31st October 2021 Unst SW4 Overcast

With what felt like the first decent southeasterly airflow overnight my hopes were high and I wasn't disappointed as I found a Pallas's Warbler in Andrew's garden at Norwick beach that I subsequently encountered again at Valyie. There were also Thrushes and Finches again overflying and/or dropping in throughout the morning. The Common Redstart and a Willow Warbler were again seen so might stay into November now...

Millfield: Robin, Redwing, 2 Blackcaps, Mealy Redpoll & 3 Brambling.

Norwick: Water Rail, Woodcock, Robin, Common Redstart, Song Thrush, c.50 Redwings, 4 Blackcap, Pallas's Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff, Chiffchaff, 9 Siskin & 5 Chaffinches.

Skaw: Long-tailed Duck, Robin & Fieldfare.

NorthDale: Barnacle Goose, Robin, Fieldfare, c. 10 Redwing, Willow Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest & Reed Bunting.

Burrafirth: Robin & Blackcap.

Haroldswick: Sparrowhawk, Woodcock. c.30 Redwing, 4 Fieldfare & Blackcap.

Pallas's Warbler at Norwick

30th October 2021 Unst SW4 Overcast

A walk around Norwick revealed the presence of another wave of Redwings and mix of a few new migrants and a few lingerers. I also completed my SOETAG beached bird survey and we then decided to make our way to Burrafirth to survey the beach there. As we drove through Haroldswick an Upland Sandpiper flew across the road in front of us and disappeared as it landed in long grass in a roadside field!! It soon flew to a short grass field and began actively feeding. Robbie, Adrian and a visiting couple soon arrived and all enjoyed views. We then continued to Burrafirth to complete the beach survey before returning to Haroldswick meeting Phil, Becca, Ayda, Deryk, Glen and Will there with the Upland Sandpiper touring the fields until dusk.

Millfield: Blackcap, Mealy Redpoll & Brambling.

Norwick: 2 Woodcock, Common Redstart, Robin, 30 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Blackcap, 3 Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Siskin, 3 Chaffinches & 10 Brambling.

Haroldswick: Upland Sandpiper.

Burrafirth: Scaup, 2 Peregrines & a Blackcap.

Upland Sandpiper at Haroldswick

Common Redstart lingering at Norwick

Peregrines at Burrafirth

29th October 2021 Unst SSE2 Overcast

A heavily overcast day but almost calm with rain arriving lunchtime for a few hours before clearing through. After seeing a familiar line-up of species for most of the day it was a surprise when Brenda found a Northern Willow Warbler in our garden just prior to dusk. 

Millfield: c.12 Redwings, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Mealy Redpoll. 

Norwick: c.60 Common Snipe, 3 Robins, Blackcap, Siberian Chiffchaff, Chiffchaff, 3 Siskins, 2 Chaffinches, 6 Brambling & Yellowhammer.

Haroldswick: Chiffchaff & 8 Brambling.

Northdale: Siberian Chiffchaff & Willow Warbler.

Yellowhammer at Norwick

Northern Willow Warbler at Millfield

28th October 2021 Unst SSW3 Overcast

Light winds made for pleasant birding again.

Millfield: 15 Redwing, Blackcap, 2 Common Redpolls & 3 Brambling.

Skaw: 3 Long-tailed Duck, Common Redpoll & 2 Brambling.

Holsens road: 10 Redwing & 6 Brambling.

Norwick: 3 Song Thrush, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Buntings, 2 Siskin, Common Redpoll, 5 Chaffinches & 25 Brambling.

NorthDale: Robin, Fieldfare, 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs & Willow Warbler.

Haroldswick: Robin, Song Thrush, Blackcap & 30 Brambling. 

Common Redpoll at Skaw

27th October 2021 Unst SSW5 Overcast

A quick circuit of Norwick was only noteworthy for producing my first Barnacle Goose of the Autumn.

Millfield: Blackcap.

Norwick: Barnacle Goose, 2 Robin, 2 Song Thrush, c.20 Redwing, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Siskin & c.65 Brambling. 

