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30th September:
The undoubted highlight was the finding
(in the Gilly Burn) of a Savi’s Warbler (the first autumn record for
Shetland) late in the morning. It was trapped and showed signs of belonging
to one of the eastern races. A Long-tailed Duck in the havens was a
year-tick (taking us to 191), a Little Bunting in the Walli Burn
was new and the Citrine Wagtail remains. Counts included 2
Water Rails, Greenshank, 4 Swallows, Tree Pipit, 2 Grey
Wagtails, Black Redstart, Grasshopper Warbler, Reed Warbler, 15
Yellow-browed Warblers, 7 Linnets and 3
Common Rosefinches.
29th September:
A reasonably quiet day today with a
scattering of common warblers, finches and thrushes. The
highlights were a Citrine Wagtail at Quoy and another Lanceolated
Warbler (a much darker, streaked individual) in the Gilly Burn. A
supporting cast of Black Redstart, 7 Yellow-browed Warblers,
3 Common Rosefinches and counts of single Sparrowhawk, Knot,
6 Dunnocks and a Ring Ouzel.
28th September:
A switch to an East/South-east wind
produced immediate results with the discovery of a showy Lanceolated
Warbler in the Gilly Burn in the morning and the field identification by
two competent observers of a Blyth’s Reed Warbler in Gunnawark during
the afternoon. Numbers of migrants were in good supply today with counts of
8 Swallows, 5 Dunnocks, 3 Robins, 2 Redstarts, 4
Blackbirds, 5 Fieldfare, 55 Redwings, 8 Lesser
Whitethroats, 5 Garden Warblers, 7 Blackcaps, 11
Yellow-browed Warblers, 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Red-breasted
Flycatchers, 5 Pied Flycatchers, 45 Bramblings, 4
Crossbills, 2 Common Rosefinches and 8 Lapland Buntings!
Other birds of note included a Water Rail, Common Sandpiper,
Short-eared Owl, 2 Bluethroats, Black Redstart, a
Reed Warbler, Barred Warbler, Whitethroat, Reed Bunting
and the Bean Goose.
27th September:
A Slavonian Grebe in Finnequoy was
a welcome addition to the year list and highlights of the day included the
now very mobile Arctic Redpoll, 2 Bluethroats, a
Yellow-browed Warbler, a Common Rosefinch and the
re-appearance of the Bean Goose in Sukka Mire. Census produced a
Ruff, Wood Pigeon, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Grey Wagtails,
9 Dunnocks, 2 Robins, a Black Redstart, 3 Redwing,
2 Blackcaps, Pied Flycatcher, 7 Bramblings and 11
Lapland Buntings.
26th September:
Today’s highlight was the re-appearance,
in better weather, of the Arctic Redpoll at Hesti Geo! New birds
included 2 Short-eared Owls, a Tree Pipit, Mealy Redpoll
and a Common Rosefinch. An Iceland Gull was seen,
although presumably this was the same bird as a few days ago. Counts
included 6 Pink-footed Geese, 25 Greylag Geese, 2 Kestrel,
Peregrine, Arctic Tern, 390 Meadow Pipits, 4
Dunnocks, 2 Robins, the Bluethroat, Ring Ouzel, a
few thrushes, a small number of warblers, 13 Brambling
and 80 Snow Buntings. The elusive Little Bunting was seen at
the Haa.
25th September:
Sea-watching was the order of the day
again and the obvious highlight were the two Little Auks (second
earliest record) which flew past Buness in the morning along with a
Pintail, 22 Kittiwakes, 8 Guillemot, Razorbill and
2 Puffins. On land, a Kestrel, Merlin, 2 Water Rails,
Short-eared Owl, 4 Goldcrests, Pied Flycatcher, 15
Lapland Buntings and 2 Reed Buntings were seen. The Little
Bunting, Bluethroat and Yellow-browed Warbler were all
seen again.
24th September:
A first-winter Iceland Gull in the
Havens was the obvious highlight in the near gale-force SW wind!
Sea-watching produced 2 Red-throated Divers, a Sooty Shearwater
and an Arctic Skua. Non-passerine counts included 13 Wigeon,
Ruff, 4 Jack Snipe, 38 Redshank and 94 Turnstone
whilst passerines included 3 Tree Pipits, Bluethroat, 2
Ring Ouzels, Mistle Thrush, Yellow-browed Warbler, 9
Lapland Buntings and the Little Bunting.
