📖 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Shetland23 Day 6 ~ 06/10/2023

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Friday 6th October 2023 🌦️ 💨  9C ~ Wind N @ 30MPH ~ Dazza arrived in the late afternoon yesterday an hour late due to a flight delay and with the galeforce winds and heavy rain at first light, we decided to sleep in and enjoy a proper breakfast before departing the cottage at 10am.

Our first stop was to search for a 1st-winter Amur Stonechat at Loch of Norby, which was spotted yesterday. The location is around a 20-minute drive northwest of the cottage. We did stop on several occasions to check a number of birds darting around in the wind, all Redwings and it was apparent that there'd be a large fall overnight.

One of many Redwings that arrived overnight.

We eventually arrived on site to find a dozen or so birders searching for the bird in what can only be described as very challenging conditions. Among them four Warwickshire lads, well one now lives in Cromer who I used to meet on many occasions when birding back at Brandon Marsh. Dazza sensibly remained in the car while I joined the others on the search. Unfortunately, we were unable to find it, although a few observers reported seeing the bird briefly on the west side of the loch before it flew across to the south.

Close views of a Barred Warbler at the Orca Country Inn, Hoswick

Although the rain had now cleared conditions were still appalling for any descent birding so a leisurely drive back to Lerwick for a coffee and a wander. The wind did drop sufficiently in the mid-afternoon so we ended up in Hoswick, a place Dazza really enjoys walking. We completed a walk along the now-flooded burn and along the shoreline before spending an hour birding around the village. At the now-closed Orca Country Inn we spent a good while searching the trees and shrubs and while I was watching a Yellow-browed Warbler Dazza suddenly pointed out that there was a Barred Warbler literally within touching distance. It was good to finish on a high after a very frustrating day but the weather looks a whole lot better tomorrow.

📖 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Shetland23 Day 5 ~ 05/10/2023

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Thursday 5th October 2023 🌦️  12C ~ Wind SW @ 10MPH ~ Yesterday evening, a rare White's Thrush was spotted on Bressay, which is a highly sought-after bird by most visitors to Shetland. It's expected that people will start queuing for the small ferry from Lerwick early in the morning just to catch a glimpse of it. Interestingly, we saw a White's Thrush during our visit to Shetland last year. So, I decided to wait and see if the bird would stick around for a few days. If it does, it would be a better time to go.

White's Thrush ~ From our visit in October 2022

Another calm and sunny morning, I started my birdwatching day just up the road at Kergord. Some Redwings had arrived overnight and I could hear their occasional 'Tseep' calls as a few birds flew overhead. The woodland was mostly quiet, except for a few Goldcrests and Robins. However, I did manage to catch a glimpse of a Barred Warbler in flight, although I was unable to locate it afterwards.

Goldcrest

I spent the morning searching several small plantations and gardens. The most exciting birds I could spot were a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Willow Warbler, a Wren, and, as usual, a Goldcrest. It seems that if you find a tree or bush in Shetland, you can almost always find a Goldcrest in it. 

Just before lunch, I went across to Levenwick for an Arctic Warbler at Midway Stores. The bird was pretty mobile and we ended up moving on three occasions but it did show very well at times but never stayed still long enough for any photos. Yellow-browed Warbler, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff were also noted.

Siberian Chiffchaff at Quendale.

I was picking Dazza up from the airport in the afternoon so spent the rest of my day around the south of the mainland. I finally had a glimpse of the Marsh Warbler, (my second visit) at Quendale along with Siberian Chiffchaff, Yellow-browed Warbler and a nice flock of around circa 75 Barnacle Geese overhead. 

📖 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Shetland23 Day 4 ~ 04/10/2023

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Wednesday 4th October 2023 🌦️  12C ~ Wind NE @ 9MPH ~ A much calmer day today with hardly any wind to start but a few heavy showers in the afternoon. It was actually a good day to go hedge bashing or in this case, willow bashing. The long-staying Veery at Lunna, along with the elusive River Warbler at Brae had it seemed finally departed and with nothing to really temp me on the Whatsapp groups I decided to spend the morning at Hoswick in the hope of finding a few rarities myself. 

At least 3 Yellow-browed Warblers at the Orca Hotel.

The 30-minute drive to Hoswick, south of where I'm staying produced 3 Whooper Swans on a small voe and three separate flyovers of Red Grouse while on route. Hoswick is a great spot to look for migratory birds as there are many gardens to explore, the Hoswick Burn, and the shoreline. I started my search at the carpark of the Orca Hotel, which unfortunately is now closed. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of a Red-breasted Flycatcher that had been previously sighted there. No sign of the flycatcher at this point but at least 3 Yellow-browed Warblers.

