluethroat and Great spotted Woodpecker at Skaw were also seen 5/10.  A Red flanked Bluetail was around the Wirlie quarry/skaw plantation area 6/10 with a support cast of another Bluethroat at Brough, a flythrough Peregrine at Skaw and  the first of several Great Tits at Symbister. Winds swung around to the north after this and a gradual clearout began.  An Ortolan Bunting and Tree Sparrow were at Skaw 7/10 with a Stonechat at Newpark 8/10. Isbister did best on 9/10 with an Olive backed Pipit, Turtle Dove and a Great Tit. A Common Rosefinch was at Sandwick and Jack Snipe at Newpark the same day. Another Tree Sparrow was at the burns and a good record of four Grey Plovers at the houb 13/10.  A female Bullfinch was at Saeter and a Great grey Shrike at Fernlea 17/10, the Shrike hanging on till 20/10. Another Bluethroat and a European White fronted Goose were at Skaw 18/10 with eleven Snow Buntings on the golf course 22/10.  A Goosander was on the pool at Symbister and a male Stonechat at Skaw 24/10 with a different Goosander on the north loch 25/10.  A female Stonechat was at Skaw 27/10.

November

A Lapland Bunting was at Brough 2/11. A Great grey Shrike was at Skaw 10/11. Two Common Scoters flew south off Symbister and three Goldcrests and a Glaucous Gull were at Skaw 13/11. My first Woodcocks of the year were at Skaw and Isbister 17/11. A Black Redstart was in a geo at Skaw Taing and a Glaucous Gull in the North Voe 19/11. A Goldfinch at Skaw 24/11 was a year tick with Sparrowhawk at Brough and Snow Bunting and Jack Snipe at Skaw Taing. Another Glaucous Gull was at Isbister loch 25/11. A very close encounter with a pod of eight Orcas as they hunted south past the isle was exciting as the whole family got to see them.

December

A typically quiet month with a scattering of Blue Tits and lesser numbers of Great Tits still raking around.  Two Glaucous Gulls were on Skaw Taing 5/12 with another at west loch 8/12.  A Velvet Scoter off Challister 13/12 was new for the year with possibly the same bird off Skaw the next day.   A hardy Goldcrest hung on in the Skaw plantation till 15/12 with a late Meadow pipit at Skaw 27/12 and a Chiffchaff at Vatshoull 28/12. A Woodcock flying across the road at west loch  29/12 was the last interesting sighting for the year.

Radde`s Warbler at Skaw

Pallas`s Grasshopper Warbler at Skaw

Red flanked Bluetail at Skaw

Blue Tit at Brough

Great Tit at Isbister

 

 

 

Turtle Dove at Isbister

Olive backed Pipit at Isbister

A year that,on the whole, produced few surprises with Hoopoe and Smew standout birds in spring. Early autumn was also quite slow with two Greenish Warbers in August the first real birds of note. After a really crap September the first week of October went some way to saving the year with the islands fourth Radde`s Warbler at Skaw. This recalled a day of birding as an eleven year old with my grandfather Johnnie Simpson on 3rd October 1976 and finding Shetlands first Radde`s more or less in exactly the same place as the 2020 bird and his excitement at the finding of what was a real major rarity at that time is a really strong and happy memory. Whalsays third Pallas`s Grasshopper Warbler turned up two days later a couple of hundred metres from the still present Radde`s with our sixth Red flanked Bluetail also at Skaw three days after this.  After ten years of keeping an island year list 144 species this time was my best since 2014, I will hopefully pass the 151 in 2011 some day. I had no additions to my Whalsay life list this year missing the spring Coal Tit which would have done me.  Birds I missed on Whalsay this year were -  Barnacle Goose, Sooty Shearwater, Grasshopper Warbler, Coal Tit and Lapland Bunting. Common birds unrecorded on the isle were - Storm Petrel, Water Rail, Moorhen, Common Tern, Little Auk, Grey Wagtail, Waxwing, Mistle Thrush and Linnet.

13th December 2020

Velvet Scoter

Brian found a Velvet Scoter off Challister today adding another bird to the year list. A first winter Iceland Gull flew north towards Vatshoull while I was taking a few crap long range photos.

4th December 2020

Great Tit

Female Blackcap at Skaw 28/11.

The long staying Great Tit was still at Isbister today, at times in the same bush as a Blue Tit though never close enough together for a decent photo. A Goldcrest was also still hanging on at Skaw with a large gull flock (500+) on the hills above Isbister though they flew off to the East before I could look among them for white wingers. Not a lot seen since my last post as winter takes hold :- A Goldfinch at last light in the Skaw plantation 24/11 was a year tick,  our family had great views of a pod of eight Orcas as they hunted their way South past the island 27/11 and a thin scatter of Blue Tits on various dates was the only other birds of note.

19th November 2020

Black Redstart

Great Tit at an Isbister feeder.

Been away for a bit but not missed a whole lot in that time - Brian had another Stonechat at Skaw on 27/10, a Lapland Bunting at the Burns 2/11 and a Great grey Shrike at Skaw 10/11.  Since arriving back a Glaucous Gull was at Skaw and two Common Scoters off Symbister 13/11, my first two Woodcocks of the year were at Skaw and Isbister with single Blue and Great Tits also at Isbister 17/11. The winds are Northerly today with the first flurry of snow showers. A walk around Skaw Taing produced a Black Redstart in a geo with a first winter Glaucous Gull in the North voe in the afternoon.

24th October 2020

Goosander

A female Goosander was on the pool at Symbister today taking my year list up to the 140 mark. Brian had a male Stonechat at the trap yard at Skaw but it had disappeared before I got there.

19th October 2020

Great grey Shrike

Thanks to Diane Sandison for once again alerting us to the Great grey Shrike at Fernlea. Me, Brian and Angela all had good views this time and I even got a few dodgy photos when it visited Brians garden. Nothing else new to report - three Blue Tits at Symbister, Great Tit at Isbister and the Euro White fronted Goose still at Skaw.

18th October 2020

Another Bluethroat

Unfortunately there was no sign of the Fernlea Great grey Shrike today but at least two Blue Tits were at Marrister and another in the red grind quarry at Brough. An adult European White fronted Goose was new for the year on the island found by Brian at Skaw with a first winter female Bluethroat  trapped in the Skaw heligoland in the afternoon and  considered to be a different individual to the one in the same yard earlier in the month.

17th October 2020

Northern Bullfinch

Lowrie Simpson phoned this morning about a female Bullfinch in his garden at Saeter. I missed it first time around but managed to catch up with it back in the same garden in the afternoon. A pair of Blue Tits were also at Saeter with the four Grey Plovers still on site at the Houb and two Snow Buntings on Challister Ness.

8pm - have just been sent a photo of a Great grey Shrike taken at Fernlea care centre, Marrister by one of the workers! Hope we can refind it in the morning.

13th October 2020

Another Tree Sparrow and four Grey Plovers

Dunnock at Isbister

Fresh NE winds at the moment with dwindling migrants numbers on the isle. Another Tree Sparrow turned up on a small rig at the Burns among a few House Sparrows. Grey Plover is usually a scarce migrant on Whalsay perhaps averaging one every three years in recent times so four together at the Houb today was quite a surprise! Dont think I have ever seen more than one at any time before.

9th October 2020

Olive backed Pipit, Turtle Dove and Great Tit

NW type Redpoll at Skaw 8/10.

A surprisingly good day today considering the Northerly winds though they were really light and the sun was out. Twelve Blue Tits were seen, mostly at the South end of the isle with a late-ish Common Rosefinch at Sandwick. The last place checked was Isbister and ended up trumping everywhere else.  A first Great Tit of the year was in Tammie and Alice Simpsons garden and as I skulked about trying for photos Tammie came over to tell me about a funny dove at the back of their house. This was to be my first island Turtle Dove for a few years and as I tried to sneak up on it I flushed an Olive backed Pipit out of the grass!  Another enjoyable days birdwatching.

7th October 2020

Ortolan and Tree Sparrow

Photo by Jon Dunn

The winds have now shifted up North and by afternoon had freshened up and the temperature dropped considerably so the migrant fun of the last week may by drawing to a close. Having said that the odd good bird may well come out of the woodwork for a day or two yet. Jon Dunn found bird of the day when he flushed an Ortolan Bunting off his drive. I picked up a Tree Sparrow while looking for it before refinding the Bunting feeding at the road edges below Jons drive. Unfortunately my attempts with the camera were foiled as it was twice flushed by cars just as I was getting into position and lost thereafter.

6th October 2020

Bluetail, Blue Tits and Bluethroats

A Red flanked Bluetail turned up on fences around the Wirlie quarry at Skaw this morning and disappeared for long periods into the plantation. It took till the afternoon to get any photos when it went back up to the Wirlie and posed for a few minutes. Another seventeen Blue Tits were seen today with a Great Tit also seen at Symbister by birders twitching the still present Pallas`s Grasshopper Warbler. Yesterdays Bluethroat was still in the trap yard at Skaw with another seen at Brough. A Peregrine bombed North through Skaw adding another species to the year list.

5th October 2020

Drab Bluethroat and a Blue Tit invasion

With a large Blue Tit invasion underway in Shetland it was no surprise to get a text from Brian saying he had one in his garden at Marrister plus a Bluethroat in the trap yard at Skaw. Me and Angela were on a coastal hike in the North mainland and on our return a Blue Tit flew past and into next doors garden. When I went for a look SIX birds flew out, this being the most I have had together on the island. Jon Dunn also had one in his Skaw garden (plus a Great Spotted Woodpecker) bringing the day total up to eight birds. I took a quick run to Skaw before tea and took a few photos of the Bluethroat and had another few glimpses of the Pallas`s Grasshopper Warbler in its favoured field.

4th October 2020

Wryneck

common Redstart

Whooper Swans

A late-ish Wryneck was briefly at Roadside, Skaw today. Five Hawfinches were seen with a pair in the Skaw plantation and three together at Hamister. The Pallas`s Grasshopper Warbler was still in Jon Dunns lower field and still not posing for the camera. Potential new bird of the day was a calling Pipit at Brough but views were not good enough to choose between Tree and Olive-backed, hope to sort it tomorrow?

3rd October 2020

Pallas`s Grasshopper Warbler

I was on a circuit around Skaw this morning starting at the plantation, along the shore to roadside then back along the road towards the heligoland trap. On passing the foot of Jon Dunns drive a dark brown warbler with a longish tail dropped into the roadside ditch and vanished.  A walk through the ditch and a Locustella type warbler flew out, crossed the road and went into Jon's lower field. I was pretty sure that I knew what it was but thought I better alert the others before pursuing it. Forgetting my mobile phone wasn't very well timed so I had to run up to Jon's  and perform a bout of semaphore at his kitchen window before screaming at Brian who was dog walking on the airstrip. All assembled fairly quickly and it was soon confirmed to be what I had thought - Whalsays third Pallas`s Grasshopper Warbler. As is usually the case with these things it wasn't exactly sitting out to have its photo taken and I only managed the single photo above. It predictably went missing for part of the day before appearing again just after 4pm still in the same field.   With the Radde`s Warbler still present a couple of hundred yards away this goes down as a pretty good day at the office!

2nd October 2020

The Radde`s Warbler poses at last

After a long morning pointing the camera at a bush the Radde`s Warbler took pity on me and came out and posed for a bit.  Quite a relief!

1st October 2020

Radde`s Warbler

Photo by Jon Dunn

At last a decent migrant turned up on the island today with the discovery of a Radde`s Warbler in and around the yards at Roadside, Skaw. Although it gave a really good view initially and even called it went into skulk mode thereafter and I didnt get a single photo. Jon Dunn was quick off the mark and got one shot off at long range as it stuck its head out for a couple of seconds but that was it for the day. A real pig of a day with strong SE winds and heavy rain so it will hopefully still be present tomorrow as long as it doesnt die! A Common Rosefinch and a few other common migrants were in the Skaw plantation and a Kestrel flew past our house at Hamister later on.

28th September 2020

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Caught up with a Great Spotted Woodpecker today with one found by Cath Simpson in her garden at Symbister. Two Barred Warblers were at Skaw with two Yellow browed Warblers also at Skaw and another at Vevoe.  An incoming birder reported a Hornemann`s Arctic redpoll at Whitefield but it had apparently bombed off in the ward of Clate direction so we had no luck refinding it.

27th September 2020

A few more Yellow browed Warblers

Red Grouse at west loch of Skaw

The wind is still in the North so migration is still in the slow lane unless you live on Unst or the South Mainland as both seem to tick along whatever the weather. You can always rely on a few Yellow browed Warblers getting through at least with four seen today - two at sandwick and singles at Saltness and Hamister.

23rd September 2020

Elusive Woodpecker

Photo by Anastasiya Robertson

One of the first two autumn Goldcrests today.

Willow Warbler at Skaw.

Still really poor bird wise with winds refusing to go anywhere near SE. An elusive juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker was photographed by Anastasiya Robertson on their feeder at Norrendal on 19/9 and seen again briefly today but where its going between visits remains a mystery. Just a few scraps seen in the last few days - Barred Warbler at Vevoe and 66 Pink footed Geese flying over 18/9, best day count so far of Yellow browed Warblers was five on 19/9, the first autumn Snow Bunting was on Skaw Taing 21/9 and probably best was a very brief Bluethroat at Isbister today.

17th September 2020

First returning Yellow browed Warblers and a Common Rosefinch

Our first Yellow browed Warblers of the year appeared today with singles in the Skaw plantation and another in the heligoland trap. I had a pretty good scour around today with almost the whole island being completely dead. The Skaw plantation proved the exception with Common Rosefinch, Pied Flycatcher and two Willow Warblers joining the Yellow browed.

16th September 2020

Angle Shades moth

In the absence of any migrant birds here's a photo of an Angle Shades moth on our front door jamb at Hamister today. Not particularly rare in Shetland but new to me at least.

5th September 2020

Bar tailed Godwit

Sanderling (right) with a Dunlin at the houb.

With steady NW winds theres not many birds left on the isle, a Bar tailed Godwit at the houb being bird of the day. An elusive Icterine Warbler was at Sandwick and a Barred Warbler at Isbister 30/8 with a late(ish) Swift at Skaw 3-4/9 the only other birds of interest.

28th August 2020

Convolvulus Hawkmoth

Photo Larry Polson

Larry and Donna Polson came home to a Convolvulus Hawkmoth in their porch at Sandwick tonight so I went for a look as I havn`t seen one for quite a few years. Larry released it unharmed into their garden.

25th August 2020

Barred Warbler

Very few migrants on the isle at the moment but did manage to trap the above Barred Warbler in the Skaw heligoland today with a Wood Warbler still in Brian's Marrister garden.

24th August 2020

Grey Plover in the rain

The Grey Plover is still present at the Houb today after a month plus on the isle. It was out on the point in the rain so I decided to try stalking up to see if I could get any better images. Worked out not bad.

23rd August 2020

Another Greenish Warbler

Jon Dunn found a Greenish Warbler in his garden this afternoon at Skaw with the Isbister bird  also still on site though much more skulking than this latest individual. A really blustery cold day today so the bird soon disappeared into the thickest cover in Jon's garden and didn't come out. Winds are supposed to ease tomorrow so we may get better photo opportunities if it hangs on.

20th August 2020

Greenish Warbler

A very vocal Greenish Warbler was in the Isbister plantation today with a Wood Warbler, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler and Whitethroat. It was playing pretty hard to get with the camera but I eventually got a few usable shots in the evening though there was usually a branch in the way. A Common Rosefinch was in the same place yesterday.

18th August 2020

Wood Warbler

Still just a trickle of migrants passing through at present. A Wood Warbler at Sandwick was bird of the day with a Greenshank flying over the same site, the Grey Plover still at the houb and Reed Warbler still in the Skaw plantation.

13th August 2020

Red backed Shrike

A juvenile Red backed Shrike at Hamister was bird of the day today with a Whinchat at the Lubba the only other new arrival found.

12th August 2020

Reed Warbler

The Black throated Diver still off Skaw after two months!

The first migrants of the autumn are beginning to appear with the above Reed Warbler, a Garden Warbler and three Willow Warblers in the Skaw plantation, a Pied Flycatcher at Hamister plus Brians Greenshank over Challister Ness yesterday.

2nd August 2020

Juvenile Hawfinch

Grey Plover with a Golden Plover at the houb.

Brian found the above juvenile Hawfinch in his Marrister garden this morning keeping up our current trend of finding birds at odd times of year!  "Birds of Shetland" gives only three records for this month though there could obviously be one or two since 2003 when the book came out? The Black throated Diver is still off Skaw today with the Grey Plover also still on site at the houb.

31st July 2020

Grey Plover at the houb

What we assume is the same Grey Plover from Skaw 21/7 relocated to the houb on the 28th and is present again today allowing slightly better photos but not by much!  A juvenile Common Crossbill was in the Skaw plantation yesterday.

23rd July 2020

Juvenile Goldcrest

Twite at Skaw

A juvenile Goldcrest was in the Skaw plantation today repeating last years unseasonal occurence in July. What we assume is  the same summering Chiffchaff that has been seen now and then in the plantation was caught in the heligoland as well.

21st July 2020

Grey Plover

Mallies among the Sea Asters at Yoxie geo.

A Grey Plover joined the Golden Plover flock at the north loch of Skaw today and was the first island record since one, also in a Goldie flock on the golf course 12/10/15. Not much other news lately - a possible Corncrake was seen and heard by three different locals at Isbister for a few days from 9/7 but we were never able to confirm this.

9th July 2020

Common Crossbill

A fairly bedraggled and sorry looking juvenile Common Crossbill was in the Skaw plantation today breaking our duck for the species at last this summer. What could only be a pair of Red necked Phalaropes were described to Brian from muddy loch, Skaw Taing yesterday (8th) be we have not managed to relocate them so far.

5th July 2020

Another Cuckoo

young Stanechekker (Wheatear) at Skaw

Willie Williamson phoned about a bird outside their house at Whitefield this morning which turned out to be our third Cuckoo of the spring. For once it was still present when I got there so took a few long range record shots in the rain. Theres not been much wildlife since my last post - a good passage of Hummingbird Hawkmoths saw at least seven on the island over a few days including three together in one Escalonia bush at 3 North Park on 27/6! The Black throated Diver was still below the trap area yesterday 4/7 but we are without any Crossbills so far despite most places having had a few by now (what else is new).

 

26th June 2020

Hummingbird Hawkmoth

A Hummingbird Hawkmoth paid a brief visit to the Red Campion in the back garden of the Wirlie at Skaw around midday today but unfortunately disappeared before the family reached the scene.

24th June 2020

Mid-summer Smew

A female Smew appeared on Vatshoull loch this afternoon and may well be the bird that was on the same loch in April last year. No records previously now two in two years!  This is a bird which usually turns up in winter from November to March and summer records are very rare - the latest being a male on Foula from 27-30/5/94 (Birds of Shetland) so the timing of this bird is unprecedented.  I only managed a few record shots from the road and despite myself and Brian watching it we somehow missed it fly off. As usual with hopeless photos I hope its back tomorrow and allows me within range. The Black throated Diver is still off Skaw for its 12th day.

13th June 2020

Black throated Diver

 

Breeding Golden Plover north of Vatshoull.

Chiffchaff at Skaw.

After my last post saying we were "finding something good most days"  there has been a period of absolutely nothing with one exception.  A singing "Acro" type warbler was playing hide and seek in the Skaw plantation from 4/6 - 9/6.  It was either a Blyth`s Reed or a Marsh and sounded like both at different times. The net was tried twice but it wouldn't play the game and was largely invisible. At least I managed to get a reasonable sequence of its song recorded on my mobile and this was to prove crucial in getting an ID. Paul Harvey kindly forwarded the clip to birdsong expert Magnus Robb who could tell us that "the bird in the recording is definitely a Marsh Warbler". Good to get it sorted eventually.   Brian found the above Black throated Diver offshore below the trap area today, in the same spot as last years bird.  A good bird for mid summer.

27th May 2020

Male Bluethroat, Common Sandpiper and Red Grouse chicks

Although the winds are really unhelpful it seems that the odd good bird is out there and we are finding something at least semi interesting most days. I was en route to Skaw when a family of Red Grouse were among the heather at the Vevoe junction. I counted ten chicks but there could have been one or two more. Common Sandpiper was a bird i missed out on last year so was pleased to see one at the Vatshoull loch. Bird of the day was found in the late afternoon as I watched a Redwing in the Red grind willows a cracking male Bluethroat flew up and landed next to it! I spent a long time trying for a decent photo but only got a single long range shot in the tree top against the light = crap. Hope its there tomorrow for a second try.

25th May 2020

Black Redstart

A female Black Redstart was at Sandwick tonight and I only managed a single dodgy photo before it disappeared - maybe tomorrow. Another year tick was the Sand Martin which flew north through Skaw in the afternoon with the female Red backed Shrike still in the plantation. A female Bluethroat was in the trap yard yesterday but refused to be caught or have its photo taken. A Sedge Warbler was at Sandwick in the evening.

23rd May 2020

Red backed Shrike

Today has been a day of fresh Southerly winds and driving rain but at least it dried up for the afternoon allowing a window for a quick look at Skaw. The female Red backed Shrike (above) was in the plantation with a couple of newly arrived Willow Warblers and a Blackcap.

22nd May 2020

Cuckoo

Still very few migrants, two Sanderlings were on the kirk beach and one on the Taing.  Brian found the above Cuckoo at Creadyknowe this afternoon.

20th May 2020

Siskins

A few Siskins are passing through Shetland at the moment with seven in the Skaw plantation yesterday. The pair above were still present today with the male singing away.  A Wryneck was in a roadside ditch at Skaw 17/5 but lobbed off and disappeared just as the camera was coming out! The Hoopoe was still doing the rounds yesterday and may still be in a garden somewhere at the south end though with reasonable photos in the bag I have stopped trying hard to find it. The winds have been SE for the last couple of days but disappointingly little has turned up so far. A couple of House Martins yesterday and a Sedge Warbler today is as exciting as it has got, tomorrow....

15th May 2020

Hoopoe again

The Hoopoe is still roaming around the Symbister/Harlsdale/ Gardentown area today and I managed a few better photos outside Robbie Biffs house at Harlsdale.

14th May 2020

Hoopoe

On 11th May Moira Dally found a Hoopoe outside their house at Gardentown. It led us on a merry dance with a five second flypast the best I could manage and Brian missing out altogether. With constant Northerlies and snow showers you would have assumed it had moved on or died by now but John Simpson phoned to say it was in his garden at Harlsdale this afternoon but again a two second view of its arse was all we saw. Thankfully it was refound in a garden at Gardentown and allowed a few photos to be taken and everyone got to see it.

9th May 2020

Northerlies

Knot and Redshank at the Kirk beach, Brough.

Snipe

Great northern Diver

The winds are stuck in the north and there are even snow showers forecast for tomorrow!  Needless to say this isn't great for attracting migrants. Not much been seen - a Pale bellied Brent Goose was briefly at the houb 7/5 with an exceptional count of eleven! Carrion Crows on the big rig at Hamister the same day. I missed a brief Tree Sparrow in Brians Marrister garden 8/5 with a Pink footed Goose among the Greylags at Vatshoull a bit later.

4th May 2020

Dark bellied Brent Goose

Maurice Arthur texted about this Dark bellied Brent Goose at Sandwick tonight. A very approachable bird allowing me to within  twenty feet.

1st May 2020

Short eared Owl

Pied Flycatcher at Skaw, one of five on the isle today.

Another reasonable scatter of migrants today with the Short eared Owl found by Arthur Shearer at West loch of Skaw the bird of the day. First one I have seen for a year or two!

30th April 2020

Sedge Warbler and Ring Ouzels

There has only been a very thin scatter of migrants since my last post with two Common Scoters off Vatshoull 20/4, a Long eared Owl in the Skaw plantation 21/4, and a Grasshopper Warbler in Brians Marrister garden 25/4 which I missed. It has been a fresh Easterly overnight and a few migrants began to appear in the early evening tonight. At least two and quite possibly three Ring Ouzels were in or around the Skaw plantation with a Lesser Whitethroat.  A Sedge Warbler was also trapped, a bird which was really scarce last year.

18th April 2020

Shelducks

Been away for a few weeks and have missed little in that time with one exception!  John Dally sent Brian a photo of a bird in his garden at Gardentown on 12/4 which proved to be our second island record of Coal Tit. I can be excused for missing the last record as well of two birds on 29/9/65 as I would have been four months old! Our daily coronavirus lockdown walk turned up a couple of Shelducks flying north past Vevoe with another bird on the Houb later on. A Hawfinch was briefly on our garden feeder at Hamister but lobbed off before I got the camera out, maybe tomorrow.

24th February 2020

Otters

Plucker goin doon.

Fighting over dinner!

Three Otters were fishing at the Houb today so I sneaked out on the rocks for a few photos.

11th February 2020

Merlin with Turnstone lunch

The blurred bits are a fence which was in the way!

Still crap weather and no birds, with the Bar tailed Godwit and a Knot at the houb today and a flythrough Sparrowhawk at Vatshoull yesterday about as exciting as it has been! A Merlin was eating a Turnstone at Symbister today so I took a few photos through a fence in the rain.

21st January 2020

Snow Bunting

2020 has begun with constant gales and very little in the way of birds. A Pink footed Goose was among the Greylags near the Brough playpark 3-4/1 with possibly the same bird at Skaw 14/1. The long staying Bar tailed Godwit has hung around into another decade being seen in the Houb/Pouster area on 4-5/1 and again 17/1. Though it is normal to have a few mid winter records from the South mainland this may well be a first January record for Whalsay?  First winter Iceland Gulls were at Symbister 6/1 and the Houb 12/1.  A female Common Scoter was off Vatshoull 7/1 and may be the December bird reappearing. Todays Snow Bunting at Skaw has been the only other bird of interest so far.

