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Shetland Trip Report - October 1st to 8th 2011
Written by Philip Andrews
Accompanied by Dave Walker, Des Jennings & Mike Wakeman
Introduction
Lying 80 miles north of John O’Groats, the Shetland Islands are a magical place, far divorced from mainstream life. The fact that they are located closer to Bergen in Norway than Edinburgh, to the Arctic Circle than London or are on the same latitude (60º North) as the southern tip of Greenland emphasises their isolation. The archipelago is made of 117 islands of which 13 are inhabited. Long renowned for their special breeding birds (particularly sea birds), including Red-necked Phalarope, Leach’s Petrel and Snowy Owl in the 1970s, increased coverage has resulted in a notable passage of rarities in both autumn and spring. In recent years September and October on Shetland has matched the Isles of Scilly with such “megas” as Veery, Yellow Warbler, Ballion’s Crake, Killdeer, American Coot, Buff-bellied Pipit, Siberian Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush, Thick-billed Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Taiga Flycatcher, Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler and Isabelline Wheatear. There are also a number of other eastern species that, whilst having been recorded up Britain up to 100 times, only really stand a chance of being connected with on Shetland or Fair Isle; these include Yellow-breasted Bunting, Great Snipe, Pechora Pipit, White’s Thrush, Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler and Lanceolated Warbler. Bearing this is mind for the second year running we abandoned our usual October week on Scilly for a northern adventure.
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler – a Shetland speciality (taken during our 2010 visit on Out Skerries)
Habitats
There is a variety of habitats offered by the Shetlands comprising:
Coast: The jagged coastline is generally rocky, forming long peninsulars and sheltered inlets (locally called voes). Most of the coastline is cliffs (occasionally over 1,000 foot / 300 metres tall) but some sandy beaches occur in the more sheltered voes.
Moorland: Much of the interior of the islands is rolling peat-covered hills. These can form steep valleys (sometimes vegetated) which create ideal migrant traps.
Freshwater: There are over 2,500 freshwater lochs throughout the islands
Woodland: Given the climate, large scale vegetation is at a premium on Shetland. However there are several areas of planted woodland that can provide suitable shelter to windswept migrants.
Gardens: With the general lack of cover on the islands, passerines will use whatever opportunities come their way and many are attracted to gardens on the islands, ranging from the grounds of large properties such as the Sumburgh Hotel or Busta House to the simple cultivated land of the crofters. It is essential when checking such habitats in close proximity to residential property that the concerns and privacy of local residents are considered.
South-easterly winds accompanied by rain or overcast weather are the most conducive conditions to produce falls of migrants, predominately from Scandinavia.
Transport
There are two ways to reach Shetland. Firstly one can fly from Aberdeen to Sumburgh (at the southern tip of Mainland); less regular flights are also available from a number of other locations in Scotland. A vehicle is essential to fully cover the islands so care hire is a must; there are various local companies based around the airport and in Lerwick who can assist.
Alternatively one can take the ferry, operated by Northlink, from Aberdeen to Lerwick, either as a foot passenger or with your car (as we did). The journey (which varies between 12 and 16 hours depending on whether it sails via Orkney) is over-night which minimises lost birding time. Our ferry departed Aberdeen at 7:00pm on the Friday, arriving in Lerwick at 7:30am on the Saturday. The car plus four adults cost £237 each way (we chose to sleep in reclining seats in the lounge rather than hire sleeping berths). There is also a ferry from Orkney for those wishing to combine a visit to both island groups. For those wishing to hire transport on the islands the journey is approximately £30 each way for a foot passenger.
The drive up to Aberdeen covered some 480 miles from Redditch (virtually all motorway or dual carriageway) and took approximately 7 hours.
Whilst the road system on Shetland is not extensive and the carriageways narrow, there is very little traffic and it is easy to traverse the island. Shetland Mainland is roughly 60 miles from north to south and it therefore takes some time to reach its extremities. Petrol is approximately 10% more expensive than in Scotland so it is well worth topping up the tank in Aberdeen before departing. There is an extensive range of buses to all corners of Shetland Mainland. The outlying islands can be reached by a series of boats from the Mainland with varying degrees of regularity – all are very reasonably priced (far cheaper to take a car and four people than to pay for four foot passengers on one of the inter-island ferries on Scilly for example). It is possible to book places although we had no problems in arriving unannounced. Details are as follows:
Bressay Located due east of Lerwick - 7 minute crossing; ferries every 30 minutes or so (£21.90 return for a car and four adults).
