Sunday, 16 August 2026

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

Friday, 14 August 2026

14th August 2026 Unst W3 Rain clearing

A walk around Norwick produced our first 2 Willow Warblers of the autumn.

Norwick: Merlin, juvenile Wood Pigeon, Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warblers & Tree Sparrow.




First-winter Willow Warbler at Norwick

Snout at Norwick
Unknown to Unst 5+ years ago but now regular. A recent colonist of Shetland.

Thursday, 13 August 2026

13th August 2026 Unst S1 Overcast

Skaw: 4 Sanderling (2 juveniles), 5 Swallows & juvenile Stonechat.

Norwick: 2 Siskin.

Wednesday, 12 August 2026

12th August 2026 Unst S3 Partly overcast

Skaw: 6 Sanderling (4 juveniles), 2 Swallows & juvenile Stonechat.

Norwick: Chiffchaff.

Juvenile Stonechat at Skaw

Adult and recently fledged juvenile Red-throated Divers on the sea off Norwick

Monday, 10 August 2026

10th August 2026 Unst NW5 Partly overcast

Norwick: 3 Snipe, adult Sanderling & juvenile Collared Dove.

Sunday, 9 August 2026

9th August 2026 Unst SW5 Squally showers

We were pleased to find Shetland's earliest ever autumn Woodchat Shrike whilst walking around Norwick this morning. The only other August record for Shetland away from Fair Isle - also a juvenile - was found by my parents on Out Skerries in 1997. With thanks to Mike P for a summary of the previous records.

Norwick: 3 Merlin, juvenile Woodchat Shrike, Chiffchaff & Tree Sparrow.


Juvenile Woodchat Shrike at Norwick (video here)
The second that I've been fortunate to find on Unst.

Saturday, 8 August 2026

5th August 2026 Unst NE6 Overcast

Skaw: 2 Swallows & Garden Warbler.