Merlin and a couple of Ruff were the best I could find today
Paul Macklam
@colonelbirder.bsky.social
Birding my Fetlar patch since 2016 (formerly Durham and Cleveland) All bird pics are my own and self-found (unless stated otherwise) Stormy winters and endless summer days, just two sides of the same coin.
Pied Flycatcher at Northdale and a distant Grey Plover at Funzie (quite possibly the regular returning bird)
Barred Warbler at Funzie and a Spot Fly in my garden.
A young juvenile Stonechat at Northdale mires, this afternoon.
A more than decent day. Two Quails (the island is jumping with them) Water Rail, Redpoll, RTDivers, RNPhals, dozens of recently fledged Wheatears and the Ruddy Shelduck which was back after going AWOL for a couple of days.
Ruddy Shelduck this afternoon (found by Simon Roddis) It took a long time to relocate it. I’m told it’s the second record for Shetland.
Rosy Starling found yesterday (on Lambhoga) by Tom Rosas and (presumably the same bird) relocated today by Calum Scott @aberladybirder.bsky.social The light was poor at 8pm when I finally found it (and it was distant) but it’s a very smart bird.
Lovely to see this Short-eared Owl hunting today before perching up to dry out.
In the absence of any scarce birds a trio of Otters entertained me. Within a minute of entering the sea they were all out again with various prey items.
The Shrike remained in the same area today, somewhat less flighty than yesterday.
Female RBShrike today (found by Nat) near the Island Hall, it made its way to my garden before heading back to the original location.
I don't encounter Otters every day so this one was a welcome sight at low tide
Walking back to my car I heard a familiar “pik-pik” call and these two dropped onto the loch, right in front of me.
Red Necked Phalarope numbers are on the increase, including my first males of the year.
It’s taken me 10 years to see this behaviour! A pair of Red-throated Divers mating on the shore of a small lochan.
My first Phal of the season, brightening up a rainy day.
This belter is still in the Funzie area, hopefully it will be leaving soon for its breeding grounds. The American Wigeon continued its stay, on Papil Water today.
Whimbrel calling from almost every corner of the island now, these were just outside my garden
A real treat today, seeing (and hearing) Dunlin displaying, on the mires
The American Wigeon was mobile today, seen at Houbie Mires and occasionally on Papil Water.
Nice American Wigeon on Houbie Mires this afternoon.
Great Northern Divers are starting to look very smart
The Grey Plover is looking stunning now, still in the Funzie area.
Always distant but the long staying (since Oct 19th) Grey Plover is on the cusp of breeding plumage. It’s going to be a stunner (heavily cropped pics from ~350m away)
The Hen Harrier was at Dullens again today, unfortunately always fairly distant.