 

19th December 2019

Whalsay bird review 2019

January

Three Pink footed Geese and a European White fronted Goose turned up in the Challister area 6/1 and 7/1 respectively and were present all month. A Snow Bunting and 40+ Chaffinches were at Hamister and an adult Iceland Gull on Skaw Taing 9/1. Another adult Iceland Gull was around Symbister 10/1 on which date I caught up with the wintering Water Rail in Brians Marrister garden. The months only Glaucous Gull (1w) flew north past Skaw Taing 11/1. Five Mealy Redpoll were at Houll 27/1.

February

A Woodcock flushed from Skaw plantation 2/2. A flock of 30 ( yes I did count them!) Snow Buntings were in the field on the south side of north loch of Skaw 11/2 with a bird colour ringed on mainland Orkney 25/3/18 in their midst. A Jack Snipe was in the same field also on 11/2.  A Meadow Pipit at Newtoon 14/2 could equally as well been an early migrant or an overwinterer? My first returning Skylarks were two at Skaw 18/2 with singing not noted till 27/2. Everything in the Shetland birdwatching scene stopped when a Tengmalm`s Owl turned up in a Bixter garden 19/2 for an extended stay. Back on Whalsay a male Stonechat was at Midfield and a female at Skaw 25/2 with an early Puffin close inshore below the trap area the same day.

March

An early Chiffchaff was at Skibberhoull 1/3.  A pair of Mute Swans were in the North voe 11/3, another species unrecorded last year. A Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk were in the Hamister valley 22/3, the Buzzard being a first on the isle since 2011.

Common Buzzard

Mute Swans

Stonechat

April

A Hawfinch was at Saeter 4/4 with possibly a different individual at Symbister for a week from 8/4. A female Smew on Vatshoull loch from 12-13/4 was a long overdue island first with two Barnacle Geese at Brough on the same dates. A Glaucous Gull was at Vatshoull loch 15/4. A Long eared Owl and Sparrowhawk were in the Skaw plantation and another Sparrowhawk at Midfield 16/4. A male Black Redstart and early flythrough Sand Martin were at Skaw 18/4 with a Goldfinch at Skibberhoull 19/4. A Yellowhammer was at the roadside at Hamister 20/4. On 21/4 the Skaw plantation held two Long eared Owls and a Goldfinch with a Sparrowhawk at Grunitaing and an early Greenshank north over Symbister. A Grasshopper Warbler was in a roadside ditch near the golf clubhouse at Skaw and a male Linnet at Marrister 23/4. There was a good fall of common migrants on 24/4 with over 70 Chiffchaffs alone!  Three Ring Ouzels were at Skaw with another two at Pouster, a male Pied Flycatcher at Vatshoull starting a series of early records and a Tree Pipit at Skaw. Best scarcities on 25/4 were Grasshopper Warbler, Common Sandpiper and Black Redstart at Skaw, Hawfinch at Marrister and Kestrel at Vevoe. Whalsays first and Shetlands 7th European Serin, a female, was at Brough  26-27/4. A Wryneck and two Tree Pipits were at Skaw 26/4. I missed another Linnet at Skaw 27/4 with a female Black Redstart there 28/4. A winter plumaged Black throated Diver off Skaw and two Sand Martins at the houb rounded off an incredible month with two island firsts, a good selection of scarcities and loads of common migrants.

 

May

Winds swung Northerly disrupting the migrant action with perhaps the same Wryneck from late April seen again in the Skaw plantation 1/5. An Iceland Gull 3/5 and two Shelducks flying north past the houb 7/5 were the only other notables in the first half of the month. After this we had a spell of SE winds with a Wryneck at Hamister 18/5. A first summer male Bluethroat was at Vatshoull, Sedge Warbler at the Lubba, Wood Warblers at Lubba and Skaw and a Kestrel at Skaw 19/5. Bluethroat numbers rose to three with the still present Vatshoull bird joined by a singing male at sandwick and a drab female at Isbister 20/5. Three Tree Sparrows were at Skaw the same day. A bonnie red male Common Rosefinch was frustratingly brief at Skaw  and a Sedge Warbler at Isbister 21/5. Our fourth Bluethroat of the spring, a female, was at Fernlea and a Barnacle Goose at Vatshoull loch 22/5. Whalsay first Great Reed Warbler was at sanshoull, Isbister 23/5 and even sang for a short time in the evening. A Common Buzzard was at Skaw and a Cuckoo at Skibberhoull 24/5. Another Tree Sparrow was at Isbister and at least twelve Risso`s Dolphins off Lungi Geo 29/5.

 

June

Whalsays second Sardinian Warbler was in the Skaw plantation 1-5/6. A singing male though incredibly skulking and camera shy. A Wood Warbler was at the Lubba and a Black Redstart at Isbister 2/6. A skulker at the Lubba plantation 5/6 turned out to be "just" a Reed Warbler. A Cuckoo was at Skaw 6/6. There was a quiet spell until a female Red backed Shrike was in and around the Skaw plantation 17/6. A male Ruff in full breeding dress was at north loch of Skaw 19/6. A female Teal with two small chicks were on a pool on Challister Ness 26/6 and was a first island breeding record. A Common Swift over Houll loch 30/6 rounded off the month.

Great Reed Warbler - first Whalsay record.

Yellowhammer

Grasshopper Warbler

Female Serin - first Whalsay record.

 

 

Bluethroat

Kestrel

Smew - first Whalsay record.

July

A Sparrowhawk was at Hamister 4/7. A large Shetland wide influx of Two barred Crossbills reached Whalsay 10/8  with eight birds in the Sodom plantation (5 males, two females and a juv) staying till 12/7.  A Basking Shark was off Skaw 14/7 with a very unseasonal Goldcrest in the Skaw plantation 17/7. Another six Two barred Crossbills turned up 18/7  with two females in the Sodom plantation and four ( 2 females, a male and a juv) at the Bothies. A Green Sandpiper was on a roadside pool south of the Vevoe junction 20/7. Three Crossbill sp. flew over our house at Hamister 23/7, one was a cracking male Two barred but the other two remained unidentified but very likely the same species. Another Green Sandpiper was on Skaw Taing and a very rare Bedstraw Hawkmoth in Brians Marrister garden 26/7. A juvenile Cuckoo was at Skaw 27/7 with a Peacock butterfly on the golf course 28/7 joining the impressive influx of Painted Ladies. A Sand Martin was at Challister and a Greenshank on north loch of Skaw 30/7.

 

 

August

2/8 saw an early Wood Warbler at Skaw and another Peacock at Vatshoull. A Green Sandpiper was at Vevoe 10/8 and 4-5 Orcas went south past Symbister 11/8. Three Bar tailed Godwits were at north loch of Skaw 13/8. A Basking Shark was in Linga sound 15/8 with another Wood Warbler at Skaw 16/8. 2019 was to be a really poor year for the humble Garden Warbler with my first two at Skaw and Saltness 17/8 with a good count of four juvenile Shelducks at the houb the same day. I was away for the rest of the month missing Whalsays third European Bee-eater at Isbister 30/8.

 

 

September

A Green Sandpiper was at Skaw 7/9 with a Common Rosefinch also there 8/9. Our first Barred Warbler of the year was at Isbister 15/9. I was away for a bit after this and missed a good day on 27/9 with a Red throated Pipit at Brough, Turtle Dove and Common Rosefinch at Challister and Red breasted Flycatchers at Isbister and Symbister. Our first Yellow browed Warblers were two at Skaw 28/9 with a Grey Wagtail also there.  Our only Little Bunting of the year was at Skaw and a Barred Warbler at Isbister 29/9. A ringtail Hen Harrier flew north past Houll loch 30/9.

Two barred Crossbill

Barred Warbler

Wood Warbler

European Bee-eater by Brian Marshall

Bedstraw Hawkmoth

October

A Bluethroat was at Skaw 5/10 with our only Lapland Bunting of the year at Challister 6/10. A Grey Wagtail was at Skibberhoull and a Kestrel at Skaw 8/10. A Lanceolated Warbler was trapped in the Skaw heligoland 9/10. A Stock Dove was at Skaw 11/10 with possibly the same bird relocating to Challister 14-15/10. A Red breasted Flycatcher was at Skaw 15-16/10. A Pale bellied Brent Goose was with some Greylags north of Vatshoull, a Waxwing at Skibberhoull and the first Woodcock of the autumn at Skaw 16/10. A male Black Redstart was a Vatshoull 17/10. A first winter Glaucous Gull at Vatshoull 19/10 and a an Iceland Gull at Symbiter 25/10 was indicators of the fast approaching winter.

 

 

November

Four Waxwings were at Marrister 4/11 with another single at Skibberhoull 16/11. A juvenile Pomarine Skua bombed north past Skaw Taing 18/11 with three Snow Buntings also there and a Siberian Chiffchaff in the Skaw plantation. Another Siberian Chiffchaff was at Symbister 21/11. a Glaucous Gull was at Skaw 22/11.

 

 

 

December

A Jack Snipe was at Hamister and four Mealy Redpoll at Skibberhoull 1/12. Two Glaucous Gulls (adult and 1w) were at Vatshoull loch 4/12. A Tundra Bean Goose was on the golf course at Skaw from 8-11/12. A long staying Bar tailed Godwit was still at the houb with a Knot and Jack Snipe 15/12. A female Common Scoter was off Vatshoull 16-17/12 with possibly a different female off Skaw Taing 18/12.

 

Red breasted Flycatcher

Waxwing

Lanceolated Warbler

A mixed year with three island firsts in a very productive six week spell from mid April to late May - Smew, Serin and Great Reed Warbler. Whalsays second Sardinian Warbler turned up in early June and the July invasion of Two barred Crossbills was also pretty good. By contrast autumn 2019 was really poor with third records in the form of European Bee-eater and Lanceolated Warbler the only real highlights. My year list finished on a pretty poor 136. Common species not recorded this year were - Peregrine, Moorhen, Black tailed Godwit, Common Tern, Little Auk, Short eared Owl, Icterine Warbler and Common Crossbill. Species I missed on the Isle - Hen Harrier, Common Sandpiper, Pomarine Skua, Turtle Dove, Common Swift, European Bee-eater, Red throated Pipit, Mistle Thrush, Linnet and Little Bunting. Awa to Switzerland see you next Year!

17th December 2019

Mealy Redpolls

Frankies at Skibberhoull seems to be our best site for overwintering Redpolls with a Coues`s Arctic among the Mealies in February - March last year. Three Mealies were there today but nothing rarer so far.

16th December 2019

Common Scoter

Grim record shot of a Tundra Bean Goose on holm of Skaw.

 A female Common Scoter was off Vatshoull today adding another bird to the year list. Brian found a Tundra Bean Goose on the golf course on a wet and windy 8/12 which flew onto the holm of Skaw with three Greylags. I went and took some of the worst record shots of all time though you can just about tell what it is! It was seen again on the holm on the 11th so I may yet get a decent photo if it hangs on.

1st December 2019

Jack Snipe

Siberian Chiffchaff at Skaw

A Jack Snipe was in a ditch outside our house at Hamister today with four Mealy Redpoll at Skibberhoull and Chiffchaffs at Skaw (Siberian race) and Hamister.

16th November 2019

Waxwing

Wren on a stane at Skaw.

Been away for a bit at the mackerel fishing but apart from missing some Waxwings it has been fairly quiet. The above Waxwing was at "Frankies" Skibberhoull today with a Woodcock and Mealy Redpoll at Skaw and one or two Chiffchaffs still scattered around.

18th October 2019

Reed Warbler

A Reed Warbler was creeping around on the outside of the Skaw plantation today and refused to turn into anything rarer! Single Waxwings were at Skaw, Symbister and Brough, a male Black Redstart at Challister with a late-ish Spotted Flycatcher at Brough. Yesterday saw a pale-bellied Brent Goose at Vatshoull then Skaw with a few Greylags and my first Woodcock of the year at Sandwick.

15th October 2019

Red breasted Flycatcher

A Red breasted Flycatcher was in the Skaw plantation today adding another species to my year list. A Stock Dove has been on the rig at Zoar for the last few days and is possibly the same individual found originally by Brian at Skaw on 11/10. With steady light Easterly winds ongoing and news of a cracking male Siberian Rubythroat on Fetlar today its high time a good bird visited Whalsay!

9th October 2019

Lanceolated Warbler

After my last post moaning about no rare birds on the island, a Lanceolated Warbler turned up in the trap yard as me and Brian were doing our rounds this afternoon. As usual it was hard to get views so it was a Locustella sp. for a while. Jon Dunn joined us and we could then identify it as it ran along the drystone wall and into the heligoland trap. It was quickly rung and released but flew off high thwarting any potential twitchers. This is my third on Whalsay after individuals on 20/9/94 and 25/9/12 both also at Skaw.

8th October2019

Grey Wagtail

Goldcrest sheltering in the lee of our hoose in a gale 7th Oct.

Brambling at Skaw

Not been much on the site for a while as I have been away but have missed very little anyway in a poor September. The last few days has seen strong SE winds but this has produced surprisingly little. Brian found a Little Bunting at Skaw 29/9, a Hen Harrier  past Houll loch 30/9, a Bluethroat at Skaw 6/10 and a Lapland Bunting at Challister 7/10 but the hoped for extreme rarity has yet to appear. A Grey Wagtail was at Skibberhoull today with a Kestrel and Sparrowhawk at Skaw, Ring Ouzel at the Lubba, Pied Flycatcher at Sodom and seven Mealy Redpoll n the red grind quarry.

16th September 2019

Pink footed Goose survives Bonxie attack

Spotted Flycatcher at Sandwick.

I was driving through Challister today when i saw a Bonxie attacking a Pink footed Goose. Both birds flew past with the Skua taking feathers out of the Gooses back before it was driven to the ground. Things werent looking good so I went over to break up the attack. Once the Bonxie was sent packing the Goose came up out of the ditch it had been trying to hide in and came walking towards me and went past so close I could barely focus the camera! Odd behaviour for a wild bird.

15th September 2019

Barred Warbler

Twenty four Pink footed Geese heading south over Skaw.

We appear to be going to have to endure another Westerly autumn on Shetland again this year so any migrant is a bonus at the moment. A Barred Warbler was in the Isbister plantation in the afternoon and a few small parties of Pink footed Geese were flying South throughout the day. Eighteen over Hamister, twenty five+ over Houll loch then twenty four and six over Skaw.

8th September 2019

Common Rosefinch

Pied Flycatcher.

A Common Rosefinch was in the Skaw plantation today with a Pied Flycatcher a Chiffchaff and three Willow Warblers.

7th September 2019

Swallow family

A Swallow pair were feeding three young birds at Isbister Whalsay today. A Green Sandpiper at Skaw since yesterday was the only other bird of interest.

30th August 2019

Bee-eater at Isbister

Photo by Brian Marshall

Brian got a call from Tammie J Simpson today to say a Bee-eater had flown out of his garden at Isbister. A quick scour around and it was relocated up on the hydro wires in the same area. It was really wild and unapproachable so Brian had to make do with long range record shots of the bird. This was considerably better than my own situation though as I was away in Norway. I called home and Angela and Chloe went and saw it, also at long range. It ranged widely around Isbister before flying off high in the evening and wasn't seen again. This was a third record for Whalsay -  the first seen in Shetland was at Symbister in early June 1899! Luckily I saw the second one at Hamister on the 9th of June 1995.

17th August 2019

Another Wood Warbler and some Shelducks

Another Wood Warbler has been in the Skaw plantation since yesterday and I got a few photos while being eaten alive my midges. My first two Garden Warblers of the year were at Skaw and Saltness and a good count of four juvenile Shelducks were at the Houb.  Not much else - three Bar tailed Godwits were at north loch of Skaw from 13-14/8 and another Basking Shark in Linga sound 15/8.

11th August 2019

Orcas off Symbister

Got a call from Brian around 6pm to say there were some Orcas off Marrister so the whole family set off in the car and we got fairly good views as they went South past Symbister. There were four or five animals and the experts could tell us they were the "019" pod seen quite regularly in Shetland waters.

2nd August 2019

Wood Warbler

An early Wood Warbler was in the Skaw plantation today and another Peacock butterfly  at Vatshoull with the usual flock of Painted Ladies covering the whole island. A Sand Martin was at Challister and a Greenshank at the North loch of Skaw on 30/7.

28th July 2019

Peacock

Angela's favourite time of year when the moths get in the house!  Large Yellow Underwing on the spare room bed.

A Peacock butterfly was below the first tee on the Skaw golf course today and is the first on Whalsay this year.  Makes a change from the flocks of Painted Ladies we have been having this summer. A juvenile Cuckoo was in the Skaw plantation briefly yesterday 27/7.

26th July 2019

Bedstraw Hawkmoth

Brian trapped the above Bedstraw Hawkmoth in his garden at Marrister tonight and is very likely a first island record. As Angela has a phobia of moths and wouldnt come, I had to try taking photos with her camera so ofcourse they are all shite. Not a lot birdwise - Brian had a second Green Sandpiper on the golf course today and I had a disappearing "Acro" type Warbler in the Skaw plantation yesterday. It is getting to be a familiar problem in there now with a depressing amount of migrants going unidentified in the mini jungle! Three Crossbills flew over our house at Hamister 23/7 and landed in a garden a few hundred metres away.  When I got there a cracking male Two barred Crossbill was in full view but all three birds flew off before I could identify the other two but were very likely the same species.

21st July 2019

Green Sandpiper and Magpie Moth

A Green Sandpiper was on a small roadside pool 50m South of the Vevoe bus shelter, posing long enough for a single photo before it flushed towards Vatshoull. A Magpie Moth has spent the day on one of the steps outside our house at Hamister with a Chiffchaff in a garden at Whitefield in the afternoon. My uncle and next door neighbour texted yesterday about a "red Crossbill with double white wing bars" in the garden but it sneaked off before I could add Two barred Crossbill to my window list!

18th July 2019

Another six Two-barred Crossbills

Another couple of Two-barred Crossbills turned up in the Sodom plantation today a week after the last eight moved on. John Fishwick arrived for his last stint as our doctor and managed to see one of these birds in the early afternoon. It turned out he needn`t have bothered as there were four birds in the garden at the Bothies right outside his window when he got home!  I arrived in time to see the party before a local cat decided to come over for a look. Despite me telling it to "go away" (or something like that)  it flushed them  towards Symbister and we didnt see them again today. A Goldcrest and Mealy Redpoll were in the Skaw plantation as well. Very much out of season for the former species! It has been singing away since 16/7.

11th July 2019

Two barred Crossbills

Juvenile.

With a major arrival of very rare Two barred Crossbills into Shetland these last few days it was no surprise when Brian found eight birds in the Sodom plantation yesterday. As I have only ever seen one grotty autumn juvenile it was pleasing that five of the party were bonnie red males.

28th June 2019

Nest building Swallows

Under construction!

Breeding Snipe on a post at Vevoe.

As this has been a very poor year for Swallows/Martins/Swifts it was good to find a pair of Swallows nest building in a shed at Isbister today. A more exciting breeding record was found by Brian on 26/6 when  a female Teal with two chicks was on a small pool on Challister Ness. As far as we know this is a first breeding record for Whalsay. I was in Lerwick at the time and when I went for a look in the evening they must have moved house.

19th June 2019

Ruff

A breeding plumaged male Ruff was at the north loch of Skaw today. A fairly common autumn migrant but scarce in spring so a summer male in full breeding dress is always pretty good. It wouldn't let me near it though so long range flight shots were all I could get.

18th June 2019

White Sparrow

Our local "leucistic" House Sparrow was busy nest building in a roof at Skaw today and also has a second nest site a few hundred metres away so seems to be doing ok for himself! Not much in the way of migrants now although a female Red backed Shrike was in the plantation yesterday (17/6) but was very camera shy. It has been a good spring for this species in Shetland so I am not sure why it has taken so long to find one on Whalsay.

10th June 2019

Alls gone quiet

Sanderling on the kirk beach, Brough 9/6/19.

Cold Northerlies are back and migration has dried up again. After missing a Cuckoo at skibberhoull on 24th May I was pleased to catch up with one flying around the Skaw plantation on 6/6. Our first island Sanderling of the year was at the kirk beach last night with four present in the houb today.

5th June 2019

Reed Warbler

The Sardinian Warbler still refusing to pose.

Starling feeding the family.

A Reed Warbler was "new" bird of the day today in the Lubba plantation. Five days in and I still haven't got a decent photo of the still present Sardinian Warbler. Driving me mental.

1st June 2019

Sardinian Warbler

One of six Greylag Goose families on Vatshoull loch.

Whalsays second Sardinian Warbler turned up in the Skaw plantation today. A cracking male this time after the female found in the same place on the 30th May 2004. As you may be able to guess from the above photo it is incredibly skulking and I really hope it hangs on till I get an image a bit better than this. At least it is in good voice, singing away right in front of you even if you rarely get more than a glimpse of the bird itself!

31st May 2019

Great Knot on Unst

Follow the leader - Great Knot, Turnstone and Dunlin.

Hunkered down when two Bonxies flew over!

Puffin on Hermaness

Bonxie on Hermaness.

It takes a good bird to get me in twitching mode but when a Great Knot turned up on my birthday (30th) at Skaw, Unst it was decided me, Angela and  Chloe would go for it if it was still there the next day. A second Shetland record and only a sixth for the UK it was reported as present at 7am so along with Brian off we went. A very approachable bird on a nice day followed by a feed at Victorias tearoom then a yomp up Hermaness and then around as far as the Muckle Flugga light. A good day out enjoyed by all.

29th May 2019

Risso`s Dolphins

Ringed Plover chick. One of three at the roadside at Isbister 28/5.

Although Risso`s Dolphins are quite regular in Shetland I had, until today never come across one. At least twelve were off Lungi Geo, Isbister so the above photo was taken from very long range. A single Tree Sparrow was also at Isbister which was a relief after missing three at Skaw 20/5 though it didn't hang around to get its photo taken.

23rd May 2019

Great Reed Warbler

I wasn't really birdwatching today and was out for a drive with Angela and Chloe who were taking a few photos of flowers/views etc. We stopped at Isbister to feed the Highland coo in the field at Taft and I couldn't really be bothered with this so went for a quick look up to the yard at Sanshoull. As I walked past the old house a sizeable brown bird flew out of a bush which I thought would be a Red backed Shrike, there has been a good number in Shetland but none so far on Whalsay. It came up on a fence and was in fact a Great Reed Warbler a bird new to the isle and long overdue. It commuted between Sanshoull and the neap crop at Taft but eventually gave good views to me and Brian as it sat out among some Japanese Knotweed and even sang for a bit. The island list moves on to 307!

22nd May 2019

Barnacle Goose and ringed Dunlin

The winds have gone Northerly again and as usual appear to be going to stay there for a while. Bird of the day yesterday (21st) was a nice red male Common Rosefinch at Skaw. There are a lot of these throughout Shetland at present so we were overdue one on Whalsay. Unfortunately it wasn't hanging about so there was no chance of any photos. A Barnacle Goose was on Vatshoull loch today and as I went around the loch to try for a few pics I flushed a  ringed Dunlin. Little can be seen from the above crap images apart from the obvious 264 letters. I couldn't make out what the letters say but Brian informs me it is "museum  SW7" which makes it a UK rung bird. A pity as you always hope for a foreign recovery. Brian also had our fourth spring Bluethroat this afternoon, a female at the Fernlea care home.

20th May 2019

More Bluethroats, Tree Sparrows and a Kestrel

Three Bluethroats were on the isle today - yesterdays Vatshoull bird, a very drab female at Isbister and a cracking singing male at Sandwick. Brian had three Tree Sparrows at Skaw which unfortunately bombed off before I got there so I hope to refind those tomorrow. Yesterdays Kestrel posed on the wires at the top of the Vevoe road for a few photos.

19th May 2019

Bluethroat

Wood Warbler

Wryneck at Hamister 18/5.

The winds have been in the east for a few days now and other parts of Shetland have been turning up good birds.  Whalsay has been struggling to join the party but at least a young male Bluethroat was at Vatshoull  and Wood Warbler and Sedge Warbler both singing at the Lubba today with a Wryneck at hamister yesterday.

1st May 2019

Red Grouse pair

A pair of Red Grouse were close to the road just South of the Vevoe junction today so I stopped for a few photos. Possibly the same Wryneck from the last few days was in the field next the Skaw plantation with a male Ring Ouzel actually in the plantation and a Pied Flycatcher at Skibberhoull. With winds starting to freshen from the North and temperatures dropping  the migrant fun may be set to cease for a while.

30th April 2019

Black throated Diver

Great Northern Diver (left) with  Black throated Diver

Brian found a winter plumaged Black throated Diver in Skaw Voe today with loads of Great Northern Divers for company. As it was quite a long way off, long range record shots were the order of the day. Two Sand Martins were at the houb in the evening hawking around with two Swallows.  With two island firsts, numerous scarcities and loads of common migrants this must rank as the best April for many years if not ever!

29th April 2019

Wryneck

Male Pied Flycatcher at Challister 27/4

One of a good number of male Common Redstarts on the go at the moment.

The European Serin was still present on 27/4 but remained impossible to get near and hasn't been seen these last two days. A Wryneck was in the Skaw plantation today with  lesser numbers of common migrants seen.

26th April 2019

European Serin

The Whalsay list is now on 306 with the discovery of a female European Serin at Brough today. This is only a seventh Shetland record after three ancient Fair Isle records and singles on Fetlar, Unst and Fair Isle again in 2001, 2005 and 2018 respectively. A very flighty bird, bombing off whenever you got near it so I had to make do with the awful record shots above. There has now been three island additions in the last six months!!

25th April 2019

Grasshopper Warbler

Its not very often a Grasshopper Warbler behaves like this! Normally really skulking, this bird was feeding around a ditch at Skaw quite unconcerned by my presence.

21st April 2019

Goldfinch

A Goldfinch was in the Skaw plantation today so I took a few photos with a branch or two in the way. There was also two Long eared Owls in there with a flyover Greenshank at Symbister a bit earlier.

20th April 2019

Yellowhammer

Yellowhammer was at the roadside at Hamister this evening allowing a few photos to be taken.

18th April 2019

Sand Martin and Black Redstart

A nice male Black Redstart was along the shore below the Skaw trap today with a flythrough Sand Martin at west loch.

16th April 2019

Long eared Owl

A ringed Merlin resting on a post at Midfield after chasing a passing Sparrowhawk!

