17th May 2024 Unst S3 Clear

A wander around Norwick produced a singing Marsh Warbler. As I was working for most of yesterday, I thought we'd likely missed our opportunity to find a few Red-backed Shrikes with the number being unearthed across Shetland. Thankfully that wasn't the case, as we self-found 9 (7 males) today and resisted twitching at least another 3 that were seen on Unst.  As impressive as that was, as usual, Unst was completely outclassed by the 'magic isle', as 32+ were seen on Fair Isle today!

Norwick: 2 Great Northern Diver, Whimbrel, 5 Sanderling, Collared Dove, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Marsh Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher & 3 Tree Sparrows

Skaw: Whimbrel, Collared Dove, Swallow, Robin, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, Common Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler & Red-backed Shrike.

NorthDale: 3 Red-backed Shrikes.

Haroldswick: Common Whitethroat & 2 Red-backed Shrikes

Burrafirth & Sotland: 2 Red-backed Shrikes.

Baliasta: Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike & Spotted Flycatcher.

Marsh Warbler at Norwick

A couple of sound-recordings here & here

Male Red-backed Shrike at Haroldswick

Female Red-backed Shrike at Burrafirth

Common Whitethroat at Baliasta

Red-breasted Flycatcher at Baliasta

Mike found this in the garden adjacent to where we found the Marmora's Warbler on a similar 'blue-sky day' 6 years and 3 days earlier and within a stone's throw from where I saw Mike's Cape May Warbler in the nearby kirk yard!