20th October 2023 Unst SE7 broken cloud

The Northern Treecreeper remained but today's highlight was down to Robbie who found a Continental Coal Tit performing well in Baltasound. Whilst watching it we were joined by Duncan, Iain and Martin and soon after by another 2 Continental Coal Tits!

Norwick: 3 Long-tailed Duck, Northern Treecreeper, 15 Fieldfare, 12 Redwing, 8 Waxwing, 30 Brambling & Reed Bunting.

Baltasound: 3 Continental Coal Tits.

Haroldswick: 45 Fieldfare.

Northern Treecreeper at Valyie

Continental Coal Tits at Baltasound

Only the second record for Unst with the first in October 1965.

19th October 2023 Unst SE6 Overcast

Having spent all day working, John Lowrie Irvine's news that there was a Treecreeper and 3 Coal Tits in the Skaw Plantation, Whalsay had me heading for Valyie late in the afternoon... in the windy conditions I'd tried playback of the two species but to no avail. I was then joined by Duncan, Iain and Martin and we were admiring a Waxwing when a small passerine flew from behind, past us and landed on the wall below the kitchen window of Valyie just a few meters away - bingo - a Northern Treecreeper - only the third record for Unst! It then put on a fine show feeding in the clump of sycamores completely unconcerned by our presence.

Norwick: Pink-footed Goose, 3 Long-tailed Duck, Sparrowhawk, Wheatear, Robin, Blackcap, 5 Goldcrest, Great Tit, Northern Treecreeper, 20+ Waxwing, 2 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Chaffinch, 40 Brambling & Hawfinch.

Northern Treecreeper at Valyie

Great Tit at Valyie

17th October 2023 W4 Overcast

Norwick: Hen Harrier, Wheatear, 4 Robin, 6 Blackcap, Goldcrest, Waxwing, Fieldfare, 7 Redwing, 4 'Northwestern' Common Redpoll, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin, Chaffinch & 5 Brambling

Uyeasound: 21 (incl 2 juv) Whooper Swan, 29 Mute Swan, 120 Long-tailed Duck, 24 Tufted Duck, Glaucous Gull & Whinchat.

1cy Hen Harrier at Norwick

16th October 2023 Unst SW5 Showers

Norwick: Robin, Blackcap, 3 Goldcrest, Waxwing, Siskin & 4 'Northwestern' Common Redpoll.

15th October 2023 Unst NW4 Wintry showers

We sea-watched from 8.20am to 13.20pm and then covered Norwick.

Skaw: 1N, 1S Great Northern Diver, 10N Sooty Shearwater, 2 blue Fulmar, 7N, 3S, Long-tailed Duck, 2S Merganser, 1N Black Guillemot, adult Iceland Gull, 2 Purple Sandpiper, Robin, Redwing &75 Snow Bunting in off.

Norwick: 3 Long-tailed Duck, Hen Harrier, Robin, 3 Goldcrest, Fieldfare, Waxwing, Chaffinch, 30 Brambling, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll & Hawfinch.

Long-tailed Duck passing Skaw

blue Fulmar passing Skaw

Adult Iceland Gull at Skaw

Redwing at Skaw

Common Snipe at Norwick

Hen Harrier at Norwick

14th October 2023 Unst NW8 Rain

Skaw: Pied Wagtail & 3 Redwing.

Norwick: Blackcap, 2 Waxwing, Hawfinch & Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll.

Hawfinch & Waxwing sharing the rosa at Norwick

13th October 2023 Unst SW6 Showers

Norwick: Merlin, Robin, Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Goldcrest, Pied Flycatcher, Redwing, 2 Waxwing, Lesser Redpoll, Northwestern Redpoll, 20 Brambling & Hawfinch.

NorthDale: Blackcap.

Haroldswick: Lesser Whitethroat.

Baltasound: Blackcap & 3 Goldcrest.