Record shot of a Barred Warbler as it made its way through a Sycamore.

A few other birders were on site and while looking down from our vantage point into some gardens below a large warbler caught our eye as it flew into a Sycamore tree, a Barred Warbler. I did see a second, or possibly the same bird later in the morning in flight as flew across the burn.

Red-breasted Flycatcher

In the end, I did eventually catch up with the Red-breasted Flycatcher at the road bridge which crosses the burn. While here a Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and yet another Yellow-browed Warbler in willows. Probably the same flycatcher was back in the gardens of one house some time later a Tree Pipit was also noted in the same garden. There was a steady passage of Swallows today and walking along the south side of the village great views of a Merlin which seemed to take umbrage with a Hooded Crow.

A Lesser Whitethroat at Hoswick Burn

I attempted a Marsh Warbler later in the day at Quendale but gave up after 45 minutes. However, I did manage the Siberian Chiffchaff just before a Rustic Bunting was reported back at Hoswick. When I returned to the place, it was mobbed and there was no further evidence of the bird, so I decided to call it a day.

An inquisitive Wheatear while I was enjoying my picnic lunch at Hoswick Visitor Centre.

📖 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Shetland23 Day 3 ~ 03/10/2023

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Tuesday 3rd October 2023 🌦️  13C ~ Wind W @ 20/25MPH ~ It was another windy day on Shetland, and I started later due to heavy rain. If you're looking for a 'fair weather' birder, then look no further!

Olive-backed Pipit at Voxter

The day started well when I eventually headed out with an Olive-backed Pipit in a small walled garden in Voxter. The bird showed quite well foraging around the garden and as with most OBPs was quite tolerant of the dozen or so birders squeezed in the corner. 

Brambling

It was a quiet day by Shetland's standards, with no significant sightings posted on the birdwatching groups or websites early on. So, I decided to head back for a walk at Kergord, which is approximately 4 miles away from the cottage. Kergord is known for having one of the most extensive areas of woodland in Shetland, with a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees spread over three plantations. Kergord didn't throw up any rarities but I did manage my first two Brambling of the autumn. Also at least three Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Siskin and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, the latter a rare bird for Shetland.

Lesser Redpoll.

A few other stops for various reported sightings without success but I did manage a nice flock of Lesser Redpoll near Sands of Sound feeding on the meadow sweet seeds were I also noted 4 Common Crossbill but no sign of the reported Common Rosefinch from yesterday.

Dotterel at Esha Ness.

My final stop of the day was at Esha Ness where among the large Golden Plover flock was a single Dotterel. I must say that I didn't hold out much hope when upon arrival at the designated spot the flock had dispersed into three groups, offering only distant scoped views. I decided to drive to a few other nearby vantage points and struck lucky when the bird dropped down with a dozen or so Golden Plovers just to my right. The photo was actually taken from the car! Also within the group a single Snipe and a Grey Plover.

📖 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Shetland23 Day 2 ~ 02/10/2023

   🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Monday 2nd October 2023 🌦️  14C ~ Wind SW @ 25MPH ~ Today was a day of both successes and failures for me. Although I didn't achieve everything I set out to do, I still had an enjoyable day in the glorious sunshine despite the strong winds that persisted throughout. There were a few heavy downpours in the afternoon, but they passed quickly. 

Bluethroat at Westhall Cottage today

Yesterday evening, I managed a photo of a Subalpine species at Wester Quarff (refer to yesterday's post). Today, it was identified as an Eastern Subalpine Warbler based on its calls so an excellent result. Additionally, I revisited Westhall Cottage and was able to catch up with the Bluethroat I dipped on yesterday, which showed very well for me today.

Whinchat along the Burn of Hoswick

Along with other birders on site I failed to locate a Barred Warbler at Gulberwick during the morning and equally failed to locate a reported Yellow-browed Warbler at Hoswick. However, I did enjoy a walk along the shoreline and the Burn of Hoswick noting Whinchat, Wheatear and I'm pretty sure I had a Red-breasted Flycatcher in one of the gardens but simply didn't get enough of the bird to be 100% satisfied.

Siberian Stonechat ~ Apparent 1st-winter male.

I did try for a River Warbler on two occasions during the day at Brae but without success. It was seen on just three separate occasions today but only briefly. The bird of the day for me was a rather stunning-looking Siberian Stonechat at Hamnavoe, Lunna Ness. While here a Great Skua passed over the voe and there was a Black Redstart in the ruins at Lunna Kirk.

