tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72274002102455079522012-02-14T15:39:58.000ZA Shetland Birders DiarySteve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.comBlogger7761100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-88552063927293707142012-02-13T18:57:00.002Z2012-02-13T18:57:17.948Z

That's it, I've had enough of dark days, rain and wind, I'm off ! to find out where, stay tuned. In the meantime here's a bit of Primus

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-18423129940671609502012-02-07T23:30:00.000Z2012-02-08T11:58:04.813Z

Spent all day at the Shetland Catch with the Iceland Gulls, about 35 using the area with another 4 in Lerwick town centre. Most of the ones at the catch were showing some influence of coming from the hybrid swarm, albeit very subtle at times.

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-66195211781609888032012-02-05T23:34:00.000Z2012-02-06T19:35:35.472Z

Out on the patch today, with the usual fare still kicking about - 2 2w Iceland Gulls, a 2w Glauc and the 2 Scaup, a bit of a surprise was a Woodcock flushed off Moast Beach, which promptly flew out to sea. Iceland Gull Kittiwake Scaup Woodcock

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-84475179894626678952012-01-31T19:34:00.004Z2012-01-31T19:34:38.480Z

So, what do dead rock stars get up to in the afterlife ? Watch and find out - *caution, contains much hilarity*

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-88785635314147288022012-01-29T22:37:00.001Z2012-01-29T22:37:28.902Z

Forgot all about this one until I was reminded about it today, albeit in a bit of a roundabout way.

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-12932724527396529952012-01-28T23:10:00.000Z2012-01-29T12:26:21.515Z

A quick seawatch from the living room window into Quendale Bay revealed 1 Little Auk in among the Eiders, after doing the patch, did the same again and 10 Little Auks in the bay - inc a flock of 5 and one of 3. Pretty quiet on the patch with a 2w Iceland Gull and 2 Scaup. Little Auks - It's amazing what you can film from the living room with an old mobile and a 'scope Thar be Little

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-66607636541938309572012-01-23T07:06:00.000Z2012-01-23T07:06:30.662Z

A fine show of the Northern Lights last night -

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-31971768642742048342012-01-21T21:21:00.001Z2012-01-21T21:21:39.393Z

One from the dim and distant past -

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-36847203570552892022012-01-20T15:32:00.001Z2012-01-20T15:33:33.555Z

So the choice was to either go to the town and have look at a load of Iceland Gulls or to do the patch, seeing as the weather was quite calm and sunny, the patch won out. And what a good move it was - 2 Velvet Scoters, 6 Common Scoters, 2 Scaup and a Little Auk in West Voe (+ about 200 Long-tailed Ducks, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers and 40 Goldeneye), 2 Skylarks, 2 Snow Bunting and a Redwing flushed

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-8154196775424607002012-01-16T18:23:00.000Z2012-01-16T18:23:17.973Z

As if yesterday's Dunnock wasn't odd enough, on the patch today - 2 male Gadwall and a Song Thrush, two species I don't normally see until March/April time. Other year-ticks today were Grey Heron, Pintail (with the hybrid) and Tufted Duck (with the Scaup). Aside from that bit of excitement, there were 6 Common Scoters in West Voe and no Iceland Gulls (apart from the remains of a dead one).

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-65917880683490545082012-01-15T20:59:00.002Z2012-01-15T20:59:37.371Z

No Iceland Gulls seen from the house today, and I couldn't be arsed going out to look either - it never really got light at all today. A bit of a surprise was a Dunnock in the garden, I don't think there are many January records in Shetland.

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-60569222989792552742012-01-13T23:14:00.000Z2012-01-14T21:18:17.338Z

Iceland/Kumlien's/Swarm Gulls on the patch again today - 2 2nd winters and a 3rd winter, well, while they are turning up all over the place, I'm gonna enjoy them while I can - they do brighten up a Shetland winters day.

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-9559306790539817312012-01-11T18:45:00.000Z2012-01-11T18:45:03.838Z

Being as it's been lashing down all day, I've not bothered going out on the patch - didn't need to, I had 2 Iceland Gulls past the window today. So spent most of the day sorting out a Kashmir Flycatcher twitch for next month.

