It was a late start today due
to the very poor conditions. We
initially went to Tesco in Lerwick and saw two Whooper Swans on Clickmin Loch
and then twelve Eider, a Red-breasted Merganser, a Slavonian Grebe and a
Guillemot in the bay. After returning to
the accommodation briefly we headed off south to Loch Spiggie where we had
fifteen Whooper Swan, two drake Pochard, five Goldeneye and a Great Skua. Spiggie Beach gave us some shelter from the
wind where Roger found a nice summer plumage Great Northern Diver and there
were five Ringed Plovers n the beach and five Black Guillemots in the bay and
another Great Skua flew over our heads.
As we drove around the west
side of Loch Spiggie we had three Golden Plover, two Great Skuas, which were
presumably the two we had seen earlier, and five Swallows.
Juvenile Swallow
Adult male Swallow
Further on we found twelve
Pink-footed Geese feeding amongst a party of Greylags and a single Snipe was
observed in flight. As we moved on
towards Quendale we found a flock of Golden Plover feeding in the field next to
the road, with several quite close.
There was also several smaller birds but they were doing their best to
keep out of the wind but we did see several Skylarks and a Twite. A Great Skua was observed on the small pool
to the south of the road but there was little else.
Golden Plover
Golden Plover
Golden Plover
At Sumburgh the Redstart and
Blackcap had moved to the first quarry where it was more sheltered, although
they were both far more elusive today.
We also saw another Great Skua and a single Redwing before we moved onto
Gruntness for a spot of lunch. As usual
there was a single Red-breasted Merganser and there was sixteen Sanderling
today but five Eider had moved into the bay for shelter from the stormy
sea. It was impossible to watch
effectively at the Pool of Verkie and all we saw were a few Dunlin and
Bar-tailed Godwits and a single Snipe.
We decided to do a tour around a Boddam and the Loch of Clumlie before
returning back to the accommodation but the only thing of note was a Great Skua
that provided some great views as it fed on a road kill.
Greta Skua with road kill
Great Skua
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