27th September 2026 Unst S5 Partly overcast

Norwick: pale-bellied Brent, Pintail, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, 2 Pied Wagtail, Wheatear, Stonechat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff 2 (1 singing), Tree Sparrow, Siskin h & Brambling.

1cy Black-tailed Godwit at Norwick

26th September 2026 Unst SW5 Showers

Norwick: pale-bellied Brent, Pintail, Wigeon, 3 Merlin, Snipe, Pied Wagtail, 2 Stonechat, Lesser Whitethroat, singing Chiffchaff, Brambling & 3 Siskin.

Adult pale-bellied Brent Goose at Norwick

Pintail at Norwick

25th September 2026 Unst SW4 Showers

Norwick: 185 Pink-footed Geese, pale-bellied Brent, 6 Snipe, 1cy Arctic Tern, Pied Wagtail, 2 Wheatear, 2 (ad & 1cy) Stonechat, Barred Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, Tree Sparrow, Brambling & 3 Siskin.

Tree Sparrow at Norwick

24th September 2026 Unst S2 Clear

Norwick: 43 (9.06) & 220 (14.15 - 16.15) Pink-footed Geese, pale-bellied Brent, 10 Eider, 6 Snipe, juvenile Sanderling, Pied Wagtail, Stonechat, Barred Warbler, Willow Warbler & 2 Chiffchaff.

Skaw (10.20 - 11.50): 127 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Snipe & 3 Wheatear.

Pinkfeet over Norwick

23rd September 2026 Unst W2 Partly overcast

Norwick: Pale-bellied Brent, 7 Snipe, 3 Pied Wagtail, Barred Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, singing Chiffchaff & Tree Sparrow.

Baliasta: Pied Flycatcher.

1cy Pied Flycatcher at Baliasta

22nd September 2026 Unst SW3 Showers

On leaving home I heard the wistful call of an American Golden Plover being frequently repeated. A single Golden Plover was quickly seen flying towards me. I managed a recording of a couple of calls and a few very poor images before it landed atop a ridge on East Hill.  

Norwick: Pale-bellied Brent Goose, American Golden Plover, 1 juvenile Sanderling, 4 Pied Wagtails, Wheatear, Barred Warbler, 2 Blackcaps & 2 Chiffchaff.

Westing: Merlin, 4 Snipe, Wheatear.

Lund: 8 juvenile Sanderling.

Adult American Golden Plover at East Hill

Sonograms re calls of AGP (left) / East Hill / Pacific Golden Plover

The above has been quickly hashed together and will require further refinement/research. Calls of both species are variable but note the similarity of the frequency range and oft-described bell-shaped pattern of AGP rather than the inflected upward-sloping line of PGP.

21st September 2026 Unst SW3 Partly Overcast

Norwick: Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Merlin, 9 Snipe, 1 juvenile Sanderling, 15 Collared Dove, 4 Pied Wagtail, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Black Redstart, Tree Sparrow & a flock of 8 Ravens flew north.

Baltasound: Bar-tailed Godwit & Knot.

'Eastern' Lesser Whitethroat at Norwick

The first interesting-looking Lesser Whitethroat that I've seen this autumn showing a sandy nape and short primary projection. Unfortunately it remained silent.