Lets go !
Day 1
The time had arrived. I was off to Shetland with Ian (the captain) for 15 days. It has long been a place I've always wanted to visit in Autumn, so with extra leave to take it was the perfect opportunity. We drove to Aberdeen and took the overnight ferry, via Orkney, which takes around twelve hours. Thankfully our cabins ensured we got a full nights rest and the rough sailing went past pretty un-noticed.
Sightings:- Pink-footed Geese flying through Perthshire, whilst on ferry 2 Arctic Skua, Common Scoter, 9 Whooper Swan, Kittiwakes and a range of auks.
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Day 2
Safely on dry land we decided to try and see the two raraties on the island before we headed to our lodge to unpack. We found the island pretty easy to navigate in fairness with a good A road going straight through the centre. The King Eider took a bit of finding among the Eiders whilst the Rose-coloured Starling just needed some patience before showing below a garden feeder.
Our accomadition was fantastic with everything we could have needed. The lodge was in a great location but also enabled us to cook for ourselves. Sea view at the front complete with playing Seals and mountain veiws from the rear. I was particually pleased as I'd booked this for us.
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Day 3
Pannnnnnnicccc! Grozzer on Unst!! Thankfully a bit of pre-planning by registering for ferries paid huge dividends as there was only one boat running so somehow we managed to book on the ferry from Toft to Yell and the Yell to Unst where the bird was. Never being before we had to estimated journey time and also book returns which also worked out. The car was bouncing as we chased a great bunch of lads from north midlands who knew were Northwick was. This stunning location was in a bay and hillside. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak had been observed at the back of the only house so it was just a case of keep searching. After about 40 mins a shout came that the bird had flown slightly west which involved us sprinting up a vertical hill where we got a few second view of this superb bird. After a period of no further views the bird emerged to sit queitly to give wonderful to those birders who had stayed patient. What a start to the trip. We added Long-tailed Duck and a number of common species to our trip list.
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Day 4
After the excitement of the previous day we undertook some birding around the south of the island. There was an excellent selection of waders and my first Brent Geese of the year. The Twite & seals close to our lodge proved stunning to watch.
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Day 4
60 mph winds and rain made birding very difficult until late afternoon so we decided to visit the amazing Esherness cliffs. We did record a Great Skua & Pink-footed Goose before add some minor trip ticks in Song Thrush, Grey Heron, Teal, Reed Bunting & Tufted Duck.
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Day 5
Nine additions to our trip list with best being a male Scaup we located on a small loch. Cliff Smith had seeded a quarry off the beaten path and we checked that out to find two Snow Buntings enjoying a free buffet.
A Garden Warbler was a nice find and only one we saw during the duration of our trip whilst a Pied Flycatcher gave us some amazing views.
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Day 6
A very busy day as we decided to try and chase a few birds. Rosefinch showed briefly at Levenwick among a huge flock of Brambling that looked superb and we heard, then saw our first Yellow-browed Warbler of the trip.
The afternoon session was excellent at Western Quarff where we enjoyed great views of a Bluethroat, Red-breasted Flycatcher & Barred Warbler (very mobile)
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Day 7
With very little habitat in Shetland you always needs to check over any plantations you pass. We were very dubious of entering anywhere where persission was not granted but it didn't stop many.We finished week one with 104 species. With no real easterlies in forecast we thought week two may be a struggle and so it seemed. See next blog.
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