4th August 2026 c.50km NW of Fethaland E3 freshening to ENE5 Light rain

An enjoyable day spent at sea c.50km northwest of Fethaland courtesy of Will Miles with plenty of Storm Petrels on the wing. My personal highlights were seeing 2 Wilson's Storm Petrels making several passes of the boat, a somewhat distant Leach's Storm Petrel, c.300 European Storm Petrels and a 'blue' Fulmar.

European Storm Petrels off Fethaland

Wilson's Storm Petrel off Fethaland

Leach's Storm Petrel off Fethaland (Andrew Russell)

Andrew did extremely well to obtain these images as the Petrel was at a considerable distance in choppy seas!

24th July 2026 Unst SW5 Showers

We completed the SOTEAG beached bird survey for north Unst.

Norwick: 2 Sanderling.

Burrafirth: Knot.

Adult Knot at Burrafirth

19th July 2026 Yell NW2 Clear

A day spent working on Yell where it was nice to chance upon a family party of Red Grouse.

Red Grouse on Yell

15th July 2026 Yell E1 Overcast clearing

A day spent working on Yell among a familiar line-up of upland moorland species.

Golden Plover on Yell

8th June 2026 Unst SW3 Rain clearing

A flock of 4 Goosander flying south at Skaw were a pleasant surprise being the first I've seen this year. Flushing a Quail twice was also notable being a species I've seldom seen.

Skaw: 4 Goodsander, Quail, Sedge Warbler & Chiffchaff.

Goosanders flying south at Skaw

Quail at Skaw

7th June 2026 Unst SSE3 Fog clearing

It was nice to find my first Marsh Warbler of the year.

Skaw: Marsh Warbler.

Norwick: Pied Wagtail, 5 Chiffchaff & 2 Tree Sparrow.

Marsh Warbler at Skaw

6th June 2026 Unst

I was pleased to hear a Golden Oriole both calling and singing whilst taking a look at Norwick this morning. A sound recording here.