22nd October 2016 Unst E1 Overcast

Another nice calm morning although slightly more chilly this morning in overcast conditions. Skaw produced 3 Chiffchaffs and the now usual good numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings. Norwick was better with a late Common Rosefinch found with the Chaffinches and Bramblings, a Waxwing, a Siberian Chiffchaff and 2 of the Yellowhammers still present. We then decided on trying Lund just in case we could emulate Mark's enviable success with finding a Red-flanked Bluetail at Geosetter a couple of days ago. We'd only walked c.50m through the nettles along the wall when a passerine flew c.20m and perched atop a brokem stem and there was a stunning Siberian Accentor sat in the glow of the low late October Shetland sun! I was transfixed watching it sat there until it dropped out of view before I'd thought to raise the camera. We edged towards it and another short flight and photos obtained - phew! We moved closer again and a passerine jumped up - Little Bunting! The Accentor and Bunting then stuck together for a while showing on and off. We then heard Lapland Bunting calls behind us and 3 were feeding around a cattle feeder. We had to then leave it and drive a few miles to get a signal to put the news out but it seemed that all the resident birders were off island. We returned and after obtaining more views we left it to check the rest of the nettle patch. We then saw Micky making his way towards us and were soon enjoying watching the Accentor and Buntings with him. We then headed to Uyeasound seeing a small flock of Brambling and another 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs.

Siberian Accentor at Lund






Little Bunting at Lund


Lapland Bunting at Lund

20th October 2016 Unst Calm & Overcast

Nice calm warm conditions this morning and clearly something of an arrival with Skaw producing a Water Rail, 5 Blackbirds, a male Ring Ouzel, 3 Robins, a Dunnock, a Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests and a Reed Bunting. Millfield played host to 2 Robins and a Blackcap and 2 Long-tailed Ducks were offshore. Norwick still hosted a Woodcock and plenty of Fieldfares and Redwings plus added another 9 Robins, a Siberian Chiffchaff, 4 Chiffchaffs, 8 Blackcaps, a Goldcrest, 3 Waxwings, 10 Greenfinches, 2 Chaffinches, 5 Bramblings, 3 Mealy Redpolls and 3 Yellowhammers. Setters Hill was trilling to the sound of 15 Waxwings and a Greenfinch. The School produced a familiar call that it took me a moment to think that I should follow-up for a change resulting in 2 Blue Tits being present as well as a Goldcrest and a male Mealy Redpoll. Burrafirth added another Water Rail, a Tree Pipit and 3 Chiffchaffs.

Reed Bunting at Skaw

Male Ring Ouzel at Skaw

Waxwing at Norwick

Yellowhammers at Norwick

Male Mealy Redpoll at the School

Blue Tit at the School

Tree Pipit at Burrafirth

19th October 2016 Unst N1 Overcast

Work was enlivened by good numbers of Thrushes still being present including a flock of 15 Fieldfares flying over high heading west and a Merlin pursuing a Skylark ever higher. Arrived home in time to quickly check Norwick flushing 4 Woodcock and seeing 3 Yellowhammers along with a Wheatear, a couple of Robins, a Blackcap, a Siberian Chiffchaff and 2 Chiffchaffs and a noticeable increase in the numbers of Song Thrushes alongside the Redwings and Fieldfares.

Woodcock at Norwick

Yellowhammer at Norwick

18th October 2016 Sandwick, Scatness & Bressay

A day twitching on south mainland and then across to Bressay. Plenty of Thrushes also seen including a Mistle Thrush at Ness near Spiggie. A Common Redstart was seen at Gunnister on Bressay.

Male Siberian Stonechat at Sandwick

We were told a likely DNA sample was collected yesterday from this striking richly-saturated individual...

Pied Wheatear at Scatness

Common Redstart at Gunnister, Bressay

 Black-faced Bunting at Gunnister, Bressay

Black Guillemot at Bressay quay

15th October 2016 Unst SE1 Clear

On leaving Millfield this morning 2 Blackcaps were seen sat on the fence, and again, plenty of Blackbirds, Fieldfares and Redwings were present on the island. At Norwick a Common Scoter was sat on the water in the bay, a Woodcock flew over the kirk yard and 2 Robins, the Red-backed Shrike, a few Blackcaps, a Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Chiffchaffs and 30 Brambling were seen. By mid-afternoon a Waxwing was present at the Millfield/Norwick junction.

Common Scoter at Norwick Bay

Siberian Chiffchaff at Norwick

14th October 2016 Unst SE2 Overcast

Some light drizzle at dawn was probably responsible for dropping a good number of both Fieldfares and redwings being seen at virtually all sites visited today. Skaw produced a Woodcock, the Osprey flying over, a Robin, a Blackcap and a Brambling. Setters Hill held a Robin, a Blackcap, a Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Goldcrests. Clingera was quiet with just a Robin seen. The Wood Sandpiper was again seen at the School as were a Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrests. A Long-tailed Duck was present in Norwick bay. Another visit to Skaw revealed a noticeable increase in the number of Thrushes present. Norwick was our final port of call where we saw 3 Robins, the Red-breasted Flycatcher and Red-backed Shrike, a Goldcrest and a Little Bunting.

Wood Sandpiper at the School

Red-breasted Flycatcher at Norwick

Red-backed Shrike at Norwick

13th October 2016 Unst SE4 Overcast

A colder and windier day so less pleasant conditions than the recent prolonged spell of warm calm weather. The days are shortening too and being overcast low light levels persisted all day. Skaw produced a Robin, a Fieldfare and 3 Chiffchaffs. Lamba Ness was quiet until just as we were leaving when we found a Waxwing feeding on the ground on thrift seed. North Dale proved windy with just 2 Redwing seen. Burrafirth was better as we found a Slavonian Grebe on the Loch of Cliff, a flock of 18 Fieldfares flew south and we found a confiding Little Bunting along the burn there. Skeggie produced our only Yellow-browed Warbler of the day. Easter Loch at Uyeasound played host to an assortment of diving Duck including a female Common Scoter, c.20 Goldeneye and 3 Scaup. Haroldswick also proved windy with just a Blackcap and Goldcrest seen. Lund was sheltered but also proved quiet with just a Blackcap and 12 Redwing seen. We flushed a Jack Snipe and saw 5 Redwings at the School and a single Robin was seen at Setters Hill.

Slavonian Grebe at Loch of Cliff

Little Bunting at Burrafirth

Common Scoter at Uyeasound