A Long eared Owl was in the Skaw plantation today with a Sparrowhawk plus loads of Chiffchaffs and Robins. Another Sparrowhawk flew past Midfield being bombed by a Merlin!

14th April 2019

Hawfinch

Managed to catch up with a Hawfinch at Symbister today. It has been in Cath Simpsons garden off and on since the 8th!

12th April 2019

Smew

A long awaited island first appeared at last today with the discovery of a female Smew on Vatshoull loch. A bird which is pretty much annual on Shetland so its about time. Unfortunately it didn't allow a close approach and attempts at stalking were foiled by pre-breeding parties of Greylag Geese flying around honking sending all the ducks across the loch!

22nd March 2019

Common Buzzard

A fairly tatty looking  Common Buzzard spent an hour cruising up and down the Hamister valley today being hounded by up to six Hooded Crows. This is a first island record since 2011.

11th March 2019

 Mute Swans

A pair of Mute Swans turned up in the North Voe in the late afternoon today. Still a very scarce visitor to the isle and nowhere near annual.

3rd March 2019

Quiet

The White fronted Goose still at Challister after two months being photobombed by a Starling.

Pink footed Geese at Challister

Little bird news at the moment. An early Chiffchaff has been at Skibberhoull since 1/3 and the European White fronted Goose and three Pink footed Geese are still at Challister.

25th February 2019

Stonechats

Male on fences around the red grind quarry

Female at Skaw

Frog at Isbister

Got a call from Brian in the early afternoon to say a male Stonechat was on fences just east of the red grind quarry and while I was taking a few pictures he called again having found a female at Skaw. Neither bird allowed a close approach so all photos are a bit dodgy. A Puffin close inshore below the trap area at Skaw was most unexpected and definitely the first time I have seen one in February.

19th February 2019

A Tengmalm`s Owl on mainland Shetland

A Tengmalm`s Owl turned up in a garden at Tumblin, Bixter this morning so went with Brian on the 11:15 ferry and had amazing views at quite close range. This is a first Shetland record since one at Unst in 1912!

11th February 2019

Colour ringed Snow Bunting

A flock of at least twenty one Snow Buntings were near the North loch of Skaw today with a colour ringed individual amongst them. A photo went on facebook and I got a prompt reply from ringers Helen and David Aiton who had caught it on the 25th of March 2018 on the North end of West mainland Orkney. A female of at least 2.5 years old. A Jack Snipe was in the same area with the long staying European White fronted Goose and three Pink footed Geese still at Challister.

17th January 2019

European White fronted Goose

Oddly patterned Mallard drake at Skaw. Domestic escape?

Caught up with one or two scarcities since coming home. Three Pink footed Geese are commuting between Lea and Challister since 6/1, the above European White Fronted Goose is also still in the Challister area since 7/1, a Snow Bunting was at Hamister 9/1, single adult Iceland Gulls were at Skaw and Symbister on 9/1 and 10/1,eventually saw an overwintering Water Rail in Brians garden at Marrister 9/1 and a first winter Glaucous Gull flew north through Skaw Taing 11/1.

23rd December 2018 - 5th January 2019

Saas Fee Switzerland - a festive holiday

Bearded Vulture

Nutcracker

Alpine Chough, loads around our hotel.

Just back from a splendid skiing holiday to Saas Fee Switzerland and although my dodgy left knee hampered my efforts at least I avoided injury and Angela got on well. The bairns tried snowboarding and were getting good towards the end of our stay going much faster than the "old gits".  The main bird highlight was undoubtedly the discovery of a Bearded Vulture on a hike up the mountain to Hannig. I managed a few reasonable photos before it spiralled upwards and was lost to view. Nutcracker was a target bird and I was delighted to see up to four together in one garden eventually getting decent photos before my fingers fell off! Didn't see Alpine Accentor or Snow Finch this time but you cant have it all. A few different Tit species were seen, Coal, Willow, Crested and Great were pretty  common. I missed one of the main wildlife highlights unfortunately.

 Me and Angela were out for an early evening stroll along the road through dense trees lit by street lights when she heard a wildcat snarling sound . She looked up and could see a large cat with ears sticking up on a snowy mound above us.  It  jumped down and was gone within seconds and I missed the whole episode!  Angela was spooked by what she had seen and heard and refused to follow the trail further into the forest.  This was an area where Roe Deer and wild Goats roam.   Large cat prints were found the next day and a bit of googling could tell us it had been a Lynx the only large-ish cat in the region.

19th December 2018

Whalsay bird review 2018

January

The year began with a female King Eider at the Symbister salmon cages 2/1 found by the SNH Seabird counters but unfortunately not seen by any of us. Single Waxwings were at Whitefield and Skaw, an Iceland Gull at Symbister and a Water Rail at Skaw on 4/1.  Another Water Rail was at Vatshoull 16/1.  Six European White fronted Geese rounded off the month at Pouster 30/1.

February

Single Glaucous and Iceland Gulls were at Skaw Taing 2/1.  A smart male Coues`s Arctic Redpoll was in a flock of up to sixteen Mealy Redpoll at Skibberhoull 7/2 remaining all month. A Water Rail was in Brians garden at Marrister 12/2 and two female Common Scoters were off Skaw Taing 19/2.

March

The Coues`s Arctic Redpoll remained at Skibberhoull with the Mealy flock until 17/3. A good few Jack Snipe were seen early in the month in snowy conditions with five seen together in one ditch at Skaw on 3/3. An adult White tailed Eagle was seen at Skaw then Isbister also on 3/3 before it was last seen on 9/3 flying west over our house at Hamister adding another species to the house list. Two Mistle Thrushes were together at Hamister 11/3 with singles at pouster and Skaw 15/3 and another at Skibberhoull 25/3.

Coues`s Arctic Redpoll

 

 

 

 

White tailed Eagle

 

 

Jack Snipe

Mistle Thrush

April

Myself and Brian were both away early in the month coinciding with prolonged SE winds with apparently Hawfinches, Ring Ouzel, Yellowhammers etc widespread through Shetland. We got back on 19th and 20th respectively just as the winds swung to the west again. A female Ring Ouzel was at Hamister 19/4 with male Shelducks at North Voe and the houb the same day. A Lesser Whitethroat was at Skaw 22/4. A female Scaup on Isbister loch 26/4 was a first island record in a number of years with a female Kestrel photographed at Skibberhoull the same day. A Goldfinch was at a feeder at Isbister 29/4.

May

Fourteen Pink footed Geese at Isbister 2/5 were the first of the year. Shetland had a good influx of Tree Sparrows in May with ten in the Skaw plantation 5/5 increasing to twelve on 7/5. Two Black tailed Godwits flew south over Challister 6/5. A Sand Martin was at Skaw and a Goldfinch at Gardentown 9/5. 12/5 was a bit better with a very early Marsh Warbler, male Bluethroat and the years only Sedge Warbler all seen at Skaw. A Wood Warbler was at Symbister 13/5. A juvenile male Bluethroat was caught in the Skaw trap 14/5 and a Long Eared Owl and Tree Pipit in the Skaw plantation 15/5. A female Red backed Shrike was in the Lubba plantation 16/5. A House Martin was at Skaw 21/5 with a Marsh Warbler trapped in the heligoland 22/5. Two Swifts and a House Martin were hawking in the Hamister valley 26/5 with a single Barnacle Goose at Vatshoull loch 27/5. A Wood Warbler was at Skaw and a male Red backed Shrike in the Lubba plantation 30/5. An Icterine Warbler was at Grunitaing 31/5.

June

An Icterine Warbler was at Isbister adding to the still present Grunitaing bird 1/6. A very elusive Marsh Warbler sang occasionally in the Skaw plantation 7-8/6. A Curlew Sandpiper was at the Houb from 10-11/6. Little else was seen until a female Red necked Phalarope was on Vatshoull loch from 24-27/6.

Curlew Sandpiper

wood Warbler

 

Red necked Phalarope

July

Usually the quietest month for migrants, 2018 was to be a bit different! Three Sandwich Terns flew north over Symbister and a Swift was at Skaw 1/7. On 7/7 Brian found an adult Long tailed Skua on his walk around Challister Ness. It joined the local Arctic Skuas at West loch of Skaw and I was delighted to add it to my Island list. The next few days went mental with up to six!! Long tails present (three adults, a sub adult and two juveniles). The main excitement surrounded the discovery of a dark morph adult on 8/7. There has been debate on the existence of this plumage with only a handful of reports worldwide and apparently no photographic evidence until now! The six birds were last seen 10/7. Our third and fourth Sand Martins were at Symbister 14/7 and past the Houb 25/7.   A Magpie Moth in the Skaw plantation 16/7 was a change from bird records. A Sandwich Tern was heard in the mist below Marrister 17/7 with a Minke Whale off Skaw the Same day. A Pectoral Sandpiper was at Vatshoull loch 23/7 with a Ruff there later in the day. A Black Redstart was at Sandwick and a Kestrel at North Park 28/7.  30/7 saw a Icterine Warbler at Isbister, Reed Warbler at Skaw, Bar tailed Godwit at the Houb, Sand Martin at Vevoe and six Swifts at Vatshoull.  A male Black Redstart at Brough 31/7 ended our best ever July.

August

Two Greenshanks were at Vatshoull loch 1/8 with three there 5/8. An early Whinchat was trapped at Skaw 5/8. A Peacock butterfly was at Symbister 8/8. A Hawfinch was at Symbister 18/8 with a Little Stint in the Symbister meadow 22/8. A Common Rosefinch at Skaw 28/8 ended a poor month.

September

A Barred Warbler was at Skaw 4/9. The first Yellow browed Warbler was at Sandwick 8/9 in what was to be a poor year for the species. Two Common Rosefinches were at Symbister plus one at Skaw with a Wood Warbler and a Barred Warbler at Symbister 9/9. I made it nil out of three by missing our third Kestrel at Vevoe 10/9. A House Martin was hawking in the geos on the east side of the golf course 15/9. With steady NW to SW winds migration was non existent until a first winter Yellow breasted Bunting somehow found its way to Vatshoull from 22-23/9.  Sadly this bird is now classed as critically endangered due to hunting in its eastern breeding grounds. It was twitched by most of the visiting birders over its two day stay. A Spotted Redshank was on Vatshoull loch on the same two dates.

Dark morph adult Long tailed Skua

"normal" adult Long tailed Skua

Yellow breasted Bunting

October

A female Eastern Subalpine Warbler was in the Isbister plantation with a Yellow browed Warbler and a Barred Warbler at Grunitaing 6/10. A Hawfinch was at Symbister and a Grey Wagtail at North Voe 12/10. A Great Grey Shrike at Brough, Bluethroat and two Greenfinches at Skaw  and sixty two Barnacle Geese at Symbister 13/10. A record day count of five Hawfinches were seen on 14/10 with two at Isbister, one at Grunitaing, one at Marrister and one at Skaw. Also on 14/10 a Red breasted Flycatcher was at Grunitaing and a Long eared Owl and Moorhen at Isbister. The Whalsay list increased to 304 with the discovery of a female Blue-winged Teal on Houll loch 17/10. It spent two days at this site before relocating to Vatshoull loch and was last seen there on 29/10. A female Ring Ouzel was in the Skaw plantation 17/10 with a Long eared Owl at this site 18/10. A Great grey Shrike was at Skaw 19/10 with a Waxwing at Vatshoull 20/10.  Our only Yellowhammer of the year was a female at Vatshoull 21/10 with two Rooks at Skaw and a Grey Wagtail at Hamister the same day. Another Waxwing was at Saeter 22/10 with two more at Vatshoull 28/10. A Goldfinch at Whitefield, Black Redstart at Grunitaing and Glaucous Gull at Skaw rounded off the month 30/10.

November

Little of interest was seen until a very late Barred Warbler was in the Skaw plantation and forty+ Snow Buntings were circling around the Wirlie quarry 11/11. A Tundra Bean Goose joined the Greylag flock at Skaw and a Black Redstart was at Symbister 18/11. A Common Scoter was off the Buid 29/11.

December

Three Pink footed Geese were at Brough, fifty+ Chaffinches at Hamister and fifteen Snow Buntings at Skaw 1/12.  A female Velvet Scoter was off the Buid for a few days from 3/12 and was a first Island record since 2013 and you have to go back to 1993 for another so quite a good local record. 2018 held one last huge surprise when Brian turned up a first winter male Dusky Thrush on the first fairway of the golf course at Skaw. An unforgettable sight on a sunny calm morning but only seen by the two of us as it flew off after two hours and was never seen again. A fourth Shetland record after singles on Fair Isle in 1961, Skaw Whalsay found by my grandfather Johnnie Simpson on 24/9/68 and Firth near Mossbank in 1975. I have the excuse of only being three years old for missing the other Whalsay record! This individual is potentially the 15th record for Britain if (when) accepted. A look around the golf course on 6/12 in a SE gale with heavy rain only produced a single Jack Snipe. A Moorhen photographed in a Symbister garden 22/12 was the last bird of interest for the year.

Eastern subalpine Warbler

Yellow browed Warbler

 

Blue-winged Teal

Long eared Owl

 

Dusky Thrush

This years personal Island total of 143 species is a bit better though still way short of the 151 seen in 2011. A year which certainly wont be regarded a classic in Shetland but seemed to have its moments on Whalsay. There were long birdless periods but a good enough scattering of surprises to keep up the motivation. The Coues`s Arctic Redpoll and White tailed Eagle in Feb/March, the midsummer Long tailed Skuas and Yellow breasted Bunting, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Blue-winged Teal and especially the Dusky Thrush in autumn/winter was pretty good.  I had three new birds for my island list this year in the form of the Long tailed Skuas, Blue-winged Teal and Dusky Thrush. If I can keep up that yearly average I could yet reach 300 for Whalsay without having to be sprung from an old folks home! As usual a few common species went unrecorded this year - Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, Cuckoo, Little Auk and Common Crossbill to name a few. I didn't miss as many species as usual - Kestrel, Moorhen, Little Stint, Rook and Short eared Owl is all I can think of.

5th December 2018

Dusky Thrush

It has been a bonnie calm day on Whalsay today so in the morning I went down below the North Park houses to look amongst the Eider flock hoping for a King Eider or such like in there midst when my mobile rang... It was Brian - "get your arse to Skaw theres a Dusky Thrush on the first fairway" Bloody Hell, panic!! Miles from the car I ran/hobbled up the hill and had a hot drive North. Luckily Brian had the bird staked out in the same place and we had splendid views as it hopped around quite unconcerned. It then decided to roam around a bit and was down near the holm of Skaw for a while before flying south  onto the third fairway. At 1:30pm it flew off in a SE direction and was not seen again today but I would imagine there will be a few more eyes looking tomorrow. As far as I know there are only three previous Shetland records - Fair Isle in 1961, Skaw, Whalsay on 24/9/68 Found by my grandfather Johnnie Simpson (4th for the UK at that time) and Firth near Mossbank in 1975. An additional probable was on Fair Isle in 1937 (Birds of Shetland).

3rd December 2018

Velvet Scoter

A couple of long range and crap photos of the female Velvet Scoter Brian found off the Booth (or Buid as we would say) today. The last island record was of a male on 27/7/13 off Skaw and you  have to go back another twenty! years for the next sighting so quite a good local record. A female Common Scoter had been in the exact same spot 29/11/18. Not much else to be seen - three Pink footed Geese were at Brough on 1st Dec.

18th November 2018

Black Redstart and Tundra Bean Goose

Brian found a Tundra Bean Goose at Skaw this morning among the Greylag flock taking my year list up to the 140 mark. As usual they were pretty unapproachable so had to make do with some long range dodgy photos. A Black Redstart was more obliging in a garden at Symbister in the afternoon.

11th November 2018

Winter Warblers

Female Blackcap, one of four at Skaw today

One of the two Chiffchaffs at Skaw today.

As is normally the case things have quietened down considerably as winter closes in. The Blue-winged Teal was last seen on Vatshoull loch on the 29th of October. There was a few migrants on 30th October with a Goldfinch at Whitefield, Black Redstart at Grunitaing and Glaucous Gull at Skaw. Little else has been seen till a very late Barred Warbler appeared briefly in the Skaw plantation today which may well be the latest autumn record for Shetland but I am not certain of this. A flock of at least forty Snow Buntings circling around the Wirlie quarry was a welcome sight!

28th October 2018

Two Waxwings and a Moose

A fine day for a change today so me and Angela went for a bicycle run to Skaw in the morning. I almost ran over a Moose at Vatshoull so we stopped and took a few photos as it sunbathed at the roadside. It was hard to get a decent pic as it kept running towards me! A pair of Waxwings landed in a tree next to us for a short time leaving me spoilt for choice as to where to point the camera. The Blue-winged Teal was also still on Vatshoull loch for day twelve but I thought I better stop boring people with photos so left it in peace.

26th October 2018

Ten days

The Blue-winged Teal spent its tenth day on the island today and is still on Vatshoull loch. A few other migrants are still about - Long eared Owl, Great grey Shrike, Yellowhammer and Waxwing on 22/10. A Chiffchaff is in the Lubba plantation today showing characters of Siberian with a late-ish Lesser Whitethroat at Saltness.

21st October 2018

Yellowhammer

The Blue-winged Teal is still on Vatshoull loch today and as I went down to try for a few more photos a female Yellowhammer flushed onto a fence adding another species to the year list. I missed a pair of Rooks Brian found at Skaw which was annoying as they are absurdly rare on Whalsay, my last was in 2012!

20th October 2018

Some more Blue-winged Teal photos

A few more photos of the Blue-winged Teal from the Vatshoull loch. The light was poor so they are a bit dull. A Waxwing was also at Vatshoull today with possibly the same one a bit later in the Skaw plantation.

19th October 2018

Great grey Shrike

After two days at Houll loch the Blue-winged Teal relocated to the Vatshoull loch today. Two birders had spent the whole morning tramping around Houll loch in the rain without success and were halfway across on the ferry going home when it was refound just after 2pm. On reaching Laxo they turned around and came back and luckily saw the bird the second time. A Great grey Shrike was best of the rest at Skaw with my first Woodcock of the autumn also there.

17th October 2018

Blue-winged Teal

The Whalsay bird list went up to 304 with the discovery of a female Blue-winged Teal from North America at the Houll loch today. This is apparently the 8th Shetland record and first since 1995. A very wild and flighty bird so I hope to get closer and hopefully better photos if it is still present tomorrow.

15th October 2018

Another Common Rosefinch

Bit of a clearout on the island today with five Reed Buntings about the only new migrants seen. The Great grey Shrike was still at Brough and still skillfully avoiding the camera. There was a Common Rosefinch at Symbister today and is likely to be one of the two regularly seen in this garden for the past week or two.

14th October 2018

Long eared Owl

A very enjoyable days birdwatching today and a lot like I remember it as a bairn - nothing incredibly rare just a good volume of migrants with a scattering of decent birds here and there. Five Hawfinches were seen, two at Isbister and singles at Marrister (yesterdays ringed bird), Grunitaing and Skaw. This must be an island record as you used to go years without seeing one though they are pretty much annual these days.  A Red breasted Flycatcher was at Grunitaing though very skulking and only really seen in flight. The above Long eared Owl was at Sanshoull, Isbister and even allowed me to take a few photos unobscured by trees for once. Yesterdays Great grey Shrike at Brough and the Skaw Bluethroat also reappeared and although I didn't get any decent photos I was pleased to see them at least.

13th October 2018

Hawfinch

Bedraggled Reed Bunting at Skaw

Brambling at Sandwick, one of many

After a few days of SE winds a decent scatter of common migrants are on the island - Redwings, Song Thrushes, Bramblings, Chaffinches, Goldcrests etc.. Not too much in the way of rarities so far, a Grey Wagtail was at the North Voe yesterday with a Hawfinch at Symbister. Brian trapped what may well be the Symbister bird in his garden today with two Greenfinches and a Bluethroat at Skaw and a Great grey Shrike at Brough though I managed to miss the last two birds!

6th October 2018

Eastern Subalpine Warbler

A female Subalpine Warbler was in the Isbister plantation today. Once upon a time when you identified the bird as a "Subalp" your work was done, now with  the three different races being split into distinct species your work is just beginning! Females are particularly hard to separate - call is important but our bird was silent. The best clincher is to trap the bird for a DNA sample (shit of small feather) but again our bird avoided Brians net! Pretty much the last chance is to clearly see the amount of white on the tip of the 2nd outermost tail feather and the chances of picking that up in the field are almost zero. Digital photography saved the day, my own photos are not really helpful but Jon Dunn captured two pics showing a white wedge from the tip of this feather running up the shaft making our bird an Eastern Subalpine Warbler. We now await to see if this satisfies the rarities committee. A Yellow browed Warbler was in the same place with a Barred Warbler at Grunitaing and the first Jack Snipe of the autumn at Skaw.

23rd September 2018

Yellow breasted Bunting 2

A good few birders have been in twitching the Yellow breasted Bunting today and yesterday. It was showing well in the morning but not seen after early afternoon so looks to have moved on. With this species classed as "critically endangered" will we have another of these ever again? A Spotted Redshank was seen by birders at Vatshoull loch last evening and I was pleased to catch up with it today as it is a first island record in six! years.

22nd September 2018

Yellow breasted Bunting

Despite constant West or North Westerly winds a Yellow breasted Bunting found its way to Vatshoull today. A very rare and critically endangered bird so it caused considerable interest. One appeared on Out Skerries last autumn and was the first UK record for (six?) years prompting twitchers to hire the ferry in order to see it! Pretty awkward to get a good photo in strong NW winds so will be out again in the morning if it hangs on.

19th September 2018

Wood Warbler

Horribly blurred photo of a very late House Martin at Skaw 15/9.

With the winds permanently stuck in the west the last week or so has been really poor for mid September. At least today a Wood Warbler was in the Skaw plantation and Common Rosefinches were at Symbister(2) and Skibberhoull.

9th September 2018

Yellow browed Warblers

Redstart at Skaw 7/9

An early rush of Yellow browed Warblers on Shetland began on the 6th of September with our first one at Sandwick on 8th. There were three seen today - two at Sandwick and one in Brians garden at Marrister. Having missed a Barred Warbler at Skaw on the 4th I was pleased to catch up on one in Cath Simpsons garden today with two Common Rosefinches. Another Rosefinch was at Skaw with a Wood Warbler also there.

4th September 2018

Common Rosefinch

Just back yesterday from the herring season and have apparently missed little in that time. A Common Rosefinch has been roaming around Skaw for a few days and I managed to catch up with it in the trap yard today.

15th August 2018

Black tailed Godwit

Still quiet. A couple of Black tailed Godwit photos from north loch of Skaw today.

8th August 2018

Peacock

Whinchat trapped at Skaw 5/8.

After none last year it was fine to catch up with a Peacock butterfly which Cath Simpson phoned about from her Symbister garden today. Gone a bit quiet on the bird front - four Black tailed Godwits were at Challister 2/8, three Greenshanks were at Vatshoull loch and a Whinchat trapped at Skaw 5/8 was about as exciting as it got.

1st August 2018

Painted Lady

This has been by far the best July for migrants that I can remember with TEN new birds for the year which is ten more than usual! A Black Redstart along the shore south of Sandwick loch and a Kestrel at North Park were seen on 28/7. 29/7 was waders day with two Green Sandpipers at Skaw and a Greenshank on Vatshoull loch. An Icterine Warbler at Isbister, Reed Warbler at Skaw and Green Sandpiper, Sand Martin and six Swifts at Vatshoull 30/7. Also  0n 30th I had a Dragonfly sp. zigzag past me in the Skaw plantation, this was hugely frustrating as it was against the light so I didn't even get a hint of colour before it looped over a tree and vanished! Looked big and chunky so feel it was unlikely to be a Damselfly sp. which are more regular in Shetland.  A Bar tailed Godwit at the houb and a Lesser Whitethroat at Symbister 31/7 rounded off the month.

27th July 2018

Golden Plover family

 

Brian ringed his first Golden Plover chick of the year with one at the roadside south of the Vevoe junction today. Little else to report apart from our third Sand Martin of the year bombing north past the houb 25/7.

23rd July 2018

Odd Tirricks and a rare wader

A normal young Arctic Tern

The Long tailed Skuas were never seen again after 10/7. A Sand Martin was only our second for the year in the Symbister meadow with two Swallows 14/7. A Magpie Moth was in the Skaw plantation 16/7. Brian heard a Sandwich Tern calling in the mist below his house at Marrister 17/7 and a Minke Whale was off Skaw later the same day. A very odd looking young Arctic Tern was at Vatshoull loch today with a carrot orange bill, lacking any scalloping on the wings and generally very pale. While watching this bird a Pectoral Sandpiper landed briefly, playing hide and seek amongst the vegetation at the edge of the loch though it came out long enough to show off the pectoral band and white underparts. With the value of hindsight I should have taken a quick photo as it flew South as I was calling BM. A Ruff was at the same loch later on (and no it wasn't the same bird!).

10th July 2018

Long tailed Skua gallery

A few more photos of one of the adult Long tailed Skuas. Numbers incredibly rose to five yesterday when another immature bird was found, a dark bird to add to the pale one already present. The ultra rare dark adult was seen briefly this morning but went into hiding for the rest of the day until all were refound by Roger Riddington on what turned out to be the last sighting around 6pm .  A few days later Unst birder Dave Cooper was checking through his photos from Skaw  from 10th and discovered a sixth!! bird which he considered a third summer. Incredible.

8th July 2018

Four Long tails

Pale immature from below

As they almost say about buses "you wait 53 years for one then four come along at once".  Amazingly two normal pale adult Long tailed Skuas, a dark phase adult and a juvenile were together at the west loch of Skaw tonight. The dark phase bird is very rarely encountered anywhere bringing to life what is usually a very quiet time of year. An amazing day really.

7th July 2018

Long tailed Skua

Top photo by Brian Marshall

Brian found the above Long tailed Skua today when out dog walking on Challister Ness. It sailed past and seemed to go down in the west loch of Skaw area so I was summoned and luckily the bird reappeared which was a big relief for me as I still needed this for my Whalsay list. It was keeping company with a few of the local Arctic Skuas though a few long range and poor quality  record shots were all I got today. I was off the island later in the day but received a text from Brian to say it was hanging around the same area with a party of about ten Arctics so there must be a chance it will hang on for a bit. Brian captured some much better pics later on.

