Clear overnight and another bright but far windier day than yesterday. A walk around Norwick had produced a Sparrowhawk being chased by a Fulmar, my first Sand Martin of the year, the White Wagtail and a Song Thrush when we heard a Raven 'cronking' and saw Greylags taking to the air so looked up to the sight of an immature White-tailed Eagle virtually hanging in the air above us before it drifted off west. Mike found a male Blue-headed Wagtail at Skaw so we made a visit early this evening by which time there were also 5 White Wagtails present, 5 Wheatears, my first Blackcap of the year and 3 Chiffchaffs.
Sand Martin at Norwick
exactly matching my previous earliest date on Shetland that was in 2019
Fulmar mobbing a Sparrowhawk at Norwick
Immature White-tailed Eagle at Norwick
The lack of a moult contrast in its secondaries point to it being a 2cy. The third year in a row that we've seen one over Norwick.
Male Blue-headed Wagtail at Skaw
the first Yellow Wagtail I've seen on Shetland since 2017
Chiffchaff at Skaw
bearing a shiny new metal ring
Male Blackcap at Skaw
Exactly the same date that I saw my first for the year last year.
