Wednesday 28 September 2016

28th September 2016 Unst W2 Overcast

Our early morning visit to Skaw found a birder asleep in his car hoping to see the Paddyfield Warbler but unfortunately it wasn't anywhere to be seen unless it's the one found on Fair Isle today! A Yellow-browed Warbler was present in the beach nettles and whilst watching it an Osprey flew over being mobbed by Ravens. Both the Whinchat and Common Whitethroat were lingerers but the same couldn't be said about the skein of 25 Pinkfeet that flew over heading south. Lamba Ness produced 2 Lapland Buntings, 2 Puffins passing north and our first Pintail of the Autumn. The Brambling was still present at Millfield. Paul F then text to say there was a Dusky Warbler at Burrafirth that we were soon watching. On the way we saw 5 Whooper Swans (3 ad & 2 juv) flying west over Haroldswick and 5 adults at Ungirsta mires including one carrying a Danish ring. Norwick only produced 4 Blackcaps, Clingera was quiet with just a single Willow Warbler seen and the same was true at Setters Hill with just 2 Blackcaps seen. Halligarth was playing host to 2 Blackcaps, an Icterine Warbler, a Wood Warbler and at least 3 Yellow-browed Warblers. We decided on a return to Burrafirth where the Dusky Warbler had been joined by a Whinchat. As we headed for home a Short-eared Owl was seen hunting over Ungirsta mires.

Osprey being mobbed by a Raven over Skaw

Brambling at Millfield



Whooper Swan with Danish ring J05




 Dusky Warbler at Burrafirth

Yellow-browed Warbler at Halligarth

Wood Warbler at Halligarth