4th May 2024 Unst NNE3 Overcast

With all of the drift migrants on Fair Isle, Out Skerries, south mainland and elsewhere, finding an Icterine Warbler felt a case of '...something at last'! However, far better was in store, as whilst birding at Haroldswick we had the good fortune to enjoy a close encounter with a 2cy Goshawk flying north until gaining sufficient height to disappear into the mist/low cloud. However, we subsequently again saw it flying low along the ridge between Ungirsta and Feall. 

Skaw: Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Grey Wagtail, 2 House Martin, Swallow, 3 Pied Wagtail, Robin, 3 Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher, Redwing & Brambling.

Norwick: 2 Long-tailed Duck, 5 Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Redstart, Robin, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, Fieldfare & 3 Brambling.

NorthDale: Long-eared Owl, Swallow, Icterine Warbler, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest & 2 Fieldfare.

Haroldswick: Goshawk, 2 Swallow, Blackcap, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff & 3 Mealy Redpoll.

Burrafirth: Common Sandpiper, Common Redstart & Willow Warbler.

Spotted Flycatcher at Skaw

Female Common Redstart at Norwick

Male Great Spotted Woodpecker at Norwick

the snowy-white underparts are typical of the nominate form from northern Europe and Siberia to which all Shetland records are believed to relate.

Icterine Warbler at NorthDale

Long-eared Owl at NorthDale

2cy Goshawk at Haroldswick

As far as I can ascertain, it's only the thirteenth for Shetland with another five or six having been seen on Fair Isle. So, in the Shetland context, a contender for being the rarest species that we find this year...