Paul Macklam

Found the Long-eared Owl again, presumably the same bird from earlier in the month.

Good to see that the Hume's Warbler survived yesterday's storm. Took some patience but it finally came out into the open.

Found this Hume’s Warbler in Feal plantation, this afternoon. Only the second record for Fetlar.

Pleased to find this Pec Sand at Weatherhead this afternoon. Always distant so heavily cropped pics.

Found this Bluethroat at Funzie this afternoon, such a skulker, only saw it out in the open once in well over an hour.

Very few migrants on show today, just a couple of Chiffs and this Yellow-browed Warbler which has been at Leagarth for nearly a week now.

Must have checked thousands of Goldies this Autumn trying to find an American Golden Plover. Finally I found this pristine juvenile at Funzie this afternoon.

The weather beat me today but I managed to come across this stunning Long eared Owl before I headed home.

Yellow-browed Warbler numbers have been relatively poor this Autumn and most of them have been quite elusive. This one put on a show today at Leagarth.

Found this Olive-backed Pipit at Funzie Willows this afternoon

Managed to see 3 Merlins today… and a few thousand Redwings!

Hummingbird hawk-moth at Funzie this morning

Peregrine is still a scarce bird on the patch, this one found between Tresta and Northdale today

Better weather and better views of the RBFly today

A combination of seriously strong winds and a very elusive bird meant it took me an hour to get a few brief glimpses of this Red-breasted Flycatcher, at Tresta, today (found late afternoon yesterday by John Sweeney)

Originally found on Tuesday (by Andy Cook) this Turtle Dove has been extremely elusive since. I’d seen it twice but only from distance and, more often than not, in flight, until today. I re-found it among a flock of c30 Rock Doves on Houbie beach.

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Merlin and a couple of Ruff were the best I could find today

Pied Flycatcher at Northdale and a distant Grey Plover at Funzie (quite possibly the regular returning bird)

Barred Warbler at Funzie and a Spot Fly in my garden.

A young juvenile Stonechat at Northdale mires, this afternoon.

Great Northern Diver, off Brough jetty, today.

Almost forgot, found a Snipe nest too

A more than decent day. Two Quails (the island is jumping with them) Water Rail, Redpoll, RTDivers, RNPhals, dozens of recently fledged Wheatears and the Ruddy Shelduck which was back after going AWOL for a couple of days.

Ruddy Shelduck this afternoon (found by Simon Roddis) It took a long time to relocate it. I’m told it’s the second record for Shetland.

Rosy Starling found yesterday (on Lambhoga) by Tom Rosas and (presumably the same bird) relocated today by Calum Scott @aberladybirder.bsky.social The light was poor at 8pm when I finally found it (and it was distant) but it’s a very smart bird.

Lovely to see this Short-eared Owl hunting today before perching up to dry out.

In the absence of any scarce birds a trio of Otters entertained me. Within a minute of entering the sea they were all out again with various prey items.

The Shrike remained in the same area today, somewhat less flighty than yesterday.

Female RBShrike today (found by Nat) near the Island Hall, it made its way to my garden before heading back to the original location.

Found a Rosefinch this afternoon at Tresta

I don't encounter Otters every day so this one was a welcome sight at low tide

Walking back to my car I heard a familiar “pik-pik” call and these two dropped onto the loch, right in front of me.

Red Necked Phalarope numbers are on the increase, including my first males of the year.

It’s taken me 10 years to see this behaviour! A pair of Red-throated Divers mating on the shore of a small lochan.

My first Phal of the season, brightening up a rainy day.

This belter is still in the Funzie area, hopefully it will be leaving soon for its breeding grounds. The American Wigeon continued its stay, on Papil Water today.

Whimbrel calling from almost every corner of the island now, these were just outside my garden

A real treat today, seeing (and hearing) Dunlin displaying, on the mires

The American Wigeon was mobile today, seen at Houbie Mires and occasionally on Papil Water.

Nice American Wigeon on Houbie Mires this afternoon.

Great Northern Divers are starting to look very smart

Watched these Snipe for ages today, fabulous birds

The Grey Plover is looking stunning now, still in the Funzie area.

Always distant but the long staying (since Oct 19th) Grey Plover is on the cusp of breeding plumage. It’s going to be a stunner (heavily cropped pics from ~350m away)

The Hen Harrier was at Dullens again today, unfortunately always fairly distant.

Merlin at Aith, this afternoon.

A distant Hen Harrier at Dullens today, in less than optimal conditions. Presumably the same bird I found there on 19 Feb.