23rd September:
A quieter day today, in a strong SW wind.
Attention once again focussed on sea-watching where 2 Sooty Shearwaters,
an Arctic Skua and an Arctic Tern were the highlights. The
Little Bunting, Bluethroat, Barred Warbler and 2
Yellow-browed Warblers were seen and counts included 22 Pink-footed
Geese, 44 Wigeon, Water Rail, 4 Jack Snipe, 6
Lapland Buntings and the autumn’s first Grey Wagtail.
22nd September:
The purple patch continues in fine form
with the discovery of an Arctic Redpoll (of the race exilipes)
at South Lighthouse. Rarer in Fair Isle terms was the Grey Phalarope
in the Havens. Scarce migrants included a Little Bunting at Busta, a
Bluethroat, Barred Warbler, 4 Yellow-browed Warblers
and the Pectoral Sandpiper. Counts included 80 Pink-footed Geese,
a Barnacle Goose, 24 Wigeon, Merlin,
Peregrine, 3 Knot, Sanderling, Ruff, 5 Jack
Snipe, Short-eared Owl, 2 Robins, Ring Ouzel, 8
Chaffinches, 13 Bramblings, 2 Crossbills, 4 Lapland
Buntings and 2 Reed Buntings.
21st September:
The rarity run continues as a
Lanceolated Warbler (third this autumn) was found in the Meadow Burn.
Scarcities included Bluethroat, Barred Warbler, 4
Yellow-browed Warblers and 2 Red-breasted Flycatchers.
Non-passerines included a Sooty Shearwater, 36 Pink-footed Geese,
4 Common Scoter, Knot, Sanderling and Short-eared
Owl whilst passerine counts included 2 Tree Pipits, 6
Dunnocks, 2 Redstarts, Ring Ouzel, 10 Chaffinches,
30 Bramblings, Crossbill, 10 Lapland Buntings and 3
Reed Buntings. The long-staying Pectoral Sandpiper is still
present!
20th September:
By far one of the best days of the autumn so far. A mobile Citrine
Wagtail was found, initially at Setter, before touring the south of the
island and an Arctic Warbler was found at Leogh. Supporting cast
included a Bluethroat, Barred Warbler, 8 Yellow-browed
Warblers, 4 Red-breasted Flycatchers and a Common Rosefinch.
Counts included a Water Rail, 4 Jack Snipe, 140 Skylarks,
3 Whinchats, 7 Song Thrushes, 7 Redwing, 3 Garden
Warblers, 7 Willow Warblers, 14 Goldcrests, Spotted
Flycatcher, 7 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Crossbills and 50
Snow Buntings. Autumn ‘firsts’ included 4 Dunnocks, 5
Chaffinches, 16 Bramblings and a Reed Bunting. The
Pectoral Sandpiper remains faithful to the ditches of Barkland!
19th September:
A switch to a NE wind produced some
quality birds today. A Spotted Crake was found at Burkle, 2
Corncrakes were flushed in the south, a Stonechat was at
Schoolton, a Yellow-browed Warbler was in Skinner’s Glig and an early
Taiga Bean Goose was found in the Parks. Counts included 20
Pink-footed Geese, Tufted Duck, Peregrine, 2 Swallows,
Robin, Redstart, Barred Warbler, 2 Wood Warblers,
2 Common Rosefinches, 6 Lapland Buntings and 100 Snow
Buntings. The Pectoral Sandpiper remains.
18th September:
Another good day, with a mixture of
sea-watching and land observations. Highlights on the sea were 5 Sooty
Shearwaters, 1 Manx Shearwater, 1 Arctic Skua and an
Arctic Tern. Highlights on land included a Corncrake, Barred
Warbler, 4 Wood Warblers, Lesser Redpoll, 4 Common
Rosefinches and the elusive Ortolan, again in Gilsetter. Counts
included 28 Wigeon, 14 Teal, 3 Knot, 83 Redshank,
78 Turnstone, 130 Skylarks, Tree Pipit, 5 Fieldfare,
Redwing, 4 Blackcaps, 16 Siskins and 5
Lapland Buntings. Six Snow Buntings in the north were the first
of the autumn. The Pectoral Sandpiper is still here!
