After all the recent days consisting of clear blue skies and southeasterly winds today dawned overcast, grey and windy blowing from the southwest. Two Hawfinches hopping around our lawn soon after dawn was a good start to the day with the Dunnock, 8 Bramblings and 2 Chaffinches also still in our garden. I headed for Skaw and was pleasantly surprised to still find migrants present consisting of 2 Pied Wagtails, 5 Wheatears, 8 Robins, a Redwing, 3 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler and a Brambling. A leucistic Oystercatcher was also present presumably being the same one seen at Skaw in Spring 2017. Whilst commencing my walk around Norwick I'd seen 2 Robins when I heard Gulls alarming. On looking across at the ridge running from Lamba Ness towards North Dale I saw a Black Kite flying into the wind being pursued by Hooded Crows. My complete circuit added the female Sparrowhawk, a Long-eared Owl, a Wood Pigeon, 2 Robins, 6 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers including one singing, 2 Siskins and a Brambling. North Dale lacked shelter with just a Song Thrush and a Siskin seen. A look at Burrafirth produced a Swallow, 3 Wheatears and a male Blackcap. On returning home we were pleased to see there were now 3 Hawfinches in our garden.
Redwing at Skaw
Willow Warbler at Skaw
leucistic Oystercatcher at Skaw
Black Kite over Norwick
With only two records for Shetland prior to as recently as 2009 they've been seen almost annually since.
Female Siskins at Norwick
Willow Warbler at Norwick
Song Thrush at North Dale