📖 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Shetland23 Day 1 ~ 01/10/2023

  🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Sunday 1st October 2023 🌤️  12C ~ Wind SW @ 15MPH ~ Arrived on Shetland a minute early at 11.34 on Loganair flight LM72 from Aberdeen, despite circling the airport twice. A little-known fact, Sumburgh Airport does not open until 11:30 on Sundays! Quite remarkable in this day and age. 

A very confiding Veery at Lunna.

After collecting my rental car I drove straight to Tresta to drop off my luggage at the cottage we'd rented for the week. Dazza will be joining me on Thursday for a long weekend of twitching. My first stop today had to be Lunna for a Veery. After seeing numerous photos of the bird on social media in the last few days, I was grateful that it stayed long enough for me to finally see it in person. Although elusive for a short while the bird finally popped up on fencing for a photo opportunity. What a smart-looking bird!

1st winter Citrine Wagtail

From here I decided to head back south to Lerwick. It's been a good while since I've seen a Citrine Wagtail and apparently a bird at Seafield Park was still showing well after several days on site. When I arrived I was lucky enough to bump into a couple of guys who'd just photographed the bird in a nearby garden, in fact, I could see the bird with the naked eye from the carpark. Despite being in direct sunlight I managed a few snaps and enjoyed a half hour watching it feeding well on the lawn.

A nice Wheatear was the best I managed while searching for a Bluethroat.

What next? You have to be careful in Shetland, birds pop up on the Whatsapp group and birdguides frequently and you could find yourself chasing around everywhere and that's not in my nature. I decided to drive the 5 minutes along the sea road for a Bluethroat at Westhall Cottage. On arrival, I met a lovely local couple feeding their livestock and spent an enjoyable half-hour chatting about the island before actually looking for the bird. Another birder was also looking and once again I spent an hour chatting to a very interesting guy who's been birding in Shetland for many years. No surprise then that we both dipped on this one! 

An interesting-looking Subalpine Sp. 

My final stop of the day was at Wester Quarff for an interesting report of a Subalpine species, first reported as a possible Sardinian Warbler but later ruled out. I did manage to actually get a photo of the bird but the clincher would be the tail feathers fanned out but that was never gonna happen as the bird remained quite elusive. Let's hope the bird hangs around and someone gets a definite ID. Tesco's next and home after an excellent start to #Shetland23.

Another image of the 1st-winter Citrine Wagtail.

NEW Scottish Life List Since Relocating Permanently to Aberdeenshire in October 2020

📖 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Rattray ~ 26/09/2023

 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Tuesday 26th September 2023 🌤️  10C ~ Wind S @ 10MPH ~ I went to Rattray in the mid-morning in the hope of finding at least one decent autumn migrant, but unfortunately, the barren period continues. I couldn't find any despite thoroughly searching around the lighthouse cottages, it's been a poor autumn thus far! The only exception was a single Wheatear that I spotted along the fence line. However, a flock of around 500 Pink-footed Geese in the adjacent fields, along with twenty or so Barnacle Geese is always a treat to see at this time of year.

During the visit, the best sighting was a juvenile Arctic Skua flying south at a close distance during a short sea watch. 

Just about managed to point the camera before these Bar-tailed Godwits made off!

A few Sandwich Terns passed south and at one stage a group of seven Bar-tailed Godwits dropped onto the beach but moved off pretty rapidly. Also of note were plenty of Gannets, three Red-throated Divers and the usual hoard of Shags & Cormorants on the lighthouse gantry.

Arctic Skua...

📖 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Collieston & Girdleness ~ 21-24/09/2023

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Thursday 21st September 2023 🌤️ 💨 18C ~ Wind SW @ 25MPH ~ I arrived at Cransdale Car Park in Collieston at approximately 9:45 a.m. to meet David Leslie, the chairman of our local RSPB group. Our intention was to explore the surrounding area for a few hours, hoping to spot some autumn migrants. Despite the dry weather, the stiff southwesterly breeze made the conditions quite challenging. The wind was strong enough to whip up a considerable amount of sea foam, which floated over some parked cars just as I arrived!

As we were ascending the hill towards the parish church, a Wheatear suddenly appeared and flew over the nearby scrubland. Along the way, at least four Stonechats, including an adult male and three juveniles. Additionally, several Meadow Pipits and Goldfinches were noted along the route. David then caught sight of an adult male Common Redstart which perched briefly on rocks before disappearing into the willows at the churchyard, we never did manage to relocate. 

