17th January 2025 Unst SW6 Overcast clearing

We spent a couple of hours looking through the Gulls at Westing seeing two first cycle Iceland Gulls.

Iceland Gull at Westing

15th January 2025 Unst SW7 Overcast

On our way to Uyeasound to take a look for the second-winter Kumlien's Gull, we thought that Westing might be worth a look... That worked out rather well as it produced a superb dainty adult Kumlien's Gull! Being the first adult that I've seen, we spent the next couple of hours watching it until it flew off north.

Westing: Glaucous Gull 1 adult, Iceland Gull 1 first-cycle & Kumlien's Gull 1 adult.

Adult Kumlien's Gull at Westing

First-cycle Iceland Gull at Westing

14th January 2025 Yell & Unst W4 Clear

After spending most of the day working on Yell, a visit to Easter Loch in the failing light of dusk provided my highlight of the day...

Second-winter (3cy) Kumlien's Gull at Easter Loch

Unfortunately I didn't see its primaries whilst it was 'at rest'. Whilst there is no hint of a mirror on p10 in my images, that might be down to their quality as they were obtained in the poor light. Hopefully it will stick around for further scrutiny...

31st December 2024 Unst ENE7 Wintry showers

Millfield: Glaucous Gull, Water Rail, Meadow Pipit & 3 Redwing.

Redwing in our garden

1cy Glaucous Gull off Norwick

30th December 2024 Unst NNE1 Overcast

Norwick: Woodcock, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Redwing & Twite.

Burrafirth: Red-throated Diver & Whooper Swan.

Haroldswick: 4 Great Northern Diver.

9th December 2024 Symbister, Whalsay

Symbister: drake Velvet Scoter & c.120 Eider.

24th November 2024 Unst SW5 Clear

Norwick: Long-tailed Duck, 6 Purple Sandpiper, Woodcock, Blackcap & Siberian Chiffchaff.

Long-tailed Duck at Norwick

Blackcap at Norwick