12th February 2026 Unst N4 wintry showers clearing

After a snowy start to the day the weather improved around midday enabling us to complete the monthly Twite survey.

Norwick: Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Redwing & 47 Fieldfare.

Haroldswick: Goldeneye on sea & Fieldfare.

Baltasound: Great Northern Diver, Shelduck, Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Oystercatcher & Fieldfare.

Westing: Barnacle Goose, Skylark & 3 Snow Bunting. 

Burrafirth: 15 Fieldfare.

11th February 2026 Unst E4 Overcast clearing

The scattering of grey Geese continues and another early sign of Spring in the form of a Shelduck...

Haroldswick: European White-fronted Goose & Shelduck.

Uyeasound: 3 Tundra Bean Geese.

Burravoe, Yell: 9 European White-fronted Geese flew S.

Tundra Bean Geese at Uyeasound

White-fronted Geese flying south over Burravoe, Yell

Shelduck at Haroldswick

10th February 2026 Unst SE5 Overcast

A few more early signs of Spring with a female-type Black Redstart in our garden and 4 Woodcock flushed during a walk around Norwick.

Norwick: Great Northern Diver, Red-throated Diver, 4 Woodcock, 3 Oystercatcher & Black Redstart.

Haroldswick: Red-throated Diver, 12 European White-fronted Geese & c.30 Fieldfare.

Baltasound: Red-throated Diver, 2 Oystercatcher & 2 Jackdaw.

8th February 2026 Unst SSE7 Overcast

With more of a southerly component in the wind a few early Spring migrants appeared.

Norwick: Oystercatcher.

Skaw: 4 Skylark & Song Thrush.

Baltasound: Pink-footed Goose & Oystercatcher.

Belmont: 3 Red-throated Diver.

6th February 2026 Unst E3 Clear

A day spent largely working on Yell.

Haroldswick: 5 European White-fronted Geese.

Dam Loch, Uyeasound: Kumlien's / Thayer's Gull.

5th February 2026 Unst & Yell SE5 Overcast

A day spent working on Yell where the highlights were seen during my commute catching-up with a 2cy drake Common Scoter on a pool along the road to Burrafirth that Robbie had first seen there yesterday and lingering single Barnacle Goose and European White-fronted Goose at Westing. A pair of Red Grouse and a female-type Merlin that was seen in flight clutching a screeching Starling near Burravoe and a flock of 6 Tundra Bean Geese were seen at Cullivoe whilst awaiting my single vessel sailing return to Unst.

Norwick: Robin.

Haroldswick: 5 European White-fronted Geese & 2cy drake Common Scoter.

Baltasound: 3 Tundra Bean Geese.

Westing: Barnacle Goose & European White-fronted Goose.

Burravoe: 2 Red Grouse & female-type Merlin.

Cullivoe: 6 Tundra Bean Geese.

2cy drake Common Scoter at Haroldswick

European White-fronted Goose and Greylag Goose at Westring

Barnacle Goose at Westing

Tundra Bean Geese at Cullivoe

2nd February 2026 Unst SE7 Overcast

The wind had dropped overnight somewhat and there was very little rain today. We took a drive round the island with the highlight being an arrival of grey Geese that included a flock of 9 Tundra Bean Geese that we saw in a roadside field whilst approaching Baltasound. It transpired that Brydon had already seen them.

Haroldswick: 5+ European White-fronted Geese.

Baltasound: Pink-footed Goose & 9 Tundra Bean Geese.

Westing: Pink-footed Goose.

Belmont: 2cy drake Scaup.

Uyeasound: European White-fronted Goose, c.1,000 Long-tailed Duck, c.200 Eider & 3rd cycle Kumlien's / Thayer's Gull.

Muness: Merlin.

Tundra Bean Geese at Baltasound

Greylag Geese and Pink-footed Goose at Baltasound

2cy drake Scaup on Loch of Snarravoe

European White-fronted Goose at Uyeasound

Long-tailed Ducks at Uyeasound