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-68551207014477704262012-01-09T23:28:00.000Z2012-01-10T20:39:31.811Z

Not surprisingly there were more Iceland Gulls on the patch today, or were there ? 2 1st winters and 2 2nd winters were on Moast beach, were different birds from yesterday's, why ? Well all four birds showed varying degrees of 'Kumlien's' Gull or to be more specific - they all showed signs of coming from the hybrid swarm, with faded 'arrowheads' in the primaries and a hint of a tailband. I would

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-44631461452136485392012-01-08T21:13:00.002Z2012-01-08T21:15:22.720Z

A nice surprise on the patch today - 5 Iceland Gulls around Moast Beach (2 2nd winters, a 3rd winter, an Adult and a 1st winter), pretty amazing really as there were only 27 Gulls in total around the beach ! Went a bit overboard with the camera -

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-13088636450911537992012-01-07T23:35:00.000Z2012-01-08T20:40:15.056Z

Out on the patch to get a few year-ticks, even though it was blowing a gale ! A few new birds added, the best being a 1st winter Glaucous Gull, a Shelduck and 2 Fieldfare. The female Scaup was on the Loch and the 7 Common Scoter were still in West Voe. Common Scoters Glaucous Gull

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-42747349329757117972012-01-02T20:55:00.000Z2012-01-02T20:55:46.826Z

Out for a little while this afternoon, just to get a few sea-duck on the year-list. So about 45 minutes scanning West Voe, not too bad - 7 Common Scoter, a Great Northern Diver, a Scaup, 20+ Goldeneye and about 200 Long-tailed Duck. Goldeneye Long-tailed Ducks

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-3671879623406540732012-01-01T20:42:00.004Z2012-02-08T11:59:45.829Z

1/1/12 1. Herring Gull 2. Eider 3. Shag 4. Hooded Crow 5. Common Gull 6. Great Black-backed Gull 7. Rock Dove 8. Raven 9. Starling 10. House Sparrow 11. Curlew 2/1/12 12. Black Guillemot 13. Wigeon 14. Scaup 15. Goldeneye 16. Lapwing 17. Oystercatcher 18. Long-tailed Duck 19. Common Scoter 20. Turnstone 21. Great Northern Diver 22. Gannet 23. Blackbird 24. Red-throated Diver 3/1/12 25. Redshank

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-56224015031782996822011-12-31T20:03:00.000Z2012-01-02T20:14:18.413Z

December was crap, that's probably why it's took me so long to do any kind of an update ! On the patch there was a Shelduck on the 5th and a Greenland White-front on the 18th and a single Pink-footed Goose was around for most of the month. The month was salvaged with a Shetland tick though - a 'tumble dried' Desert Wheatear in Lerwick on the 12th. Shelduck Pink-footed Goose

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-72707130460427855642011-12-31T19:00:00.001Z2012-01-01T19:51:32.947Z

A few highlights from November - Buzzard - over the patch on the 27/11, not only a year tick, but a patch tick ! The Great Tit remained in the garden until the 20/11. Scaup, Gadwall, Pochard and Goldeneye - a nice selection for such a small Loch. Short-eared Owl - 1-3 birds around the patch until the 19/11.  White-fronted Geese - 4 birds on the marshy bit behind the loch on 13

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-65409093504455172542011-12-24T18:50:00.000Z2011-12-24T18:50:19.296Z

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-39512005479208654922011-12-08T01:18:00.000Z2011-12-08T01:18:08.989Z

There will be an update soon, when I can be bothered ! in the meantime here's some mad Arabs -

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-61288509610062592412011-11-14T10:32:00.000Z2011-11-14T10:32:15.172Z

No, really there are Spoon-billed Sandpipers in the UK - http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/15692417 Hmmm, now if one of these were to escape and end up on the Pool of Virkie....

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-21002021406985968042011-11-13T19:54:00.001Z2011-11-13T19:55:39.533Z

Friday - A quick dash around the patch in the afternoon, and a year-tick - Pochard on the Loch ! Elsewhere around Scatness 4 Short-eared Owls, 4 Robin, a Grey Plover, a Woodcock, a Greenfinch and the ever present Great Tit. Greenfinch Pochard Saturday - The Great Tit and Greenfinch remain in the garden, plus flyover Peregrine and Merlin Today - Being as there seems to be

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-17346159004994366412011-11-09T12:57:00.002Z2011-11-09T12:57:42.857Z

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-67576683545908375102011-11-08T13:05:00.000Z2011-11-08T13:05:55.495Z

It's amazing what new things there are to be learnt -

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-52008495630313694992011-11-06T23:09:00.000Z2011-11-07T17:10:03.558Z

