16th September 2024 Unst W4 Overcast

The wind had moderated at last. Given the lengthy period of westerlies there was a surprisingly good number of Common Rosefinches with at least a couple more seen by others. More-anticipated arrivals given the weather included a Greenland Redpoll and a Lapland Bunting, the latter seen thanks to Anne.

Skaw: Common Rosefinch.

Norwick: Pink-footed Goose, 3 Swallow, Tree Pipit, Robin, Barred Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Greenland Redpoll & Lapland Bunting.

NorthDale: 2 Lesser Whitethroat.

Haroldswick: Swallow, Wheatear, Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher & 3 Common Rosefinch.

Burrafirth: Whinchat, Common Whitethroat & Pied Flycatcher.

Common Rosefinch at Skaw

Greenland Redpoll at Norwick

top image showing size comparison with Twite

Barred Warbler at Norwick

Tree Pipit at Norwick

Lapland Bunting at Norwick

Common Rosefinch at Haroldswick

Pied Flycatcher at Burrafirth

15th September 2024 Unst SW5 Overcast clearing

A case of being so near and yet so far... as unfortunately there was no competing with today's Tennessee Warbler on the magic isle!

Norwick: Tree Pipit, Barred Warbler, Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff & Pied Flycatcher.

Burrafirth: Grey Heron, Glaucous Gull, Common Whitethroat & Pied Flycatcher.

Glaucous Gull at Burrafirth

14th September 2024 Unst

It's tough going with the ongoing windy, westerly-dominated weather. 

Norwick: 2 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Swallow, Tree Pipit & Blackcap.

Pinkfeet among Greylags at Norwick

13th September 2024 Unst WSW3 Clear

Skaw: Whinchat, Robin & Willow Warbler.

Norwick: Merlin, Barred Warbler, Blackcap & Pied Flycatcher.

NorthDale: Snow Bunting.

Snow Bunting near NorthDale

12th September 2024 Unst NW5 Frequent heavy showers

Norwick: Pink-footed Goose, Barred Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff & Pied Flycatcher.

Pink-footed Goose with Greylag Geese

the first that I've seen this autumn

11th September 2024 Unst NW5 Heavy showers

After a day of stormy strong winds and rain yesterday, unfortunately the wind again hampered birding today.

Norwick: Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff & Pied Flycatcher.

Uyeasound: Ruff.

Pied Flycatcher at Norwick

9th September 2024 Unst W3 Overcast clearing

Norwick: 17 Wood Pigeon, 5 Collared Dove, Tree Pipit, 2 Robin, Barred Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, Pied Flycatcher & Redpoll h.

Barred Warbler at Norwick

8th September 2024 Unst SE1 Clear

Norwick: Merlin, Robin, Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 5 Willow Warbler, Pied Flycatcher & Song Thrush.

Haroldswick: Kestrel, 6 Swallow, Tree Pipit, 2 Willow Warbler & Spotted Flycatcher.

Burrafirth: Whinchat & Barred Warbler.

7th September 2024 Unst SE2 Mist clearing

It was good to finally establish there are currently 2 Blyth's Reed Warblers at Norwick both of which have been present since at least Wednesday.

Norwick: 4 Swallow, Tree Pipit, Robin, 2 Blyth's Reed Warblers, Garden Warbler, 4 Willow Warblers & Pied Flycatcher.

Burrafirth: Whinchat, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler.

Tree Pipit at Norwick

Garden Warbler at Burrafirth

6th September 2024 Unst NE2 Overcast

Norwick: Merlin, Tree Pipit, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler (singing) & Pied Flycatcher.

NorthDale: Blackcap.

Burrafirth: Barred Warbler & 2 Willow Warbler.

Blyth's Reed Warbler at Norwick

Short p2. Emarginations on p3, p4 & slightly p5.

A recording of it calling here.

Barred Warbler at Burrafirth

5th September 2024 Unst NE3 Overcast clearing

Skaw: Willow Warbler.

Norwick: Redstart, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Pied Flycatcher & Hawfinch. Painted Lady.

NorthDale: Willow Warbler.

Haroldswick: Tree Pipit & Lesser Whitethroat.

Burrafirth: Willow Warbler.

4th September 2024 Unst NE2 Clear

At last the weather felt Summer-like today! The highlight was finding a Blyth's Reed Warbler. 

Skaw: Whinchat & Willow Warbler.

Norwick: Blyth's Reed Warbler, Reed Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, Pied Flycatcher & Red-breasted Flycatcher.

Burrafirth: 2 Willow Warbler.

Haroldswick: Reed Warbler.

Blyth's Reed Warbler at Norwick

In the above two images the short p2 and emarginations on p3 & p4 are visible

A few recordings of it calling here, here, here, here & here

Reed Warbler at Haroldswick

A recording of the Norwick Reed Warbler calling here.

3rd September 2024 Unst W5 rain clearing

A windy day with my highlight being finding a Red-breasted Flycatcher at Valyie.

Norwick: Merlin, Tree Pipit, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Pied Flycatcher & Red-breasted Flycatcher.

Skaw: Willow Warbler.

Red-breasted Flycatcher at Valyie

A recording of it calling here

2nd September 2024 Unst SE3 Overcast

It felt like perfect conditions but disappointingly produced very little and there was no sign of the Greenish Warbler.

Norwick: 2 Ruff, Tree Pipit, 3 Garden Warbler & Pied Flycatcher.

Skaw: Common Tern, Whinchat, 2 Willow Warbler & Pied Flycatcher.

1st September 2024 Unst SSE3 Clear

Despite a quiet start at Skaw there were a few newly arrived migrants around Norwick and the Greenish Warbler had remained in residence at Valyie albeit proving elusive. I then teamed-up with Tom, with us seeing more migrants on the west side of the island. The highlight was Tom flushing a worn adult Hippolais from a bracken-covered slope that gave us the run-around as it skulked between making (sometimes lengthy) flights but we finally obtained some images from which we established its identity.

Skaw: Whinchat.

Norwick: Merlin, Common Tern, Tree Pipit, 2 Garden Warbler, Greenish Warbler & Common Rosefinch. 

NorthDale: Heron & Fieldfare.

Burrafirth: Blackcap. Icterine Warbler & 8 Willow Warbler.

Haroldswick: Blackcap & 2 Willow Warbler.

Common Rosefinch at Norwick

Tom emulating Dante working the steep bracken-covered slopes 

Adult Icterine Warbler at Burrafirth

I was grateful to share in the reward for Tom's efforts!