📖 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.