Just as everything in the bay was getting used to not being harassed by Bonxies, a fine juv Pomarine Skua turns up, initially about 10 yards out to sea at the back of the Loch, and then kicking hell out of the Kittiwakes later on. Other than that the patch was pretty quiet with the Great Tit still in the garden along with a female Blackcap and 2 Robins, plus 4 Whooper Swans and the Little Grebe

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-89533010256716503172011-11-05T23:27:00.019Z2011-11-06T11:38:16.560Z

At last, a day on the patch where it's not pissing down, it was even sunny enough not to need a coat ! Besides the lingering birds from the last few days - Great Tit, Little Gull, Short-eared Owl and 5 Whooper Swans - there were new birds in 1 Wheatear, 6 Grey Heron, 12 Robins, a Peregrine, 2 Goldeneye, 4 Dunlin, 1 Jack Snipe and a Mistle Thrush (year tick). The day ended with a tame Grey

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-73931370933677829622011-11-04T19:40:00.000Z2011-11-04T19:40:36.604Z

Mad !

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-36479793915215865332011-11-01T23:50:00.001Z2011-11-02T11:02:44.388Z

But this time nothing unusual about it - a Little Gull around Moast Beach, and as it's one of my favourite birds, no apolologies for the amount of photos - a smart bird indeed. Also around the patch, the Great Tit is still in the garden (for it's eighth day), 2 Short-eared Owls, a Woodcock, a Little Grebe, 6 Whooper Swan, 2 Robin and 560 Fieldfare. Little Gull Woodcock

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-57103900586367419482011-10-30T23:30:00.001Z2011-10-31T13:13:26.667Z

When most of the migrants have buggered off from the patch then what to do ? On Scilly it would probably be a seawatch from Peninnis, in England go through the returning wildfowl or check out the Gulls. On Shetland seawatching is crap, I checked all the wildfowl on the patch, which took about 2 minutes, to get 38 Barnacle Geese, a female Shoveler and 4 Wigeon, which now only left the Gulls... erm

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-52749040278021088352011-10-27T23:45:00.024+01:002011-10-30T12:02:50.913Z

At last the wind has died down a bit, only 25mph today as opposed to 45 yesterday. After noticing that the Great Tit was in the garden and flushing a Long-eared Owl out of the honeysuckle hedge, I set off around the patch. As soon as I got over the fence 6 Short-eared Owls came out of the field by the house, followed shortly afterwards by a Little Auk out from Scord Beach, and then the 'bastard

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-1732058301924217002011-10-25T19:39:00.001+01:002011-10-25T19:39:28.333+01:00

After 2 days of south-easterly gales, birds are at last beginning to show up. I was a bit fired up yesterday after it was south-easterly all night, but all that was on the patch was 2 Fieldfare, a Redwing and a Skylark ! A bit better today, but still 40mph winds, with 100+ Fieldfares and 30 or so Redwings in the fields on the patch, but today the garden came up with the star bird - a Great Tit !

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-25727891608938227762011-10-20T23:12:00.018+01:002011-10-21T20:31:43.505+01:00

Finally went up to Gulberwick for the male Siberian Rubythroat, I would have gone straight away yesterday when news broke, but being has it was lashing down with hail and snow showers, I waited until today. What a porn star of a bird ! especially with the sun shining on it as it fed around the track to the house, add to this close views of Pechora Pipit and a fly by Hen Harrier - a pretty good

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-31355079394754706152011-10-19T23:30:00.046+01:002011-10-21T20:07:42.719+01:00

Now that the broadband seems to be moving a bit quicker, time for a quick update from the last few weeks. A day out dipping the Alpine Swift at Laxo on the 29/9, was salvaged a bit with Lesser Grey Shrike nearby, A Brambling and a Jack Snipe were patch year-ticks on the 30/9 and so was Greenfinch on 2/10, a day when there were Olive-backed Pipits all over the place, apart from Scatness that is,

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-17345685981889781642011-10-12T14:19:00.001+01:002011-10-12T14:20:08.084+01:00

....a big update from the last few weeks, that is once BT have got there act together and got the broadband up to speed, at the moment it seems to be powered by this - In the meantime, here's another 'Simon's Cat' -

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-83228706023107624792011-09-29T11:29:00.000+01:002011-09-29T11:29:10.195+01:00

Sometimes bands can go a bit too far with cover versions - this one is as mad as a box of frogs !

