31st May 2018 Unst SE1 Clear

Another very enjoyable day's birding started at 4.30am when there was a male Common Redstart on our drive and then finding a Marsh Warbler, 2 Garden Warblers, a Willow Warbler and female Common Redstart at Skaw. Wilma very kindly alerted me to a songster in her garden that proved to be another Marsh Warbler and I also saw a Lesser Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler, 2 Willow Warblers, a female Common Redstart, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Pied Flycatcher at Norwick. Millfield produced a male Ortolan on the walls of the cemetery and there was a singing Sedge Warbler in our rosa. We saw a Whinchat and Common Whitethroat at NorthDale, a Honey Buzzard over Nikka Vord but viewed at great range from Clibberswick but identified by Al watching it at much closer range from Boordanoost, Haroldswick. We then headed south seeing a Robin at Setters Hill and finding a Temminck's Stint on a small pool at the road junction to Westing.

Male Common Redstart at Millfield

Marsh Warbler at Skaw

Marsh Warbler at Norwick

Male Ortolan Bunting at Millfield

Very distant Honey Buzzard over Nikka Vord

Temminck's Stint at Westing

29th May 2018 Unst E2 Mist

Misty conditions persisted for most of the day with the wind freshening but still from the east. Almost every migrant seen was a Pied Flycatcher with us seeing birds at most sites visited totaling 10 all north of Baltasound. Yesterday's male Red-backed Shrike was still present at the start of the track to Lamba Ness. Whilst enjoying an evening walk around the Skaw headland we heard a familiar 'tuwee' call and picked out an American Golden Plover in flight over the sea. Thankfully it landed, albeit distantly, on the beach and promptly sat down. Whilst making our way towards it, but still at the other end of the beach, it suddenly took flight, called several times and flew high towards Burrafirth - exciting but a pity it didn't allow closer approach.

Male Pied Flycatcher at Norwick

Female Pied Flycatcher at Haroldswick

Male Pied Flycatcher at Ungirsta

Female Pied Flycatcher at Ungirsta

Female Pied Flycatcher at Feall

First-summer American Golden Plover at Skaw

28th May 2018 Unst E1 Clear

An evening visit to Lamba Ness was enlivened by finding a male Red-backed Shrike there and a quick look at Skaw then produced a Pied Flycatcher and Willow Warbler.

Male Red-backed Shrike at Lamba Ness

Pied Flycatcher and Willow Warbler at Skaw

27th May 2018 Unst NNE1 Clear

There were very few migrants in evidence again so we were very fortunate to find a singing Marsh Warbler at the Shore Station at Burrafirth.

Singing Marsh Warbler at Burrafirth

24th May 2018 Unst S3

A Whimbrel feeding on our lawn at 5am was a good start to the day.

Whimbrel at Millfield

23rd May 2018 Unst NE1 Clear

A Whinchat at Millfield was my first of the year. Skaw produced a single Willow Warbler and a single Spotted Flycatcher.

Whinchat at Millfield

Spotted Flycatcher at Skaw

15th May 2018 Unst SE1

After a calm and clear night it was no surprise that unfortunately most of the migrants had moved-on. However, the male Bluethroat was still present on Norwick beach and a Spotted Flycatcher was seen nearby and there were 8 Tree Sparrows in our garden.

Male Bluethroat at Norwick