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.

10th November 2025 Unst S2 Overcast

Unfortunately there was no sign of the Siberian Rubythroat despite a prolonged search. A walk around Norwick suggested fewer lingering migrants remain present. A late 1cy Lesser Black-backed Gull was present at Haroldswick.

Norwick: 2 Woodcock, Long-eared Owl, 2 Robin, 5 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, Fieldfare, 7 Redwing & Northwestern Redpoll.

Haroldswick: 1cy Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Long-eared Owl at Norwick

1cy Lesser Black-backed Gull at Haroldswick

still retaining most of its juvenile scapulars

9th November 2025 Unst S2 Overcast

I spent a very enjoyable morning with Brydon birding around Baltasound with the highlight being finding 2 Dusky Warblers. I then spent the afternoon walking around Norwick which took a dramatic turn on briefly relocating the female Siberian Rubythroat now at Kirkaton, only for it to promptly vanish again before anyone else arrived. Despite searching, we failed to see it again before dark but at least I managed to obtain some record shots this time - grainy as they might be!

Haroldswick: Pink-footed Goose.

Baltasound: Woodcock, Water Rail, 2 Blackcap, 2 Dusky Warbler, 4 Siberian Chiffchaff, 5 Chiffchaff, 6 Redwing, 4 Chaffinch, Northwestern Redpoll & Snow Buntings (heard only).

Skaw: Siberian Chiffchaff, Robin & 5 Blackbird

Norwick: Woodcock, 3 Water Rail, Long-eared Owl, 7 Blackcap, Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, female Siberian Rubythroat, 2 Robin, 3 Redwing, Chaffinch & 35 Snow Bunting.

Dusky Warbler at Hunter's Wood, Baltasound

A link to a sound recording of it calling

Dusky Warbler at Baltasound Post Office

Female Siberian Rubythroat at Kirkaton