Siskin at Norwick

26th October 2021 Unst S2 Overcast

Calmer than forecast so nice to be out birding albeit a breeze picked-up late morning. Highlights included my first Woodcock of the Autumn, the latest Willow Warbler I've seen on Shetland and an overflying calling Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll that briefly landed along the burn at NorthDale before flying off towards the camp.

Millfield: Blackcap, Siberian Chiffchaff & 3 Brambling

Skaw: 2 Long-tailed Ducks, Goldcrest & 2 Brambling.

Norwick: 2 Great Northern Divers, Long-tailed Duck, Woodcock, 3 Robin, 3 Song Thrush, 4 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 35 Brambling & 3 Siskin.

NorthDale: 3 Siberian Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Siskin, Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll & Reed Bunting.

Burrafirth: Kestrel, Jack Snipe & 2 Brambling.

Siberian Chiffchaff at Millfield

Woodcock at Norwick

Reed Bunting at NorthDale

Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll at NorthDale

Willow Warbler at NorthDale

Common Kestrel at Burrafirth

25th October 2021 Unst SW5 Clear

I completed my circuit of Norwick but there was little evidence of anything newly-arrived.

Millfield: Fieldfare, 10 Redwing, Siberian Chiffchaff & 10 Brambling.

Norwick: 5 Long-tailed Duck, Sanderling, 2 Robin, 2 Song Thrush, c.25 Redwing, 4 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, 2 Siskin, c.5 Chaffinch & c.60 Brambling.

24th October 2021 Unst SW5 Rain clearing

I teamed-up with Brydon for a very enjoyable circuit of Baltasound despite the heavy rain that eventually cleared with the highlight being finding a Coues's Arctic Redpoll at the manse.

Baltasound: Merlin, 2 Robins, c.10 Redwings, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, c.10 Brambling, c.25 Mealy Redpoll & 2 Northwestern Redpolls.

Haroldswick: Long-tailed Duck.

Coues's Arctic Redpoll at Baltasound

23rd October 2021 Unst S4 Overcast

It was one of those mornings when it felt like it was never going to get properly light. I completed my usual circuit of Norwick but felt pretty certain that I hadn't seen a newly-arrived migrant. With the wind strengthening and the forecast rain arriving I called it a day.

Millfield: Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, 8 Redwing & 6 Brambling.

Norwick: female Common Redstart, 3 Robins, c.20 Redwing, Song Thrush, 4 Blackcaps, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Siskin, Northwestern Redpoll, c.10 Chaffinches, c.100 Brambling & Reed Bunting.

Common Redstart at Norwick

22nd October 2021 Unst NNW5 Overcast

I spent an hour seawatching from Lamba Ness where a couple of passing Glaucous Gulls proved the highlight. I then took a look around Norwick.

Lamba Ness: 4 blue Fulmars, 2 Glaucous Gulls north & Skylark.

Holsens road: Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll.

Norwick: Grey Wagtail, Ring Ouzel, Fieldfare, c.25 Redwings, 2 Blackcaps, Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, c.80 Bramblings & Northwestern Redpoll. 

Glaucous Gulls passing Lamba Ness

Reed Bunting at Norwick

Blackcaps at Norwick

Redwing at Norwick

Ring Ouzel at Norwick

21st October 2021 Unst NNW7 Hail showers

After a moonlit start to the night courtesy of a full moon the forecast storm duly arrived that when combined with a marked drop in temperature and frequent hail showers it made for a challenging 45 minute seawatch from 8.15am - most of the time I simply enjoyed watching the impressive seascapes! Next I visited Skaw seeing very little and then took a walk around Norwick that proved more productive.

Lamba Ness: Sooty Shearwater & 3 blue Fulmars.

Skaw: 4 Long-tailed Duck, Song Thrush, c.10 Redwings & c.15 Bramblings.

Holsens road: Robin, 2 Northwestern Redpolls, Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll & Snow Bunting.

Norwick: 1cy Glaucous Gull, Grey Wagtail, 3 Song Thrush, c.50 Redwings, 2 Blackcaps, Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Chiffchaffs, Goldcrest, 2 Northwestern Redpolls, c.250 Bramblings & Hawfinch.

Lamba Ness from Skaw

the ever-changing impressive seascapes

Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll along Holsens road

Glaucous Gull off Norwick