📖 Eastern Common Nightingale- 21/10/25

Since getting back from Shetland over a week ago, I've been stuck at home. My consultant was not pleased that I had gone to Shetland in the first place and insisted that I stay home, wearing my weight-bearing boot. Now, I'm waiting for an appointment with an ankle surgeon.

It’s not as bad as it seems to be at home right now. The constant movement of thousands of Pink-footed Geese migrating overhead and a few winter visitors already arriving at the garden feeders adds some excitement. Over the past few days, several autumn migrants have been spotted locally too: a male Bluethroat and a Smew at Donmouth, a Firecrest at Longhaven, Yellow-browed Warblers at Forvie and Girdleness, and, most enticing of all, an Eastern Common Nightingale at Rattray! 

Eastern Common Nightingale, Rattray.

Despite having a bucket list, A Nightingale in Scotland, especially locally, was not even on my radar when I moved here five years ago. So I knew that the temptation might be too strong for me, but I remained patient, hoping the bird would stay for a second day. This morning, I checked for updates, and as soon as I learned that the bird had appeared, I set out to find it. I knew it was close to the parking area at Rattray, so I was optimistic that I wouldn't have to walk far, if at all. Driving an automatic car made things easier as well. I really needn't have worried, as within twenty minutes of arriving, the bird was beautifully perched on the fence adjacent to the car park! I spent an hour with David Capon, hunched down just yards from the car, along with a dozen other birders who were watching the bird occasionally pop onto the fence. One chap even drove overnight from Felixstowe! 

Eastern Common Nightingale, Rattray.

A great result for me, along with another excellent find by Andy Carroll, who consistently keeps me updated with his discoveries, which, to be honest, occur quite frequently!

Eastern Common Nightingale, Rattray.

Eastern Common Nightingale, Rattray.

📖 Shetland 2025 Conclusion

After three days without any issues, on the morning of Tuesday the 7th, I noticed that my ankle was flaring up again, making it difficult for me to walk for extended periods. To prevent aggravating my injury and to handle the situation sensibly, I decided to take it easy for the rest of the week. I scaled back my activities and planned to do most of my birding from the car, which has always been my backup plan in case I encountered any challenges. It was either that or head home!

Dazza arrived, as usual, on Wednesday afternoon, the 8th. However, her flight was quite a nightmare; it was nearly three hours late, and by the time it finally landed, it was dark outside. Are the gods conspiring against us this year? To make matters worse, the weather for the remainder of the week was grim, with constant gales and heavy showers. This is not unusual for Shetland, but when combined with Storm Amy earlier, it felt never-ending. Typically, we would go on a few long walks while Dazza was here, and search for birds, but the poor conditions, along with my ankle injury, kept us from doing so. 

We spent our time exploring the various harbours and inlets, taking Dazza to see a few birds I had seen earlier in the week. Notably, the rare Siberian Thrush was still present, along with other species such as Rustic Bunting, Barred Warbler, and Yellow-browed Warbler. However, the lack of easterly winds this autumn has created an unusually calm period for rarities, and indeed many common migrant species as well. I don’t think I’ve taken fewer photos on any of my trips.

My biggest disappointment was missing the Blackpoll Warbler on Unst, which we were unable to see. Nevertheless, we made the most of our time exploring this amazing island. In the five years I’ve been visiting during this same week, this trip was by far the quietest and, understandably, the most challenging. However, I plan to return next year at the same time as usual. For now, it's time to focus on dealing with this ankle stress fracture.

Now that I'm home, I've compiled a list of the species seen on this visit below and added or enhanced a few more photos.

Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose, Pink-Footed Goose, Barnacle Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, Pintail, Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Greater Scaup, Tufted Duck, Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Red Grouse, Red-legged Partridge (heard-only), Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Little Grebe, Fulmar, European Storm Petrel, Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Merlin, Greenshank, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Purple Sandpiper, Sanderling, Dunlin, Turnstone, Curlew Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Gowit, Curlew, Snipe, Arctic Skua, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Black Guillemot, Guillemot, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Skylark, Swallow, Rock Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Redwing, Blackbird, SIBERIAN THRUSH!!, Robin, Northern Wheatear, Barred Warbler, Western Subalpine Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Yellow-browed Warbler, Goldcrest, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Carrion Crow, Hooded Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Brambling, Redpoll, Twite, Siskin, Ortolan Bunting, Rustic Bunting.

New for Shetland - LIFER!!