Yell Immediately north of Mainland - 20 minute crossing; ferries every 30 minutes in daylight hours Monday to Friday; less frequent outside these times (£21.90 return for a car and four adults).
Unst Further north again; reached via Yell – 10 minute crossing; ferries every 30 minutes between 9:00am and 7:00pm (no charge).
Whalsay East of Mainland - 30 minute crossing; ferries every 45 minutes (£21.90 return for a car and four adults).
Fetlar East of Yell - 25 minute ferry crossing from Yell or Unst; one out/inbound sailing on Monday; four on Tuesday to Friday; three on Saturday and two on Sunday (no charge).
Papa Stour Small island west of Mainland - 40 minute ferry crossing; return journeys only possible on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (£16.50 each way for a car and four adults but little need to take a car; otherwise £3.90 each way for foot passengers).
Out Skerries Small group of islands east of Whalsay - 90 minute ferry crossing from Mainland (Vidlin); day trips only possible on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Given the scale of the islands there is no need to take a car – foot passengers are charged £3.90 each way).
Foula Far west of Mainland - two routes, the shortest of which is 2 hours 15 minutes; sailings on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday but day trips not possible (£29.90 each way for a car and four adults).
Fair Isle Located between Shetland and Orkney - two routes, the shortest of which is 2 hours 40 minutes; sailings only on Tuesday and Thursday (very prone to adverse weather) - foot passenger £3.90 each (single).
Both the latter islands can also reached by plane from Tingwall airport (just north of Lerwick) should a mega prove too tempting – flights are about £70 for a return journey.
Accommodation
There is a variety of accommodation offered on the islands. Accommodation varies from plush hotels through to guest houses, B&B and self catering apartments / houses. For those hardy enough there are even campsites or basic stone outbuildings called bods that can be hired at a very cheap rate. It is advisable to book early as the oil companies and other large operators often make bulk bookings. Whilst there is widespread accommodation across the islands, the greatest concentration is in and around Lerwick. Contact Shetland Island Tourism on (01595) 693434.
The view from our cottage
We had a very well appointed cottage on the east coast of South Mainland, just south of Lerwick. A week’s accommodation for the premises (two twin rooms, both en suite) cost £400, including all utilities.
Facilities
Lerwick is both geographically and economically at the centre of the island and offers the greatest range of shops, pubs, takeaways and restaurants. There is even a small Co-op and a larger Tescos supermarket! We were disappointed by the range of options to eat out and chose to each in most nights, although we did enjoy two good takeaways. Many of the smaller settlements also have their own pubs and village shops but it can be a gamble to base yourself too far out if the local support facilities are not up to scratch.
Information
Shetland is in stark contrast to the birding experienced by the group in recent years. Gone are several hundred birders trapped within a few square miles. Instead we were faced with a group of islands some 100 miles from top to toe with only a few dedicated locals and several visiting birding “crews” in the field; the onus is very much on reading the weather conditions, identifying suitable locations for migrants and then finding your own birds. We took both a pager and an internet-enabled mobile phone to overcome some of the reception issues faced in such a remote location. The excellent Shetland nature website (www.shetlandnature.co.uk) is regularly kept up to date and has a wealth of information and photographs of previous years’ records. The best way to stay abreast of developments was to talk to birders (particularly locals) in the field.
Sites visited
South Mainland Sumburgh Head, Sumburgh Farm, Grutness, Brake, Hillwell, Quendale, Loch of Spiggie, Noss, North Voxter, Fladdabister, Exnaboe, Geosetter, Wester Quarff, Levenwick, Channerwick, Pool of Virkie, Sandwick, Loch of Hillwell, Scord, Scatness
North Mainland Collafirth, Sullom, Ronas Voe, Islesgarth, Busta House (Brae), Kergord, Lower Voe, Loch of Voe
East Mainland Vidlin, Swining
Central Mainland Loch of Clickimin, Lerwick harbour
Unst Uyeasound, Belmont House, Norwick, Northdale, Baltasound
THE BIRDING WEEK
Please note that not all the birds listed below were seen by the entire party. All the sites referred to are on Shetland Mainland unless otherwise stated. Sightings in italics relate to day birding on mainland Scotland on the 30th September.
MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor
A small herd was at Loch of Spiggie on all days visited.
WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus
At least eight were on Lock of Spiggie on the 1st with around 30 there on the 5th and 45 on the 6th. Nine flew south at Voxter late on the 5th. Two were at Kirkhouse Loch on the 6th whilst six flew south near Tingwall later the same day. A final visit to Loch of Spiggie on the 8th saw numbers increase to 62, including five juveniles. Five were on the Ythan Estuary on the 30th.
PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Anser brachyrhynchus
Two were seen at Quendale on the 1st. Several skeins totalling 180 birds were also seen flying south over South Mainland on the 5th and in smaller numbers most days thereafter.
Pink-footed Geese over Loch of Spiggie – October 5th (Des Jennings)
GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser
Common throughout the islands (particularly South Mainland and Unst); the largest flocks were encountered around Loch of Spiggie.
WIGEON Anas penelope
Noted at the Lochs of Spiggie, Brow, Clickimin and Hillwell. A small flock was at Gutcher, Yell on 3rd.
TEAL Anas crecca
Noted at Loch of Spiggie, Loch of Brow and Loch of Hillwell.
MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos
Noted in small numbers on Loch of Spiggie, Loch of Brow, Loch of Clickimin and Loch of Hillwell.
SHOVELER Anas clypeata
Three were at Loch of Hillwell on the 7th.
POCHARD Aythya ferina
Two were on Loch of Brow on the 5th.
TUFTED DUCK Aythya marila
At least 20 were regularly at Loch of Spiggie. Up to 30 were on Loch of Clickimin on the 2nd with over 40 there on the 4th. Around 15 were on a roadside loch on Unst on the 3rd.
EIDER Somateria mollissima
Small numbers were seen in rafts on suitable bodies of water including Ronas Voe, Grutness Voe and Lerwick harbour.
LONG-TAILED DUCK Clangula hyemalis
Two were in West Voe of Sumburgh on the 5th and 7th. Six were off Scord on the 8th with two later the same day of Loch of Spiggie.
Long-tailed Duck in West Voe of Sumburgh – October 7th (Dave Walker)
GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula
A female was at Loch of Spiggie on the 1st with four there on the 5th. Up to ten were present on the final visit to Loch of Spiggie on the 8th.
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator
A female was in West Voe of Sumburgh on the 1st with twenty there on the 5th. Seven were in an inlet at Gutcher, Yell on the 3rd. Nine were in Pool of Virkie on the 5th with seven there on the 7th. Five were offshore at Collafirth on the 6th.
COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra
Up to 30 were in Ronas Voe on the 4th. Around 80 consorted with Eider off Blackdog on the 30th.
BLACK SCOTER Melanitta americana
A drake was with Common Scoter off Blackdog on the 30th.
RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata
Several were seen offshore from Shetland with a peak count of three in West Voe of Sumburgh on the 5th and again on the 6th with three from Scord on the 8th. At least six were seen sea-watching from Blackdog on the 30th.
GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer
An adult, still in summer plumage, was in West Voe of Sumburgh on the 1st and off Scord on the 6th.
FULMAR Fulmaris glacialis
Two were seen over cliffs viewed from Noss on the 2nd. Several were noted in Norwick bay, Unst on the 3rd.
GANNET Morus bassanus
Commonly noted off-shore, regularly being pursued by Great Skuas.
CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo
Small numbers were noted off Shetland.
SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis
First seen from the ferry approaching Lerwick on the 1st and regularly thereafter At least 180 were in the bay below Gulberwick on the 2nd with over 100 also encountered off Scord / West Voe of Scatness.
GREY HERON Ardea cinerea
Three were on the rocky shoreline at Haroldswick, Unst on the 3rd. One was at Loch of Clickimin on the 4th. Three were at Pool of Virkie on the 5th and two near Voe on the 6th. Two flew over Loch of Hillwell on the 8th.
PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus
One was in crop fields between North and South Collafirth on the 6th. Four or five were in fields adjacent to the fishermen’s car park at the Ythan estuary on the 30th.
RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa
Two were in fields adjacent to the fishermen’s car park at the Ythan Estuary on the 30th.
PALLID HARRIER Circus macrourus
A juvenile was seen three times on the 1st, twice from Quendale and once from Brake, and again on the 7th from Hillwell. A different bird was seen perched on the ground in the valley above Channerwick on the 5th before quartering the nearby moorland. Finally a juvenile hunted above Quendale late on the 8th.
COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo
At least four were over the Ythan Estuary on the 30th.
SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus
One hunted through woods at Kergord on the 4th whilst another was a Ringasta on the 8th.
MERLIN Falco columbarius
One spectacularly tangled with the Alpine Swift over Cunningsburgh on the 1st. One was chasing passerines at Geosetter on the 2nd. A male was seen at Hillwell and Fleck on the 7th with a female at Brake the same day.
PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus
One flew over Noss on the 2nd with a second, much darker, bird over the road to Maywick on the 2nd.
A Saker-type falcon was seen over Sumburgh Head from Grutness on the 4th.
Bay of Scousburgh, South Mainland
MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus
Noted at both Loch of Spiggie and Loch of Hillwell on the 1st.
COOT Fulica atra
Two were at Loch of Hillwell on the 1st.
OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus
Small numbers were present at Pool of Virkie and other similar coastal habitats.
RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula
Commonly encountered along the shores of Shetland. Up to 20 were on the beach at Sandwick on the 2nd.
GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria
Several flocks were noted in fields and on moorland on the Shetlands, particularly in the Boddam and Hillwell areas where the flock exceeded 400 birds.
AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis dominica
A juvenile was in sheep fields with Golden Plover at Hillwell on the 7th, where its smaller size, sleeker profile and strong supercilium were all noted.
LAPWING Vanellus vanellus
Small flocks were encountered on the moorland but were absent from bodies of water.
SANDERLING Calidris alba
Two were at Scord on the 5th with eight at West Voe of Sumburgh on the 7th. Over 100 were at Blackdog on the 30th.
Sanderling with Turnstone on West Voe of Sumburgh – October 7th (Dave Walker)
DUNLIN Calidris alpina
Often seen on the Pool of Virkie. Good numbers were noted on the Ythan Estuary on the 30th.
CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea
One was in Pool of Virkie on the 5th. Six juveniles were on the Ythan Estuary on the 30th.
KNOT Calidris canutus
A flock of nine flew passed Blackdog on the 30th.
RUFF Philomachus pugnax
A male in winter plumage was at Pool of Virkie on the 7th. Up to sixty were on the Ythan Estuary on the 30th.
SNIPE Gallinago gallinago
Five were flushed from fields at Sumburgh Farm on the 1st whilst four were Sandwick on the 2nd. Three were at Haroldswick, Unst on the 3rd. One was at Quendale on the 5th. Six were flushed at Voxter on the 5th.
JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus
One was flushed from fields at Sumburgh Farm on the 1st. Another was flushed from wet fields near Voxter on the 5th.
BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica
One was on Pool of Virkie on the 1st and 4th, with up to 30 there on the 5th and a similar numbers on other visits later in the week. Two were on the Ythan Estuary on the 30th.
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa
One flew over the valley at Hillwell on 1st. 15 were at Pool of Virkie on the 5th.
CURLEW Numenius arquata
Greater numbers were seen in damp fields compared with the shoreline; the largest numbers were in and around Exnaboe.
WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus
One was heard at Sumburgh on the 1st.
REDSHANK Tringa totanus
Commonly encountered on shorelines and in damp fields.
TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres
Regularly noted along the shore, with 80 at West Voe of Sumburgh on the 7th.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER Calidris pusilla
A juvenile was feeding on mud on the western bank of the Ythan Estuary on the 30th.
ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus
Three - two light morphs and one dark morph - were off Blackdog on the 1st.
GREAT SKUA Catharacta skua
Two flew overland at Sumburgh on the 1st. On the 2nd two were on the water at Loch of Spiggie whist one flew over Noss. On the 3rd three were at Gutcher, Yell with three (possibly the same birds) at Belmont, Yell and further sightings of one near Norwick and one over Hauula Brunet, Unst. On the 5th two were off Scord, two off West Voe of Sumburgh, one off Grutness and four were on Loch of Spiggie. Singles were seen offshore at Scord and West Voe of Sumburgh and over Hillwell on the 7th. One was seen off Blackdog on the 30th.
Rainbow over North Collafirth, North Mainland – October 6th (Des Jennings)
BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus
Small numbers were noted daily in fields and around the coast with larger gulls.
COMMON GULL Larus canus
Probably the commonest gull inland with flocks of up to 100 in the fields. Also plentiful in northern Scotland.
HERRING GULL Larus argentatus
Very common around the coast.
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinus
Common around the coast.
KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla
Several were noted in Lerwick harbour on the 1st with up to ten off Scord in storms on the 4th and regularly thereafter. Several were also seen sea-watching from Blackdog on the 30th.
COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo
A juvenile was in Norwick Bay, Unst on the 3rd.
ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea
An adult was in Scatness harbour on the 1st. Five (two adults and three juveniles) were off Grutness in stormy weather on the 4th. An adult was over Pool of Virkie on the 5th with two juveniles there on the 7th. Finally one was off Scord on the 8th.
SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis
Nine passed south by Blackdog on the 30th.
GUILLEMOT Uria aalge
One was off Scord on the 5th with one in West Voe of Sumburgh on the 7th. At least two were off Scord on the 8th. At least ten were off Blackdog on the 30th; a ringed bird (T33 066) was noted washed up on the beach.
BLACK GUILLEMOT Cepphus grille
Small numbers were in Lerwick harbour on the 1st. One was on the crossing from Yell to Unst on the 3rd. One was off Grutness on the 4th with one of Scord on the 5th and two off Busta House on the 6th. At least twenty were off Scord on the 8th.
PUFFIN Fratercula arctica
One was off Grutness on the 4th.
ROCK DOVE Columba livia
Noted on many locations on Shetland with flocks of up to 70 birds around Hillwell.
COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto
Not noted until the 4th when birds were seen at Voe, Helendale and Kergord with small numbers thereafter.
ALPINE SWIFT Apus melba
One gave wonderful views close above our heads at Cunningsburgh on the 1st before being chased by a Merlin.
Alpine Swift at Cunningsburgh – October 1st (Des Jennings)
SKYLARK Alauda arvensis
Common in grassland and cultivated fields.
SWALLOW Hirundo rustica
Small numbers were encountered across the islands. The largest number (approximately 20) were at Quendale on the 1st.
MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis
Very common on farmland and open moorland.
TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis
One was in a small quarry along the road to Maywick on the 2nd. A possible was heard calling over Voe on the 4th.
ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus
Noticeably scarcer this year compared to 2010. One was at Jarlshof on the 1st with several on the beach at Sandwick on the 2nd. Two were at Norwick Bay, Unst on the 3rd with one at Voe on the 4th and two later the same day at Grutness.
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT Anthus hodgsoni
One was at Brake near Quendale on the 1st. Another, very vocal, bird was at Channerwick on the 5th.
Olive-backed Pipit at Brake – October 1st (Dave Walker)
BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT Anthus rubescens
One showed well eventually at Burn of Quendale later afternoon on the 8th, just a few hours before we were due to catch the ferry.
CITRINE WAGTAIL Motacilla citreola
One was heard and seen calling in flight at Quendale on the 1st but unfortunately could not be located on the ground. It was searched for again on the 2nd when it was seen on the beach at Quendale. Another juvenile was in the farmyard at Fleck on the 5th and again on the 7th.
Juvenile Citrine Wagtail at Fleck, Boddam – October 5th (Dave Walker)
YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava
A very monochrome bird, potentially of an eastern race, was in a cattle field at Sumburgh Farm on the 8th.
Yellow Wagtail at Sumburgh Farm – October 8th (Dave Walker)
GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea
One was at Quendale Mill on the 1st and again the following day.
PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba
Small numbers were encountered around habitation and water; a possible White Wagtail was at Fleck on the 7th.
WREN Troglodytes troglodytes
Birds of the darker, longer billed zetlandicus race (endemic to Shetland) were occasionally encountered, particularly along the dry stone walls.
DUNNOCK Prunella modularis
Two at Channerwick on the 2nd was the only sighting.
ROBIN Erithacus rubecula
One was at Kergord on the 4th.
WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra
One was at Sumburgh at the 1st with another later the same day at Brake. One was at Levenwick on the 2nd.
Whinchat at Sumburgh Farm – October 1st (Dave Walker)
WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe
Noted regularly on Mainland including Sumburgh, Noss and Quendale with several on Unst on the 3rd. A probable “Greenland” was at Wester Quarff on the 2nd.
BLACKBIRD Turdus merula
Common around gardens and vegetated areas.
FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris
One was in fields west of Loch of Spiggie on the 5th.
SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelos
Several were at Sumburgh on the 1st. One was at Wester Quarff on the 2nd.
REDWING Turdus iliacus
Good numbers were noted freshly in on the 1st and regularly thereafter.
SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus
One was at Quendale in the rushes on the 1st.
BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla
Commonly encountered in all well-vegetated gardens, woods and valleys.
GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin
One was at Sumburgh Farm on the 1st.
BARRED WARBLER Sylvia nisoria
One was at Busta House Hotel near Brae on the 6th, unusually feeding in the top of the canopy of sycamore trees.
LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca
One was at Quendale late on the 1st. On the 6th one was at Islesburgh with another in the plantation near the Vidlin turn.
YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER Phylloscopus inornatus
One was at Quendale on the 1st. Following a big fall overnight on the 2nd, birds were encountered in several locations – 4+ at Channerwick, 5+ at Geosetter, 1+ at Quendale and 1 at Wester Quarff. Two were noted on Unst on the 3rd – one at Valyie, Norwick and one at Uyeasound. Three were at Kergord on the 4th with one at Levenwick the same day. On the 5th singles were at Quendale, Geosetter and Channerwick. The following day one was in the plantation at Collafirth with two at Sullom. Finally one was at Channerwick on the 8th.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Burn of Geosetter – October 2nd (Des Jennings)
CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita
Encountered in relatively small numbers compared with 2010.
WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus
Singles were at Quendale and Brake on the 1st. One was then along the road to Maywick on the 2nd.
GOLDCREST Regulus regulus
As with Chiffchaff, noted in much smaller numbers than 2010.
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapac striata
A showy individual was at Swining on the 6th.
RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER Ficedula parva
A male, still with an extensive red throat, was in the conifer plantation between North and South Collafirth on the 6th.
PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleuca
A female-type was in gardens at Ocraquoy on the 2nd. Another female type was at Valyie, Norwick, Unst on the 3rd with a third at Helendale, Lerwick on the 4th. Finally a female type was at Swining on the 6th.
COAL TIT Periparus ater
One was close to the fisherman’s car park on the Ythan estuary on the 30th.
RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio
A juvenile frequented fences bounding the Jarlshof ruins near Sumburgh Hotel on the 1st.
Juvenile Red-backed Shrike at Jarlshof – October 1st (Dave Walker)
ISABELLINE SHRIKE Lanius isabellinus
An elusive first winter of the isabellinus race (Daurian Shrike) was at Levenwick on the 2nd. Much better views were obtained nearby at Beadies on the 4th. Remarkably an adult female of the same race was then seen at Brake on the 8th.
Juvenile Daurian Shrike at Levenwick – October 4th (Dave Walker)
CARRION CROW Corvus corone
One was at Gulberwick early on the 1st.
HOODED CROW Corvus cornix
Widespread across all the islands in the absence of Magpie and Jackdaw.
RAVEN Corvus corax
Very common throughout the islands in the absence of Buzzard.
STARLING Sturnus vulgaris
Common across the islands.
HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus
Plentiful around habitation and on farmland.
TREE SPARROW Passer montanus
At least 12 were near the fisherman’s car park at the Ythan estuary on the 30th.
CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs
Small numbers were present in gardens and other sheltered areas but was much scarcer than say Brambling.
BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla
One was in bushes at Quendale on the 1st with a flock of eight over there later the same day. Two were along the road to Quendale on the 2nd. One was at Valyie, Norwick on Unst on the 3rd. One was at Busta House, Brae on the 4th with six later at Kergord. Three were at Quendale on the 5th and finally two at North Collafirth on the 6th.
GREENFINCH Chloris chloris
One at Quendale on the 1st with Brambling, Chaffinch and House Sparrows. One flew over Quendale on the 2nd.
SISKIN Carduelis spinus
Again another species present in much reduced numbers compared to 2010; three were at Channerwick on the 2nd.
TWITE Carduelis flavirostris
Extremely common across Shetland on open moorland and agricultural land alike.
Twite at Sandwick – October 2nd (Des Jennings)
REPOLL sp
The only record was a calling bird which flew over Quendale on the 1st.
COMMON ROSEFINCH Carpodacus erythrinus
Two juveniles were in gardens at Valyie, Unst on the 3rd; another juvenile was at Voxter, Cunningsburgh on the 5th.
Juvenile Common Rosefinch at Voxter – October 5th (Dave Walker)
LAPLAND BUNTING Calcarius lapponicus
After a bumper year in 2010 the only record was one which flew calling over Collafirth on the 6th.
LITTLE BUNTING Emberiza pusilla
One showed well on the access track at Geosetter on the 1st and again briefly on the 2nd and 5th. Another was found above the dam at Quendale on the 5th. A third was also found on the 6th in oat fields to the north of Collafirth plantation.
Little Bunting at Geosetter – October 5th (Dave Walker)
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING Emberiza melanocephala
A first winter bird rested from the strong wind on a tractor near Belmont House on Unst on the 3rd.
Other rare birds noted on the islands during the week but not seen by any member of the party included Rustic Bunting, Bluethroat and Pectoral Sandpiper.
Other items of interest:
Otters were encountered from the ferry terminal at Belmont, Unst on the 3rd and off Busta House Hotel near Brae on the 6th.
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