SHETLAND 2024 DAY 1

Just after 7.30am, John Pegden, Neil Bostock, and I arrived in Lerwick. We immediately picked up the weekly rental car and drove directly to Clickimin Loch, which is just outside of Lerwick, where we were able to see a Barred Warbler up close.

Further down the road, we had crippling views of a Little Bunting.

After hearing that a Paddyfield Warbler had been discovered on Unst, we picked up Dan Pointon, who was already waiting for us on the island, and set out. After a few quick views of it foraging low, the paddyfield finally appeared after a good hour.

Paddyfield twitch

In addition, a Lanceolated warbler, which had been there for a few days and was my fifth for Shetland, was visible at the bottom of the field.

What a beauty!

A Common Rosefinch was also present on site 

The first day on Shetland was fantastic.At Sumburgh Lighthouse, where we were staying, we spent the evening catching up, enjoying some wonderful food, and sipping whisky.

Sumburgh Lighthouse where we are staying

Shetland team 2024

SHETLAND 2024

I set the alarm early this morning as I wanted to get up to Aberdeen and do some birding before I got on the ferry to Lerwick on my annual pilgrimage to Shetland.I left the Wirral at 4.00am and made good progress north and arrived at Cameron reservoir in Fife just after 11.30am, where I was hoping to see a spotted sandpiper that had been present for the last couple of days. The juvenile showed well on arrival at the north end of the dam and was a good addition to my Scottish list.

Spotted Sandpiper

Cameron Reservoir

Moving on from here, I called in at the Montrose basin in Angus, where a good variety of bird species were seen. My target bird was Kingfisher, which I needed for my Scottish list, and it didn't take long to find one perched up low in the willows.

A good afternoon birding before meeting up with John Pegden and Neil Bostock on the boat to Lerwick.

Leaving Aberdeen on the overnight ferry to Lerwick