Today was to be mainly taken up with a visit to Fetlar and, in spite of very foggy weather, several good birds were seen including two distant Red-necked Phalaropes, three Whimbrel (including a bird giving its distinctive call from a fencepost), a drumming Snipe, good views of Arctic Skuas and a pair of Red-throated Divers with two young.
The day started with a visit to the post office in Baltasound. Some good birds were present in the immediate area including two Turnstone (one in breeding plumage and one not), seven Ringed Plover, two Dunlin, ten Redshanks and the first Mallard of the trip (flying away to the north).
The short wait at the ferry terminal produced a Pied Wagtail (possibly nesting behind the toilet block) and then a Gannet being robbed by a Great Skua.
Although known as the "Garden of Shetland", Fetlar proved disappointing due to dense cloud and mist which rendered the scenery completely grey. Visibility was down to one or two kilometres for long periods. Bird sightings were therefore few. However most of the special birds of the island were located. Also notable were a leucistic Starling in a flock flying over a pig field near Bealance and three Golden Plovers in the gloom on the old airfield. Tresta beach held a couple of Arctic Skuas and three female Eider, each escorting a small brood. A Pied Wagtail was near the church.
The return crossing to Unst produced an unusual sighting in the form of an adult Grey Heron flying in the direction of Fetlar.
The last stop of the day was Skeo Taing where all the "usual" bird species were present together with some nice Heath Spotted Orchids, but none of these managed to lift the overall dampness and greyness of the day.