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-87422787949067389422011-09-27T19:51:00.000+01:002011-09-27T19:51:12.988+01:00

A few pics from last night's Northern Lights -

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-54364182828871927712011-09-26T19:59:00.001+01:002011-09-26T20:00:59.819+01:00

Not much on the patch today - just a Blackcap and a Kestrel, which makes me think it's a waste of time getting out and about until the wind changes ! As I got back home though, all the Starlings went nuts - the culprit ? - the oiled Pallid Harrier going over the house roof ! Crap photo I know, but it is a Pallid Harrier going over my house ! and then over the runway and finally over 'The

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-41125856956661490492011-09-24T23:45:00.018+01:002011-09-26T19:54:46.289+01:00

A bit of a trip up to Dalsetter (all of 5 miles !) for the Swainson's Thrush, luckily the bird had been using my mate's garden, so I sat on his veranda with a cup of coffee and waited, Unluckily, Chris's garden is a bit of a forest (by south mainland standards) but after a couple of hours the bird flew in to the trees and then immediately flew out again to the north - flight views only ! A

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-14469592292338719192011-09-24T02:19:00.002+01:002011-09-24T02:23:40.140+01:00

Classic ! Before they went all 'poppie' ! Play it loud as fuck !!!!!!

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-88156793364324929232011-09-21T12:36:00.000+01:002011-09-21T12:36:40.794+01:00

For those that haven't seen it yet - hilarious !

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-46726053248158533632011-09-19T20:21:00.001+01:002011-09-19T20:21:42.143+01:00

On the charter boat this morning to Foula ("It's not the edge of the world, but you can see it from there") for the Least Sand, on arrival we all got into the 'Foula Taxi' (a battered transit van that has seen better days) for the 'fairground ride' to the south of the island. Checking all the rock pools south of the weather station, where the bird had been for the last 3 days - no sign !!!! Just

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-53715061184271976632011-09-17T12:30:00.000+01:002011-09-17T16:28:17.168+01:00

The Barred Warbler that has been in the garden all week is now so stupidly tame it's took to feeding on Craneflies around the windows. Took this video this morning - ignore the commentary in the background, that's just the Discovery Channel with a documentary claiming that the Welsh 'found' North America - is there anything that the Welsh don't claim to have found ?!!!

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-47913825366958887132011-09-16T17:06:00.000+01:002011-09-16T17:06:54.351+01:00

A bit of easy listening for the weekend -

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-83349028111663104222011-09-15T23:52:00.013+01:002011-09-16T10:13:35.467+01:00

The Barred Warbler was still in the garden yesterday, but far more interesting was a colour ringed Starling, I presume that it's one of the Fair Isle birds, if so then it kinda prooves that Fair Isle Starlings migrate north in the autumn ! A quick look around one or two patches of trees on the patch revealed sod all, so decided to go to the town instead, waiting for the bus and MEGA patch tick -

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-10056221021569768392011-09-13T19:55:00.002+01:002011-09-13T19:58:41.814+01:00

Barred Warbler A Barred Warbler in the garden was showing stupidly well this morning, it turned up yesterday and gave reasonable views, but today it was proper posing. As it was in the rain yesterday   and today, posing away Stalking the Owl Out on the patch and I picked up a Short-eared Owl on a pile of rocks in the middle of a field, a bit too far away to get a descent shot,

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-26992149929928352732011-09-11T23:12:00.000+01:002011-09-12T20:22:57.214+01:00

A pretty quiet weekend, a bit of a break from the sport on the telly on Saturday to 'dirty, filthy twitch' a Pallid Harrier at Sumburgh Farm - seen twice in the pissing rain. Back out birding on the patch today - 2 early Barnacle Geese, 9 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Gadwall and a Curlew Sand. Bar-tailed Godwits Barnacle Goose

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-86303291129385646332011-09-07T23:37:00.001+01:002011-09-08T07:38:41.844+01:00

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-130057583335222642011-09-04T23:41:00.002+01:002011-09-07T12:04:08.444+01:00

Sod all in the garden, sod all on the patch (apart from a few Sanderling) - the best was saved until early evening with a stunning 'green' sunset, photographed as well !

