Adrian Kettle
@akettle
Birder on Yell in Shetland.
Two of our boys took a big interest in a little visitor we’ve had around the garden this summer.
The most exciting thing to have happened in Mid Yell this month is this funky leucistic Starling, moulting to 1st winter. #birdingshetland
Bit of a surprise find this morning whilst picking up some animal feed in Lerwick, Black Redstart behind the Harbro warehouse. The RN Duck still at Clikimin but not getting any closer! #birdingshetland
Not a bad shopping day today. Started with a sum plum Black throated Diver, still scarce in Shetland, 2 Risso’s Dolphins then onto Lerwick where the Queen Eider was showing distantly then whilst stuffing my face and on the phone to Tracy I found an eclipse drake Ring necked Duck. #birdingshetland
Trip over to Fetlar today. Juvenile Ruddy Shelduck was the main target but a supporting cast of Red necked Phals, Red throated Divers (1 of which gave a close flyby) Carrion Crow, nest building Twite and Quail seen. #birdingshetland
The Bonaparte’s at Scatsta was still distant yesterday. Nice group of Common and Arctic terns at Gulberwick, including a 1st sum Arctic, portlandica. Red breasted Merganser would have been a good photo if I hadn’t buggered up the settings! #birdingshetland
Walking the hills in Yell this time of year everybody’s got something to say!#birdingshetland
Well that wasn’t what expected the way the day to go! Dipping a Bearded Seal, for the second time! Searching the local area around Sella Ness came across this 1st summer Bonaparte’s Gull, not a bad conciliation ! Always a bit distant but managed a few record shots. #birdingshetland
Midnight on the beach last night for the longest daylight day with Hazel for a BBQ and enjoying the simmer dim here in Yell, Shetland.
Very few birds around today. So, went down to West Burrafirth, Papa Stour ferry terminal for this absolute stinker of a summer plumage White billed Diver. Also seen GN and 2 RT Divers, Razorbills, Guillemot and Black Guillemot. #birdingshetland
Right, you’re going to have to use your imagination or just believe me when I say this is a Hobby. I did see it in the bins coming towards me but the camera skills were too slow as went past me at mach 5! Still a scarce bird on Shetland and especially on Yell. #birdingshetland
I found a fem RB Shrike at Gutcher. Then onto ferry to Unst. Western Sub Alp, Icterine, 2 Quail, RN Phals, Whimbrels, 2 ad sum Little Stints, Pacific Diver, Spotted Fly were the best of a good day. #birdingshetland
Classic Shetland spring birds. A singing Red Spot Bluethroat, defending itself admirably against 2 male Wheatears and a cracking male Red backed Shrike. Last week in south mainland. #birdingshetland
This Carrion Crow showed well at Vatsetter, Yell today. So well it seemed to show some faint grey feathering around the thighs. #birdingshetland
The big Icelandic Redpoll still today in Mid Yell. Showing how important Dandelions are, with its face plastered in pollen. Best of the rest today, 3 Swallows, 5 Tree Sparrows, 2 White Wagtails and a couple of Whimbrel. #birdingshetland
Interesting Redpoll in the garden today. I’m leaning towards an Icelandic bird as it can’t be an Arctic. Also my first Shetland Bumblebee and Red Admiral of the year. #birdingshetland
Last week I had a day of birds on walls at Sumburgh Head, Shetland. #birdingshetland
A Canada Goose was a good bird at Gloup, Yell. Found by Jim Nangle. I thought I would go and check it out, glad I did as it turned out to be a good candidate for a Todd’s Canada. A genuine vagrant from America! #birdingshetland
Hawfinch, Goldfinchs,Chaffinchs,Bramblings,Siskins, Willow Warbler a few CC,Sparrowhawk,2cy Rook Woodpigeons & Collared Dove in the garden. Marsh Harrier, LEO & Arctic Tern around Mid Yell. I could have got better photos of the MH if my car hadn’t rolled past me, panic! HANDBRAKE #birdingshetland
3rd April back on Unst with a bit of a goose fest. 6 Taiga Bean geese at Ordaal with 6 Jackdaws in the same area. 3 Greenland Whitefronts at Buness, another single was seen at Uyeasound, single Pinkfoot at Buness as well.Migrant Song Thrush at Uyeasound & the LTD’s always good. #birdingshetland
A visit to Unst on the 28th March gave good views of this Black Redstart at Haroldswick, an Unst tick along with this Turkey at Valyie! #birdingshetland
Does anybody know who this Witches broom might belong to. It was found on today Boddam beach, Shetland? 😉 #shetlandbirding
Quite pleased with this juv Iceland gull flying through Mid Yell Voe this morning, as wingers have been very scarce this winter in Shetland. #birdingshetland
Cheeky little Tengmalm’s twitch this afternoon, over to Ollaberry. Inter island ferries played their usual part in lengthening a 3/4 hour journey into 3 1/2 hours! #birdingshetland
Great weather and a few miles covered in North Yell. 2 Pinkfeet, 1 looking more Likely to get back to the breeding grounds than the other! Lots of Skylarks back in the last couple of days. Best though was 4 Humpbacks heading west past Breckon, no photos 😢 #birdingshetland
Well after 4 days of trying I finally managed to see the Bonaparte’s Gull at Uyeasound, Unst. Flew in late afternoon for about 5 minutes. Also present was the 2nd winter Glaucous Gull and nearby 2 Tundra Bean geese. #birdingshetland
Spent the day on Unst. Didn’t see the Bonaparte’s Gull but did see some good birds on a driech day. 2 Tundra Bean geese, 2 Whitefronts, 2w Glaucous Gull, Kumlien’s/Thayers gull, White billed Diver plus 100’s of Long tailed Ducks. #birdingshetland