17th September:
Today’s highlight was a flyover
Red-throated Pipit in the Wirvie, which did not linger. The Pectoral
Sandpiper remains at Barkland. In a strengthening S/SW wind, attention
switched to sea-watching with highlights from land including 4
Red-throated Divers, 9 Sooty Shearwaters, 5 Arctic Skuas
and 11 Kittiwakes whilst sightings from the Good Shepherd included a
Sooty Shearwater, 15 Storm Petrels and a Leach’s Petrel.
Wildfowl included 240 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Greylag Geese,
38 Wigeon and 5 Teal. Three Kestrels were around the
island and influxes included 10 Jack Snipe, 54 Golden Plovers,
23 Common Gulls and 700 Meadow Pipits. Census produced a
Short-eared Owl, Tree Pipit, Reed Warbler, Barred
Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Wood Warblers and a
small number of commoner warblers. Sixteen Siskins, a Lesser
Redpoll, 3 Mealy Redpolls, 4 Common Rosefinches and 12
Lapland Buntings were also seen.
16th September:
A similar day to yesterday. The Pectoral Sandpiper was still
around Barkland and census produced a Sooty Shearwater, 34 Wigeon,
2 Merlin (first of the autumn), 7 Dunlin, Ruff,
Greenshank and a late Puffin. Counts included a Swallow,
390 Meadow Pipits, 90 Wheatears, 7 Fieldfare, Song
Thrush, 2 Barred Warblers, 3 Wood Warblers, a
Chiffchaff, 11 Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Mealy
Redpoll, 4 Common Rosefinches and 8 Lapland Buntings.
15th September:
A much better day today in a light SW
wind. Bird of the day was a Pectoral Sandpiper found on Field
Pond in the afternoon. Counts, mainly of non-passerines, included 2
Red-throated Divers, 9 Pink-footed Geese, 24 Wigeon, 11
Teal, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 65 Golden Plovers,
2 Jack Snipe, 16 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 61 Kittiwakes
and a Short-eared Owl. Passerines included a Tree Pipit, 2
Bluethroats, Redstart, Redwing, Sedge Warbler,
Barred Warbler, Wood Warbler, Mealy Redpoll, 3
Common Rosefinches and 12 Lapland Buntings. A Lesser Redpoll
around the south was an addition to the year list.
14th September:
Today’s highlights came from the Good
Shepherd IV, with a Sooty Shearwater and Pomarine Skua seen on
the crossing. ‘Hangers on’ include the Corncrake, Bluethroat,
Barred Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Common
Rosefinches and the very elusive Ortolan Bunting. Census produced
8 Greylag Geese, 2 Water Rails, a Sand Martin, 2
Tree Pipits and 8 Pied Flycatchers.
13th September:
In the very wet and windy conditions, the
Blyth’s Reed Warbler was once again seen in the Observatory garden
and a Corncrake was new in at Setter. An influx of some migrants
included 47 Golden Plovers, 14 Wigeon, 19 Teal, 50
Snipe and 60 Turnstone. Census of the island revealed a
Pintail, Jack Snipe, 2 Swallows, Robin, 11
Goldcrests and 4 Lapland Buntings. The Bluethroat, a
Yellow-browed Warbler and at least 3 Common Rosefinches are also
still present.
12th September:
The Blyth’s Reed Warbler was seen
again throughout the day in the Observatory garden as were the 3
Yellow-browed Warblers and new migrants included a Bluethroat,
Jack Snipe, Tree Pipit and an increase to 5 Common Rosefinches.
Census produced 4 Whinchats, Redwing, Sedge Warbler,
Barred Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Whitethroats, 4
Blackcaps, 5 Willow Warblers, 6 Goldcrests, 4
Pied Flycatchers and 2 Lapland Buntings. An Ortolan Bunting seen
at the Plantation was either a new bird or that of the 7th!
11th September:
Two star birds turned up today! A
Blyth’s Reed Warbler was trapped just after breakfast in the Plantation
and a Lanceolated Warbler showed on and off during the morning in
Charlie’s Trees. A Pintail was a welcome addition to the year list
and scarce migrants included 2 Barred Warblers, 3 Yellow-browed
Warblers and 2 Common Rosefinches. Counts included Sandwich
Tern and Redwing, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 7 Garden
Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 9 Willow Warblers, 10
Goldcrests, 19 Pied Flycatchers and 5 Lapland Buntings.
Other news:
For all those recent visitors to the island, Hollie gave
birth to a baby boy last night!