1st July 2018

Sandwich Terns

Adult Swallow at Hamister. One of the family party from Huxter (6 birds).

Fledgling House Sparrow admiring its reflection in our car at Hamister.

Three Sandwich Terns flew North over Symbister today and is the first island record since 2013 and the first time I have seen more than two together on Whalsay. A Swift was at Skaw Taing and a summering Chiffchaff is in the Skaw plantation. The Red necked Phalarope was last seen at Vatshoull loch on 27/6, unfortunately one day before Brian got back from holiday.

24th June 2018

Red necked Phalarope

My parents found this bonnie female Red necked Phalarope at Vatshoull loch today.

16th June 2018

Swallows nest

Common Gull chick, one of two along the shore south of Huxter.

Black rabbit at Skaw

Checked the Swallows nest today at Huxter and although you cant see into it without a ladder there were a couple of tails poking out suggesting the chicks are a bit of size now.

10th June 2018

Curlew Sandpiper

Not much bird news lately after a bout of Northerly winds.The Icterine Warbler at Grunitaing was still present 1/6 with a second bird in the Isbister plantation. Another Marsh Warbler was at Skaw from 7th till 8th, singing in the plantation. I was quite pleased to find a pair of breeding Swallows in an outbuilding at Huxter on 9/6 when out doing an Arctic Tern breeding survey. Brian went one better tonight with the discovery of a Curlew Sandpiper at the houb when he was also out counting terns.

31st May 2018

Wood Warbler

A thin scatter of migrants in the last week - Two Swifts and a House Martin hawking in the Hamister valley 26/5, single Barnacle Goose at Vatshoull loch 27/5, and Wood Warbler at Skaw and male Red backed Shrike at Brough 30/5. The Wood Warbler posed for a few photos tonight with an Icterine Warbler at Grunitaing an added bonus.

23rd May 2018

Marsh Warbler again

Collared Dove at Hamister

After being released at the plantation yesterday the Marsh Warbler decided to revisit the trap today so I took a quick photo or two.

22nd May  2018

Marsh Warbler

Still fairly quiet with the above Marsh Warbler caught in the Skaw trap today. A female Pied Flycatcher at Isbister was new for the year also.

16th May 2018

A few more scarcities

Juvenile male Bluethroat

A few more scarcities have been seen in the last few days, Cath Simpson photographed a Wood Warbler in her Symbister garden 13/5 which we narrowly missed,  Brian trapped the above juvenile male Bluethroat in the skaw plantation 14/5, John Fishwick had a Long eared Owl in the skaw plantation 15/5 and a female Red backed Shrike was briefly at the Lubba plantation 16/5 though wasn't allowing me near enough to photograph it. 

12th May 2018

Marsh Warbler and Bluethroat

A few migrants arrived today at last. A Peregrine was at Skaw in the afternoon and better was to follow in the evening. A Sedge Warbler kicked things off in the Skaw plantation then a Marsh Warbler was among the rose bushes in the lower yard at Roadside. It was seen well initially and had very yellow legs and feet. Once the ID process was over the camera came out and needless to say it disappeared so Brian missed it though we live in hope for tomorrow. According to "The Birds of Shetland" this bird equals the earliest Shetland date with one seen on Noss in 2001. On walking over to the trap a male Bluethroat appeared on the wall and even entered the heligoland. Unfortunately when Brian got it to the catching box end it doubled back on him and escaped and in his efforts to head it off ended with him upside down in a tree, a photo opportunity missed!

2nd May 2018

Pink footed Geese

Not much about when you have to resort to flight shots of Pink footed Geese in early May! Its been a fairly poor goose year so far with these fourteen at Isbister being the first "Pinks" recorded this year.

29th April 2018

Goldfinch

Philip Laurenson phoned this morning to tell me there was a Goldfinch on his feeder at Isbister. A good bird to see as they are not annual on the island.

26th April 2018

Scaup

Female Scaup

Red Grouse

Shelduck, one of three males on the isle atm.

Recently back from five weeks at the Blue Whiting fishing. Not a great deal about at the moment with SW winds - Swallow, Whimbrel and Arctic Skua all making there first appearances on the island today. A female Scaup may be a bit underwhelming to some but is the first Whalsay bird I have seen since another female was on Vatshoull loch on 20th November 2011!! so the Isbister loch bird was most welcome today.

15th March 2018

Mistle Thrushes

Our Blue Whiting fishing season has been delayed by a SE gale and we are now leaving early morning on 17/3. The said gale has at least brought in a few few migrants which are new for the year - White Wagtail and Snow Bunting at Newpark plus a couple of Dunnocks at Skaw. The Coues's Arctic Redpoll remains at Skibberhoull and there were single Mistle Thrushes at Newpark and Skaw.

11th March 2018

Gone Fishing

Coues`s Arctic Redpoll still at Skibberhoull for over a month now.

Iceland Gull at Skaw.

Whooper Swan pair on north loch o Skaw.

Long range and crap Mistle Thrush photo at Hamister today.

A last update before we head away for a month+ to the blue whiting fishing.  The Coues's Arctic Redpoll is still at Skibberhoull today after a month on site. The adult White tailed Eagle toured the island and was last seen be me flying west over our house at Hamister on 9/3, it may well still be somewhere on here. A pair of Mistle Thrushes were on the big rig at Hamister just in time before we go.

3rd March 2018

White tailed Eagle

Jack Snipe, one of five! in this ditch at Skaw.

The Coues's Arctic Redpoll again.

Willie Hutchison phoned today having seen an Eagle flying from Skaw towards Isbister. BM picked it up on the hilltop NW of Isbister and through the telescope could be identified as an adult White tailed Eagle. Our attempts at stalking wasn't very successful as it flushed from quite long range. It seemed to come down near Marrister so we hope to encounter it again. Five!! Jack Snipes were in a single ditch at Skaw with two Common Snipes giving good photo opportunities. With the Coues's Arctic Redpoll still at Skibberhoull this was a very good days for the start of March. 

1st March 2018

Coues's still present after three weeks

Slightly blurred undertail shot

Bloody photographers!!

Robin attracted to the seed at Skibberhoull also.

A few Song Thrushes with the Fieldfares and Redwings now.

Water Rail at Marrister through a window.             Photo  Brian Marshall

The Coues's Arctic Redpoll is still at Skibberhoull after three weeks. Hope to eventually post a photo of something different!

19th February 2018

May be the last time I don't know

Undertail photo by Jon Dunn

The Coues's Arctic Redpoll remains at Skibberhoull and as you can see I cant resist putting on more photos of it! Brian has had two attempts with the mist net trapping seven Mealies the first time then three plus a Blackbird the second try. A third attempt is planned for the 21st if its still about. Brian found two female Common Scoters today on his daily dog walk around Skaw Taing.

16th February 2018

Coues's still at Skibberhoull

The Coues`s Arctic Redpoll is still at "Frankies" Skibberhoull  today with a minimum of sixteen Mealy Redpolls. The blurred bits on some of the photos is the fence I had to peer through!

7th February 2018

Coues's Arctic Redpoll

A Coues's Arctic Redpoll was at Skibberhoull today with at least ten Common Redpolls. A novelty to have a good bird in early February

30th January 2018

Humpbacks North of the Outer Hebrides

 

The usual Orcas around the boat too.

Just home from three mackerel trips from north of the Outer Hebrides. The sight of Humpback Whales is very unusual so to see them on all three trips is unprecedented. Four on 18/1, two on 21/1 and four again 26/1. The photos above were of the two seen on 21/1 twelve miles NW of Sula Sgeir which lies to the north from the Butt of Lewis. As usual there was always a few Orca pods in attendance though I think the 20+ on 26/1 was probably the most seen. Eleven Pilot Whales also visited on this date. Best bird on Whalsay for January was undoubtedly the female King Eider found by the SNH Seabird monitoring team at the Symbister salmon cages 2/1 but sadly this bird has not been seen by any of us. Single Waxwings were at Whitefield and Skaw on 4/1 and three different Water Rails have been seen throughout the month. Also managed to catch up with six European White fronted Geese at Pouster that Brian found a couple of days ago.

31st December 2017

Whalsay bird review 2017

January 

A first winter Glaucous Gull was off Skaw Taing 2/1. Three Common Scoters were off Vatshoull 5/1 with a Peregrine bombing through at the same time. An Iceland Gull was in the north voe 6/1. Two Common Scoters were still off Vatshoull 7/1 with another two off Symbister. Little else was seen till 27/1 when three Glaucous Gulls were at Skaw and two Iceland Gulls at Symbister. Seven European White fronted Geese were at Challister 29/1.

February

A quiet month with a Water Rail at Hamister 7/2 and the first Red throated Divers back on north loch of Skaw 18/2 the only notable sightings.

March

Two Mistle Thrushes were at Hamister and five Pink footed Geese at the Burns 6/3. The Hamister Mistle Thrush numbers doubled to four on 7/3. A male Stonechat was at the Burns 8/3. A Mistle Thrush at Skaw 9/3 pushed the island numbers up to five with the Hamister birds still present. A male Yellowhammer was at Whitefield 17/3. The first Dunnocks of the year were at Saltness 24/3 and Skaw 25/3. A pair of Shelducks flew north past Vatshoull 27/3 and a Woodcock was at Skaw 28/3.

White fronted Geese at Challister

Stonechat at the Burns

Yellowhammer at Whitefield

April

 

I was away fishing for the whole of this month. Brian had a Black tailed Godwit at Vatshoull 20/4 and a Hawfinch was photographed at Skaw 29/4 and were two species I never did catch up with for the rest of the year.

 

 

 

 

May

A female Subalpine Warbler sp. was at Skibberhoull and a Grasshopper Warbler at Skaw 3/5 with a Goosander on Vatshoull loch 6/5. A Sand Martin was at Vatshoull 12/5. A Thrush Nightingale skulked around in a Hamister yard 13-14/5 with a Stonechat at Skaw also on 13/5. The years only Common Sandpiper was at Skaw 14/5 with a male Red backed Shrike there 15/5. A female Stonechat joined the male at Skaw 16/5 with a very brief Dotterel on the golf course 17/5. A Long eared Owl at Skibberhoull 22/5 later self trapped itself in a Saltness shed before being trapped, ringed and released by BM. The last week was quiet with the years only Bar tailed Godwit at the houb 27/5 the only remotely interesting record.

 

 

 

 

June

4/6 saw a Barnacle Goose at Vatshoull loch and a Male Red backed Shrike at Symbister. A Greenish Warbler trapped at Isbister 7/6 was the third individual in three consecutive Junes never having had a spring bird on the isle previously! An Icterine Warbler shared the same garden. A female Nightjar was in the Skaw plantation 10/6 our first record since 2009. A Common Swift was at Symbister 18/6. Away from birds briefly a Hummingbird Hawkmoth was at Hillhead 23/6. A Mute Swan on Vatshoull loch 27/6 and an unseasonal Black Redstart at Skaw 28/6 rounded off the month.

Long eared Owl trapped in a shed at Saltness

Thrush Nightingale at Hamister

Pied Flycatcher at Skaw

Greenish Warbler trapped at Isbister

Red Grouse chicks north of Vatshoull

July

 

As usual very few birds of interest. A juvenile Cuckoo was at Skaw 21\7. Brian had a couple of male Two barred Crossbills in his garden 29/7 which was only a third island record.

 

August

A very early Pied Flycatcher plus a Common Swift were at Skaw 3\8.  I was away for the rest of the month at the herring fishing and missed out on an island tick in the form of a female Marsh Harrier around Isbister from 20-21\8. A Black tailed Godwit was at Skaw 20/8. BM went away as well after this and with a good range of scarcities throughout Shetland who knows what was missed.

 

September

A Sooty Shearwater was off Skaw 2\9. An Icterine Warbler was at Isbister 9\9 with early Yellow browed Warblers at Saltness and Skaw the same day. 10\9 saw Barred Warblers at Hamister and Symbister and a Red backed Shrike at Brough. An adult American Golden Plover in a flock of its european cousins at Skaw from 12-13\9 was only a second island record. Another Barred Warbler was at Hamister 15\9. Considerably rarer was the Golden Oriole at Saltness from 17-20\9. Red breasted Flycatchers were at Isbister and Hillhead 25\9. On 27\9 a Great Grey Shrike was at Skaw, Little Bunting at Brough plus Grasshopper Warblers at Skaw, Vatshoull and Brough. On 30/9 a Stock Dove was at Hamister, Short eared Owl at Skaw, Little Stint at Symbister plus Little Buntings at Brough, Burns and Skaw(2).

 

 

 

 

Two barred Crossbill at Marrister       photo by Brian Marshall

 

 

 

American Golden Plover at Skaw

Great Grey Shrike at Skaw

Icterine Warbler at Isbister

Little Bunting at Brough

October

 

A Turtle Dove was at Saltness briefly on 1/10 with a Lesser Redpoll at Isbister 2/10. A Great Grey Shrike was at Marrister  3/10. There was a quiet period till the discovery of a Steppe Grey Shrike at the roadside near Vevoe on 14/10. This was a first island record, fourth for Shetland and the first since 1994. A very tame individual which entertained quite a few visitors till 31/10. A Stock Dove at Hamister 18/10 may or may not have been the same bird seen two weeks earlier. A Stonechat was at Houll also on 18/10. 20/10 saw Ring Ouzels at Creadyknowe, Challister, Skaw and Brough, Water Rail at Skaw and a Black Redstart at Hamister. A Pallas`s Warbler was a first island record for a good few years on 22/10 at Creadyknowe, unfortunately for me one day after heading to sea! A Mistle Thrush was at Skaw the same day. A Blue Tit was at Marrister 24/10 with a Long eared Owl at Sodom 25/10. A Blue Tit was at Gardentown at the months end.

 

November

A Blue Tit was at Skibberhoull 11/11 (the Gardentown bird?) A Glaucous Gull was at Brough 18/11 with single Blue and Great Tits together in the same Symbister garden 19/11. Another Glaucous Gull was at Skaw 27/11. A Jack Snipe was at Pouster and a 3rd winter Iceland Gull at Symbister 28/11.

 

 

December

A Water Rail was in a Vatshoull garden on 13/12 with a female Common Scoter off Skaw Taing 15/12. An Iceland Gull was at Symbister 16/12. A Glaucous Gull was at Skaw Taing 18/12 with two Mealy Redpoll at Brough. A Glaucous Gull joined the Iceland Gull at Symbister 24/12.

Steppe Grey Shrike near Vevoe

Water Rail at Vatshoull

Another poor year with 137 species recorded by me. Last years low of 129 was beaten and thankfully we didn't go the whole year without a national rarity like 2016 but this was still my second poorest total in the seven years I have done this. The October Steppe Grey Shrike was the first addition to the island list for a few years raising the total to 303. The adult American Golden Plover at Skaw in September was a 2nd record and the Two barred Crossbills at Marrister in July a third. As usual a few common species went unrecorded on Whalsay - Tundra Bean Goose, Storm Petrel, Little Auk, Greenshank, Waxwing, Linnet and Common Crossbill. Species seen but missed by me were - Goosander, Sooty Shearwater, Moorhen, Dotterel, Black tailed Godwit, Marsh Harrier, Turtle Dove, Subalpine warbler, Pallas`s Warbler, Short eared Owl, Hawfich and Two barred Crossbill. Some good stuff missed but never mind, all the best for 2018!

13th December 2017

Water Rail

A couple of slightly grainy images of a Water Rail in Lowrie Patons garden at Vatshoull today. Having missed one at Skaw earlier in the autumn I was pleased to add it to the year list. Very little news since last post - a Great Tit and Blue Tit were at Symbister and a Snow Bunting at Skaw on 19/11 and the odd Iceland and Glaucous Gull seen but very little else.

11th November 2017

Blue Tit

Whooper Swan at north loch o Skaw

Juv. Whooper

White tailed Eagle at Selje, Norway.

Home for a couple of days mid mackerel season and was pleased to catch up with the above Blue Tit on Magnus Polsons feeder at Skibberhoull today even if my photos were poor. Best bird since I went away was  the Pallas`s Warbler Brian found in the Creadyknowe garden on 22/10. The Steppe Grey Shrike was last reported 31/10 when it moved further north to the plantation area at Skaw though with Brian also away it could quite easily have been around a bit longer. BM had a Blue Tit in his garden 23/10 with another ( today's bird?) around Gardentown at the months end.

16th October 2017

A  few more Shrike photos

Blurred flight shot

Even worse photo but shows the tail pattern.

The Steppe Grey Shrike is still in the Vevoe area so I went for a few more photo seeing as it has been a bonnie day for once.

14th October 2017

Steppe Grey Shrike

A Steppe Grey Shrike turned up on a roadside fence between Vatshoull and Vevoe today and is the first addition to the island list for some time. This is only the fourth individual recorded in Shetland the last of these being in 1994. It disappeared only to be refound among the Vevoe houses in the late afternoon so there could be a few birders on the go tomorrow!

27th September 2017

Great Grey Shrike and Little Bunting

Kestrel at Skaw

A good day today with best birds being a Great Grey Shrike in the Skaw plantation and a Little Bunting at Brough. A carload of birders were on the isle so a few more things were found - 3 Grasshopper Warblers, 2 Barred Warblers, Red breasted Flycatcher and a good spread of common migrants. The other highlight in the last two weeks was the Golden Oriole which was at Saltness from the 17 - 20th but was incredibly wild and would bomb off for miles at the least disturbance so there was no chance of any photos unfortunately.

13th September 2017

American Golden Plover gallery

Blurred shot of the dusky underwings

The American Golden Plover gave itself up today, showing well in the field just north of the heligoland trap.

12th September 2017

American Golden Plover

Whinchat in the rain.

Leucistic House Sparrow at Skaw.

Got a call from Brian just before 2pm today to say he had found an American Golden Plover among a flock of its european cousins near the Skaw airstrip. By the time I got up there I met Brian coming along the road as the flock had flown off to the south. We soon refound them in fields just north of the heligoland and had very good views through the telescope. It was nice to see that it was an adult in partial summer plumage as the only other Whalsay record was of a juvenile around Challister on 2/10/06. Typically the AGP was the bird farthest from the road and I only managed a single photo before the flock got up and disappeared. Despite much looking it wasn't seen again today so I am hoping it stays around long enough to get a better photo than the above. Not a great deal of news in the last few days - Red backed Shrike at Brough and Barred Warblers at Hamister and Symbister on 10/9 was about all.

9th September 2017

Icterine warbler

Just back from three and a half weeks at the herring fishing. Not a lot to report bird wise, the usual scatter of Sooty Shearwaters and a flypast Green Sandpiper a few miles south of fair Isle 2/9 was about all I saw. While I was away a female Marsh Harrier was around Isbister from 20 - 21/8 and remains the commonest bird missing from my island list. Although the winds are northerly today an Icterine Warbler was in the Isbister plantation and early Yellow browed Warblers were at Saltness and Skaw.

29th July 2017

A pair of Two barred Crossbills

Male Two barred Crossbill            photo by Brian Marshall

Today is the 3rd of August and I am just home from a trip to Denmark as the boat has been on the dock in Hirtshals. I got a particularly gripping text from Brian on 29/7 when a pair of male Two barred Crossbills briefly visited his Marrister garden. There has only been two previous records from Whalsay - a male found by my grandfather Johnnie Simpson on 19th July 1972 which I didn't see and a really grotty juvenile in the Gardentown/Setter area from 25th - 30th September 1999 which I did. Hope to find one in the next week or so before the herring fishing but am not holding my breath!

21st July 2017

Juvenile Cuckoo

A juvenile Cuckoo was in and around the Skaw plantation today and was a bird which went unrecorded on the isle last year. A Woodpigeon and Chiffchaff were also in the same place. The Chiff was in moult and is likely to be a summering bird rather than a fresh arrival.

18th July 2017

Breeding Whimbrels

Stopped in a lay-by at the west loch of Skaw today and was pleased to see a Whimbrel pair with two chicks near the roadside. Took a few photos out the car window.

16th July 2017

Holiday in Budapest

Large White Stork chicks in the nest.

Juvenile Bearded Tit.

Bee-eaters.

Bee-eater at nest site.

Common Cranes, two of five present.

Crested Lark.

Juvenile Night Heron

Dragonfly  (Black tailed Skimmer maybe??)

Lizard thing.

Silver-washed Fritillary.

Just back from a ten day holiday in Budapest with Angela and Chloe which was splendid. We had a days guided bird watching in the Kiskunsag region and despite it not being the migration season threw up six new species for myself. Eastern Imperial Eagle, Stone Curlew, Bearded Tit, Pygmy Cormorant, Marsh Harrier! and Ferruginous Duck. Bee-Eaters, Rollers, Red footed Falcons and White Storks were breeding and I was vexed not to have got any decent pics of this but at least we saw them well which was the main thing.

28th June 2017

Black Redstart and Mute Swan

A Black Redstart was in and around the Skaw plantation today, a strange occurrence in late June. Much rarer in Whalsay terms was the Mute Swan which has been on the Vatshoull loch since yesterday.

10th June 2017

Nightjar avoids the camera

Went for a look in the Skaw plantation this afternoon and as I came around the back of the spruces down the north side I came face to face with a Nightjar sitting on a branch about half way up the tree. These birds quite often allow a close approach trusting their "tree bark" plumage to camouflage  them from predators/stupid birdwatchers. As I wasn't particularly close to it I froze expecting it to sit still when I would hope to get some nice photos but up it went over the bushes and around to the other side of the plantation. I was hopeful that it was still in the trees on the other side so I phoned Brian and sat down to wait. On Brian's arrival  we  flushed it again and it flew around for about thirty seconds being chased by a Meadow Pipit before heading off north towards the trap area. We are hoping to find it again tomorrow but this is probably a long shot. Anyway this is only the fourth individual I have seen on Whalsay and is the first record since one on a garden wall at the "auld haa", Symbister on 29th May 2008.

7th June 2017

Another June Greenish Warbler

A Greenish Warbler turned up in the Isbister plantation today, this is the third in June in the last three years having never occurred in spring previously! An Icterine Warbler was in the same place and also new for the year but managed to avoid Brians net as well as my camera.

2nd June 2017

Colour ringed Sanderling

White Wagtail on our balcony looking like it wants in out of the rain!   Kinda blurred through the glass.

Skarf at Skaw

Alls gone quiet on Whalsay again. Brian found the above colour ringed Sanderling on Easter Nettlar beach at the north end of the golf course at Skaw today.

22nd May 2017

Trapped Long eared Owl

Photos by Angela Irvine

Got a phonecall from Catherine Irvine up at Skibberhoull about a Long eared Owl so myself and Brian went along just in time to see it fly off. We were pleased to see it but also vexed to miss a photo opportunity. We needn't have worried as a bit later it had trapped itself in Willie and Janet Irvines shed at Saltness so me, Brian and Angela went along and caught it quite easily.

21st May 2017

Red Grouse chicks

My first experience of Red Grouse chicks today as me and Angela flushed the female off seven young birds. While taking a few hurried pics they came cheeping towards Angela and started trying to crawl under her backside which was both amazing and amusing. As she tried to move back three chicks were sitting on her shoe! Never seen the like before.

19th May 2017

A very brief Dotterel

First summer male Pied flycatcher in the Skaw plantation 19/5.

It has quietened down considerably since my last post with a male Red backed Shrike near the Skaw plantation from 15-16/5. Brian found bird of the period with a Dotterel wandering around up near the 18th tee on the golf course at Skaw on 18/5. Unfortunately it sneaked off while he was sending out the news and couldn't be refound but with a few doing the rounds on Shetland there's always hope of another.

13th May 2017

Thrush Nightingale

Redpoll at Symbister

Redstart keeping the Thrush Nightingale company at Hamister.

Bonxies having a Shalder for lunch. Not my favourite species!

Recently returned from a 5 week fishing trip. It has been fairly quiet birdwise in this time though a burst of SE winds early in the month saw Brian turn up a female Subalpine Warbler sp. at Skibberhoull from 3-4/5. The winds are back in the east now and the above Thrush Nightingale was skulking about in one of the yards at east Hamister today. The bird had a pretty obvious breast band which for whatever reason is not obvious on my photos.

24th March 2017

Pied Wagtails

Problems with the boats steering gear has seen our Blue Whiting season delayed for a week or so yet. Winds are fairly unhelpful for birds but our first Dunnock was at Saltness today regardless, a Meadow Pipit at Isbister and two Pied Wagtails at Symbister with another at Pouster.

18th March 2017

Yellowhammer

A nice male Yellowhammer was found by Bryan Sutherland outside the byre at Whitefield and has been present since yesterday. Probably my last post for a while as we head away on monday for a month+ at the blue whiting fishing.

9th March 2017

Mistle Thrush

Redwing at Pouster

Mistle Thrush numbers went up by one today with the above bird at Skaw adding to the four still on the big rig at Hamister. The Stonechat was still at the Burns, the five Pink footed Geese were at Challister and single Glaucous and Iceland Gulls were in a mixed gull flock on the point at Vatshoull loch.

8th March 2017

Stonechat

Another long gap between posts on here as there has been little news. A Water Rail was at Hamister 7/2 and a pair of Red throated Diver were back on North loch of Skaw for a few days from 18/2 which was quite early. There has been a period of SE winds adding a few things to the year list in the last few days - five Pink footed Geese at the burns, male Siskin at Skaw and two Mistle Thrushes at Hamister/Skibberhoull on 6/3. Mistle Thrush numbers doubled to four 7/3, all on the big rig at Hamister with a cracking male Stonechat at the Burns the same day. Today has been sunny for the most part and Mr. Stonechat allowed a close approach for a few photos.

29th January 2017

European White fronted Geese

In keeping with recent times January 2017 has been fairly quiet, a few Iceland and Glaucous Gulls have been seen with Brian having a good count of eight Glaucs following a fishing boat south past Symbister 11/1.  Three Common Scoters were off Vatshoull 5/1 with a Peregrine doing a flypast at the same time. Two of the Scoters were still present 7/1 with a further two off Symbister, all female type birds. Seven European White fronted Geese were in a park at Challister today and are the only Geese recorded so far apart from the local Greylags.