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-58013768686320251532011-09-03T23:41:00.000+01:002011-09-05T15:08:34.116+01:00

After emptying the Moth trap yesterday morning, there were 3 birds tazzing around the garden, one was a Willow Warbler that perched up nicely and posed, the second one was a bit more elusive and turned out to be a female Blackcap and the third bird was so elusive that it only flushed at the last second and then flew over the house to god knows where ! The bird then showed up a couple of hours

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-748536392930098262011-08-31T23:17:00.001+01:002011-09-01T07:32:20.021+01:00

All the Little Stints from the patch seem to have bogged off, I didn't see a single one today, or any Curlew Sands, a few decent birds were kicking about though - the Spotted Redshank was around the Loch, a Bar-tailed Godwit was in the cow field and a juv Little Gull (year-tick) was in West Voe before flying over to Scord, In the garden the Pied Flycatcher remains, joined now by a Willow Warbler

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-86877011698854245202011-08-31T19:50:00.003+01:002011-08-31T19:53:05.758+01:00

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-28597916344432122382011-08-29T23:50:00.002+01:002011-08-30T14:35:56.403+01:00

....what's going on ? Out on the patch today, on a mission to find Curlew Sandpiper for the year-list. Started off on Scord and Sanblister Beaches, where there were 3 Little Stints - this would normally constitute a good count at Scatness, where Little Stint is just about annual ! Carrying on around the patch and another 7 Little Stints around the Loch, in fact as the day went on, every bit of a

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-50226680860395831262011-08-28T23:56:00.001+01:002011-08-29T13:31:22.464+01:00

The weekend has been filled with a northerly gale blowing like mad, so telly was the order of both days with the GP qualifying and Wigan & Saints challenge cup final on Saturday and the GP race and Man U thrashing Arsenal 8-2 today. I did keep a look out in the garden though - 1 Barred Warbler still there yesterday and a Pied Flycatcher today.

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-750710626269788492011-08-26T23:51:00.015+01:002011-08-29T13:22:05.602+01:00

With the wind still south-easterly (ish) and a fine bright day, there really ought to be new birds in around the patch - and there was ! 2 Barred Warblers in the garden, 5 Tree Pipits around the Old Scatness dig, 3 Ruff in with the Oystercatchers, a Whinchat and a Redstart around the big house (not a prison, just a house that's big !), plus 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, a

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-79913857128305226522011-08-25T23:37:00.001+01:002011-08-26T17:46:01.715+01:00

Now that the rain has stopped, time to get out on the patch and give it a good kicking ! And it started of with a monster in the garden - a Convolvulus Hawk-moth in the trap - garden tick ! Out on the patch it was obvious that there were birds to be found - no rarities, but 3 year-ticks - a Little Stint on Sanblister Beach, a Yellow Wagtail behind Colonial and a Garden Warbler in the garden.

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-4516092275805264192011-08-24T23:31:00.000+01:002011-08-26T17:36:59.107+01:00

South east winds all day and loads of rain ! A few hours around the patch in horrible conditions resulted in 2 Willow Warblers, a Garden Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher and very wet clothes !

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-50786516228618004472011-08-23T23:59:00.000+01:002011-08-24T14:11:52.092+01:00

The ferry crossing back from Fair Isle was pretty uneventful (a single Manxie just north of North Light), but it got a bit better just before docking at Grutness with a Minke Whale just off the Larward. Back home we were greeted with Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler in the Garden. Minke Whale Gannets

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-21551189108486151412011-08-22T23:59:00.000+01:002011-08-24T14:06:46.024+01:00

The last day on the rock and it started well with a Barred Warbler in the obs plantation (found from the bedroom window !), the rest of the day was a bit of a struggle in the strengthening south-west wind - the only things of note being 16 Swifts at the base of Malcolm's Head and Merlin & Kestrel hunting in tandem around the shop. Swift Merlin

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-35981285491151868302011-08-21T23:57:00.001+01:002011-08-22T19:35:21.635+01:00

Mostly singles of everything on the rock today - Rosefinch (a red one this time), Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Pied Flycatcher and Greenshank. Multiples were 3 Willow Warblers, 4 Swift and 9 Swallows. Common Rosefinch Pied Flycatcher Whitethroat

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-42391574108280281762011-08-20T23:45:00.001+01:002011-08-21T18:53:14.295+01:00

Day one in the new Fair Isle Asylum, not much on the crossing over - 1 Stormie and 1 Manxie, on the island itself - a brown Common Rosefinch in bull's park and a few Painted Ladies was about it..... and then it pissed down ! South Light from hill dyke Super pale Bonxie

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-3426093696744485842011-08-20T09:06:00.002+01:002011-08-20T09:06:44.585+01:00

Away for a while.....

