Red-necked Phalaropes (inc video)

Lately, these wee birds are certainly proving harder to see!  They were seen by myself on almost every visit a few years back, but now they only seem to show every two or three visits!  Still plenty to see on Fetlar including Summer plumage GN Divers, Whimbrel, Arctic/Great Skuas etc, so always enjoyable even without the star performers! 

Not a fantastic video, but my first decent attempt at it!

Up-close and personal...

Just a few photos of the various wildlife in South Yell over the last couple of days!  Very cold temperatures and Northerly winds have stopped most of the migrants from passing through, so I've concentrated on the local species instead!

The local Black Guillemots have been very approachable, and extremely vocal, but thanks to the noise of the sea and wind, sound recordings are almost impossible...

Black Guillemot

Black Guillemot

Dunlin

the 'carniverous' Sundew

In the 'Bag'

Well actually 'in the chicken shed' would be more appropriate!  This superb Black-headed Bunting was found inside a local crofters chicken house today!

Also a photo of a male Red-backed Shrike taken a few days ago!  A bit more wary than the Bunting!...

Very 'Tystie'

The local Black Guillemot's (or 'Tystie's) were performing very well this morning!  Constantly calling and chasing each other among the rocks of South Yell...  Also seen this morning was a migrating imm Glaucous Gull heading North, and a few Wheatears including a singing male!

Owl's part 2

The 'Shetland Catch' could only produce 10 Iceland Gulls this morning, with no hint of a Kumlien's never mind a Thayer's!!!, but the 2 Long-eared Owls once again made up for it by posing well!  A Merlin flying low over my garden was a welcome sight on my return home too!

Poser!

Cleans up rather well!....  This Glaucous Gull is the same bird as in the previous post (honest....), but looking a bit nicer today!

Also seen today; 2nd Winter Iceland Gull at Burravoe, and a calling GN Diver on the East coast of Yell.  The only sign of Spring in Burravoe today has been the first local LBB Gull of the year!



2nd Winter Glaucous Gull

2nd Winter Glaucous Gull

"There's been a murder"

Well I'm presuming the 'ex-Herring Gull' didn't die of natural causes!  Either way this Glaucous Gull on Yell seemed to appreciate the meal...