A single Curlew Sandpiper feeding just below the car park. 

A circular walk up to Forvie around the sand loch and back to the car park in strong winds made birding very challenging with nothing of any great interest to report so we decided against a sea watch and instead headed over to the 'Snub' car park for a look over the Ythan. Here, as per usual a good selection of waders with several Whimbrel among the Curlews and a single Curlew Sandpiper. Also of note before calling it a day: (2) Little Egret, (11) Black-tailed Godwit, (11) Greenshank, (4) Bar-tailed Godwits and various numbers of Dunlin, Redshank, Ringed Plover and Lapwing. 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Sunday 24th September 2023 ☁️ 15C ~ Wind S @ 13MPH ~ An RSPB Aberdeen & District Local Group outing to Girdleness today with 30 members in attendance. After a beautiful day yesterday weatherwise it was back to clouds and a stiff breeze today. I arrived shortly before the group at around 08:15 for a spot of sea-watching and a stroll along the shoreline to the allotments. 

A selection of Barnacle Geese from several skeins heading south today. 

The sea was pretty quiet with just a few Manx Shearwaters and an Arctic Skua of note but it was good to see several large skeins of Barnacle Geese, maybe 2/300 in total. These were likely from the Svalbard population heading down to the Solway Firth for the winter.

Juvenile Black Tern along the southern breakwater at Girdleness.

Due to the numbers, it was decided to split the group into two. My particular group took a circular walk along the shoreline below Greyhope Road and then after meeting back up over lunch, some of the members headed over to Nigg Bay. A selection of waders included Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Knot, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Redshank and Curlew. As we were observing a group of terns along the southern breakwater a Black Tern dropped in. Up against a nearby Sandwich Tern,  the size difference between the two was quite noticeable. As we reached the harbour entrance three Common Sandpipers were feeding along the shoreline. There are still plenty of Swallows, along with the occasional House Martin moving through and juvenile Common Terns, Arctic Terns and Sandwich Terns were all noted today.

Red-throated Diver

A half dozen Red-throated Divers were also seen today including the above almost summer plumage bird within the harbour walls. To be honest, it was a very quiet outing overall with no passerines of note, the highlight of the day for me was the juvenile Black Tern along the southern breakwater and of course the excellent company.

📖 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Autumn Update ~ 20/09/2023

On the morning of Monday, September 11th I travelled south for an hour just across the border into Angus & Dundee, for a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper which had been found northeast of The Slunks at Montrose Basin. Although I arrived just prior to high tide, which was not an ideal time, I did manage to catch a brief glimse of this elusive bird as it fed within the reedbed. Shortly after I got my best views as the bird took flight from where it had been feeding, flying directly overhead before circling once or twice and relocating to the far side of the reserve. Although it was not a perfect sighting for me, I am happy to have ticked it off as a lifer. There's an excellent photograph of the bird on the Birguides Review (11-17 September) taken by Dan Pointon.

So far early autumn has remained pretty uninspiring along the Aberdeenshire coastline with little to get excited about in the rarity department. That is unless you're an ardent sea watcher with some excellent passage on Sunday 17th. A short period of easterlies produced an array of species along our coastline, including Long-tailed Skuas, a few Sabine's Gulls, two Storm Petrels at Girdleness and the odd Balearic Shearwater. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get out on the day and enjoy the spectacle which was somewhat disappointing. 

A group of Sandwich Terns before the rain arrived at Rattray.

I finally managed to get out on Monday 18th beginning with an early morning visit to Rattray. There had certainly been an arrival of thrushes overnight with several Redwings as I drove along the track to the lighthouse cottages. A search of the immediate area produced (5) Stonechat along the fences and a few Meadow Pipits but little else. Unfortunately when I reached the lighthouse the heavens opened and the wind got up but before retreating back to the car I did manage (3) Red-throated Divers (south) and a single Manx Shearwater.

In the gloom, a trio of Common Terns take a breather at Cairnbulg. During my stay, there was a constant flow of Sandwich Terns, Common Terns and the odd Arctic Tern.

As the rain grew heavier, I decided to head to Cairnbulg. After parking strategically to face away from the wind but still have a view of the wreck, I was able to enjoy a few hours once the rain abated. Some of the highlights out to sea included Arctic Skua, (5) Manx Shearwater, Great Skua, Velvet Scoter, (22) Red-throated Diver (all south) (9) Pale-bellied Brent Geese, (22) Common Scoter, as well as approximately 40 Wigeon and 20 Teal. There was a constant passage of Gannets today with a high percentage being juveniles which was good to see.