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-27771103246687202011-08-17T23:29:00.000+01:002011-08-18T19:36:18.955+01:00

Despite promising conditions, it's been a pretty slow week on the patch with hardly any migrants. Daily visits have produced a few Knot, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Greenshank, a few Willow Warblers and a Common Sandpiper. The best of all was on sunday, when a juvenile Hobby went through, before carrying on to Sumburgh Head. The only other things of note were a few Painted Lady. Knot Lesser

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-78450413559704735662011-08-12T19:49:00.000+01:002011-08-12T19:49:13.628+01:00

With easterly winds for the last few days it should be pretty good, but all that's turned up on the patch so far is a single Willow Warbler in the garden. However 30mph south-easterlies with rain are forecast for tonight, so things should improve !

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-63719481024104697812011-08-12T00:26:00.000+01:002011-08-12T00:26:27.989+01:00

Ultimate cheese !!!

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-21156694028055924192011-08-10T19:48:00.001+01:002011-08-10T22:14:24.520+01:00

Despite the northerly winds, a few migrants have made it to the patch this week, 2 Willow Warblers were in the garden for a couple of days, a few Whimbrel have been heading south and a Common Sandpiper was on Moast Beach today. On the moth front numbers have dropped dramatically with the northerlies, 300+ plus before and just 2 last night, although I did trap a Holly Tortrix (cheers Andy, for the

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-50434879354606126372011-08-07T14:17:00.000+01:002011-08-07T14:17:02.944+01:00

Too many puppies are being shot in the dark. Too many puppies are trained not to bark. At the sight of blood that must be spilled so that we may maintain our oil fields. Too many puppies(x2) Too many puppies are taught to heel. Too many puppies are trained to kill. On the command of men wearing money belts that buy mistresses sleek animal pelts. Too many puppies.(x4) Too many puppies with

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-77328599285185467972011-08-05T19:41:00.002+01:002011-08-06T14:48:12.467+01:00

Not a bird, that would be asking too much ! A moth, a Burnished Brass in the trap last night - less than 10 records for Shetland.

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-12500913297427465872011-08-03T19:10:00.000+01:002011-08-03T19:10:45.305+01:00

3 patch year-ticks today, first was a Greenshank flying about and calling in the fog while I was emptying the moth trap, followed by a Bar-tailed Godwit on Moast Beach and finally a cracking Wood Sand at the back of the Loch. There are now 4 Ruff on the patch.

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-81861623608564669992011-08-01T23:54:00.001+01:002011-08-02T14:31:50.415+01:00

With 'Birdguides' carrying the news of 10,000 Two-barred Crossbills passing through southern Scandinavia, and 24 hours of south-easterlies, the plan was to check all the areas of Thrift on the patch (and any other bit of veg that might be good for 2BCs). Needless to say, there weren't any, but 3 Ruff on the southernmost pool were year-ticks, so the plan wasn't altogether wasted. Ruffs

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-26949627806631026742011-08-01T00:46:00.001+01:002011-08-01T13:52:26.928+01:00

A few days about the patch last week, and it looks like Autumn is just around the corner, with a few Sanderlings, Dunlin and Turnstones moving through. Sanderling Turnstone and Dunlin Shelduck Swallows - attempted to breed this year, but failed

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-86712388878488283002011-07-27T17:08:00.006+01:002011-07-28T17:13:49.192+01:00

A few more photos of the tall ships as they were leaving Lerwick on Monday

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-18065889677582461972011-07-23T23:13:00.005+01:002011-07-24T11:18:57.098+01:00

And a good day was had by all, around the tall ships in Lerwick, I was going to go back tomorrow to see the 'parade of sail', but this has been postponed until Monday as it's too windy !

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-25068022537920450682011-07-21T01:40:00.000+01:002011-07-21T01:40:27.089+01:00

what a smeg head -

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-64073301899264157892011-07-19T15:28:00.001+01:002011-07-19T15:29:08.027+01:00

With a bit of an easterly airflow, at last mothing is starting to look a bit interesting again,  a Double Square Spot trapped on the 6th (approx 3rd for Shetland), a Nutmeg, Magpie and Mother of Pearl on the 17th and a Bedstraw Hawk-moth and an Exile trapped last night. A week of northerlies is forecast, so that will probably be the end of it !  Bedstraw Hawk-moth   Bedstraw Hawk-moth

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-16773664142974999452011-07-17T23:28:00.023+01:002011-07-18T18:45:47.843+01:00

Now that it's the middle of July, and the patch is pretty crap, so here's some stuff from the past few weeks - Great Northern Diver - at least 4 birds are summering around the patch  Wheatear - one of a few species that have had a good breeding season this year   Wren   Silver Y   Middle-barred Minor   Large White   Rhingia campestris 

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-80366587066714236212011-07-05T11:32:00.000+01:002011-07-05T11:32:40.293+01:00

Nothing bird wise, but whilst looking through Shetlink the other day, I found this in the classifieds section, I assume it relates to Chickens of some kind, but this being Shetland, you never know !!!