31st December 2016

Whalsay bird review 2016

January

After a good November/December for the species four Little Auks were still off Symbister 1/1. A dark bellied Brent Goose was at Skaw 2/1 before relocating to Brough 6/1 and then Newpark 11/1. The previous years three Pink-footed Geese were around Brough all month. A Glaucous Gull was at Hamister 4/1 and an Iceland Gull at Symbister from 6/1. Three Tundra Bean Geese were at the Burns from 24-27/1. An immature gull at Hamister from 28/1 caused much debate, showing characters of American Herring Gull and as such a potential first for Shetland. To cut a long story short even the experts weren't sure and so it will likely be relegated to the ranks of maybe/maybe not... annoying!!

February

Overwintering Dunnocks were at Marrister and Skaw early in the month. A flock of 25+ Snow Buntings were at Hamister and a Woodcock at Skaw 6/2 with a Jack Snipe at Hamister and a Sparrowhawk at Skaw 7/2. A Taiga Bean Goose was in the Brough/Burns area from 10-24/2 and was a first confirmed record of this race on the island. An adult Glaucous Gull was at Hamister 22/2 with two first winter birds at Symbister salmon cages next day. A Black throated Diver was off Vatshoull 28/2 and was a first island record since 2011. Six Iceland Gulls were at Symbister salmon cages the same day with another at Huxter loch with a Glaucous Gull.

March

Little was seen until 17/3 when a Mistle Thrush was at Isbister, three Pink-footed Geese were at the Burns and two Iceland Gulls and a Glaucous Gull were at Symbister. A Pied Wagtail was at Hamister 18/3 with a juvenile Sparrowhawk at the burns 23/3. A Tundra Bean Goose was at Skaw 24/3 and the first three Goldcrests were at Skaw 28/3.

 

the gull thing at Hamister

Taiga Bean Goose at the burns

April

A Black throated Diver and Wheatear were at Huxter 6/4 with a Black Redstart briefly at Hamister 18/4. A quiet month and unfortunately a sign of things to come!

May

Two Black tailed Godwits were at Skaw 2/5 with three at Vatshoull 16/5. A female Subalpine Warbler sp. was briefly at Hamister on the evening of 8/5. An Icterine Warbler was at Skaw 11/5 and was the sole record for the year. Three House Martins were at Skibberhoull 21/5 with a Common Rosefinch at Skaw and a smart male Ruff at Vatshoull 22/5. An early-ish Marsh Warbler was singing in the Isbister plantation 28/5 with a male Red backed Shrike at Skaw 30/5.

June

A Greenish Warbler 5/6 made it two in successive Junes for the Skaw plantation. A female Red backed Shrike at Grunitaing 9/6 and a Reed Warbler in the Isbister plantation 12/6 rounded off a dire spring.

female Red backed Shrike

July

A Common Sandpiper with a single chick was at Huxter loch 4/7 and was a second island breeding record. A Bar tailed Godwit was at Skaw 18/7, a female Kestrel was at Vevoe 22/7 and another Common Sandpiper was at the Houb 27/7.

August

A first summer Hobby spent half an hour sitting on a post at Pouster in heavy rain on 3/8.  Two Greenshank were at Skaw 4/8 with a bat sp. (very likely Narthusius Pipistrelle) flying around the Skaw plantation for a few days from 5/8. A Whimbrel with a small chick at west loch of Skaw 10/8 was a bit late. Little else was seen till a Greenish Warbler was trapped in the Skaw plantation 30/8.

September

Single Common Swift and Sand Martin were at Skaw with five Black tailed Godwits on 2/9. A  Barred Warbler and Wood Warbler were at Skaw and a Common Rosefinch at the burns on 4/9. A Red backed Shrike was at Skaw 8/9 with another Barred Warbler there 11/9 and two seen 14/9. A Red breasted Flycatcher and the first of many Yellow browed Warblers were at Skaw 16/9. A Peregrine flew east over Hamister18/9. A Marsh Warbler was trapped at Skaw 22/9. A Buff breasted Sandpiper was briefly on the Skaw golf course 26/9.  A Little Bunting was in the red grind quarry, Brough 27/9 with another bird at Skaw the next day. A juvenile Storm Petrel was picked up and safely released at Symbister 28/9.

Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper chick

Marsh Warbler

October

A Common Rosefinch was at Skaw 1/10 with a Painted Lady at Isbister 2/10. A Peregrine was at Skaw 3/10. A few skeins of Barnacle Geese flew south over the island 4/10 adding up to just over 200 for the day. A Lesser Whitethroat of the Siberian "blythii" race was trapped at Skaw the same day. A Bluethroat and Red breasted Flycatcher were at Skibberhoull 5/10. Single Lapland Bunting, Long eared Owl and Grey Wagtail were at Skaw 6/10 with a Greenfinch two Goldfinches and a Water Rail there 7/10. A Blyth's Reed Warbler was in and around Jon Dunns garden at Skaw from 10-19/10. A Waxwing was at Marrister11/10. Barred Warbler and Common Rosefinch were at Skaw 15/10.  17/10 saw a mobile Hoopoe at Vatshoull before moving to the red grind quarry area then on to Isbister. A Grey Wagtail was also near the red grind quarry and two European White fronted Geese were at Hamister. A Lapland Bunting was at Skaw, a Hawfinch at Isbister and a male Yellowhammer at Symbister 18/10. A Waxwing was at Skaw 20/10. With regular Hoopoe reports at sites from Skaw to Huxter we were sure at least two birds were doing the rounds. Three dark bellied Brent Geese were at Sandwick loch 22/10 and five Tundra Bean Geese at Vatshoull 25/10. A Peregrine flew over Marrister 27/10.

November

With Brian and myself away for most of the month even less was seen. Six Waxwings were at Skaw 11/11. An Iceland Gull was at Symbister19/11, a Waxwing at Marrister 21/11 with a Water Rail there 23/11.

December

After a good few Humpback Whale records around Shetland a pair spent the day 5/12 off Skaw and Vevoe. First winter Glaucous Gulls were at Skaw 6/12 and Symbister 8/12. Single Chiffchaffs hung on at Hamister and Boothpark until at least 14/12 with two Iceland Gulls at Symbister the same day. A Water Rail was at Skaw Taing 15/12. An Iceland Gull was at Symbister 27-31/12.

 

Blyth's Reed Warbler

2016 has been by far the worst of my birdwatching life! The rest of Shetland had an amazing autumn with our neighbouring islands of Out Skerries, Fetlar and Bressay having outstanding national rarities pretty much every day in October - Whalsay didn't have a single one!!! the whole year - nothing despite much flogging around. The 27th September was a typical day - out all day for nothing only to find a Little Bunting in the red grind quarry with the last of the daylight. Came home happy-ish then had a look on the "nature in Shetland" website. Brown Shrike and Great Snipe on Out Skerries, Pallid Harrier at South Mainland, Paddyfield Warbler on Unst, cue birding tourettes!!! This went on  each and every day for the next month and was utterly soul destroying. I started keeping island yearlists in 2011 and my first effort of 151 still leads the way. In 2015 I reached a new low figure of 144. 2016 has well and truly blown that out of the water with only 129 species seen, there is no way I will ever do worse until I go blind or die.  I usually conclude this with a list of common birds I either missed or went unrecorded on Whalsay but I cant be arsed as I will be sitting here all day. Grumpy auld git rant over! Come on 2017 - things can only get better.

5th December 2016

Humpback Whales

Martin Shearer came across two Humpback Whales today while hauling  his creels. Originally off Skaw they worked there way south and were off Vevoe when Martin very kindly took myself and Brian for a run in his boat to get a few photos. Quite an experience though I missed one of them sticking its head out of the water close to the boat, this happened just before I got picked up. As usual there is zero bird news in the no fly zone though a Chiffchaff was still at Hamister today.

17th October 2016

Hoopoe

Grey wagtail

Brian found a Hoopoe  between Vatshoull and Challister today and it led me on a merry dance before I caught up with it at the roadside east of the red grind quarry. A Grey Wagtail seen in the same area and two European race White fronted Geese at Hamister were also new for  the year. Am blaming the strong winds for the state of the above photos.

9th October 2016

Siberian Accentor twitch

Blyth`s Reed Warbler in bright sunlight

And in the shade.

A good day began with Jon Dunn finding a Blyth`s Reed Warbler in his garden at Skaw though things went mental when news of Britain's first Siberian Accentor in Mossy hill quarry at the South mainland came through just after 3pm. With only a single ferry running on Sunday  me, Brian and Jon went out on the 4:15 sailing and had a hot run down there as there is so little daylight now. We needn't have worried as the bird was ridiculously tame and had obviously never seen humans before. All we need now is something really good on Whalsay its high time!

5th October 2016

Bluethroat

Bluethroat

With Out Skerries and Fetlar wading knee deep in national rarities we are still struggling away with little reward. The day was a total washout until a visit to Skibberhoull in the early evening produced our first Bluethroat of the year and a Red breasted Flycatcher. With Peter Stronach here for a few days the Flycatcher was a ringing tick for him which was always something I suppose.

4th October 2016

Siberian Lesser Whitethroat

Lesser Whitethroat of the Siberian race "blythi" trapped at Skaw today.  photo by Jon Dunn

A Siberian Lesser Whitethoat of the race "blythi" was mist netted in the Skaw plantation today. Tail pattern, plumage tones and all measurements confirmed this though a few feathers shed in the ringing process are being sent away for DNA analysis just to make doubly sure. This race has real potential to be split into a full species in the future and is (I think) only the 2nd confirmed record for Shetland to date.

28th September 2016

Scraps

Buff breasted Sandpiper              photo Brian Marshall

Yellow browed Warbler

Little Bunting in the red grind quarry, Brough.

With national rarities at both ends of Shetland and even on our neighbouring island, Out Skerries it is the usual wasteland on Whalsay. Brian found bird of the period with a Buff breasted Sandpiper on the golf course 26/9 which disappeared before I saw it. Little Buntings were in the red grind quarry, Brough and a Skaw today and that was about it despite flogging all over the place. Dire.

25th September 2016

Jack Snipe

Not a great deal seen today - Jack Snipe at skaw, the usual scattering of Yellow browed Warblers and my first party of Pink footed Geese (28) flying east over Vevoe. 22/9 saw us beating our best day count of Yellow browed Warblers with 25 seen and with rain for a good portion of the day quite a few areas went unchecked. Just need a good one now!

21st September 2016

Mist netting at Skaw

Yellow browed Warbler

Marsh Warbler

A most enjoyable afternoon mist netting with Brian in the Skaw plantation today. Three Yellow browed Warblers were caught out of five birds present with single Marsh Warbler, Common Redstart and Blackcap also caught.

18th September 2106

Red breasted flycatcher

Part of a Red backed Shrikes larder in the Skaw plantation today.

Just back from this years herring season and there's a Red breasted Flycatcher in the Skaw plantation today which is a second for the year with one at Sandwick 16/9. A Red backed Shrike has been in the plantation for a few days and has a "larder" of  two field mice and at least a dozen bees impaled on the branches. A Yellow browed Warbler was also at this location with Common Rosefinch at the burns and a Peregrine flying east over Hamister the only other interesting sightings today.

5th September 2016

A few migrants

Barred Warbler

Wood Warbler

White beaked Dolphin riding the bow wash in the Minch.

Home for a few days mid herring season and heading away again on 8th. A bit of easterly winds at the moment so have caught up with a few scarcities.  A Greenish Warbler found by John Fishwick 30/8 hung around long enough for me to see it. Sand Martin and Greenshank 2/9 were year ticks as was the Barred Warbler trapped at Skaw 4/9. Common Rosefinches were at the burns 4/9 and Skaw 5/9.

3rd August 2016

Bedraggled Hobby

Raining cats and dogs here today though on the plus side its blowing a strong easterly wind. A sorry looking and very bedraggled first summer Hobby was on a post at Newpark and obligingly stayed long enough for Brian to get there and see it too. First decent migrant in a while.

22nd July 2016

Kestrel

Not sure what these three were finding to eat on "beenies" boathouse at Skaw!

A Kestrel was in the Vevoe/West loch area today, perhaps not the rarest but a first for the year and any migrant in July is very welcome.

21st July 2016

Mallorca

Purple  Dropwing

Red knobbed Coot

Dunno yet!

Purple Gallinule

Broad Scarlet Darter

Audouins Gull eating tattie crisps on Alcudia beach

Clouded Yellow butterfly

Blacktailed Skimmer

 

Just back from ten days in Alcudia, Mallorca which was very nice and with the Albufera natural park a few minutes away by bus! Birds new to me were - Audouins Gull, Purple Heron, Little Bittern, Cetti`s warbler, Moustached Warbler, Purple Gallinule, Red Knobbed Coot, Eleanora`s Falcon, Night Heron, Glossy Ibis and Black winged Stilt  with other goodies like Bee-eater, Thrush Nightingale, Sardinian Warbler, Fan tailed warbler, breeding Kentish Plovers etc...

4th July 2016

Breeding Common Sandpipers

Brian found a Common Sandpiper with one chick at Huxter loch this evening. Although a few pairs breed annually in Shetland this is only a second record for Whalsay after a single chick was found at west loch of Skaw on 11th July 2001.

9th June 2016

Red backed Shrike

Mental looking Skarf (Shag)

A female Red backed Shrike was at Grunitaing this evening and was the only migrant seen apart from a few Chiffchaffs. Unfortunately the Greenish Warbler on the 5th proved to be a one day wonder so I never did manage a decent photo.

5th June 2016

Greenish Warbler

Marsh Warbler at Skaw 3/6.

Whalsays first spring record of Greenish Warbler turned up in the Skaw plantation last year on the 8th of June. We haven't had to wait long for our 2nd bird with the above turning up, also in the Skaw plantation today. Without thrashing around stressing the bird I quietly strolled around trying for photos. SIX hours was spent and the only decent pics were a couple of "arse on" shots as the bird played hard to get. Maybe tomorrow. Best birds in the last week and a half was a Marsh Warbler at Isbister 28/5, male Red backed Shrike at Skaw 30/5 - 3/6 and another Marsh Warbler also at Skaw 3/6, none of which allowed a decent photo.

26th May 2016

Breeding Redshank

A few pairs of Redshank breed on the island annually, the above was photographed North of Huxter on the 25th of May. Only one chick was seen but there were probably more sneaking around. The only migrant news concerned a Tree Sparrow found at Hamister today by new doctor/birder John Fishwick though I was in Lerwick and missed it. Another pair of eyes will be good.

23rd May 2016

Grey Heron

The winds have gone back north today halting migration once more. Took a few pics of a juvenile Grey Heron which has been in the Symbister meadow for quite a while now.

22nd May 2016

Common Rosefinch

The light trickle of migrants continues with a singing Common Rosefinch in the Skaw plantation and a smart breeding plumaged male Ruff at Vatshoull loch today.

21st May 2016

House Martins

Anyone who can take sharp photos of flying Swifts. Swallows or Martins has to be admired. I was waving the camera at three House Martins at Skibberhoull this evening with the usual results! After circling around laughing they eventually took pity on me and sat down on a garage roof for a bit. Single Spotted Flycatcher, Common Redstart and a few Chiffchaffs were the only other migrants seen today.

19th May 2016

Still quiet here

Female Subalpine Warbler sp. at Hamister, 8/5/16.        photo by Brian Marshall

There's good reason for the two month gap on this site, I have either been away or seen nothing when home. Three weeks at the blue whiting fishing west of St Kilda produced an adult Pomarine Skua 29/3 and a Great Shearwater 9/4. Best bird at home in my absence was the above female Subalpine Warbler sp.  found by Brian on the evening of 8/5 though it disappeared almost immediately. Been home a few days now but still very quiet, things must surely improve soon?

17th March 2016

Mistle Thrush

Mistle Thrush at long range through a fence!

A Mistle Thrush was at Isbister today though very wary, flying long distances at the smallest disturbance. Managed a few long range record shots through a fence but had no luck trying to sneak up on it. Not much else seen in the last few weeks with the exception being a Black throated Diver found by Paul Harvey and Brian off Vatshoull 28/2 which was a first island record since November 2011.

23rd February 2016

Same stuff different day

Adult Glaucous Gull at Hamister on 22nd.

The Taiga Bean Goose still in the Brough/Burns area.

Nothing new to report, the Taiga Bean Goose is still hanging around the Brough/Burns area and there are a few white winged gulls present. There were five Iceland Gulls and two Glaucous Gulls at the Symbister salmon cages today, all first winter birds with an adult Glaucous Gull at Hamister yesterday.

11th February 2016

More Taiga Bean Goose photos

A few more photos of the Taiga Bean Goose which is moving around the Brough/Burns area. Heading to sea at 10 pm for another mackerel trip.

10th February 2016

Taiga Bean Goose

With a Greylag for comparison.             photo by Brian Marshall

A Taiga Bean Goose was in a field just South of the SHOARD shop at Brough today and will be a first confirmed record of this race for Whalsay if accepted.

3rd February 2016

No closer to solving the Gull riddle

A gull!

Three Pink-footed Geese still at Brough

Iceland Gull still around Symbister

Still no nearer to resolving the issue of the Hamister Gull. Expert opinion suggests that there are to many anomalies in the plumage for the bird to be accepted as an American Herring Gull, (chequered rather than dark greater coverts, too much white in the tail etc...) but then again as one of the top guys said " it is an even poorer fit for Argentatus Herring Gull" !!! All very confusing and annoying. Unless it sheds a feather or two it is heading towards being a non bird.

1st February 2016

Hamister Gull

On 28th of January a dark  gull appeared outside our house at Hamister. Thinking it looked pretty good for an American Herring Gull I have been taking photos for the last few days and sending them off to various experts on the subject. As you can see above lots of pics have been taken in varying light conditions making the bird look different in nearly every shot.  Everyone agrees it is an "interesting bird" a few thinking it is a dark Argentatus type Herring Gull with others saying American and some fence sitting in between. There is no doubt it isn't a "classic" Smithsonianus but I still think that's where my money lies. I wait to be proved wrong as I admit to knowing little about it. Any American gull experts reading this with any comments whether yey or nay please email me at angela@geiranger.plus.com . American Herring Gull would be a Shetland first if proven as such!

24th January 2016

Tundra Bean Geese

Three Tundra Bean Geese were at the burns today. This species is now regarded as scarce instead of what used to be a fairly rare bird.

22nd January 2016

Orcas and Pilot Whales NW of the Hebrides

Orca

Pilot Whales

Glaucous Gull in Lerwick harbour 19/1/16

Back from a fishing trip and a pod of over forty Pilot Whales and twenty two Orcas were seen in a position roughly 33 miles NW from the Butt of Lewis on the 19th January

7th January 2016

Iceland Gull

Almost an ok photo if I hadn't taken its wingtip off!

Three Pink-footed Geese at Brough today.

A fairly typical day atm.      SE winds at Isbister  photo by Chloe Irvine

A first winter Iceland Gull was around Symbister yesterday giving me both the common-ish  white wingers for the year. A Woodcock was also at Skaw yesterday .

4th January 2016

Glaucous Gull

A first winter Glaucous Gull was at Hamister today, helping itself to the remains of our dinner. Caught up with the three Pink-footed Geese at Brough yesterday as well.

2nd January 2016

Dark bellied Brent Goose

A couple of long range and crap photos of a dark bellied Brent Goose which was at Skaw today. Good to get on the year list as they are not annual on the isle although we have managed to record at least one in all of the last four years . Four Little Auks were off Symbister yesterday though there is no sign so far of the White fronted or Pink-footed Geese which were around Brough a few days ago.

31st December 2015

Whalsay bird review 2015

January   

Birds hanging on from 2014 included a couple of Iceland Gulls in the Hamister/Symbister area, Great Tit at Symbister/Gardentown and a pale bellied Brent Goose moving between Skibberhoull and the Houb till 9/1. Two Goosanders were at the Houb from 2-18/1. A Waxwing visited Saltness then Symbister 3/1 with overwintering Dunnocks at Symbister and Hamister. Thirty Snow Buntings remained at Hamister from late 2014. A first winter Glaucous Gull was around the Symbister salmon cages from 14-17/1 with a Little Auk there on the latter date.

 

February 

Very little of interest was seen, three Iceland Gulls were around all month with two at Symbister and one at Skaw. The Great Tit was in the Symbister area all month, a Woodpigeon was at Vatshoull 16/2 with the first Red throated Diver back on west loch of Skaw on 24/2.

 

 

March 

A Great Grey Shrike and Mistle Thrush were at Skaw 18/3 with pretty much nothing else till a few Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs appeared in the last few days of the month

Great Tit

April 

Another absolutely dire month. A Pink footed Goose was at Challister 10/4 with a male Sparrowhawk at Skaw 18/4. A Hawfinch was at a garden feeder at Gardentown from 26-27/4.

May

The first of a few Ring Ouzels and a Tundra Bean Goose was at Skaw 3/5. A scatter of common migrants appeared 4/5 with a Hawfinch at Skaw, Kestrel at Isbister, a Sparrowhawk at Hamister and the first Arctic Tern on Vatshoull loch. The first Sedge Warbler was at Sandwick and Pied Flycatcher at Gardentown 5/5. Long eared Owls were at Skibberhoull 6/5 and Skaw 7/5. A Peregrine was eating a Red Grouse north of Vatshoull 8/5. Five Tree Sparrows were at Skaw 11/5 with one of these trapped 16/5. A pair of Linnets were at Sandwick 18/5 with a Black tailed Godwit at Vatshoull loch 22/5. A female Brambling at Hamister 26-29/5 was bearing a German ring from Heligoland and had been controlled a few weeks before. A colour ringed Turnstone 28/5 on Easter Nettlar beach, Skaw Taing  had been trapped 22/11/14 on Heligoland seen regularly there till 18/5/15 and seen back there on 6th September. Our first Hobby for many years bombed past Easter Nettlar 28/5 while looking for the Turnstone.

June

A male Ruff in breeding dress was at Skaw Taing and a Tree Pipit at Sodom 1/6. 2/6 yielded a singing male Bluethroat at Isbister, Icterine Warblers at Skaw, Lubba and Marrister and Red backed Shrikes at Skaw, Sandwick and Isbister. A bat sp. was seen briefly at Whitefield 5/6 with a Black Redstart at Brough 6/6. 8/6 was a good day with a Greenish Warbler at Skaw, a male Common Rosefinch at North Park and fifteen Mute Swans (eleven on Vatshoull loch and four on Sandwick loch). Two Red necked Phalaropes were seen briefly at Vatshoull 9/6 before being found again at Skaw a few days later. Amazingly a first breeding attempt was undertaken, a nest of four eggs was monitored from distance but unfortunately doomed to failure. Another breeding first was a Siskin pair which  successfully reared one chick in the Skaw plantation. An Icterine Warbler was at Hamister 12/6. Bird of the year was a female Eyebrowed Thrush seen and photographed by Carolyn and Johnnie Simpson in their garden at Saeter on 20/6.  This was an island first but missed by all birders. Just to rub salt in the wounds a Thrush sp. was flushed at long range the next day and was very likely the bird but was never seen again. The month was rounded off by a first summer Hobby roosting on a Symbister window sill at 10:45pm on 30/6.

 

Bluethroat at Isbister

Greenish warbler at Skaw

Female Red Necked Phalarope at Skaw

Male Red necked Phalarope

Common Rosefinch at North Park             photo by Johnnie Simpson

Eyebrowed Thrush at Saeter       Photo by Carolyn Simpson

Hobby at Symbister           photo by Ian Reid

July

The years only Common Crossbill was in the Skaw plantation for a few days from 2/7. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was at Gardentown briefly 3/7 and a Bar tailed Godwit visited north loch of Skaw 14/7. Bird of the month went to an unseasonal Golden Oriole 21/7 which visited a few gardens in the Hamister/North Park area but refused to sit out and have its photo taken.

August

The usual trickle of waders early in the month with quite a few Ruff, Greenshank 6/8 and five Bar tailed Godwits at the houb 7/8. An early Common Whitethroat was at Whitefield 9/8. A Hawfinch was at Saltness 14/8 with two together at Whitefield next day. A couple of Reed Warblers at Hamister 16/8 were the first of the year. A Cuckoo was at Whitefield 17/8 and a Wood Warbler at Marrister 18/8 with another at Houll 19/8. Also on 19/8 four Red backed Shrikes were seen with two at Skaw and two at Isbister, four Wrynecks, three at Skaw and one at Sandwick, an Icterine Warbler at Skaw and the years only Sand Martin at Sandwick. The first of a few Barred Warblers was at Skaw 21/8 and the years second Hummingbird Hawkmoth at Brough 22/8. On 24/8 a Cuckoo was at Skibberhoull and a Green Sandpiper and two Icterine Warblers at Skaw. I was away for a bit after this date though BM had a Spotted Redshank at Skaw 25/8.

September

The first two Yellow browed Warblers for the year were at Skaw 10/9 with a Barred Warbler.  11/9 saw a Red breasted Flycatcher and first winter Little Gull at Skaw and a Red backed shrike at Isbister. Another island first was found 12/9 and after the carry on with the Eyebrowed Thrush in June it was good that we all saw the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler which was seen then trapped in the Skaw plantation. It remained there till16/9 but was extremely skulking and usually heard rather than seen. A Little Stint on Easter nettlar beach, Skaw Taing 14/9 was the only record this year. Little of note was seen till 22/9 when a Red flanked Bluetail was seen very briefly in a Whitefield garden and a Turtle Dove at Sodom then Whitefield.  An incredibly skulking Blyth`s Reed Warbler was in a few Symbister gardens 27/9. A Richards Pipit was at Brough 28/9 with presumably the same bird refound at Vevoe 30/9. A Little Bunting was at Brough 29-30/9.

