14th October 2026 Unst S3 Partly overcast

It soon became another very windy day. It was good the Isabelline Wheatear was still present at Skaw looking super-distinctive in the overcast conditions.

Norwick: Blackcap, Pied Flycatcher, Song Thrush, Chaffinch & Tree Sparrow.

Skaw: Oystercatcher, Sanderling, Isabelline Wheatear, Chiffchaff, 5 Redwings, Song Thrush.

NorthDale: Fieldfare & 6 Redwings.

Isabelline Wheatear at Skaw

13th October 2026 Unst S6 Rain clearing

A wet and windy day with a large influx of argentatus Herring Gulls. It then came as a surprise to find an Isabelline Wheatear at Skaw! We also caught-up with seeing a Red-flanked Bluetail that had been found yesterday.

Norwick: 2 Pied Wagtail, Robin, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Pied Flycatcher, Song Thrush, 30 Redwing, 5 Brambling & 2 Chaffinch.

Skaw: 2 Oystercatcher, Jack Snipe, Isabelline Wheatear, Blackcap, Mistle Thrush, Redwing & Brambling.

Burrafirth: Red-flanked Bluetail.

Isabelline Wheatear at Skaw

Mike Pennington kindly let us know it is the eighth record for Shetland. Previous records are 2 on Fair Isle, 2 in south mainland and singles on Whalsay, Fetlar and Out Skerries.

Red-flanked Bluetail at the Shore Station

Pied Flycatcher at Norwick

12th October 2026 Unst & mainland Shetland SSE2 Clear

After a quick look around Norwick we headed to a dental appointment in Lerwick that very conveniently allowed a brief visit to Easter Quarff to enjoy close views of the Grey-cheeked Thrush - the first that I've seen in the UK since one on Scilly in October 1983!

Norwick: Jack Snipe, Stonechat, Blackcap, 3 Song Thrush, 5 Redwing, 25 Brambling & 2 Chaffinch.

Easter Quarff: Grey-cheeked Thrush.

Easter Loch: c.8 Goldeneye, Scaup & c.20 Tufted Duck.

Grey-cheeked Thrush at Easter Quarff

11th October 2026 Unst N2 Clear

Norwick: Pink-footed Goose, 2 Merlin, Swallow, Wheatear, 2 Robin, 4 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, Yellow-browed Warbler, 1cy Great Grey Shrike, Song Thrush, 15 Brambling, Chaffinch & Tree Sparrow.

1cy Great Grey Shrike at Norwick

Our first brief view was our best when its pale lores, extensively pink-based bill extending onto its upper mandible and extent of its white primary patch made it appear rather intriguing. We then spent much of the day attemtpting to improve upon our views and photographs but unfortunately without success. Lefranc & Worfolk (2022) illustrate the variation that can be shown by first-winter excubitor (Plates 15 & 19) and Stephen Menzie documented a first-winter female that was genetically an excubitor that showed similar lores and bill-pattern in Dutch Birding 44: 359-363.

10th October 2026 Unst N1 Overcast

Norwick: Grey Heron, Pink-footed Goose, Pied Wagtail, 3 Robin, Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, 2 Fieldfare, 25 Redwing, 35 Brambling, 2 Chaffinch & Tree Sparrow.

Skaw: 8 Snipe, Robin, Blackcap, Chiffchaff & Chaffinch.

Burrafirth: 2 Whooper Swan, 2 Blackcap, Yellow-browed Warbler, Fieldfare, 3 Song Thrush & 8 Redwing.

Haroldswick: 4 Whooper Swans flew south, Robin, 3 Ring Ouzel, Song Thrush, 25 Redwing, 3 Brambling & 2 Chaffinch.

Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler at Norwick

Yellow-browed Warbler at Burrafirth

9th October 2026 Unst SE5 Rain clearing

Skaw: Redwing.

Norwick: Pink-footed Goose, 3 Arctic Tern, 3 Snipe, Pied Wagtail, Tree Pipit, 2 Wheatear, 3 Robin, Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Yellow-browed Warbler, 75 Redwing, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, Tree Sparrow.

NorthDale: 15 Redwing & Lesser Whitethroat.

Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler at Norwick

Pink-footed Goose at Norwick

Arctic Terns off Norwick

Tree Pipit at Norwick

Yellow-browed Warbler at Norwick

8th October 2026 Unst N2 Partly overcast

Norwick: 16 Snipe, 2 Wheatear, 2 Robin, Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 2 Redwing & 2 Chaffinch.

Haroldswick: Pink-footed Goose, Pied Wagtail, Willow Warbler & 4 Chaffinch.

NorthDale: Lesser Whitethroat & Chaffinch.

Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler at Norwick