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-81676440511624904662011-06-26T23:40:00.005+01:002011-06-28T16:48:56.966+01:00

Another quiet week around the patch, with just a Common Whitethroat singing in the garden today. On the moth front, a third for Shetland ! An Elachista argentella trapped on the 20th.  Elachista argentella    Who knows ?!!!  see comments   Blastobasis lacticocella - numbers building up in the trap about 2 weeks earlier than last year  Ingrailed Clay - and a whack

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-71288044207358359742011-06-25T12:37:00.016+01:002011-06-26T12:33:00.679+01:00

After much debating in the pub last night as to what vids to put on my blog, no proper winner came out, so here's a few that were mentioned - the first one is the infamous Mr Ryder on TFI Friday "we're sorry, we're sorry, we're so, so sorry". Especially for Mr Dunn (do you only have drinks that have your initials on them JD ?).Second on is Placebo - Nancy Boy, it's said that 'it's fun to take a

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-84520610765955304752011-06-20T23:28:00.033+01:002011-06-21T19:43:57.751+01:00

As promised at some time, I can't remember when, some more shots of the 'portlandica' Arctic Tern at Scatness last Friday. If indeed they are still known as 'portlandicas' or whether or not this is one. Whatever the case it still looks a little out of place in amongst the Arctic Tern colony.  The 'portlandica'   Typical Arctic Tern  Vomit Birds   Puffins - only included

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-56575402450023107822011-06-18T15:26:00.001+01:002011-06-18T17:32:28.660+01:00

there was going to be an update coming about a 'portlandica' Artic Tern  on the patch, but being that i've sat in 'da wheel' all afternoon suppin, it will have to wait, anyway here's a picture -

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-9545721802393671572011-06-16T23:13:00.001+01:002011-06-17T11:16:36.001+01:00

Still quiet on the patch, with only a male Pintail on the 14th to show for all the effort, a juv Crossbill in the garden on 15th was a year-tick.

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-23895879032378712732011-06-11T23:58:00.002+01:002011-06-12T13:08:14.298+01:00

Now that its summer, its hardley surprising that the birding is crap (despite the current run of easterlies), although I did year-tick Swift today. After a full run around the patch, and getting 2 Great Northern Divers in Quendale Bay for all the effort, the only other migrants around were 2 Silver Ys in the moth trap. Garden Carpet   Map-winged Swift   Silver Y   Great

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-5968542858082236792011-06-09T23:59:00.004+01:002011-06-10T18:16:56.497+01:00

No birding at all today (no sign of the Rosefinch in the garden was as far as it got), however a grand day out in the town, on the lash all afternoon and then this at the Clickimin in the evening -

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-79933108007878241192011-06-08T23:06:00.010+01:002011-06-10T18:12:23.292+01:00

The male Common Rosefinch is still singing in the garden, now joined by a singing Chiffchaff. The Rosefinch is sporting a nice new and shiny leg iron, so presumably wasn't rung that long ago.

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-58207137853826261732011-06-07T23:48:00.021+01:002011-06-09T12:23:41.147+01:00

All the way up to Northmavine for a first for Shetland - Squacco Heron at Urafirth - showing incredibly well on occasion, but spending quite a bit of its time tucked under the bank, hiding. On the way back home a quick stop at Kergord for no Subalpine Warbler in the pissing rain, so it was off to Burra for the Long-tailed Skua - porn views !!

