25th August 2026 Unst SE1 Clear

A thin scatter of migrants today with the highlight being two Barred Warblers present together in our garden, one of which was watched bathing in the dew on our lawn. 

Skaw: 3 Teal, 2 Snipe, 2 juvenile Sanderling, 7 Swallows, 3 Pied Wagtails, Barred Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat & Willow Warbler.

Norwick: Snipe, 5 Knot, 2 juvenile Sanderling, 5 Pied Wagtails, 2 Barred Warblers, Garden Warbler & 4 Willow Warblers.

Burrafirth: 2 Snipe, 5 Willow Warbler & Chiffchaff.

Haroldswick: Merlin, 2 Quail flushed, 9 Ruff, Knot & 3 Willow Warblers.

1cy Barred Warbler at Skaw

First seen by James on the 23rd the current individual is rather dishevelled in comparison to the one present on the 16th & 17th.

One of the two 1cy Barred Warblers present together in our garden today

Garden Warbler at Norwick

24th August 2026 Unst SW1 Overcast

We spent most of the day off island but on our return saw the Barred Warbler at Skaw and one in our garden.

Skaw: 6 Swallow & Barred Warbler.

Norwick: Barred Warbler.

1cy Barred Warbler in our garden

20th August 2026 Unst N4 Drizzle & Showers

Skaw: 2 Swallows, Snipe, Bar-tailed Godwit & Willow Warbler.

Norwick: Merlin, 2 Knot, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher & Common Rosefinch.

Northdale: Willow Warbler.

Burrafirth: 2 Chiffchaff & 4 Willow Warblers.

Haroldswick: Willow Warbler.

Spotted Flycatcher at Norwick

19th August 2026 Unst NE5 Showers

Unfortunately there was no competing with Fair Isle and south mainland Shetland today!

Skaw: 2 Swallows, White Wagtail & Chiffchaff.

Norwick: Chiffchaff.

18th August 2026 Unst NE4 Overcast

Skaw: 3 Snipe, 5 Sanderling (3 juveniles), 2 Swallows, juvenile Stonechat & Chiffchaff.

Norwick: 2 Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Chiffchaff & 2 Willow Warblers.

17th August 2026 Unst W2 Overcast, drizzle

Skaw: 4 Snipe, 3 juvenile Sanderling, Swallow, Barred Warbler & Willow Warbler.

Norwick: Merlin, Snipe, juvenile Stonechat, 2 Chiffchaff & Willow Warbler.

Swallow at Skaw

Juvenile Stonechat at Norwick

16th August 2026 Unst Calm Overcast

We were hopeful that a few migrants might arrive as the westerly wind slackened to calm overnight but during an early morning circuit of Norwick they remained decidedly thin on the ground. Subsequently finding a showy Barred Warbler at Skaw therefore nicely exceeded our expectations! I spent the afternoon birding with James W our highlight being catching-up with a leucistic Northern Wheatear that has been present at Lund for at least a couple of weeks.

Norwick: 2 Common Snipe & 1 Chiffchaff.

Skaw: 2 Common Snipe, 1cy Barred Warbler & 2 Willow Warblers.

Haroldswick: Willow Warbler.

Lund: leucistic Northern Wheatear.

Baltasound: Siskin.

1cy Barred Warbler at Skaw

Video here

leucistic Northern Wheatear at Lund

Video here