Ortolan Bunting

Red-breasted Flycatcher

Red-throated Diver

Juvenile Red-throated Diver

Northern Wheatear

Common Rosefinch

Guillemot

Sanderling

Northern Wheatear

Sanderling

Dunlin

Northern Wheatear

Brambling

Long-tailed Duck

📖 Shetland 2025 Update 3

Monday, 6th October 2025, 🌨️ 15c ~ Wind W @ 22mph ~ With the gloomy morning weather and no reports of any species I hadn't already seen, I decided to start my day later and spend some time blogging and sorting my records. It also gave my ankle a chance to rest. Honestly, it's a bit frustrating not being able to cover my usual distances in search of birds, but oh well.

My first stop around mid-morning was a few miles north at the intriguingly named Twatt, where a Pectoral Sandpiper has been reported the last few days. When I arrived, a few other birders informed me that the bird, which had been feeding with a group of Lapwings, had been flushed behind the ridge by some sheep and out of sight. I hung around a short while watching a Wheatear before I decided, like the birds, to head south.

Northern Wheatear at Twatt.

I stopped at Sound in Lerwick and took a brief stroll along the burn, past the houses. There wasn't much to see, except for a group of about a dozen Siskins feeding on the pine cones. As I walked back to the car, a Kestrel flew overhead, but that was the highlight of my visit. I've never seen it so quiet!

It was a dry and bright afternoon, and after quickly checking my WhatsApp groups, I decided to head to Grutness for Common Rosefinch. I spent some time at the south end of the beach, watching a pair of Red-throated Divers exchanging fish, an interesting observation. Then, a Wheatear on the shore caught my attention. Along the water's edge, there were a few Sanderlings, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, and a group of House Sparrows feeding on the seaweed. This seemed like a promising spot to look for the Rosefinch.

One of two Red-throated Divers.

I firmly believe in sitting quietly on occasions and letting the birds come to you, which feels like the perfect approach for my current situation. It proved worthwhile when, after a short wait, the Rosefinch appeared right in front of me amongst a group of House Sparrows. It stayed long enough for a few photos.

Common Rosefinch at Grutness.

Just as I was about to leave the beach, the boys from Warwickshire finally arrived, two days late. Andy Hale, Paul Cashmore, and David Cox had faced a challenging journey that included flight and ferry cancellations, as well as a stalled train ride from Coventry, all due to Storm Amy. Despite their epic trip, they seemed to be in great spirits.

I was planning to finish my day at Spiggie Loch before heading back north, so we teamed up for the last hour. As we drove away from Grutness, a Merlin flew across the road over the cars, and while making our way around the perimeter of the loch toward the hide, I stopped to take photos of my first Marsh Harrier sighting in Shetland. At another stop, we saw about fifty Barnacle Geese flying overhead. At the hide, the highlight was a Slavonian Grebe.

Marsh Harrier at Spiggie Loch.

After the boys left, I took a quick look at Scousburgh Sands before heading back north, where I found a Great Northern Diver to end my day.

Barnacle Geese over Spiggie.

📖 Shetland 2025 Update 2

Sunday, 5th October 2025, 💨💨 🌨️ 13c ~ Wind WNW @ 30mph ~Storm Amy continued to batter us overnight, but the gale-force winds had a silver lining. While I was having breakfast, I received news of three Leach’s Storm Petrels spotted at Aith Voe, which was only a 10-minute drive from my accommodation here in Tresta. When I arrived at the location, several other birders were already present and had reidentified the birds as European Storm Petrels, not Leach's. Still, it was such a treat to see them so close to shore.

The winds had begun to calm as I arrived in Lerwick to search for a Barred Warbler. Since it was Sunday, I parked behind Anderson High School and sat on a bench near the playing fields. I spotted several other birders through the trees, reassuring me I was in the right spot. I spent an enjoyable 45 minutes watching a few Redwings feeding on the grass along with several Starlings, in the trees, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest. After a while, I spotted the Barred Warbler on the edge of the treeline and watched it for a short while, but when I raised the camera, it had moved deeper into the undergrowth. 

A recently arrived Redwing at Lerwick.

After leaving Lerwick, I returned to the Loch of Asta, hoping to photograph the Siberian Thrush. Unfortunately, the bird was in a garden surrounded by a crowd of photographers jostling for position. After a brief glimpse of the bird, I decided I didn't have much hope of getting a good shot, so I headed off to Quendale Mill for a Red-Breasted Flycatcher. It was remarkably approachable and stayed just a few yards away as a half a dozen of us watched.

A very confiding Red-breasted Flycatcher at Quendale.

The weather brightened up in the afternoon, with clearer skies and calmer winds, though I knew more rain was expected later. I decided to rest my ankle, which is holding up well, and drove to Pool of Virkie, where I could watch the pool from the car.

On the pool, there was a mix of waders, including Snipe, Turnstone, Redshank, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, and a double-figure count of Bar-tailed Godwit. I also spotted Shag, Cormorant, Red-breasted Merganser, and Kittiwake to add to my tour list.

