The annual trip to Shetland started today with a three-day visit to the Orkneys first. I called in at Fife on the long journey north and got good views of a Ring-necked duck, and then called in at Killiecrankie in Perth and Kinross, where I got stunning views of a Wood Warbler in full song.
North of Inverness, I connected with a Ruddy Shelduck on the Cromarty Firth, and as I watched this, a Western Osprey appeared on the incoming tide and sat out on a floating branch.
I reached John O'Groats by 20.00, shattered after the long drive north. The night was spent in Wick, and the next morning I was on the 9.00am ferry to St. Margaret's Hope on Orkney.
I dropped my gear off at Stomness and headed for Loch of Banks, where two Eurasian Spoonbills were showing well and a Short-eared owl put in a brief performance.
Driving south, I called in at Birsay RSPB, where 3 summer-plumaged Red-throated Divers were seen.
Other good birds of note over the next couple of days were Great Northern Diver and Black-throated Diver, and a few other bits and bobs. The winds were totally wrong for the up-and-coming week with northwesterlies forecasted! Bloody cold up north!
I arrived on Shetland on Wednesday morning and headed straight to Mousa Sound, where I got good views of the White-billed diver.
Moving further south, I called in at Sumburgh Head and got good views of the seabirds.
The afternoon was spent travelling up to Unst when, on my way, news broke that a Golden Oriole had been seen in Brae. I soon got there and had the bird calling, and it showed briefly.
The evening was spent with my good friend Allan Conlin, eating good food and drinking red wine!
News broke the next morning that an Eleonora's falcon had been seen in Kent on the mainland. A few frantic phone calls to try and get off Shetland, but no chance till Sunday🤬
Anyway, I carried on with my holiday and visited Fetlar and got stunning views of Red-necked phalarope and Common rosefinch.
The next day was spent on Unst, where I got cracking views of Otter, Grey-headed wagtail, and Tree sparrows were seen at Halligarth.
A great week away, but sadly, the weather was not great; over 100 species of birds were seen. The Eleonora's falcon went to roost as we got on the boat. Here's hoping it's still around tomorrow!
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