2008 - JUNE SIGHTINGS

2006 Report now out
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17^th – 30^th June The last part of June was very quiet. Highlights were a summer plumage Slavonian Grebe in South Haven (25^th) and the Waxwing still present until at least 19^th.  Birds of note included up to 2 Tufted Duck (21^st – 24^th), 3 Sandwich Terns (30^th), 2 Swift (18^th), Common Whitethroat (26^th), a female Red-backed Shrike (19^th) and Crossbills seemed to be present most days. Storm Petrels and Manx shearwaters put in the odd appearance either from Buness or the Good Shepherd crossing.

Probably the best sighting at the end of June was a bull Killer Whale seen firstly in Furse, but later off Finniquoy before heading north past Buness. A Porpoise was seen on 22^nd. A Peacock butterfly on 21^st was a good record which accompanied odd reports of Red Admiral and Painted Lady.

16^th June A Great Northern Diver flew south first thing and a Red-throated Diver flew east in the evening. The Waxwing put in another very brief appearance during the morning and there seemed to be a few Crossbills moving through including a group of 7. Also seen were four Greylag Geese and the Common Redpoll still around the south.

15^th June Highlight of the day was an Osprey heading north just before dinner.  Just as surprising was the reappearance of the Waxwing briefly in the Obs garden after lunch. Other than this it was quiet again with the Black-tailed Godwit, a Sanderling, the male Red backed Shrike and the Common Redpoll of note.

14^th June A very quiet day with the only birds of note present being a Common Redpoll and a male Red-backed Shrike.

13^th June  The only new arrival was a Grey Heron in South Harbour. The Waxwing was seen a couple of times during the day including in the Obs garden. Otherwise Black-tailed Godwit, male Red-backed Shrike, Common Redpoll and 5 Crossbill were all still present.

12^th June No obvious new arrivals but a few birds still present. Surprisingly one of the Waxwings appeared a couple of times during the day - firstly at the Haa and then at Barkland again. Also present was the Black-tailed Godwit, an Icterine Warbler, a male Red-backed Shrike, 5 Crossbill and the Common Redpoll. The CITRIL FINCH was not seen during the day, though there was an unconfirmed report late afternoon.

The final breeding Bonxie tally is an amazing 294 territories!! Take cover!!!

11^th June The strong north westerly winds continue. There were however a few new arrivals. The highlight was a pair of Waxwings that appeared at Barkland briefly in the afternoon. This appears to be the first midsummer record for the isle and the latest spring migrant in Shetland (previous latest was one in Lerwick on 2^nd June 2001). This overshadowed the female Pied Flycatcher and 2 Common Redpolls (at least one of which looks to be islandica) seen during morning census. The CITRIL FINCH is still present being faithful to the Quoy/Schoolton/Aesterhoull area and the male Black-tailed Godwit (from 9^th), Red-backed Shrike and Icterine Warbler are still holding on.

10th June The CITRIL FINCH was present around Quoy for most of the day but did wander to the Haa at one point. The only other birds of note were a male Red-backed Shrike trapped in the morning, an Icterine Warbler  in the Obs garden and a group of 5 Crossbill north in the evening. 9th June CITRIL FINCH still present and occasionally showing well around Aester Houll again but was moving around a bit. There seemed to be a complete clearout of birds with only a single Icterine Warbler remaining from the list of scarce migrants. However a Honey Buzzard came in off the sea from the south and put in a couple of appearances during the afternoon. The only notable counts were of 38 Wood Pigeon and 14 Collared Dove.

Honey Buzzard Photograph by Mark Breaks

8^th June The CITRIL FINCH was still present but was extremely flighty, being seen very briefly at Barkland then, a couple of times at Aester Houll during the afternoon before finally reappearing at the Haa in the evening. There was still a sprinkling of Icterine and Marsh Warblers and the male Red-backed Shrike and Black Redstart were still present.

7th June The three boat-loads of birders that arrived today went away very happy. Although occasionally going missing for lengthy periods of time, the CITRIL FINCH put on a good show when it did appear at Barkland. In the late afternoon it landed right in front of the Barkland heligoland and the bird was trapped and taken back to the Obs where, on examination was found to be in pristine condition with absolutely NO SIGNS OF EVER HAVING BEEN IN CAPTIVITY! The rest of the island was given some attention and birds seen included the Hobby again, 2 Stonechat, a Black Redstart, male Bluethroat trapped, 5 Marsh Warbler, 3 Icterine Warbler and the male Red-backed Shrike still around Pund,

Citril Finch Photograph by Rebecca Nason

6^th June Another day with the island shrouded in mist, but today there seemed to be several new birds present. This included a Hobby over Busta, an Osprey north, a Whinchat  at Pund and a Stonechat at Barkland. However these were all overshadowed when one of the islanders rang to tell the obs of a strange finch in his garden. When checked it turned out to be a stunning male CITRIL FINCH. It was favouring the garden around the Haa, but would occasionally move around to Skerryholm. It showed well for the rest of the afternoon and most of the evening but disappeared into the fog with two Twite at about 8pm.

CITRIL FINCH at Barkland		Photographs by Mark Breaks
Basking Shark off Meoness Photographs by Mark Breaks

CITRIL FINCH - another first for Britain!!!  Photographs by Mark Breaks

5^th June Still very quiet because of the fog. There was only 1 Marsh Warbler, 2 Icterine Warbler, 3 Red- backed Shrike and the 2 Crossbills still present. A little interest was stirred by a Marsh/Reed Warbler trapped in the plantation that had intermediate measurements. Both Manx Shearwater (2) and Storm Petrel (16) were seen on the Good Shepherd crossing but more frustratingly so was a pod of Orca.

4th June More fog and not many birds. Still hanging on were male (British) Yellow Wagtail, 3 Marsh Warbler, 2 Icterine Warblers and 4 Red-backed Shrike. There was also a Short-eared Owl in the north and 7 Siskin touring the south.

Yellow Wagtail Photograph by Deryk Shaw

3^rd June Thick fog was again covering the island. A Common Scoter off North Light was a new arrival. Also present today were 4 Marsh Warbler, 1 Icterine Warbler, 4 Red-backed Shrike, 1 Common Rosefinch and the 2 Crossbills still on the Rippack.

2^nd June The island was shrouded in a big blanket of fog for nearly the whole day. This meant there were probably no new arrivals with only the same birds still hanging on. The 2 Crossbills were still on the Rippack and there were 3 Marsh Warbler, 6 Red-backed Shrike and 1 Common Rosefinch. A male flavissima (British) Yellow Wagtail was probably the only new arrival of note.

1^st June North easterly winds were back with a few birds to be seen. Most notably was a male Rustic Bunting at Lower Leogh. It isn’t certain whether this is a new bird or just the same as the one seen at Wirvie on 30^th May. Scarcities included 1 Bluethroat, 1 Marsh Warbler, 2 Icterine Warbler, 10 Red-backed Shrike, 1 Common Rosefinch and 2 Common Crossbill which were present on the Rippack during the day.

Bluethroat Photograph by Deryk Shaw

Icterine Warbler Photograph by John Towell