A nice calm morning to be out and there was a noticeable increase in numbers of Meadow Pipits and there was a newly-arrived Chiffchaff at Kirkaton at the end of our lane. There were again plenty of waders actively displaying despite the light rain with Snipe actually seen and heard drumming today, rather than just chipping, and a Redshank performing its display flight being the first time I've seen that this season. Just after lunch we saw a female Stonechat along a fenceline at Brakefield and we then went one better at Haroldswick where we saw our first Wheatear of the year - a smart male.
Chiffchaff at Kirkaton
Female Stonechat at Brakefield
Male Wheatear in the rain at Haroldswick
My earliest date since living here with 4/4 and 11/4 being our earliest in the last two years. It's also the 90th species I've seen on Unst this year.
a helicopter flying back and forth over Haroldswick