One of two Wheatears in off the sea at Cairnbulg.

As the tide came in a couple of Wheatear suddenly flew in off the sea, a surreal sight but lovely to watch them for a while catching flies among the seaweed before heading south.

Grey Plover at Girdleness ~ One of two seen today.

After heavy rain last night, I took a walk along the shoreline of Girdleness, from the allotments to the southern breaker. Halfway through, a very pristine-looking Grey Plover feeding along the shoreline. Not much else was happening in the surrounding scrub, except for a male Blackcap. I spent a short time sea-watching at the foghorn, despite the challenging conditions. During this time, a Minke Whale, whose dorsal fin rose above the waves several times, which made it identifiable was a real treat along with several Manx Shearwater moving rapidly in the strong southwesterly wind, as well as a single Arctic Skua and (6) Red-throated Diver (all south) Eventually, I had to give in to the elements and call it a day.

📖 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Autumn Arrives ~ 10/09/2023

Autumn is here my favourite time of year, but the summer weather seems to be taking revenge after an underwhelming July. Almost everywhere in Europe it has been sunshine as far as the eye can see, with highs exceeding the 30s in some parts of the UK. Thankfully up here in the northeast of Scotland, we've hovered around the 25C mark and unlike further south the night temperatures have dropped to more comfortable levels and even below double figures on a few occasions.

Apparently, we can thank an 'omega weather pattern'. A phenomenon visible on weather maps of high altitude, basically a look at the atmosphere at an altitude of 5.5 kilometres. As the image above shows high pressure gets stuck between two lows and comes to a standstill as the systems block each other. They can last for days or in some cases even weeks!

Great White Egret ~ Two now regular at Strathbeg and becoming a little less uncommon to the area.

Since my last post, I've visited my usual birdwatching spots such as Loch of Strathbeg, Rattray, and the Ythan Estuary. There was a lot to see, including Cranes, Marsh Harriers, Great Egrets, Ospreys and plenty of returning waders including a Spotted Redshank, Ruff and many Greenshank but nothing particularly noteworthy to get excited about. I think the weather is to blame for the lack of interesting migrant birds visiting the Aberdeenshire coastline. However, at the end of August, I had a good sighting of a female Red-crested Pochard at the south end of Loch of Strathbeg. Although it was only visible from a distance, it was a great addition to my Aberdeenshire birding checklist.

Lesser Whitethroat ~ A lucky shot taken from the car window as I was parking at Rattray.

On a particularly quiet visit to Rattray on September 2nd the highlights were a Lesser Whitethroat and just a single Wheatear along the beach. There was little passage past the lighthouse, the exception a steady trickle of Sandwich Terns.

Northern Wheatear ~ A lone bird along the beach at Rattray.

On the evening of Sunday, September 3rd, I was sitting in my garden when I saw two swifts flying high over me. I got quite excited since our local swifts departed a few weeks ago and at this time of year there's always the possibility of an Alpine Swift, but they turned out to be Common Swifts. Nonetheless, it was my latest record since I moved north. The following evening, I saw the first skein of Pink-footed Geese flying over towards Bennachie, autumn has definitely arrived.

Another car window photo ~ one of the two Curlew Sandpipers.

On Wednesday 6th, I added two Curlew Sandpipers to my year list while I was at the Ythan Estuary near Foveran Burn. I had stopped my car along Inch Road in Newburgh for a first look around when I noticed the two birds feeding contently on the receding tide below. 

Plenty of Sanderling scurrying along the tideline at Blackdog.

Yesterday I went to Blackdog for my last trip of the week with the RSPB Aberdeen & District Local Group. Blackdog is a beautiful area of coastal dunes and beaches, which is about a half-hour drive from my home. Today's plan was a walk along the beach south towards Donmouth. During the trip, we mainly aimed to spot Waders, sea ducks like Scoters and Eiders, as well as Divers. If we were lucky, there's always a possibility of being able to see Skuas.

Knot with Sanderling in the foreground.

With a turnout of thirteen, we had a very enjoyable day in glorious weather. The highlights were large rafts of Common Scoter and many Common Eiders along with occasional small groups of Red-breasted Merganser, Teal and Wigeon. Try as we might not a single Velvet Scoter to be found but several Red-throated Divers heading south along with Sandwich & Arctic Terns. Waders for the day list included Sanderling, Knot, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Curlew and Bar-tailed Godwit. An account of the visit can be found HERE on the RSPB Aberdeen & District Local Group Website.

Bar-tailed Godwit