Tuesday 18 September 2018

18th September 2018 Unst S1 Light rain

An early morning visit to Skaw produced a Yellow-browed Warbler and Lamba Ness added a Willow Warbler. Patrick & Hannah Lanaway then arrived and almost immediately Patrick picked out a Barred Warbler in our rosa - a proper welcome to Millfield! Undeterred by the light rain, fortunately it was virtually calm, we headed for Norwick beach where an Otter was watched feeding in the surf. It was soon apparent that birds were arriving with a smart acredula-type Willow Warbler and a Common Rosefinch both seen at Leawart and a Black Redstart, a Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaffs, a Garden Warbler and 3 Blackcaps at Valyie. We moved on to NorthDale where we saw a Pied Flycatcher, a Blackcap, a Willow Warbler, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Tree Sparrow and 3 Common Rosefinches together. A stop at Haroldswick pools produced our first Blyth's Lesser Whitethroat of the autumn and our last port of call was Burrafirth where a Chiffchaff and Common Rosefinch were present along the burn. So, despite the weather, a very enjoyable day's birding.

Patrick & Hannah at Millfield

Pied Flycatcher at NorthDale

Common Rosefinch at NorthDale



Blyth's Lesser Whitethroat at Haroldswick