25th November 2025 Unst N2 Clear

We completed the monthly SOTEAG beached bird survey. Brenda found a freshly dead Little Auk that must have been deposited on the beach by the recent high tide.

Skaw: 5 Common Snipe & Robin.

Norwick: 8 Common Snipe, 2 Water Rail, Robin, Song Thrush, 6 Redwing, Goldcrest & Chaffinch. 

Haroldswick: 2 Fieldfare.

Burrafirth: dead Little Auk.

dead Little Auk at Burrafirth

Having a wing length of just 112mm it placed it well within the measurements of the anticipated form A.a. alle.

23rd November 2025 Unst WSW2 Clear

Bluemull Sound: 2 Northern Eider & c.300 Long-tailed Duck.

Baltasound: Chiffchaff.

Long-tailed Ducks on Bluemull Sound

Drake Northern Eider on Bluemull Sound

20th November 2025 Unst N5 Wintry showers

The light dusting of snow had partially melted overnight. There was no sign of the King Eider of Norwick and we checked Skaw, Burrafirth, Haroldswick and Baltasound but to no avail.

Norwick: Long-tailed Duck & 3 Redwing.

Haroldswick: Woodpigeon.

Baltasound: 2 Northern Bullfinch.

19th November 2025 Unst N4 Wintry showers

We awoke to a light dusting of snow. After a week of bitter northerlies originating from the high arctic they deliver a nice rarity in the form of a 1cy King Eider off Norwick. 

Norwick: 1cy drake King Eider, 5 Purple Sandpipers, Water Rail, Robin & Fieldfare.

1cy drake King Eider off Norwick

As I battled into a blizzard, determined to find that one last rarity for the year... Oh, hang on😂 from the comfort of the armchair...

Purple Sandpiper at Norwick

15th November 2025 Unst NW2 Overcast

Another visit to Westing didn't improve on yesterday's views of the Red-necked Grebe. Brydon then phoned to say that he was watching 2 Red Grouse near Uyeasound! We were soon there to obtain flight views as they flew off north - the first that I've seen on Unst.

Westing: Red-necked Grebe.

Uyeasound: 2 Red Grouse.

Red Grouse near Uyeasound

14th November 2025 Unst N4 Showers and sunny intervals

After a couple of days of strong northerly winds and cooler temperatures it was no real surprise that there were fewer lingering migrants remaining around Norwick. The highlight of the day was a Red-necked Grebe retaining much juvenile plumage off Westing originally seen by Brydon on the 9th.

Norwick: 3 Purple Sandpiper, Meadow Pipit, 2 Robin, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Fieldfare, 2 Song Thrush, 7 Redwing, Tree Sparrow & Chaffinch.

Westing: Red-necked Grebe.

Red-necked Grebe at Westing

Still retaining much juvenile plumage including its head pattern & dusky flanks.

11th November 2025 Unst S2 Light rain

Continuous rain hampered birding during the morning and I then took a look out on Bluemull Sound with Brydon. 

Norwick: Water Rail, Robin, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Song Thrush & Fieldfare.

Bluemull Sound: c.600 Eider including a drake and eclipse drake presumed Northern Eider.

Uyeasound: Shelduck.

Common Guillemots at Uyeasound

presumed Northern Eiders off Uyeasound

Eider on Bluemull Sound

'Davina'

Having found her as a lamb alongside her dead ewe at Skaw the day of the Savannah Sparrow, she was successfully adopted by another ewe that had lost her own lamb. She is now fully grown and residing in Norwick.