7th April 2017 Unst W3

Spent most of the day on Yell were an immature Iceland Gull was seen distantly at Mid Yell. On our return to Unst we saw a pair of Pintail just north of Uyeasound that at the time we assumed were the pair Robbie had seen earlier in the morning at Baltasound being the first for the year. However, as we then drove through Baltasound the pair were still present feeding right where Robbie had seen them. An evening walk around Norwick produced the Pinkfoot, our first Collared Dove of the year and 2 Goldcrests. A pair of Greenfinches, a Siskin and a few Chaffinches were present on our feeders.

Pintail at Uyeasound

6th April 2017 Unst W6 Rain

Nice one Al - the Blue Rock Thrush at Belle Tout Lighthouse was a great find today for Al Redman. The blue skies to the backdrop to the photos unfortunately weren't replicated here as it was an atrocious day of near-gales and heavy rain. A drive to the shop to buy some milk did produce a juvenile Iceland Gull and a Bonxie at Norwick beach. The Brambling and a Siskin remained in our waterlogged garden.

Juvenile Iceland Gull at Norwick

Male Blue Rock Thrush at Beachy (J.F. Cooper)

5th April 2017 Unst NW5

Another unpleasantly windy day although it did brighten-up in the afternoon. Today's addition for the year was 2 Bonxies present in Norwick bay as were a sheltering a Great Northern Diver and a Red-throated Diver. The Brambling and 3 Siskins remain in our garden.

Bonxie at Norwick bay

4th April 2017 Unst SW5 Sleet

An unpleasantly cold windy day with sleet showers that produced our first Wheatear that was present on Norwick beach! The Pinkfoot remains with the Greylags at Norwick and a Sparrowhawk was seen hunting. Otherwise a pair of Greenfinches showed-up on our feeders, a Brambling was still present and 3 of the Siskins.

Female Greenfinch at Millfield

3rd April 2017 Unst S3 Clear

Only a single Brambling had remained overnight and another was seen at Frank's feeders and the Lapland Bunting was still present near the airport.

Male Brambling still in winter plumage

Lapland Bunting at Baltasound

2nd April 2017 Unst W2 Clear

Clear visibility from dawn where 2 Bramblings around our feeders were the first we've seen this year alongside 10 Chaffinches and 4 Siskins that had presumably stayed the night. An early walk around Norwick added the Pink-footed Goose, 12 Redwings, 10 Blackbirds, a Dunnock, a Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrests and 7 Chaffinches. Driving south we couldn't see the Crane but the 5 Pinkfeet were still present at the Heritage Centre. Only saw the usual suspects on Yell and on driving north across Unst we again failed to see the Crane.

Ronas Hill on mainland Shetland viewed from Yell

1st April 2017 Unst SW3 Light rain until mid-morning

Drizzly rain and low cloud with a brisk southwesterly wind wasn't too inspiring as a start to a day off work. However, a quick drive to look for the Common Crane soon found it happily feeding in a field near Feall. On my return our first 4 Siskins of the year had found our feeders and there were 2 Goldcrests in our roses. Skaw produced a juvenile Glaucous Gull and a Chiffchaff and there were 2 Woodpigeons and 3 Fieldfares at Lamba Ness where the blue Fulmar was again sat on the cliffs that was briefly joined by a Goldcrest! The number of Siskin in our garden had risen to 8 and they had been joined by 2 Chaffinches and a Robin. Norwick produced 2 Robins, 5 Goldcrests, 5 Chaffinches and our first Greenfinch of the year. Back in our garden Chaffinches now numbered 6 so along with the Siskins was a hive of activity that in turn was no doubt responsible for our first Sparrowhawk of the year flying through. An evening check of Burrafirth produced just 2 Whooper Swans although the Crane was seen at both Ungirsta and Feall.

  

Goldcrest at Lamba Ness

Woodpigeons seawatching from Lamba Ness

Male Siskin at Millfield

Male Chaffinch at Millfield

 Common Crane at Feall