10th September:
Birds of the day were a Barred Warbler and the 2 Wrynecks. The
wind was firmly in the south-west, but census produced a Jack Snipe,
Common Scoter and Greenshank. Counts of migrants inlcuded 7
Grey Herons, 45 Ringed Plovers, 6 Whinchats, Reed
Warbler, 2 each of Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler and
Blackcap, 8 Willow Warblers, 8 Goldcrests and 120 Twite.
9th September:
A pleasant day today, with a few common
migrants in the warm sunshine. Bird of the day was a Scaup in North
Haven and a Spotted Redshank was on Vaasetter. The autumn’s first
Jack Snipe and Water Rail (2) were seen and scarce migrants
included 2 Common Rosefinches, 2 Wrynecks and 2 Barred
Warblers. Census revealed counts of 5 Fieldfares, 5 Lesser
Whitethroats, 6 Garden Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 13 Willow
Warblers, 16 Goldcrests, 11 Pied Flycatchers, 4 Lapland
Buntings and single Sedge Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher.
8th September:
The rarities continue as a Lanceolated
Warbler was seen briefly in Schoolton ditch mid-morning. Unfortunately
it could not be re-found. Supporting cast included the Yellow-breasted
Bunting, a Common Rosefinch and 3 Barred Warblers. A count
of 24 Cormorants was notable and other counts included 6 Whinchat,
40 Wheatears, 2 Reed Warblers, 7 Lesser Whitethroats,
10 Garden Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 20 Willow Warblers, 6
Pied Flycatchers and a Common Rosefinch. An adult Pomarine
Skua was seen from the Northlink ferry just off North Light along with 3
Storm Petrels.
7th September:
By far the best day of the autumn so far.
A mobile first-winter Citrine Wagtail was seen on Field Pond before
flying south and an elusive Yellow-breasted Bunting was seen at Busta.
At least 2 Common Rosefinches were seen along with another new
Barred Warbler. A Lapland Bunting was seen in he north and
a Mealy Redpoll was mobile in the south. Small numbers of Willow
Warblers (10), Garden Warblers (8), Goldcrests (7) and
Siskin (5) were seen. The Ortolan Bunting remains.
6th September:
The continuing south/south easterly
produced yet more birds. The autumn’s first two Lapland Buntings were
on the Rippack and a new Barred Warbler was seen at the Plantation.
Numbers of migrants totalled 7 Grey Herons, 7 Wigeon, Ruff,
Tree Pipit, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Reed Warblers, 2
Lesser Whitethroats, 14 Willow Warblers, 5 Goldcrests, 2
Pied Flycatchers and 2 Siskin. The Common Rosefinch and
Ortolan Bunting remain.
5th September:
Another good day! The year’s first
Ortolan Bunting was found near the Plantation today and showed very well
at times. Other new arrivals included a Turtle Dove, Barred
Warbler, a Common Rosefinch and a Grasshopper Warbler.
Counts included 4 Teal, Whimbrel, Fieldfare, 9
Willow Warblers, 10 Goldcrests, Pied Flycatcher and 300
Twite. The Marsh Warbler was seen again in the Observatory
garden.
4th September:
The wind switched to a light
south/south-easterly today and an increase in migrants included a Marsh
Warbler which showed very well at the Chalet mid-morning. A
Moorhen was in the Plantation and a Peregrine was the first of
the autumn. Other autumn first included a Robin and a Spotted
Flycatcher. The daily census produced a Black Redstart, Sedge
Warbler, 11 Willow Warblers, and 16 Goldcrests.
3rd September:
Again a quiet day. The Kestrel, Swift
and 11 Willow Warblers remain as does the summering
Song Thrush. Garden Warblers increased to 3 birds and a count of
200 Twite included a capture of 37 (almost higher than
previous year’s ringing totals!).
2nd September:
Still few birds around in the strong
south-westerly wind. New in today was a Chiffchaff (first of the autumn),
but otherwise most birds were remainders from yesterday with a Kestrel,
Swift, Whinchat, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler and
12 Willow Warblers. A count of 53 Skylarks was notable.
1st September:
A busy start to the month (on recent form)
as the winds switched round to a light south-westerly. Today’s highlights
included a new Barred Warbler at Midway, a ‘flava’ Wagtail,
female Redstart, a Blackbird and a Whitethroat. Counts
from the daily census included 7 Teal, 5 Mallard, a female
Kestrel, 2 Arctic Skuas, a Razorbill, Swift, 16
Swallows, 3 House Martins, 30 Wheatears, 10 Willow
Warblers and 230 Twite. |
