1st March 2026 Unst S6 Overcast with showers

The Bonaparte's Gull was seen feeding just east of the eastern offshore salmon cage and the Kumlien's / Thayer's Gull was coming to bread along the beach.

Uyeasound: 2 Tundra Bean Geese, Kumlien's/Thayer's Gull & Bonaparte's Gull.

Loch of Snarravoe: 7 Whooper Swans (family party of 2 adults and 5 2cy).

3rd cycle Kumlien's / Thayer's Gull at Uyeasound

28th February 2026 Unst & Yell SW3 Clear

My commute across Unst produced more views of the White-billed Diver at Baltasound, the Glaucous Gull at Dam Loch and the 2 Tundra Bean Geese at Wester Loch. Work took me to Yell where I heard Skylarks singing for the first time this year and a Slavonian Grebe in Southladie Voe proved a welcome surprise.

Baltasound: White-billed Diver.

Uyeasound: 2 Tundra Bean Geese & Glaucous Gull.

Breckon: European White-fronted Goose.

Gloup: Pink-footed Goose.

West Sandwick: Slavonian Grebe.

Slavonian Grebe in Southladie Voe, West Sandwick, Yell

clearly having just commenced its moult into breeding plumage

27th February 2026 Unst SW6 Showers

We again saw the White-billed Diver in Baltasound but there was no sign of either the Bonaparte's or Kumlien's/Thayer's Gull at Uyeasound although the 2 Tundra Bean Geese were still present. On completing the monthly SOTEAG beached bird survey we saw 3 Long-eared Owls at Norwick.

Baltasound: White-billed Diver & Bar-tailed Godwit.

Westing: Pink-footed Goose.

Uyeasound: 2 Tundra Bean Geese & 105 Ringed Plover.

Haroldswick: White-fronted Goose.

Norwick: 3 Long-eared Owl.

White-billed Diver at Baltasound

I'd never truly appreciated the camouflage of this species against a background of silver seas!

Tundra Bean Geese at Uyeasound

26th February 2026 Unst SSW3 Clear

The weather throughout the morning made it almost felt like Spring... and a couple of Long-eared Owls were presumably migrants as they are the first I've seen this year. But by lunchtime steady rain arrived...

Norwick: Great Northern Diver, Red-throated Diver, Razorbill & 2 Long-eared Owls.

Skaw: Great Northern Diver & Water Rail.

2cy Razorbill at Norwick

Long-eared Owls at Norwick

25th February 2026 Unst SW2 Light rain

We took another look at the White-billed Diver at Baltasound and then continued to Uyeasound where we again saw the Bonaparte's Gull and the Kumlien's/Thayer's Gull.

Baltasound: White-billed Diver.

Uyeasound: c.70 Ringed Plover, Kumlien's/Thayer's Gull & Bonaparte's Gull.

White-billed Diver at Baltasound

Adult Bonaparte's Gull at Easter Loch

Ringed Plovers at Uyeasound

Spring passage clearly underway

24th February 2026 Unst S5 Light rain

A day spent in Lerwick but making a brief detour to Easter Loch where the Bonaparte's Gull was still present and today alongside a Glaucous Gull.

Uyeasound: Glaucous Gull & Bonaparte's Gull.

Bonaparte's Gull at Easter Loch

23rd February 2026 Unst SW4 Showers clearing

First day out with my replacement camera to see Robbie's superb White-billed Diver at Baltasound saw us then continue to Uyeasound where we were pleased to see the Kumlien's / Thayer's Gull that was sharing Easter Loch with another Nearctic Gull!

Baltasound: White-billed Diver, 11 Nordic Jackdaws, Blue Tit & Chaffinch.

Uyeasound: Kumlien's / Thayer's Gull & Bonaparte's Gull.

White-billed Diver at Baltasound

Blue Tit at Halligarth

Kumlien's / Thayer's Gull at Easter Loch

Bonaparte's Gull at Easter Loch