Double-figure Bar-tailed Godwit at Virkie Pool.

A drive around to the Ness Boating Club produced a couple of Black Guillemots in between the boats, now well on their way to winter plumage.  

Black Guillemot at the marina.

On my way back to Tresta, I stopped in Lavenwick to try and see a 1st-winter Western Subalpine Warbler, which would be an addition to my Shetland list since I had seen an Eastern in 2023. It was a short walk down the hill from the lay-by where I joined about twenty other birders, some of whom had thermal imagers—always a bonus when searching for elusive species. 

Record shot of the 1st-winter Western Subalpine Warbler.

After spotting the bird briefly as it moved between gardens, we finally got a good look at it feeding by a garden pond, although by this time the skies had darkened. A nice way to end the day.

📖 Shetland 2025 Update 1

Saturday, 4th October 2025, 💨💨 🌨️ 13c ~ Wind WNW @ 45+mph ~ Since my accommodation isn't available until today, I stayed at the Brae Hotel last night. After spending a night buffeted by Storm Amy, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the weather had considerably improved by the time I packed my gear into the car, even though it was still blowing a hoolie.

With the break in the weather, I decided to start my day with a brief walk around Brae Community Woodland. Over the years, this woodland has yielded some remarkable rarities, so I thought it was worth a try. Initially, it was quite quiet, and I could hear Siskins in the treetops, along with a few skeins of Pink-footed Geese and several Redwings flying overhead. The highlight of my walk was my first Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn.

From Brae, I decided to drive over to Billister to look for a Rustic Bunting that had been reported the previous day. Unfortunately, despite checking the ditches and gardens, I was unable to locate it. As I was leaving, there was a report of a possible Spotted Sandpiper at Sound in Lerwick, so I headed that way. Unfortunately, it was never relocated.

Next, a report of an Ortolan Bunting at Ireland. When I arrived, there were about a dozen birders, but there had been no sign. Another problem was the large flock of Twite feeding in the crop field, a needle in a haystack perhaps. I was told that birds would occasionally land on the roadside, so I headed back to the car for a vigil protected from the heavy showers. It would also be good for my dodgy ankle. Several Twite did in fact land both on the fences and road, but no sign of the target bird. Then, after about an hour, it was found perched on a fence! I did manage a record shot of the bird looking totally fed up and very wet. 

Ortolan Bunting - Not looking too happy about  being in Shetland

My final stop was at Spiggie Loch Hide to look for the long-staying Blue-winged Teal. It was a good choice as the weather had deteriorated quite quickly. I managed to get my duck species tally going, which included a few Greater Scaup but no sign of the Teal. So I headed to Tesco's and on to my accommodation at Tresta for the week. I was pleased that my ankle was holding up well.

📖 Shetland 2025

This will be my fifth consecutive October in Shetland, and if I go, it's likely to be a different experience than in the past. As my reader may know, I have been struggling with issues in my left ankle for some time. After numerous doctor's appointments, X-rays, and various blood tests without a clear diagnosis, I faced long waits with the Scottish NHS for further consultation. Eventually, I decided to go private and paid for both a consultation and an MRI scan out of my own pocket. It turns out that I've been walking around all this time with a stress fracture! Honestly, it came as no surprise!

In the past few weeks, I have been using a non-weight-bearing boot and ankle strap while mostly staying at home, and I have already noticed significant improvement. Then, to consider whether to cancel my trip to Shetland or take the risk. After discussing it with Dazza, we came up with a plan. I drive an automatic car at home, and rent a similar one while in Shetland, so driving won't be an issue. The main change involves deciding which birds to observe and the walking needed to find them. With caution in mind, I chose to go out; in fact, I'm already here, but it wasn't without its challenges.

I was scheduled to fly today, Saturday, October 4th, but with Storm Amy approaching, I was hopeful that Loganair would offer me the opportunity to change my flight to yesterday morning, Friday, at no extra cost. Given the circumstances, that was an obvious choice, and my flight arrived on time. As I write from my hotel room, the wind is howling, the rain is pouring, and all ferries to and from Shetland, including all flights to the island, have been cancelled until Sunday. It was a no-brainer!

I'm even considering that it's fate that brought me here. My very first bird sighting on this year's visit was a Siberian Thrush at the Loch of Asta—a lifer for me! I spent an hour watching the elder tree where this elusive bird likes to feed. Although I only saw it for about 45 seconds, it was a stunning sight, and I had a great view. Even better, it was just below where I parked. 

Let’s see how things go over the next week. You never know what this storm may drop in, and as always, Dazza will be joining me from Wednesday on.