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler at Skaw

October

A Grey Shrike sp. bombed out of a Sandwick garden 7/10 but was lost. Cath Simpsons report of a "Pipit sized Thrush with Song Thrush markings" in her Symbister garden 8/10 sounded very interesting but was again relegated to the ranks of ones that got away. A flypast Stock Dove in the same area was the first for a few years but little consolation. A Short eared Owl was in the Houb area also on 8/10. The years only record of two Barnacle Geese was at Vatshoull 9/10 with a Little Bunting at the burns the same day. 12/10 saw a Great Grey Shrike on the wires at Creadyknowe with a Grey Plover amongst a Goldie flock on the Skaw golf course. Only another Short eared Owl on 17/10 in the Brough Quarry was notable before heading away for a month to the mackerel fishing.

November

With Brian and myself away for most of the month this is going to be brief! Jon Dunn found Whalsays second Little Egret on the pool at Symbister 9/11 and a Common Scoter on Sandwick loch  15/11. A Peregrine was at Skaw Taing 21/11 and a few Little Auks turned up towards the months end with twelve off Symbister 28/11 the best count.

December

An Iceland gull was at Symbister 3/12. Our second Waxwing of the year was at Gardentown 5/12 and like the individual in January didn't hang on till I got there to see it. A Glaucous Gull was at Symbister also on 5/12. An unseasonal Goldfinch was at Skaw 12-14/12 with three Pink footed Geese over Skaw the same day before taking up residence at Brough for a while. A huge count by Whalsay standards was that of fifty! Little Auks flying South past Brians house at Marrister in just thirty five minutes on 21/12. A Greenland White fronted Goose at Brough with a few Greylags was he last addition to the year list on 22-26/12. A Glaucous Gull was at Vatshoull and a Peregrine at Skaw on 23/13. A Jack Snipe was at Hamister 26/12. Three European White fronted Geese were at Brough 29/12 and will hopefully hang on for next years list.

Little Bunting at the Burns

Great grey Shrike at Creadyknowe

Little Egret at Symbister           photo   www.jondunn.com

This is my fifth time of keeping a Whalsay year list and my first effort of 151 in 2011 is still the best. This years total of 144 unfortunately sets a new low but with no birds around for long periods what can you do? Birds seen on the Island but missed by me were - Common Scoter, Little Egret, Spotted Redshank, Sand Martin, Waxwing, Eyebrowed Thrush (woe), Common Rosefinch and Mistle Thrush. Common birds unrecorded this year were - Shelduck, Scaup, Storm Petrel, Water Rail, Moorhen, Common Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Stonechat, Jackdaw, Rook, Greenfinch and Yellowhammer. Eyebrowed Thrush and Eastern Olivaceous Warbler raised the Island list total to 302 species though all birders missing the former was depressing. Siskins bred successfully for the first time rearing a single chick in the Skaw plantation. One of the most exciting events was the discovery of four eggs in a Red necked Phalarope nest but this was doomed to failure which was a great shame.

29th December 2015

White fronted Geese

European White fronted Geese at Brough

Whooper Swan at Skaw

On 22nd December an adult Greenland white fronted Goose was in a field at Brough with a few Greylags. It was always at long range so my photos were pretty bad.  Today this bird was replaced by three European race birds in better light and closer to the road. Am hoping they stay put so I can add them to next years list in a few days.

15th December 2015

Rufous Turtle Dove in Scalloway

Although I am not much into twitching I decided to go for the long staying Rufous Turtle Dove which has been in a Scalloway garden for about three weeks now. A fairly approachable bird and only a second record for Shetland.

12th December 2015

Christmas Goldfinch

Seal pup on Easter Nettlar beach, Skaw Taing

Shy     photo by Angela

Amused    Photo by Angela

There's not been much news for a while,a few Little Auks have been around the shore with best count so far being twelve off Symbister on 28/11. A first winter Iceland Gull has been at Symbister a few times since 3/12 with a first winter Glaucous Gull also there on 5/12. Whalsays second Waxwing of the year was at Gardentown 5/12 and like the individual in January didn't hang around till I saw it. Bird of the month so far was at Skaw today with a nice Goldfinch present, hopefully it will hang on till I get better photos than the above!

22nd November 2015

Mackerel fishing

An Orca powering towards our boat. One of a pod of ten animals about two miles east of Foula

Little Egret at Symbister   photo by Jon Dunn (www.jondunn.com)

Waxwing at Westerloch, Lerwick

Eider in Lerwick harbour

Just back from a four week fishing trip. Wildlife highlight must go to the jammy Orca photo I got when fishing a few miles east of Foula on 27th October. There were about ten animals around the boat and I got lucky with one which came straight at us at a rate of knots. We landed most of our fish in Lerwick and a pair of Waxwings were seen and photographed on 8th November at Westerloch when out for a stroll. The best bird missed at home during this period was undoubtedly Whalsays 2nd Little Egret which was, like the other record, in the meadow at Symbister on 9th November. Back home now and am still ten species adrift of my best year total so things are looking bad as far as that is concerned.

 12th October 2015

Great Grey Shrike

Two new birds for the year were seen today, a Grey Plover with the Goldie flock on the golf course and the above Great Grey Shrike at Brough. The latter bird was especially good to catch up with after the Grey Shrike sp. at Sandwick a few days ago.

9th October 2015

Another Little Bunting

A fairly quiet day today with a Little Bunting found by Brian at the burns, bird of the day. Two Barnacle Geese at the Vatshoull loch was a year tick and three Yellow browed Warblers were also seen.

8th October 2015

Short eared Owl

Photo         Brian Marshall

A day of missed opportunities today after failing to refind a Grey Shrike sp. which bombed out of a Sandwick garden yesterday in terrible windy and rainy conditions. Worse was to follow when Cath Simpson told me of a"pipit sized Thrush" in her garden which she had watched at close range from her kitchen window. It apparently had "Song Thrush" markings and looked very much like a Swainsons Thrush when checking her field guide! Needless to say nothing was found. A Stock Dove past Symbister was a poor substitute but still the first island record for a few years and a Short eared Owl gave me and Brian a prolonged flypast at Brough. Eleven Yellow browed Warblers were found today with good numbers of Goldcrests and Blackcaps. The lens for my own camera has made it back to Lerwick at last so am looking forward to getting it back tomorrow evening and getting back to taking my trademark semi blurred photos.

30th September 2015

Richards Pipit

Richards Pipit          Photo Peter Stronach

Lesser Redpoll          photo Peter Stronach

Another day of fresh SW winds so little new was found. Andy and Peter found what was presumably the same Richards Pipit from Challister two days ago. It was showing really well in a field of short grass at Vevoe and everybody got good views. A Lesser Redpoll was in the Skaw plantation and is also a very scarce bird on Whalsay. Not much else to report - the Little Bunting was still on site on its weedy patch at Brough, a total of thirteen Yellow browed warblers were seen for the day and constant small parties of Pink footed Geese added up to 792 by the days end.

29th September 2015

A few good birds

Blyth's reed Warbler at Symbister          Photo Peter Stronach

Little Bunting at Brough        photo Peter Stronach

Peter Stronach and Andy Seth are on the island for a weeks birding and as usual have hit the ground running despite SW winds and few birds present. On the 27th they found the most skulking and uncooperative Blyth's Reed warbler ever, in the gardens in the Symbister shop area. It would sit tight in the centre of bushes never coming to the outside then shoot off if disturbed. A grey/brown missile was the sum total of my afternoons viewing! The 28th saw myself with the rest of the crew in Lerwick taking aboard nets for the impending mackerel season when I got a text that the boys had found a Richards Pipit at Brough. It was highly mobile, calling frequently and last seen flying north towards Challister.  I teamed up with them today and we found a Little Bunting at Brough while trying to refind the pipit. It seems if you can find a migrant at all at the moment it is likely to be something quite good.

22nd September 2015

Brief Bluetail

A good look around today produced little early in the day, the best bird by a mile being aTurtle Dove which flushed out of the Sodom plantation and headed towards Whitefield. The early evening seemed better with Yellow browed Warblers pretty much in every decent sized sycamore visited. At 6pm Willie and Christine Irvine's big garden at Whitefield was to be my last port of call as I hoped to refind the dove there. I was watching a few Yellow broweds in a sycamore and was trying to decide whether there was two or three birds present when another bird appeared facing directly away from me. A Robin-like shape, brown back and cobalt blue tail could be seen so it was fairly obvious what I was looking at  even before it turned around showing off its orange/red flank patches, brownish grey cheeks and breast band framing a small whitish bib and large black eye with whitish eye-ring. I had to leave the bird and head to higher ground to get a mobile signal and despite Brian setting off straight away the little sod was never seen again. This is Whalsays fifth Red flanked Bluetail and fourth record in the last ten years after single birds at Skaw in 2006, 2010 and 2012. The first Shetland record was also found at Skaw on 7th October 1947 making this the first for the island away from that area.

18th September 2015

The Skaw plantation 2004- 2015

Sardinian Warbler 30/5/04        Photo Jon Dunn

Paddyfield Warbler 12/6/06   Photo Jon Dunn

Pallas`s Grasshopper Warbler 2/10/06   photo  Peter Stronach

Firecrest   31/3/08    Photo Brian Marshall

Radde`s Warbler  8/10/10  Photo Jason Atkinson

Arctic Warbler 27/6/12

Lanceolated Warbler 25/9/12

Red flanked Bluetail 27/9/12

Olive backed Pipit  30/9/13

Blyth's Reed Warbler  28/5/14

Greenish Warbler  8/6/15

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler 12/9/15

Shetland is well known as one of the foremost migration hotspots in Britain. Whalsay does quite well but it has to be admitted that we are regularly seen off by Fair Isle, Unst, Foula and the South mainland. This may be so but is there a better site anywhere for small passerines( and Warblers in particular) than our own Skaw plantation. Here is a list of some of the rarer stuff in the last decade or so......

Sardinian Warbler 30/5/04.  Paddyfield Warbler (3) 12/6/06, 17/8/08, 1/9/14.  Pallas`s Grasshopper Warbler  2/10/06.  Blyth's Reed Warbler (3) 3/6/07, 24/9/12, 28/5/14.  Firecrest 31/3/08. Red flanked Bluetail (2)  30/9/10, 27/9/12.  Radde`s Warbler 8/10/10.  Arctic Warbler (2) 27/6/12, 23/6/13.  Lanceolated Warbler 25/9/12. Olive backed Pipit 30/9/13.  Greenish Warbler 8/6/15.  Eastern Olivaceous Warbler 12/9/15. Dare say I have forgotten something and this list excludes the many Red backed Shrikes, Bluethroats, Red breasted Flycatchers, Wrynecks, Icterine and Wood Warblers etc but this must be pretty good for a 50x10m site.

 

16th September 2015

Icterine Warbler

With the big lens still at Canon for another week+ yet its going to be "in the hand" pics for a while. An Icterine Warbler was in the trap today and Yellow browed Warblers were at Marrister and Hamister. The Eastern Olivaceous Warbler is still present in the plantation but is ridiculously skulking with only its "chick-chick" call to go on for the last two days.

12th September 2015

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler

Me (left) and Peter helping Brian (arm) get the nets up.       Photo Jon Dunn

Met up with Peter Stronach who is up in Shetland for a bit of birding and had decided on a day on Whalsay. Peter seems to have a "pied piper" effect where rare birds are concerned so along with Jon Dunn we started off in the Skaw plantation and almost immediately flushed an interesting Booted/Sykes's/ Olivaceous  type Warbler which was constantly calling if not showing very well. Brian appeared and set up two nets though catching it proved no easy task. The consensus was firmly towards Eastern Olivaceous Warbler and so it proved when the bird eventually gave itself up. This is a first Whalsay record, 8th for Shetland and apparently still only the 20th seen in Britain.

11th September 2015

Camera woes

Just back from the herring fishing and after sending my lens away to Canon two and a half weeks ago was expecting it to be waiting for me when I got in. When I phoned up I was told they still hadn't even got the parts let alone fix the - thing. Service eh?  Anyway birds:-

The years first Red breasted Flycatcher was in the Skaw plantation today with a Yellow browed Warbler and a Barred Warbler. Another Barred Warbler was at roadside (also Skaw) and a first winter Little Gull was with a party of 20+ juvenile Arctic Terns close inshore below the heligoland trap area. A Red backed Shrike was at Isbister with the South of the island pretty quiet.

19th August 2015

Wrynecks

We are enjoying a good period of SE winds at the moment with four Wrynecks seen today, three at Skaw and one at Sandwick. Four Red backed Shrikes were also seen, two at Skaw and two at Isbister. Reed Warblers were at Sandwick and Isbister with an Icterine Warbler at Skaw and a Wood Warbler at Houll. Brian had a flythrough Sand Martin at Sandwick which I still need for the year and time is running out. The above photos were taken using Brians lens as my own one is at the doctor just now and will be a big miss with so many migrants on the move.

3rd August 2015

Mixed fortunes for first time breeders

Red Necked Phalaropes

Courtship display

Two species attempted to breed for the first time on Whalsay this year. First up was the Siskin pair which successfully reared one chick in the Skaw plantation. The young bird was seen flying around with the adults before all three moved on in early July. Unfortunately the big story of the spring was to ultimately prove unsuccessful.  When Harry and Lowrie Paton found a pair of Red Necked Phalaropes at Vatshoull on the 9th of June it was a first island record in thirteen years. Brian refound them a few days later on a small pool on the golf course and we breathed a sigh of relief not to have missed such a rare and attractive pair of birds. Then on the 17th they were seen in active courtship display and we still thought "surely not" but decided to stop reporting our sightings and keep an eye on them from distance. On 29/6  the male bird was flushed from a tussock by an alarm calling Oystercatcher and a quick look revealed four eggs. Again the nest site was kept secret and monitored from long range but with no further sign after the first week of July the excitement was short lived.

21st July 2015

Another mystery bird competition photo

Haha what do you reckon that is.

Juvenile Wheatear at Skaw.

Don't be fooled by all the sea in the top photo this bird has just come shooting out of a bush at Hamister allowing me to get off one pin sharp shot. Despite seeing it once or twice after this it had the annoying habit of sitting out of sight and then bombing off miles away so nothing better was managed tonight. I will just have to hope I can refind it tomorrow as it is a bit of a leap of faith to believe that this is in fact a Golden Oriole! Despite being annual in Shetland in small numbers this is the first individual on Whalsay since one found at Skaw then Marrister by Peter Stronach on 30th May 2009. According to "The Birds Of Shetland" July records are very rare with only five records up until 2004 with todays Whalsay bird the latest of these by over a week.

2nd July 2015

Common Crossbill

Juvenile Siskin at Skaw

The first Common Crossbill for the year was in the Skaw plantation today. Intriguingly a pair of Siskins have also been present there since at least the 4th of May and now there's a juvenile appeared with them. This would be a first breeding record for the island if proven as such.

30th June 2015

Roosting Hobby

Hobby     photo by Ian Reid

My best effort in near darkness.

I was watching telly at 10:45pm tonight when I got a text from my sister Carol Ann who lives at Symbister, " there's a funny bird asleep on our window ledge". With no further details I hurried to the scene but as usual it had flown off. I was very surprised when her husband Ian showed me the back of his camera with point blank images of a Hobby!  Luckily it hadn't gone far and I got pretty good views in the gathering gloom though my own photos were terrible.

21st June 2015

Fathers Day blues

Eyebrowed Thrush              Photos by Carolyn Simpson

Yesterday morning (20th) Carolyn and Johnny Simpson looked into their garden at Saeter to see an unfamiliar bird hopping around on the lawn. After a look through their field guide they were still none the wiser so Carolyn took a few photos. The bird was present for about three hours but they decided it was probably something common and it was soon forgotten. The next morning the photos were shown to their neighbours who called Jon Dunn to come and take a look. Soon after this an excited Jon called to say he was looking at photos of an Eyebrowed Thrush so myself and Brian hurried to the scene. On our first circuit of the Saeter council estate a Thrush bombed off at long range. The view was very poor and the likes of Redwing certainly couldn't be ruled out but as none of us have seen Redwing or Song Thrush for a number of weeks now it seems very likely to have been the Eyebrowed.  Anyway the rest of the day has been spent going round in circles getting increasingly depressed. This is a fourth record for Shetland and an addition to the Whalsay list. We hope to refind it tomorrow but the chances look pretty slim.

17th June 2015

Phalarope pair on Muddy loch

Brian found a pair of Red necked Phalaropes on muddy loch, Skaw Taing this morning which may or may not be the two seen at Vatshoull 9/6. Really pleased to see them anyway.

9th June 2015

Red necked Phalaropes

Both photos by  Lowrie Paton

Despite the fact Whalsay is within a stones throw of Fetlar where a few pairs breed annually, Red necked Phalarope records are very rare on here. Lowrie and Harry Paton had two birds fly in to the beach at Vatshoull today where they were working on their boat. Me and Brian were summoned but missed them by minutes which was a pity as the last record was of a juvenile found by Linda Marshall at west loch of Skaw on the 29th of July 2002.

8th June 2015

Greenish Warbler and Common Rosefinch

Greenish Warbler

Common Rosefinch         Photo Johnny Simpson

 

Mute Swans on Vatshoull loch

A Greenish Warbler was in the Skaw plantation today. This has been a bumper spring in  Shetland for a species usually very rare at this season. Attempts to photograph it was hard going and I only managed a few long range = blurred record shots. Johnny Simpson had a nice male Common Rosefinch in his garden at North Park but it had moved on before I got there.  Other news concerned a flock of fifteen Mute Swans which had been seen on Out Skerries yesterday before visiting Whalsay today with eleven on Vatshoull loch and the other four seen heading South over Symbister before taking up residence on Sandwick loch. This is still a rare bird on the island and fifteen is easily as many as I have seen in all my years on here previously.

2nd June 2015

 

Bluethroat, Icterine Warblers and Red backed Shrikes

Some SE winds at last and a few decent migrants appeared today. A singing male Bluethroat was at Isbister and Icterine Warblers were mist netted at Skaw and Lubba with another in Brian's garden at Marrister. A female Red backed Shrike was at Skaw with males at Isbister and Sandwick.

28th May 2015

Ringing recoveries and a flythrough Hobby

Photo Brian Marshall

Tree Pipit at Skaw

Brambling has been at Hamister for the last three days and is bearing a ring from Heligoland in Germany. The problem is trying to see the whole number in the field but lots of poor quality photos have been sent to the BTO with the bird at various angles so hopefully they will be able to piece it all together. Staying with the ringing theme Brian found a Turnstone  clad in colour rings on East  Nettlar beach, Skaw Taing today so hopefully details of both birds will be received in due course. I went to have a look for the Turnstone at about 5pm and was out of luck or so I thought.  I was scanning the mixed flock of Turnstones and Dunlins when they suddenly flushed as a Hobby went shooting past!  Hopes of a record shot were dashed as it continued north in the direction of Yell and I watched it until it was just a speck in the distance. I have only seen this species once on Whalsay, sometime in the 70s sitting on a fencepost on the hillside above my parents house at Saltness.

26th  May 2015

Iceland Gull revisited

Nothing remotely interesting to report, shite weather and an Iceland Gull at Symbister...... Trainspotting anyone!

22nd May 2015

Black tailed Godwit

If, in the last week or so of May you find yourself looking out to sea with a telescope things cant be good! There has been a pretty good passage of Pomarine and Long tailed Skuas on the west side of Shetland but as usual seawatching from Whalsay is a complete waste of time. This is easily the worst spring migration EVER on here, by this stage I am usually on at least 110 species but have only limped up to 93 at present and the forecast doesn't look at all helpful for the foreseeable future. A handsome Black tailed Godwit at Vatshoull today was always something I suppose.

16th May 2015

Tree Sparrows

In the past Tree Sparrow was considered a very rare bird on Whalsay with only very occasional records in my lifetime before 2011. There seems to be a slight upturn in fortunes with records in four of the last five years and five birds at Skaw 11/5 beats the four seen at Hamister last year. Three  are still present with Brian managing to trap the individual above after baiting the heligoland with seed, this being a Whalsay "ringing tick" and his first caught anywhere in well over forty years!

8th May 2015

Killer on the loose

The culprit fleeing the scene of the crime!

The victim.

Heading up the island today I flushed a very large female Peregrine from the roadside north of Vatshoull, dropping an unfortunate Red Grouse in the process. I parked on the hillside overlooking the kill hoping for something a bit better than the crap silhouette shot above but despite a couple of distant flypasts the wary predator wouldn't play ball. I gave up after a two hour stakeout and needless to say on my return after tea the grouse had been eaten.

7th May 2015

Moose

A Moose at Skaw

Whinchat at Isbister 6/5.

The winds are now in the west and a real pig of an evening it is too. Long eared Owls were at Skibberhoull yesterday and in the Skaw plantation this morning but neither had any intentions of posing for the camera. Still a good selection of common migrants in the Skaw plantation including the above fearless moose and a Ring Ouzel.

5th May 2015

More common migrants

Pied Flycatcher at Gardentown

Despite continuing Easterly winds there appeared to be very few new migrants in today. A Sedge Warbler at Sandwick and a smart male Pied Flycatcher at Gardentown was as close to exciting as things got.     Oh well its raining heavily tonight and the winds are still good. Tomorrow......(again!).

4th May 2015

A few common migrants

Sparrowhawk at Hamister

Chiffchaff at Skaw

It is a relief to have an easterly breeze at last and a few common migrants have appeared. Bird of the day was probably Jon Dunns Hawfinch which was briefly in his garden at Skaw in the morning. Ring Ouzels were at Skaw and Hamister, a Sparrowhawk was also at Hamister and a Kestrel at Isbister. The first Arctic Tern was, as usual on Vatshoull loch and a decent scatter of common migrants was also seen. A Tundra Bean Goose was at Skaw yesterday and is always good to get on the year list. More Easterlies are forecast for tomorrow so we hope for a quality bird soon.

26th April 2015

Hawfinch

Starling

Rock Dove

The weather is still disrupting migration here on Shetland with raw  west to north winds and we even had a flurry of snow yesterday morning. Despite the weather a Hawfinch turned up on feeders at Gardentown this morning. This is a commoner bird these days but still less than annual on the island.

13th April 2015

Still alive

The long staying  Iceland Gull at Hamister.

Its well over two months since my last post on here for the simple reason that there has been absolutely nothing to report. A trip to the blue whiting fishing in March turned up no Shearwaters this time and coincided with Brian finding a Great Grey Shrike and Mistle Thrush at Skaw 18/3 but that has been the sum total of excitement in the last ten weeks. Brian had a Pink footed Goose  at Challister 10/4 which I missed, only finding a couple of Pied Wagtails there the next day. Still no Wheatears though my first two Bonxies were drifting over Symbister this morning.

10th February 2015

Home again

Common Dolphins off Barra, Western Isles on 5th February

Kinda blurred, pity.

Back home today after a couple of mackerel trips. Nothing interesting bird wise but had a few parties of Common Dolphins off Barra, Western Isles 5/2 which I estimated as at least fifty animals.

12th January 2015

Winter storms

Iceland Gull at North Voe

It had to happen! raging storms battering us at the moment with disruption to our ferry service and a few power cuts but its January so what's new. A couple of Iceland Gulls have taken up residence below our house at the North Voe with a few Snow Buntings and the two Goosanders still about.

7th January 2015

Update

Dunnock at Symbister

Redwing at Hamister

My mother phoned on the morning of the 3rd to say a Waxwing had just flown from the back of their house at Saltness. As I had managed to miss this species in 2014 I hurried to the scene  but was too late. On widening the search what was presumably the same pale bellied Brent Goose as seen from Brough to Skaw last year was in a field at Skibberhoull. The Waxwing then reappeared in Cath Simpsons garden at Symbister and yet again refused to hang on for my arrival though a Great Tit was a decent year tick with a Dunnock also there. The Goosanders reappeared briefly on Vatshoull loch on the 4th and 20 Snow Buntings were at Hamister on 5th. A weekend of storms awaits it seems!

2nd January 2015

Goosanders

Two Goosanders (rear two birds) with a pair of Mergansers.

Two  Goosanders were off the houb today and are the first island records for a couple of years. The front bird is obviously an adult female with the one at the back a possible first winter due to its lack of a prominent crest, very little white on the throat and duller red bill.

1st January 2015

Happy new year

Iceland Gull outside our garden wall at Hamister.

Had a quick look in the morning for any decent leftovers, e.g Brent Goose or Pomarine Skua without success. At least the Iceland Gull is still hanging on at Hamister, coming to dine on the remains of our dinner this afternoon.

31st December 2014

Whalsay bird review 2014

January   

An Iceland Gull was at Symbister from 3/1 and a Pink footed Goose appeared amongst the Greylag flock at Skaw from 6/1. I caught up with the overwintering Great spotted Woodpecker at Gardentown 12/1 but missed an unseasonal male Blackcap at Marrister 13/1. Also unusual for January was the male Black Redstart at Isbister 14/1. A Shetland wide influx of Tundra Bean Geese began 20/1 with five  at Vatshoull loch and a maximum of eight birds were at Brough the next day. A Little Auk was off Skaw 21/1. 23/1 produced a Long eared Owl at Gardentown after last years blank. An adult Little Gull was at Vatshoull loch 24/1 with female Common Scoter off Sandwick the same day. A Bar tailed Godwit was at Challister and a Waxwing at Hamister 30/1.

February  

Four Barnacle Geese were at Brough 2/2 with a first winter Little Gull and a Short eared owl at Skaw next day.  Two Brent Geese were at the north voe 8/2. Bird of the month in Whalsay terms was the male Gadwall at Vevoe 9/2. A few Tundra Bean Geese remained all month with a maximum of five 13/2.  A Shelduck was at the houb from 16-25/2. A pale bellied Brent Goose was amongst the Skaw Greylags from 17/2. A first winter Glaucous Gull was at the Symbister salmon cages 22/2.

March

Long stayers were the Symbister Iceland Gull till 7/3 and the pale Bellied Brent goose at Skaw till 8/3.  Little else was seen in a typically quiet month.

Black Redstart, Isbister 14th January

Adult Little Gull at Vatshoull loch 24/1

Tundra Bean Geese at Brough in late January sometime.

