20th May 2026 Unst SE5 Rain clearing

It was back to work today, where I chanced upon a smart male Bluethroat. It was then a surprise that both Skaw and Norwick proved rather quiet.

Skaw: 2 Swallow, 2 Pied Wagtail, Black Redstart, Song Thrush, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff & Snow Bunting.

Norwick: Marsh Harrier, 3 Sparrowhawk, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Brambling & 4 Tree Sparrow.

Male Bluethroat (red-spotted)

Lesser Whitethroat at Skaw

19th May 2026 Unst SE5 Overcast

Southeasterlies at last but a disappointing return for the day.

Skaw: House Martin & Chiffchaff.

Norwick: House Martin, singing Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff & Tree Sparrow.

Burrafirth: Common Sandpiper & 2 Chiffchaff.

Haroldswick: Marsh Harrier, 7 Knot & Sanderling.

NorthDale: Willow Warbler.

Knot at Haroldswick

Marsh Harrier at Haroldswick

18th May 2026 Unst S2 Partly overcast

Skaw: 2 Chiffchaff.

Norwick: Swallow, singing Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff & Common Rosefinch.

Haroldswick: Little Stint & 2 Knot.

Little Stint at Haroldswick

17th May 2026 Unst SW2 Partly cloudy

Norwick: Common Rosefinch.

Camb: singing Willow Warbler.

16th May 2026 Unst NW4 Showers

Norwick: 3Knot, White Wagtail, 2 Blackcap, Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff & Common Rosefinch.

Haroldswick: Whimbrel, White Wagtail & Willow Warbler.

Common Rosefinch at Norwick

https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/657610818

15th May 2026 Unst NNW6 Rain

Norwick: Knot, Common Rosefinch & 4 Tree Sparrows.

Haroldswick: Knot.

14th May 2026 Unst N5 Partly overcast

Norwick: 15 Eider, Knot & Common Rosefinch.

Haroldswick: White Wagtail.

2cy Common Rosefinch at Millfield

If my reading of Svensson is correct, the visible moult limit in the primaries ages it as a 2cy as the post-juvenile moult can include replacing 1-4 outer primaries.