The second full day of our Shetland trip dawned drizzly and overcast. As a result, the moorland at Brunt Hamarsland was quiet and fairly desolate. Nevertheless Golden Plover, Hooded Crow, Great Skua, Herring Gull and Meadow Pipit showed well.
Back on the main road, a Collared Dove, a Pied Wagtail and a Black-headed Gull were around a group of houses. A Raven, three Snipe, several Rabbits and the first of many Starlings were around the start of the Stromfirth road. At Stromfirth itself, several Two-barred Crossbills (part of an unprecedently large influx) had been reported from a broken shelter belt, mostly comprised of conifers. When we arrived, at least fifteen birds were commuting between the trees and nearby cottage gardens. Eventually good views were had by all, confirming that the flock was made up of both Two-barred and Common Crossbills. At least two red males and a green juvenile of the former and at least one red male of the latter were confirmed. Other birds in the area included Swallow, Curlew and Oystercatcher (all potentially breeding). Monkeyflower was thriving here and in much of the next area visited, the Esha Ness peninsula.
Returning to the main road north, a Hedgehog had been an unfortunate road casualty. Meanwhile two Red-throated Divers on a roadside lochan had a single well-grown chick in tow. The cafe at Braewick had Northern Marsh Orchid in the car park and singing Skylark in the surrounding fields. A Cormorant and two Twite flew over as we left.
The short drive to Esha Ness Lighthouse produced Rock Dove, Golden Plover, Arctic Skua, Raven Red-throated Diver, Redshank and Ringed Plover. Once there, the low cloud severely hampered any wildlife watching but plenty of Gannets flew past, a Rock Pipit bathed in a pool, a Twite flew over, Fulmars had well-grown young and a juvenile Raven followed passers-by, no doubt trying to scrounge some snacks.
Heading east now, a roadside lochan gave incredibly close views of a confiding pair of Red-throated Divers. A brief stop to look for Oysterplant at the head of Ura Firth (check) produced the plant itself (lovely) but also two Otters and two Grey Seals.
The bay at Garths Voe held the first two Red-breasted Mergansers of the trip and the one at Tofts Voe had three Kittiwakes.
The short ferry crossing to Yell was notable for several Black Guillemots speeding by (some carrying fish) and two flying Red-throated Divers The harbour area on Yell held Ringed Plover and singing Skylark among the commoner species. Meanwhile the harbour area at Gutcher held a female Eider with three ducklings, 30 Greylag Geese, 30 Shag and a solitary Cormorant. Eventually arriving in Baltasound, the immediate area there held Oystercatcher, Herring Gull and Blackbird. The day ended overcast but perfectly still with only the sounds of distant seabirds.
Back on the main road, a Collared Dove, a Pied Wagtail and a Black-headed Gull were around a group of houses. A Raven, three Snipe, several Rabbits and the first of many Starlings were around the start of the Stromfirth road. At Stromfirth itself, several Two-barred Crossbills (part of an unprecedently large influx) had been reported from a broken shelter belt, mostly comprised of conifers. When we arrived, at least fifteen birds were commuting between the trees and nearby cottage gardens. Eventually good views were had by all, confirming that the flock was made up of both Two-barred and Common Crossbills. At least two red males and a green juvenile of the former and at least one red male of the latter were confirmed. Other birds in the area included Swallow, Curlew and Oystercatcher (all potentially breeding). Monkeyflower was thriving here and in much of the next area visited, the Esha Ness peninsula.
Returning to the main road north, a Hedgehog had been an unfortunate road casualty. Meanwhile two Red-throated Divers on a roadside lochan had a single well-grown chick in tow. The cafe at Braewick had Northern Marsh Orchid in the car park and singing Skylark in the surrounding fields. A Cormorant and two Twite flew over as we left.
The short drive to Esha Ness Lighthouse produced Rock Dove, Golden Plover, Arctic Skua, Raven Red-throated Diver, Redshank and Ringed Plover. Once there, the low cloud severely hampered any wildlife watching but plenty of Gannets flew past, a Rock Pipit bathed in a pool, a Twite flew over, Fulmars had well-grown young and a juvenile Raven followed passers-by, no doubt trying to scrounge some snacks.
Heading east now, a roadside lochan gave incredibly close views of a confiding pair of Red-throated Divers. A brief stop to look for Oysterplant at the head of Ura Firth (check) produced the plant itself (lovely) but also two Otters and two Grey Seals.
The bay at Garths Voe held the first two Red-breasted Mergansers of the trip and the one at Tofts Voe had three Kittiwakes.
The short ferry crossing to Yell was notable for several Black Guillemots speeding by (some carrying fish) and two flying Red-throated Divers The harbour area on Yell held Ringed Plover and singing Skylark among the commoner species. Meanwhile the harbour area at Gutcher held a female Eider with three ducklings, 30 Greylag Geese, 30 Shag and a solitary Cormorant. Eventually arriving in Baltasound, the immediate area there held Oystercatcher, Herring Gull and Blackbird. The day ended overcast but perfectly still with only the sounds of distant seabirds.
posted by wellchoughed @ 11:55 pm
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