April

A female Yellowhammer at Marrister and a flypast Grey Wagtail at Hamister 6/4 were notable. Our first returning Wheatears were at Hamister and Skaw 7/4. A Greenshank at Symbister 12/4 was early and the first of a few Ring Ouzels was at Hamister 21/4. The 22nd saw a Black tailed Godwit at Symbister, Wryneck at Marrister and a very early Turtle Dove which was at Tripwell before heading off towards Brough. Three more Wrynecks were recorded for the month with birds at Skaw(24th) Pouster (25th) and Isbister (28th).  A Green Sandpiper was at west loch of Skaw 25/4. A Moorhen was at Isbister loch briefly on 28/4. A colour ringed Whimbrel was at west loch of Skaw 29/4 and had been rung as an adult female on Fetlar in 2010. Interestingly it had been photogaphed on a beach in Guinea Bissau! a few months prior to its Whalsay visit.

May

A Long eared Owl flew high over Skaw 2/5. A Sedge Warbler was at Skaw 9/5 with the only other individual seen in the Red Grind quarry 31/5. A Hoopoe played hide and seek at Skaw 12/5. Two Tree Sparrows were at Hamister 15/5 increasing to four birds on 25/5. A drake Pintail and Little Stint were at the houb 18/5.  An elusive male Bluethroat was in the Skaw plantation 19-20/5 with a Cuckoo also there on the second date. An Icterine Warbler was in the geo at the head of Clate 26/5 with another bird at Skibberhoull 30/5. Forty one Barnacle Geese flew north over Skaw 27/5. Bird of the month was the Blyth's Reed Warbler trapped in the Skaw heligoland 28/5 and still present next day.

June

The years only Red backed Shrike, a male,  was in the Skaw plantation 3/6 with a brief and elusive Marsh Warbler in the same place 8/6. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was at Hamister 8/6 and was the last interesting migrant in a desperately poor month.

 

Male Bluethroat at Skaw 20/5.

Icterine Warbler, head of Clate, 26/5.

Blyth's Reed Warbler trapped at Skaw 28/5.

July

A quiet month for migrants as usual. Our Arctic Terns fared better with Brian ringing 305 chicks as opposed to one! last year and hopefully this signals an upturn in fortunes for this species.  A few common waders started moving through at the months end with Ruff (29th) and Bar tailed Godwit (30th) amongst the usual modest numbers of Knot and Sanderling

August

A Booted Warbler at Symbister 10-15/8 was a third Whalsay record and two in two years for Cath Simpsons garden. It also equalled the earliest UK date for the species. Also on 10/8 a Wood Sandpiper was at Symbister, a Green Sandpiper at Skaw and the first of a few Kestrels  at Sodom. On 12/8 the years only Sand Martin was at Hamister and a Barred Warbler was at Skaw. A juvenile Shelduck was on the north loch of Skaw briefly 13/8 and a Common Sandpiper was at the houb 16/8. Thing were fairly quiet after this with a Manx Shearwater off Skaw on different dates from 20/8. A Cuckoo was at Sodom 21/8.  Barred and Icterine Warblers were at Skaw 28-29/8 with the same combination at Symbister 30/8.

September

September began in style with an Arctic Warbler at Sandwick and a Paddyfield Warbler netted in the Skaw plantation 1/9. The latter bird being a third island record. A Common Rosefinch was at Skaw 3/9 with two Kestrels also there 7/9. Our second Little Stint of the year was at the houb 9/9 with a Common Rosefinch at Vevoe 12/9.  Red breasted Flycatchers were at Hamister and Sandwick 14/9 and were the first of six birds recorded for the month. The first three Yellow browed Warblers were at Hamister, Skaw and Marrister also on 14/9. A Peregrine flew south past the houb 15/9 with the years only Reed Warbler netted in the Skaw plantation 16/9. A Greenish Warbler was at Sandwick 19-20/9 with the years only Common Whitethroat at Skaw on the second date. A Hawfinch was in the Skaw plantation from 28/9 into October with the first of a few Jack Snipes at Skaw 29/9. A few parties of Pink footed Geese were moving through at this time with 150+ 29/9.

Booted Warbler at Symbister 11/8

Peacock butterfly at Symbister 10/8

Greenish Warbler at Sandwick 20/9.

October

Four pale bellied Brent Geese were at the houb 4/10 with 300 + Pink footed Geese over Symbister in three flocks the same day. A Siberian Stonechat was at Skaw Briefly 6/10. A Treecreeper was at Skibberhoull 7/10 with Short eared Owl at Brough, Little Bunting, six pale bellied Brent Geese, Long Eared Owl and Lapland Bunting at Skaw and a late Common Sandpiper at Sandwick the same day.  An influx of tits began 8/10 with a Great and two Blues at Gardentown with two Goldfinches and a Linnet. A western Stonechat was on the golf course 9/10 with fourteen Barnacle Geese flying over at the same time. A Grasshopper Warbler was in a ditch near the Skaw plantation 11-12/10. A Linnet was at Skaw13/10 with a Mistle Thrush there 18/10. With BM and myself both away the local birdlife went unrecorded towards the months end.

November

Long eared Owls were at Isbister and Skibberhoull 6/11 with a late Garden Warbler at Skaw 7/11. A juvenile Pomarine Skua was at Skaw 10/11 with another bird off Symbister 20/11. Two Tundra Bean Geese were at Skaw for a few days from 14/11 with an Iceland Gull at Symbister from 15/11. A Short eared Owl was on the golf course 17/11 with a long dead individual found on the airstrip at the same time. Little else of interest was added towards the end of the month, a late Great Skua was off Symbister 23/11 and 30 Snow Buntings were at Skaw 26/11.

December

Both Pomarine Skuas were noted 3/12 as far apart as is possible with one north of Skaw and the other south of Symbister. 18 Snow Buntings flew over Hamister 4/12 with 30 in the same place 29/12. A pale bellied Brent Goose was at the burns 8/12 and ranged between Brough and Skaw for the rest of the month. First winter Iceland Gulls were at Hamister and Skaw on 23/12.

Siberian Stonechat at Skaw 6/10

Treecreeper at Skibberhoull 7/10

Blue Tit at Gardentown 8/10

This is now my fourth time keeping a year list on Whalsay and again didn't manage to better my first effort of 151 species in 2011. It seems to be down to what happens in November as in that year I had ten new birds in that month. This year I had one new bird for November and December combined so could only muster 147, equalling my poorest effort in 2012.  As will always happen I missed a few - Gadwall, Peregrine, Turtle Dove, Swift, Hoopoe, Waxwing, Mistle Thrush, Paddyfield Warbler, Arctic Warbler, Wood Warbler and Lapland Bunting. Common birds unrecorded on Whalsay this year were - White fronted Goose, Scaup, Pochard, Goosander, Sparrowhawk, Water Rail, Yellow Wagtail, Rook, Jackdaw, Greenfinch, Common Crossbill and Bullfinch. I also failed to add any new species to my island list, missing the male Gadwall in  February which would have done me. Very little to crow about this season so here's to the Black throated Accentor in 2015!   All the best JLI.

26th December 2014

Brent Goose

The last month on Whalsay has seen constant gales and very few birds. Two Pomarine Skuas were seen 3/11 at Symbister and Skaw and single Iceland Gulls were at Hamister and Skaw 23/12. A pale bellied Brent Goose appeared at the burns 8/12 and is still doing the rounds and photographed at Skaw this morning so it may hang on for next years bird list with any luck.

24th November 2014

Frustration

Chiffchaff at Symbister.

On the 10th of November I got a call from Peter Hughson at Whitefield claiming a Coal Tit on his bird table. I went along but could only find single Great and Blue Tits. Moving on to the evening of the 22nd, Brian was contacted by Harry Poleson at Symbister also apparently seeing a Coal Tit, this time on his peanut feeder. Not realising its rarity value Harry and his wife had been seeing it for  a couple of days before giving Brian a ring. We spent a good portion of yesterday at Symbister only for the bird to turn up five minutes after I went home so I have staked out the garden all day today freezing off my parts for two Chiffchaffs and a Dunnock. It would seem unlikely that both observers are wrong so hopefully we can pin it down soon. The only other Whalsay record was of two birds at Brough on 29th September 1965 when I was four months old!

20th November 2014

European Garden Spider

The Tundra Bean Geese are still at Skaw

Late  White Wagtail at Hamister 19/11.

Cath Simpson phoned on the 18th November about a funny spider in her potting shed at Symbister so I went along and took a few photos. As I know absolutely nothing about these creatures I sent the pics to Mike Pennington at "Nature in Shetland" who identified it as a European Garden Spider though I still don't have a clue if this is in any way unusual? Not a lot of bird news and as I am still four species behind my year list record it seems unlikely to be beaten this season. A Short eared Owl was on the golf course 17/11 with a long dead individual on the airstrip about the same time. A very late White Wagtail was on the dung heap above our house at Hamister yesterday and possibly the same juvenile Pomarine Skua as was  seen at Skaw 10/11 was bullying Kittiwakes offshore below BMs at Marrister today.

14th November 2014

Tundra Bean Geese

Fighting!

A pair of Tundra Bean Geese turned up amongst the Greylag flock at Skaw  this morning and are the first interesting migrants for a few days.  A few Blue and Great Tits are still doing the rounds with Blues at Whitefield and Skibberhoull on 10/11 and Greats at Whitefield, Skibberhoull and Symbister 12/11. A juvenile Pomarine Skua was harassing Kittiwakes close inshore at Skaw 10/11 adding another bird to the year list.

5th November 2014

Photos from mackerel season

Breaching Orca in Yell sound 23/10

Pomarine Skua off Eshaness 1/11.

Glaucous Gull, Yell sound 23/10

Iceland Gull, Yell sound 24/10.

Just back from this seasons mackerel fishing which went well with most trips being taken from Yell sound. 20-30 Orcas were seen on different occasions with birds being represented by a few Glaucous Gulls, Iceland Gulls, Sooty Shearwaters and a lone Pomarine Skua on our last trip off Eshaness 1/11.

11th October 2014

Otters

Tailless Little Bunting still at Skaw.

Pink footed Geese at Challister.

A mother and juvenile otter was a plantation tick for myself today. Bird of the day was a Grasshopper Warbler in the ditch near the plantation and was another addition for the year.

9th October 2014

Western Stonechat

With winds now NE there has been a big clearout of migrants. Brian found bird of the day on the golf course, a "Western" Stonechat which led me a bit of a dance until BM refound it on the sheep cru near the holm of Skaw. A few poor snaps were taken against the light before it disappeared. With the year list now crept up to 145 am hoping for one or two additions before we head to the mackerel fishing shortly.

8th October 2014

Blue Tit invasion

A grotty looking Linnet at Gardentown

One of two Goldfinches which joined the Linnet at Gardentown

An influx of Blue Tits today with seventeen birds throughout Shetland. Our two were together at Gardentown with a Great Tit  two Goldfinches and a Linnet nearby. Our next door neighbours at Hamister had an almost certain Treecreeper in their garden this morning and with the Skibberhoull bird still present, two in a day is unprecedented.

7th October 2014

Treecreeper

Little Bunting at Skaw

A good days birding today with a Treecreeper at Skibberhoull which was a first island record for me since 2000 after missing last years Hamister bird. A tailless Bunting which me and Brian failed to pin down yesterday in the high winds proved to be our first Little Bunting of the year and was overdue with multiple individuals elsewhere on Shetland lately. Both single Long and Short Eared Owls were recorded, the latter being my 140th species for the year. Six pale bellied Brent Geese were at the North loch of Skaw where Jon Dunn also had a Lapland Bunting, a bird I still need for the year. A Common Sandpiper on Sandwick beach was quite late and only our second record this year.

6th October 2014

Siberian Stonechat

A howling South Easter today and the Skaw plantation was utterly heaving with common migrants.  Bird of the day was the Siberian Stonechat which was in the geos below the heligoland and was last seen up around Jon Dunns. Hope to get better pics if it stays around till (if) the winds die down a bit. There must be a good one out there somewhere!

29th September 2014

Hawfinch at dusk

Thirty three Pink footed Geese heading east

Barred Warbler at Skaw looking bored in the rain.

Red breasted Flycatcher at Symbister 23/9, our sixth of the autumn.

A Hawfinch has been in the Skaw plantation off and on since yesterday but completely refuses to sit out and have its picture taken so have had to make do with a long range shot in near darkness this evening. A few parties of Pink footed Geese are on passage at the moment with 120+ over Hamister this morning and 33 over Sandwick at midday. A few rares have turned up elsewhere on Shetland today so hopefully something a bit more interesting will appear on here soon.

20th September 2014

More Greenish Warbler photos

With improved light conditions and the Greenish Warbler being more approachable, I managed a few better photos at Sandwick today. Not that difficult it has to be said!  With winds now in the west and forecasted to stay there for a while, there were less migrants today though four Common Rosefinches was our best day count and a Sedge Warbler at Sandwick was the first for the autumn. A Common Whitethroat at Skaw today was a year tick for myself and seem to be genuinely scarce this year.

19th September 2014

Greenish Warbler

A Greenish Warbler turned up at Sandwick this morning in the same gardens Brian had the Arctic Warbler 1/9. Never managed any decent photos though you can see what it is okay. The fifth Red breasted Flycatcher of the autumn was at Whitefield with five Yellow browed Warblers, two Barred Warblers, Common Rosefinch and Tree Pipit also seen seen today.

17th September 2014

More of the same

Red breasted Flycatcher trapped at Skaw

Another RbF, this one catching flies in an agricultural store at Brough

Yellow browed Warbler at Sandwick

After an overnight deluge and fresh SE winds BM and myself set out for a day in the field with much enthusiasm today. A reasonable scatter of common migrants were found with Red breasted Flycatchers at Skaw and Brough being third and fourth records for the year. Yellow browed Warblers were at Sandwick, Vevoe, Hamister and Isbister with Barred Warbler at Hamister and Reed Warbler at Skaw.  Call me greedy if you will but this was considered fairly disappointing.

14th September 2014

Red breasted Flycatchers

Yellow browed warbler trapped at Skaw.

After no records in 2013 there were two Red breasted Flycatchers found today, at Hamister (pictured above) and Sandwick.  The first Yellow browed Warblers also appeared with singles at Hamister, Marrister and Skaw.

12th September 2014

Bring it on

Common Rosefinch flanked by House Sparrows at Vevoe

Scadsmans heid (Sea Urchin to you) at Skaw.

With the forecast predicting SE winds for the whole of next week and high pressure to the east of us  there surely must be a few interesting migrants about to appear- watch this space!  A Common Rosefinch was a year tick for myself today and was with the local Sparrows at Vevoe. A Barred Warbler was in the Skaw plantation but otherwise quiet so far.

9th September 2014

Little Stint

Came back from the herring fishing 7/9 and had two Kestrels and a Tree Pipit at Skaw. There are a few waders at the Houb today, most notably our second Little Stint of the year with Ruff, Bar tailed Godwit, four Knot and three Sanderling as a supporting cast. Brian also had a Barred Warbler in his garden and I saw another Minke Whale, this time off Isbister.

As usual while I was away Brian had a few good birds - Whalsays third Paddyfield Warbler  trapped in the Skaw plantation and  an Arctic Warbler at Sandwick made 1/9 a very productive day. A Great Shearwater twelve miles west of Cape Wrath 31/8 was my best bird of the trip.

21st August 2014

Peacock butterflies

We have been having a period of Northerlies now for a bit with today being the first bonnie day for a while. Cath Simpson phoned about a pair of Peacock butterflies in her garden though I failed to capture both of them together. Not much in the way of birdlife at the moment though a Manx Shearwater seen from the golf course today and yesterday was a good year tick. A Cuckoo was at Whitefield today as well.

12th August 2014

Barred Warbler

Ruff at Vatshoull loch last night

A Sand Martin was flying around our house this morning just as I had pretty much given up on seeing this species this year. Took a quick photo of the years first Barred Warbler in the heligoland trap at Skaw this afternoon before it was caught and ringed. Happy 70th birthday to Brian Marshall, partner in crime.

10th August 2014

Booted Warbler

A couple of photos appear to show pinkish legs, not so they were a pale grey colour.

This photo taken on 11/8

Peacock at Symbister

After yesterdays deluge with E winds a days migrant hunting beckoned today. A yomp around Skaw in the morning produced Green Sandpiper, Ruff, Pied Flycatcher, 6 Knot, 2 Willow Warblers and a Garden Warbler. A Kestrel at Whitefield was a year tick. The afternoon began with a Wood Sandpiper in the Symbister meadow and I was pleased with this as I seem to have missed this species now for a number of years. A walk around Cath Simpsons garden produced a Peacock butterfly and as I was attempting to get a few shots flushed a "milky tea" coloured Warbler. It was obviously of the Booted warbler group and looked interestingly long billed. A Lesser Whitethroat-like "tek" call was heard a few times though the significance of this was not known at the time.  Brian and Jon were called and the bird mist netted fairly quickly. After thorough measurements/description we were still unsure of it's identity. After a" phone a friend" and much deliberation we called it as a Sykes`s Warbler. Bill length, call and most plumage features looked good for this. There was, however, a feeling of collective uneasiness - why was the super` broad behind the eye for instance. It has now been re-identified as a Booted Warbler, a bird which is seen most years in Shetland though still only a third record for Whalsay. Thanks go to Shetland "heavies" Rob, Paul, Mike and Roger for their helpful comments once the photos came online and a big "up yours" to the Southern twittering trolls for their contributions.

2nd August 2014

Minke Whale

Still little bird movement on Whalsay but did manage to find a Minke Whale off the east side of the golf course this afternoon.

30th July 2014

A few waders

Bar tailed Godwit at Vatshoull

Dunlin chick on the golf course

Sanderling at the houb, one of fourteen.

Knot at the houb

Dunlin in failing light at north loch of Skaw.

The first few waders are starting to come through with a Ruff on the north loch of Skaw yesterday and a Bar-tailed Godwit at Vatshoull tonight, seen at long range in the rain.

24th July 2014

A better year for the tirricks

Although we are a very long way short of days gone by, there is a big improvement in the breeding success of our Arctic Terns this year. Brian has rung 305 chicks as opposed to one solitary individual last year. Hopefully this is the start of better times and it was good to watch loads of young birds flying around the houb this afternoon.

25th June 2014

Breeding season

Rock Pipit brood in a rabbit burrow at Skaw.     photo by Angela

Male Wheatear ("stanechekker")

Dunlin with a well hidden chick at west loch o Skaw

Migrant activity has now ceased although it has to be said that unless you live on Fair Isle, Unst or the South Mainland it has never really started. Why cant these stupid birds aim for the middle of Shetland occasionally?

16th June 2013

Another Moth

Large Yellow Underwing                           photo by Angela

Starling on our garden wall

Greylag Goose families on Vatshoull loch

Redshank chick at Challister.

Picked up a moth at Symbister and took it home to identify. A Large Yellow Underwing apparently and not particularly rare but maybe a bit on the early side.  Angela came out and took a photo despite being terrified from all moths!

8th June 2014

Hummingbird Hawkmoth

A Hummingbird Hawkmoth turned up in my sister and brother in-laws garden next door to us at Hamister today. This is a Whalsay first for me having missed the few other records previously.  Bird news concerned an elusive Marsh warbler in the Skaw plantation this afternoon which refused to pose for the camera. Likewise the male Red backed Shrike which was in the same area 3-4/6.

28th May 2014

Blyth's Reed Warbler

A Blyth's Reed Warbler was caught in the heligoland trap at Skaw this morning. A fourth island record after two in 2007 (3-8/6 and 1-5/10) and one in 2012 (24/9). Other news in the last few days saw an increase to four Tree Sparrows at Hamister on 25/5 and a flock of forty one Barnacle Geese flying North over Skaw yesterday 27th.

24th May 2014

Icterine Warbler

An Icterine Warbler turned up in the geo at the head of Clate this morning, eventually moving higher up allowing a few photos to be taken.

20th May 2014

Bluethroat and Cuckoo

Cuckoo being mobbed by a territorial Meadow Pipit.

A smart male Bluethroat turned up in the Skaw plantation yesterday (19th) but refused to pose for the camera or fly into Brians mist net. Managed a few record shots today as it skulked through the lower branches of various bushes. A Cuckoo was relentlessly chased by the local Meadow Pipits, eventually flying off South with one of the Pipits in hot pursuit.

18th May 2014

Little Stint, Pintail and Tree Sparrows.

Drake Pintail with an Eider at the houb.

Little Stint at the houb.

BM turned up our first Pintail for a few years this afternoon while out doing his monthly wader count at the houb.  A Little Stint was also present, this being quite a good spring record and a bird I missed last year. Three Tree Sparrows are at Hamister today with at least two present since the 15th.  They are proving difficult to approach and I haven't even managed a blurred record shot so far. Maybe tomorrow.

12th May 2014

Disappearing Hoopoe

Redstart at Skaw  6/5.

Brian got a call in the evening about a bird at Skaw "with red feathers sticking out of its head". After a stroll around he flushed a Hoopoe and immediately called myself and Jon Dunn. On looking up from his mobile the bird had vanished so the rest of the evening was spent combing the area. I was last to give up the search and was in the car about to depart when JD called saying it had just flown down his driveway. Despite driving there rather quickly I had missed the bus again. As I am already ten species behind the 2013 year list  things need to improve soon.

7th - 9th May 2014

Fair Isle trip

Eastern Subalpine Warbler on Fair Isle              photo by Angela

Wryneck                      photo by Angela

Swallows

Snow Bunting

Puffin

Gannet colony        photo by Angela

 Twitchers!

I was very surprised when Angela announced that she would quite like to go for a couple of nights to Fair Isle. So after checking forecasts and booking flights and accommodation at the Observatory, off we went. To say we hit it lucky with the weather is a massive understatement as we were baked in sunshine and SE winds for the duration. Top bird honours probably went to the Eastern Subalpine Warbler with the Caspian Eastern Stonechat still present and a few other sub rares, eg. - Bluethroat, Little Bunting, Corncrake, Western Subalpine Warbler a few Wrynecks. The whole trip really couldn't have been better with the Observatory, museum and the friendly locals just as enjoyable as the birdlife. This could easily become an annual event.

1st May 2014

Fair Isle twitch

Cretzschmars Bunting on Fair Isle

"Caspian" Stonechat on Fair Isle

Went into Fair Isle with BM to try for the Cretzschmars Bunting which has been present for a few days. We were met off the plane by Susannah Parnaby from the Observatory who very kindly drove us to the spot and even found the bird for us! After a few photos from long range we approached as near as we dared without flushing it only for the bird to start moving towards us to within twenty feet!  A short walk down the road and we were soon viewing the second big rarity on offer, a "Caspian" Eastern Stonechat. With both target species seen really well on a bright sunny day our last few hours before leaving were spent happily plodding around birding. Support cast included - Short toed Lark, Bluethroat, Wryneck, Blue headed Wagtail, Sedge Warbler, Kestrel and Green Sandpiper. Things don't get much better than that.

29th April 2014

Colour ringed Whimbrel

Ring Ouzel at Skaw

After most of the day spent in Lerwick I had a quick run to Skaw in the evening. My first Whimbrel of the year was at west loch of Skaw and sported white over red plastic rings above the knee joint on the left leg and a "normal" ring on the right with a white plastic above the knee bearing the letter A.  All info has been sent to the BTO so will hopefully hear of the birds origins in due course.

28th April 2014

Wryneck

Moorhen at Isbister loch

 

Brambling at Skaw

Breeding Fulmar

Its been a good spring for Wrynecks with our fourth individual photographed at Isbister today. A Moorhen was new for the year at the Isbister loch.

25th April 2014

Green Sandpiper

Common Redstart

The SE winds continue and there is now a decent scattering of migrants though nothing too rare on Whalsay so far. A Wryneck was caught last night in the Skaw heligoland and was a welcome year tick after missing the Marrister bird on the 22nd and not seeing one at all last year. Green Sandpiper also went unrecorded on here last year so one on the "wader pool" at the West loch tonight was also well received.

22nd April 2014

Promising  weather

Black tailed Godwit at Symbister

Carrion Crow at Hamister

With the winds in the east for the rest of this week surely a few migrants will be heading our way. A smart Black tailed Godwit  in the Symbister meadow and a poorly marked female Ring Ouzel at Skaw was new for the year for me. Unfortunately I missed the best two birds of the day with Brian turning up an early Wryneck at Marrister and Jon Dunn having a flighty Turtle Dove last seen heading towards Brough. Better luck tomorrow?

12th April 2014

Early Greenshank

Pied Wagtail at Hamister

With a strong SW wind now blowing very few migrants are left on the island. A very early Greenshank on the pool at Symbister was most unexpected as they are rarely recorded here in early April.

6th April 2014

Yellowhammer

photos  Brian Marshall

Just back after a two week fishing trip, best bird being a single Great Shearwater off the west coast of Ireland. Despite plenty of SE winds at home during this time I have missed fairly little, a Mistle Thrush at Skaw 1/4 being the best of a thin scatter of common migrants. Brian found a female Yellowhammer in his garden at Marrister yesterday and I managed good views from his kitchen window this morning. A Grey Wagtail flew east past Hamister in the afternoon and is a bird which is less than annual on the island. The long staying Great spotted Woodpecker was at Saltness.

13th March 2014

Spring in the air

Red throated Diver at Skaw

A couple of better days on Shetland, though as usual it isn't going to last. The Red throated Divers are starting to appear on the lochs now with one on Huxter loch(11th) and this one on north loch of Skaw today.

7th March 2014

Long staying Iceland Gull

Rock Pipit at Hamister

Ringed Common Gull at Skaw

The Symbister Iceland Gull is still present for its third month though whatever that is hanging from its bill possibly doesn't look too healthy. Other long stayers still present today were the Pale bellied Brent Goose at Skaw and the Great spotted Woodpecker at Gardentown.

22nd February 2014

A few more Geese

Tundra Bean Goose at Newpark

Still a few Geese around with a pair of Tundra Beans at Newpark today and the Pale bellied Brent at Skaw. A first winter Glaucous Gull was around the Symbister salmon cages and was a new bird for the year.

