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.

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.

31st May 2026 Unst S2 Rain clearing

After the rain cleared a walk round Norwick produced a female Red-backed Shrike. As as the light rain commenced late afternoon we found a male Western Subalpine Warbler in Haroldswick.

Female Red-backed Shrike at Norwick

Male Western Subalpine Warbler at Haroldswick

30th May 2026 Unst W3 Fog

Norwick: Pacific Diver.

Baliasta Loch of Cliff: Great Crested Grebe.