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.

5th June 2026 Unst

A short video of Louis's Red-throated Pipit at Norwick beach here.

Red-throated Pipit at Norwick

4th June 2026 SSE3 Fog

Norwick: Swallow, Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Tree Sparrow & 2 Redpoll.

3rd June 2026 Unst SW2 Fog

Skaw: Swallow, 3 House Martin & Spotted Flycatcher.

Norwick: 5 Sanderling, Blackcap , 2 Chiffchaff & Redwing.

NorthDale: Quail h.

Burrafirth: Osprey, Common Sandpiper & Chiffchaff.

1st June 2026 Unst SW2 Fog

Skaw: 2 Chiffchaff.

Norwick: Pacific Diver, 13 Collared Doves, female Red-backed Shrike, Icterine Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, Spotted Flycatcher & 3 Tree Sparrow.

Haroldswick: Knot, 2 Little Stints, 2 Sedge Warblers & Western Subalpine Warbler.

Male Western Subalpine Warbler at Haroldswick

Reassuringly short, bunched primary projection

Sound recording of it calling here. Comparison of sonograms of calls of Haroldswick, Troswick and a genetically confirmed Western Subalpine Warbler recorded at Quendale by Andrew Harrop. Some differences between the calls of the various taxa discussed here.