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