18th February 2014

Brent Goose and Shelduck

Pale bellied Brent Goose at Skaw

Shelduck with Mallards at the houb.

Just back from this seasons mackerel fishing which ranged from the Western Isles to Southern Ireland. Highlight bird wise was probably the lone Great Shearwater off  the Irish west coast. With continued SE gales at home during the period a few migrants turned up with BMs best birds being - four Barnacle Geese at Brough 2/2, first winter Little Gull and a Short eared Owl both at Skaw 3/2,  two Brent Geese in the Hamister meadow 8/2 and a male Gadwall at Vevoe 9/2. Despite Gadwall only being classed as a scarce migrant in Shetland it is very much a major rarity on Whalsay with only one other record (of six birds on the sea off Skaw sometime in the early 70s) in my lifetime that I am aware of. I missed those birds too so hopefully the next one wont be so long in coming. At least I managed to catch up with a pale bellied Brent Goose at Skaw and Shelduck in the houb which Brian found a day or two ago.

24th January 2014

Little Gull

Battening down the hatches here on Whalsay for eighty mph winds forecast for later today. An adult Little Gull visited Vatshoull loch around midday so I battled to stay upright long enough to take a few pics in the strengthening gale. A female Common Scoter was close inshore at Sandwick with the Long eared Owl and Great spotted Woodpecker also still doing the rounds.

23rd January 2014

Odds and sods

More Tundra Bean Goose photos

Managed to get slightly better photos of four of the five Tundra Bean Geese at Brough today of which there was a maximum of eight birds present on the 21st. A Long eared Owl commuted between gardens at Gardentown and Saltness and also evaded my attempts with the camera. The long staying Great spotted Woodpecker was also at Saltness and a Woodcock in the Skaw plantation was new for the year.

20th January 2014

Tundra Bean Geese

With news of a few Bean Geese turning up in Shetland today I went for a look early this afternoon and found five Tundra Beans at Vatshoull loch. At very long range and in typically dull and windy conditions I was never in danger of winning any photography awards but I think you can just about tell what  they are. One of the birds was just out of sight when I took this and unfortunately they headed off North before BM got up to see them.

14th January 2014

Black Redstart

A nice male Black Redstart turned up at Isbister today which is a good record for January and a bird I missed completely last year. I also caught up with the overwintering Great spotted Woodpecker at Gardentown a couple of days ago. It is a ringed bird so it would be interesting to get hold of it just in case it isn't one of Brians from last autumn.

7th January 2014

Pink footed Goose

A Pink footed Goose has been amongst the Greylag flock at Skaw since yesterday. Hardly an exotic rarity but can be scarce some years so I was quite pleased to cross it off for 2014. 

4th January 2014

Iceland Gull

Still nothing unusual to report bird wise on Whalsay. A single Iceland Gull  at Symbister since yesterday was photographed in poor light. (excuses!)

31st December 2013

Whalsay Bird Review 2013

January 

The second winter drake King Eider which was found on New Years Eve 2012 remained around the Symbister salmon cages until 19/1. A dark bellied Brent Goose is a decent bird for the isle and was at the houb 3/1 and last seen at Skaw 15/2. The long staying second winter Iceland Gull remained at Symbister all month and the first of at least three Glaucous Gulls was at Skaw 5/1. A Pink footed Goose was at the houb 10/1 and was a species I missed last year. Bird of the month was a juvenile  White tailed Eagle which flew South over Skaw 10/1. This proved to be a ringed bird first seen on Unst and  a vagrant from Norway. A Water Rail was in a Vatshoull garden 15/1 and a Juvenile European White fronted Goose was at Pouster 17/1. A Peregrine flew East past Hamister 18/1 and with a Blue Tit and Great Tit both overwintering at Gardentown 2013 was off to a flying start.

February

The most interesting sighting of the month wasn't a bird at all, two Humpback Whales spent about half an hour off the East side of the golf course at Skaw  6/2. An adult Kumlien`s Gull was at Symbister from 12-14/2 and unlike last years bird was a poorly marked individual. Three adult European White fronted Geese were at Skaw 18/2 with the first Red throated Diver back on fresh water the same day.

March

A ringtail Hen Harrier flew North through Hamister 5/3. Two Mistle Thrushes were at Skibberhoull 18/3 then a Moorhen visited a Vatshoull garden 20/3. The long staying Great Tit was last seen 23/3. BM had a Blue Tit in his garden at Marrister from 25/3 and with two birds together at Symbister 29/3 there must have been a minimum of three birds on the island. A Sparrowhawk was eating a Starling at North Park 31/3.

King Eider at Symbister

White tailed Eagle over Skaw

Blue Tit and Great Tit at Gardentown

April

The King Eider reappeared at Symbister 8/4 and stayed around all month. A Waxwing was at Marrister 11/4 with a Mistle Thrush at Brough and a Jack Snipe at Skaw the same day. A Sandwich Tern was at the Houb 13/4 with an early Sanderling also there 15/4. A Linnet at Marrister 16/4 was the first for a year or two. A small influx of Goldfinches began with one at Whitefield 18/4 increasing to four by 23/4 with one or two elsewhere on the isle after this.

May

The long staying King Eider was last seen 8/5 with a good fall of migrants the same day. Sedge Warbler, Short eared Owl and Yellowhammer were all recorded at Skaw. On 9/5 an Osprey flew South over Skaw and a female Linnet was at Isbister. BM really got spring migration going 10/5 with the discovery of a cracking first summer male Collared Flycatcher at Skaw, the only other island record being on the 11th May 1947! (incidently shot by my wifes grand uncle). It was last seen on the evening of the 16th after a splendid seven day stay. Grasshopper Warblers were at Skaw and Vatshoull 11/5, then I missed the years only Hawfinch in the Skaw plantation 12/5. The first Red backed Shrike was a female at Challister 13/5 with the maximum day count being five on the 29th. Things quietened down a bit from mid month with a smart male Bluethroat at Sandwick 19/5 being top bird of the second half. A Cuckoo was at Hamister 23/5 then a Bar tailed Godwit and Short eared Owl were at Skaw 26/5. A Barnacle Goose was another year tick at Vatshoull 28/5 with two present on the 31st. A Black tailed Godwit was at Skaw 29/5 and a Common Sandpiper was on the North shore of the golf course 31/5.

'\

The Symbister King Eider again

Collared Flycatcher at Skaw.

Singing Bluethroat at Sandwick

June

Quiet at the start of the month with only a few waders on the move. Two Common Sandpipers were at Huxter loch 1/6. A  Curlew Sandpiper is a good spring record and one was at Vatshoull loch from 2-4/6 before relocating to North loch of Skaw 6/6. A male Ruff in full breeding dress joined the Sandpiper at Vatshoull 4/6 and was the first time I had seen one in this plumage. A second Curlew Sandpiper turned up at Vatshoull loch 13/6, this bird showing no traces of red in its plumage unlike the earlier record. Mute Swan remains a very scarce visitor to Whalsay so two juveniles on Vatshoull loch from 19/6 was a decent record. Likewise the Tree Sparrow which turned up amongst the local sparrows at Skaw for a few days from 20/6. A Common Crossbill was also at Skaw 20/6 with 20+ at Symbister 23/6. Shetland and the UKs fifth June Arctic Warbler turned up in the Skaw plantation 23/6 on a terrible evening of wind and rain. This was all the more amazing as the last one was in the very same place on the 27th of June last year! Due to weather conditions this bird was not photographed meaning I will have to actually write a description without lazily using the words "see accompanying photo"!

July

The Mute Swan pair were last seen at Vatshoull 4/7. A Common Swift was another year tick and seen on the golf course 7/7. Little else was seen till a Common Sandpiper flew in off the sea at Skaw 25/7. A drake Velvet Scoter was offshore below the heligoland trap area at Skaw 27/7 and was a first island record in twenty years. A  Goldcrest at Hamister 29-30/7 was highly unseasonal and very likely a first Whalsay record for the month.

August

A Wood Sandpiper at Symbister 3-4/8 was belatedly reported by an incoming birder. The first of a few Greenshanks was at Vatshoull loch 4/8. Little else was seen till the years only Sand Martin was at Vatshoull loch 20/8. My first Black tailed Godwits were five seen at Skaw 22/8 with an Icterine Warbler in the Skaw plantation 23/8. 25/8 was a good day with two Common Rosefinches and a Wood Warbler at Skaw and our first Greenish Warbler for a number of years at Isbister. Bird of the month turned up while I was away at the herring fishing, a Booted Warbler at Symbister from 28-29/8, this being a second Whalsay record. A Little Grebe was on Vatshoull loch about the same time.

Tree Sparrow at Skaw

Greenish Warbler at Isbister

Booted Warbler at Symbister    Photo Brian Marshall

September

My only Barred Warbler of the year was at Skaw 8/9. BM had a pair of Little Stints on the golf course 9/9 which I missed but managed to score a consolation Kestrel in the same area 10/9. The first Yellow browed Warblers of the year were two seen at Skaw 18/9 with a maximum day count of nineteen on the isle 29/9. A first winter Little Gull was at Skaw 20/9. A Grey Plover was on a small pool near West loch of Skaw 27/9 with the first of a big influx of Great spotted Woodpeckers at Saltness the same day. BM found a Western Bonelli`s Warbler in his garden at Marrister 29/9 with Bluethroats at Isbister and Sandwick the same day.  The warbler  graced us with a twenty day stay relocating to Hamister towards the end and was a third island record. An Olive backed Pipit in the Skaw plantation 30/9 rounded off the month.

October

Our second Olive backed Pipit of the autumn was at Hamister 4-5/10. A Turtle Dove flew South past Marrister 7/10 and a Black Redstart was at Skaw 10/10. Two incoming birders turned up an Isabelline Shrike at Brough 17/10. This was a new bird for the island list and our 300th species. I came home from the mackerel fishing 27/10 and was very lucky to find the bird still present. It was last seen on the 28th. In my absence Brian had a Treecreeper at Hamister 19/10 and a very photogenic  juvenile Sabine`s Gull on the North shore of the golf course 24/10, the latter being a bit painful as it is a species still missing from my island list. A Little Auk off Skaw 28/10 was a year tick.

November

Quite often a month with some decent birds but unfortunately this year proved a complete non event. Five Waxwings were at Symbister 3/11. A first winter Little Gull was at Vatshoull 5/11 and may have been the individual seen at Skaw in late September. Potential bird of the month flew past me calling at Skaw 11/11. I would put a considerable wager on Pechora Pipit but without any basic plumage details had to relegate it to the ranks of "ones that got away".

Western Bonelli`s Warbler at Hamister

Olive backed Pipit at Skaw

Isabelline Shrike at Brough

Sabine`s Gull at Skaw       Photo Brian Marshall

Great spotted Woodpecker at Symbister

December

Raging Atlantic storms continued throughout the month and on the odd occasion you could venture out without taking flight, very few birds were on offer. A hardy Chiffchaff was around Hamister till 2/12. A Jack Snipe was at Skaw 7/12. A Glaucous Gull was around Skaw on several dates from 13/12 with a Waxwing at Gardentown the same day. A Woodcock was in the Skaw plantation 14/12 and an Iceland Gull at the North beach 22/12. At least eight Chaffinches were around various Hamister rigs all month. Likewise a Great spotted Woodpecker which ranged from Gardentown to Whitefield and will hopefully hang on into the new year.

My year list ended on 149 two behind the 151 of 2011. Despite being "ahead" for most of the year the last two months of sod all saw me fall short again. Inevitably I missed a few -  Little Grebe, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Sabine`s Gull, Black Redstart, Booted Warbler, Wood Warbler, Hawfinch and Greenfinch. Common birds unrecorded on Whalsay this year were -  Shellduck, Goosander, Scaup, Green Sandpiper, Long Eared Owl, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Wryneck,  Red breasted Flycatcher, Rook, Jackdaw and Bullfinch.

At certain times during the autumn Shetland seemed to be awash with Two barred Crossbills, Blyth`s Reed warblers, Arctic Warblers and Hornemanns Arctic Redpolls. Whalsay amassed a total of zero for all of the above. Ok that's the end of the grumpy old man rant. Good birds recorded this year were - White tailed Eagle, King Eider, Collared Flycatcher, Booted Warbler, Western Bonelli`s Warbler and Isabelline Shrike. The Eagle, Flycatcher and Shrike boosted my island list by another three species and the Shrike was also a Whalsay first, our 300th species   

Stay tuned for more boring shite next year!

JLI.

Waxwing at Symbister

31st December2012

Whalsay bird review 2012

January

On new years day the overwintering Kumlien`s Gull was still present at Hamister where it was to be seen till the end of March. Also on 1/1 a Long Eared Owl was at Hamister, a Common Buzzard over Challister and a single European white fronted Goose and a Bean Goose were leftovers from 2011. 5/1 saw the start of what was to be an unprecedented influx of Iceland Gulls into Shetland. Highest numbers for the month was 41 at Symbister fish factory on 23/1 with 7 Glaucous Gulls at the same location 25/1. A ringed juvenile Herring Gull was photographed in the melee at Symbister on 19/1, and had been rung as a chick at Orndalen, Tromso in Norway on 6th of July 2011.

First winter Glaucous Gull, Symbister 19/1

Adult Iceland Gull, Symbister

2nd winter Iceland Gull, Symbister

February

The highest white winged gull count at Symbister was on 7/2 with an amazing 54 Iceland and 5 Glaucous Gulls on this date. A first winter Little Gull joined the Symbister flock from 13-17/2 and 3 Common Scoters were off Vatshoull 28/2.

March

A quieter month with gull numbers slowly dwindling. The Vatshoull Common Scoter flock increased to a possible island record of 9 birds on 17/3.

First winter Little Gull, Symbister

April

A Great Grey Shrike was at Marrister 17/4 with 3 different individuals seen a few days later ( 2 at Skaw and 1 at Isbister). 18/4 saw a decent fall of migrants with Long Eared Owl at Brough, Bullfinch and Yellowhammer at Skaw and a Peregrine at Symbister. A Green Sandpiper was on a roadside pool at Skaw 23/4 and a Wryneck was identified from a photo taken at Hamister 29/4.

May

A male Black Redstart was at Hamister 4/5. An island tick passed me by on 9/5 with BM having a brief Avocet at Houll loch, though male Ortolan Bunting and Red Backed Shrike at Skaw later the same day was some consolation. A cracking male Eastern Subalpine Warbler spent the evening at Skibberhoull 21/5 with another Red Backed Shrike at Isbister the next day.  Single Icterine Warbler and Cuckoo were at Skaw 23/5. A Grey Headed Wagtail was on the rig above the Houb 24/5 with 4 different Red Backed Shrikes seen the same day. A Turtle Dove was at Hamister 25/5 and is getting to be a rare sight these days.

Female Bullfinch, Skaw, 18/4

Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Skibberhoull, 21/5

Male Red Backed Shrike, Isbister, 22/5

June

A Marsh Warbler put in a brief appearance in BMs garden at Marrister 9/6. The second Icterine Warbler of the spring was at Symbister 10/6 and the first of two unseasonal Black Redstarts was at Hamister 13/6, the second bird turning up in the same area 25/6. Less exciting but year ticks were Reed warbler at Skibberhoull 15/6, Common Crossbill at Skaw 17/6 and male Stonechat also at Skaw on 22/6. A latish male Red Backed Shrike was in the Skaw plantation 23-26/6 with a Hawfinch also present on the latter date. 27/6 produced the biggest surprise of the spring with a singing! Arctic Warbler trapped in the Skaw plantation in the evening.

July

Quiet as ever with another Common Crossbill in the Skaw plantation 1/7 and only small numbers of Knot and Sanderling plus a single Greenshank at the Houb at the months end vaguely notable.

Arctic Warbler, Skaw, 27/6

August

A few waders were passing through early in the month with a Green Sandpiper 2/8 plus Spotted Redshank and Ruff 4/8 all seen at Skaw. The first Barred Warbler of the year was in the Skaw plantation 13/8. An evenings mist netting there on 16/8 was quite productive for Brian with single Wryneck, Icterine Warbler and the years only Sedge Warbler caught with good numbers of common migrants. A Red Backed Shrike was at Vevoe and another Wryneck above the Houb the same day. On 18/8 2 Grasshopper Warblers were at Skaw and the years only Wood Warbler at Symbister.

September

The first three weeks of the month produced steady Westerly winds. Despite this a Red Breasted Flycatcher was in the Skaw plantation 15/9 with another in BMs garden at Marrister 19/9. A Buff breasted Sandpiper rewarded daily walks around the golf course and was present from 17-20/9. Winds went East after this and the years first Yellow Browed Warbler was at Hamister 22/9. The Skaw plantation had a purple patch after this with Blyth`s Reed Warbler 24/9, Lanceolated Warbler 25/9, and Red Flanked Bluetail 27/9!! The years best Yellow Browed Warbler count was on 26/9 with 11 logged.

Wryneck at Skaw 16/8

Buff breasted Sandpiper at Skaw 17-20/9

Red Flanked Bluetail at Skaw 27/9

October

A Hawfinch at Marrister 1/10, Red Breasted Flycatcher at Skaw 3/10 and a Grey Plover on the north shore of the golf course 5/10 was the pick of the first week. Winds were unhelpful for a while after this with only a single Yellow Browed Warbler at Challister 11/10 till a SE blow brought in a Dusky Warbler, mist netted at Symbister 12/10. A Red Backed Shrike minus most of its tail was at Hamister 14/10 and our first Blue Tit for a number of years was at Saltness 16/10. The years first Waxwing was at Marrister also 16/10. I was away at the mackerel fishing after this with BM finding a Hornemanns Arctic Redpoll at Vatshoull 18-22/10. On my return a Slavonian Grebe was on the north loch of Skaw 27/10 and a Great Tit was at Hamister 28/10. I caught up with my first Waxwings at Hamister 29/10 with the same garden hosting a male Common Crossbill 31/10.

November

The month began with a most unexpected sight, a Hoopoe wandering around on our lawn at Hamister! with a good flock of 18 Waxwings at Gardentown plus one at Sandwick and a female Pochard on Vatshoull loch. The Hoopoe was last seen 4/11 and was the only real surprise for the month. A Peregrine was at Brough 17/11 with perhaps the same bird at Skaw 29/11. The first white winged gulls appeared with a Glaucous Gull at Hamister 19/11 and a Iceland Gull at Symbister 21/11.  The previous months Blue and Great Tit were raking around all month and were often seen together on a Symbister feeder.

Dusky Warbler, Symbister 12/10

Hoopoe, Hamister 1-4/11

Waxwing at Symbister 4/11

December

A pair of first winter Glaucous Gulls flew west past Skaw Taing on 1/12. Little else of note was seen till 15/12 when 2 Greenland White fronted geese were at Skaw, a Glaucous Gull was at Vatshoull and a male Goosander was at the Houb. The year was to end in style with the discovery of a male King Eider among the  common Eider flock off the Symbister salmon cages on 31/12.  A nice surprise as I was idly scoping the flock whilst cooking the new years eve pig out.

The King Eider was to be the last addition to my year list which finished on a disappointing 147, four species down on last year. Things like Water Rail, Mistle Thrush, Jackdaw  and Sand Martin went unrecorded on Whalsay this year as did Bluethroat for the second year in succession . I seemed to miss a few more species than usual - Bean Goose, Common Rosefinch, Marsh Warbler, Barnacle Goose, Wood Sandpiper, Short Eared Owl, Little Bunting , Arctic Redpoll and Avocet and likely one or two more I have forgotten. For the first time since 2001 I had no new birds for my island list as I missed the Avocet in May. This all sounds a bit depressing but 2012 did have its moments, notably the winter gull influx, also the Subalpine and Arctic Warblers in spring and Blyth`s Reed Warbler, Lanceolated Warbler and Red Flanked Bluetail all trapped in the Skaw plantation over four outstanding days in September. Here's to loads of rare birds for 2013.

Aa the best JLI.

winter sunset over Hamister

31st December 2011

Whalsay bird review 2011

January

 As usual fairly uneventful with an Iceland Gull at Isbister 1/1 and Waxwings at Hamister 12/1 and Marrister 26/1.

 

 

February

Two Mistle Thrushes were at Hamister 15/2 increasing to five on 22/2. An unseasonal Black Redstart was at Hamister 17/2 with a Black Throated Diver and Iceland Gull at Skaw the same Day.

March

Only a male Grey Wagtail at the Kirk beach, Brough on 16/3 was vaguely notable.

Black Redstart 17/2/11

April

A short walk to east Hamister on 10/4 produced our first spring record of Woodlark since 1969. It was seen on many occasions till 12/4 before going missing for two weeks then returning to the same rig for the last time 26/4. A male Lapland Bunting was at Skaw 22/4. A Short Eared Owl and an early Sedge Warbler were at Skaw 24/4 with Wrynecks at Skaw and Hamister on 30/4.

 

Woodlark 10/4/11

May

A Little Bunting was in BMs garden at Marrister 7/5. Bird of the spring was a flypast Black Kite at North loch which unfortunately didn't linger for the other island birders to see it. A Wood Sandpiper was at the West loch 11/5 with a male Crossbill at Saltness the next day. All fell quiet until a Tree Sparrow put in a brief appearance at Skaw 26/5 being replaced by an Icterine Warbler 27/5.

Icterine Warbler 27/5 /11

June

A male Red Backed Shrike in the Sodom plantation 9/6 was to prove to be the only sighting for the year with a female Quail picked up dead in the same area. This was particularly annoying as this was my third corpse from the valley and am still waiting to see a living one! 12/6 produced single Little Stint at the Houb and Common Rosefinch at Skaw. On 13/6 a female Common scoter was in the North Voe and better still a Red Breasted Flycatcher was in BMs garden. A female Crossbill was at Hamister 15/6 and an unseasonal Glaucous Gull was in the North Voe 29/6.

July

A flock of 30+ Knot at the Houb was as exciting as it got!

August

A Green Sandpiper was at the west loch 4/8. On 5/8 both Icterine and Wood Warblers were in the Skaw plantation.  Little of note was seen until 25/8 with a Curlew Sandpiper at the Houb, Wrynecks at Isbister and Skaw, Wood Warbler at Isbister and Barred Warblers at Creadyknowe and Whitefield. The Houb scored well towards the months end with the Curlew Sandpiper being joined by up to four Little Stints 28/8 six Sanderlings 27/8 and single Ruff, Bar Tailed Godwit and Common Sandpiper logged.

Little Stint 28/8/11

September

 A Corncrake seen briefly flying across the upper yard at roadside Skaw kicked off the month 1/9. BM had a Grey Plover at the Skaw Taing 12/9. The first Yellow Browed Warblers turned up at Marrister and Brough 17/9. A Peregrine was terrorising the waders at the Houb 18/9. A Little Bunting was at Vevoe and a Barred Warbler in the Skaw plantation 25/9 with a mystery Locustella Warbler playing hide and seek at Isbister the same day. Another Little Bunting was at Isbister 28/9 with the Vevoe bird still present. A Hawfinch rounded off a poor month 30/9.

Little Bunting 25/9/11

October

On 1/10 our record day count of twelve Yellow Browed Warblers was well and truly smashed with twenty! logged, and with only three areas properly checked this total could well have been doubled. BM found our third Little Bunting of the year at Marrister and probable bird of the day escaped with a calling Pipit at Skaw escaping detection, Olive Backed Pipit being strongly suspected. An Ortolan Bunting was at Marrister 4/10 and an Olive Backed Pipit at Skibberhoull 9 -11/10, both seen while I was away. A quiet period followed until two Great White Egrets turned up 24/10, both birds were present till 5/11 with one still touring the island and looking set to bring in the new year. A Hen Harrier flew east past Hamister 23/10 and a Common Buzzard was in the Challister area 29/10. A few Long and Short Eared Owls were also seen towards the months end.

Great White Egret 24/10/11

November

Usually a quiet month with perhaps one good bird in the first few days, this year was to be a bit different! At least four Black Redstarts were around one Symbister garden in the first few days. A Waxwing was at Saltness 5/11. A Grey Wagtail and Yellowhammer at Sandwick and Mistle Thrush at Challister were seen 6/11. A female Bullfinch was identified from a video recording at North Park 8/11. 14/11 added six European White fronted geese to the year list. 15/11 proved to be a big day with Hume`s Warbler at Symbister, Seven! Long Eared Owls in one Skibberhoull garden with two more seen later at Skaw and  thirteen European White Fronted geese and four Tundra Bean Geese at Challister. Common Scoter and Pochard were on Sandwick loch 17/11. Our good raptor year continued with both Common and Rough Legged Buzzards turning up at Whitefield and Isbister respectively 18/11. A Great Crested Grebe was sharing Symbister harbour with a Black Throated Diver 19/11 and a female Goosander was on the pool also at Symbister the next day. The Rough Legged Buzzard reappeared at Vatshoull 21/11 giving better views and a Hen Harrier also at Vatshoull  the next day rounded off an amazing month for good birds.

Tundra Bean Geese 15/11/11

Hume`s Warbler 15/11/11 and Great Crested Grebe 19/11/11

Black Throated Diver 19/11/11 and Rough Legged Buzzard 21/11/11

December

A Long Eared Owl was at Hamister 2/12 rounding off a big Owl year. An adult Kumlien`s Gull was at Hamister 5/12 and  was very likely the returning Ist winter of January 09. Like the Egret it looks set to remain into next year. Peregrines were seen at Skaw 6/12 and Hamister 15/12. The Great Crested Grebe reappeared in the harbour on 7/12 for a few days. An Iceland Gull was around Symbister for most of the month with two seen on 15/12.

Quite a good year with four additions to my Whalsay list -  Black Kite, Great White Egret, Great Crested Grebe and Rough Legged Buzzard. There were many birds I could have gone for elsewhere in Shetland but my limited interest in twitching meant I only added Squacco Heron, Alpine Swift and Siberian Rubythroat to my completely unimpressive Shetland list. My Whalsay year list ended on 151 which I reckon is OK.

Two new birds  for Whalsay were seen this year Black Kite and Great White Egret and (assuming both are accepted) this takes us on to 298 species.

Happy new Year to any heidcases who have read this drivel all the way down to here!

Kumlien`s Gull 5/12/11

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