16th
September, 2017 (Day 1) Wind N 4-5
The start of our 28 day trip to Unst where we stayed with David and Brenda at Millfield
The start of our 28 day trip to Unst where we stayed with David and Brenda at Millfield
Arrived on the overnight ferry from Aberdeen and met up with
David and Brenda mid-morning at Millfield. After unpacking our car etc., we
ventured out early afternoon when the weather had improved. We first visited Norwick where the fine adult
male Ortolan Bunting showed well. After enjoying some good views we then moved
onto Valyie where a Merlin showed well but virtually no migrants seen. We walked back to Norwick and a Pink-foot flew
over our heads.
After a break we checked the fields above Millfield where 14
Ruff were showing well. Onto North Dale but just a single Willow Warbler was
seen. We finally again visited Norwick and the Ortolan was feeding along the
sides of the road.
.
Adult male Ortolan Bunting at Norwick.
(DC)
Single Pink-foot over Norwick.
Ruff at Norwick
17th September, 2017 (Day 2) Wind light NE
Out by 7.00 am and first visited Skaw. Soon located a
Blyth’s Lesser Whitethroat which had a distinctive sandy brown back and wings
and good whiter outer tails. Very shy and unable to photograph it. Three Ruff were flying around but little else
seen.
We then visited Burrafirth where we covered the walled
garden and the burn. Garden was quiet and the burn produced singles Blackcap
and Willow Warbler. Four Herons arrived high up from the North and departed
still high going South. On the drive to
Burrafirth, a party of about 12 ducks chiefly Mallards but also 3 Pintail and 3
Wigeon.
After a coffee break, we than walked around Norwick to
Valyie. Another Grey Heron flew over with the highlight being a Yellow-browed
Warbler at Valyie but showed poorly. Also singles of Chiffchaff, Willow
Warbler, and a Garden Warbler.
During the afternoon, we first visited Setters Hill Pines
where another Yellow-browed Warbler was seen, and 150 Golden Plover flew over,
onto the Health Centre Garden where a juvenile Cuckoo showed well and yet
another Yellow-browed showed poorly. The School clump was quiet and our last
visit was to Clingera with a further 2 Yellow-browed’s showed reasonably well
A total of 5 Yellow-browed's seen today.
(DC)
Pintail near Burrafirth
Juvenile Cuckoo in the Health Centre Garden
Yellow-browed
Warblers at Clingera
