19th February 2024 Unst W4 Overcast

A Woodcock was sat in the open in a field viewable from our house but didn't allow close approach!

Woodcock at Millfield

14th February 2024 Sullom Voe & Yell Sound

A very enjoyable day joining Brydon, John, Phil & Roger to complete the Sullom Voe and Yell Sound SOTEAG survey counting 18 Red-throated Divers, 17 Great Northern Divers, 25 Slavonian Grebes, just a single Common Eider, 7 Common Scoter, 3 Velvet Scoter, 27 Long-tailed Duck, 23 Goldeneye, 115 Mergansers, 46 Guillemots, 2 Razorbill and 492 Black Guillemots in the 49.5 miles covered.

Slavonian Grebes at Sullom Voe

Velvet Scoter at Sullom Voe

10th February 2024 Unst E6 Overcast

After another snowy week it was good to see the first signs of a thaw, and even better, what feels like the first sign of Spring in the form of an Oystercatcher in the snow-free cliff-edge fields in front of our house!

Norwick

3rd February 2024 Unst W7 Squally wintry showers

Westing: first-cycle Glaucous Gull & first-cycle Iceland Gull.

Iceland Gull at Westing

Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull at Westing

2nd February 2024 Unst WSW8 Overcast

We took a look at Uyeasound where the Kumlien's Gull was again patrolling the foreshore in the stormy weather.

Uyeasound: Whooper Swan, Long-tailed Duck, 4 Goldeneye & Kumlien's Gull.

Long-tailed Duck at Easter Loch

Common Goldeneye at Easter Loch

Second-cycle (3cy) Kumlien's Gull at Uyeasound

1st February 2024 Unst WNW6 Overcast

I headed to Skaw where I sea-watched from 8.45am to 10.30am seeing a trickle of birds moving north. Just prior to leaving I carefully scanned the bay and was pleased to find an adult-winter White-billed Diver sat on the sea. I watched it for around 45 minutes seeing it dive several times before it flew 200-300m before landing again.

Skaw: 2 Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, adult-winter White-billed Diver, 2 blue Fulmar, Long-tailed Duck, Eider, first-cycle Glaucous Gull, 13 Kittiwake & 5 Guillemot.

Norwick: Great Northern Diver Razorbill.

White-billed Diver off Skaw

31st January 2024 Unst SW8 Rain

In the stormy weather a drake Goldeneye had joined the 3 Long-tailed Ducks sat on the sea off Norwick.