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-48228816897058480462011-06-06T21:47:00.000+01:002011-06-09T11:47:49.119+01:00

A fine singing red male Common Rosefinch in the garden today (I think that this is possibly the reddest one I've ever seen)

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-43633097290003390962011-06-05T21:36:00.000+01:002011-06-09T11:43:04.854+01:00

A nice, calm, windless day and a time for some photo opps in West Voe, though my attention soon wandered of into the realms of Northern Eider, with at least one, probably two, possibly three 'Borealis' present - the lobe shape is spot on for one of them and a bit in between for the other two, all three had sails of some sort though.  and then I got bored and started taking shots of Fulmars

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-80222247472824001252011-06-04T23:32:00.000+01:002011-06-09T11:35:44.694+01:00

From Sumburgh Head on 26/5

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-17255357218211612622011-06-04T22:28:00.000+01:002011-06-09T11:31:53.322+01:00

Some photos of Arctic Skua from the patch on 25/5

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-37319531558120594332011-06-04T18:03:00.002+01:002011-06-09T11:27:33.388+01:00

With Blogger doing a new and improved version of things, it meant that for several days I couldn't do any updates, plus a couple of posts have gone missing into the ether, and finally, when everything was supposedly OK I couldn't log in !!!So here's a summary from the last few weeks -  Common Redpoll - one in the garden for a few days, and a year-tick.   female Pintail on the Loch on

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-33087434975395920192011-05-09T23:41:00.000+01:002011-05-11T13:49:21.493+01:00

Yesterday's Reed Warbler in the garden finally gave itself up properly, after hiding low down in the roses for most of the day, it finally came out into the sunshine late afternoon and posed on the 'grapefruits' (no apologies for the amount of photos as its only the third record for the garden in eight years). The rest of the patch was pretty much the same as yesterday, but with the addition of a

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-20306890989280017002011-05-08T23:19:00.031+01:002011-05-11T13:50:29.542+01:00

Bird (s) of the day have got to be the pair of Garganey that flew in to the loch while I was scanning through the gulls, Other birds on the patch today were 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Knot, 3 Swallow, a Dunnock, a Lesser Whitethroat and a very elusive Reed Warbler (in the garden). Knot. 

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-30106670310463117892011-05-07T23:16:00.021+01:002011-05-11T13:10:45.617+01:00

....from last week ('cause I couldn't be arsed to update at the time). Eider. Linnet - duly year-ticked at the old pile of rocks Mute Swans - a flock of 8 were present for one day. Reed Bunting - 3 males have been around the patch Red-throated Diver - several in West Voe Whimbrel. Willow Warbler in the garden.

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-82139753838248693552011-05-07T01:21:00.002+01:002011-05-07T11:04:20.362+01:00

For fuck's sake, I've just finished reading 'The Heroin Diaries' by Nikki Sixx from Motley Crue (one of my all time heroes), effing 'ell that could of been me ! (the downward spiral, not the stardom) Living fast and dying young has kinda killed the dream now that I'm 43 ! But fuck it 'allegro fortisimo' - fast, getting faster - dead by Christmas !  BLX to it, here we go ! Crash and Burn !!!!!!!!!

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-30596161483450480642011-05-01T23:57:00.017+01:002011-05-02T08:02:55.600+01:00

Bird of the day must go to a fine summer plumaged Spotted Redshank, not only a year-tick but a patch tick (I missed the last one when I was in Madeira), another year-tick was a bit more predictable with 3 Arctic Skuas tazzing around. Other than a Blackcap and a Willow Warbler in the garden the rest of the patch was dead.

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-80256641862476582382011-04-30T23:52:00.032+01:002011-05-01T18:02:18.347+01:00

A few more year-ticks - Mute Swan, male Reed Bunting and 2 House Martins, elsewhere around the patch - 12 Swallows, 4 Sand Martin, Willow Warbler plus, a male Common Scoter in West Voe. Mute Swan.  Reed Bunting  House Martin.  Common Scoter.

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-51648645249562017182011-04-29T07:33:00.000+01:002011-04-29T07:33:47.215+01:00

So Kate Middleton is following in Diana's footsteps, inheriting her sapphire engagement ring. I wonder what she'll do for her hen night? One of those foreign city weekend packages, perhaps? She could go and get smashed in Paris ! Prince Harry is gutted at not being invited to the wedding. Apparently it's family only ! So William and Katie are to marry today. The same day as Adolf Hitler's

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227400210245507952.post-43992979215197200562011-04-27T23:29:00.003+01:002011-04-29T07:16:14.012+01:00

Short-eared Owl over the house this morning being mobbed by just about everything - Gulls, Crows, Oystercatchers, Starlings and Meadow Pipits. Also a Song Thrush on the patch was a year-tick. The Lesser Whitethroat is still in the garden with a Willow Warbler. Short-eared Owl. Lesser Whitethroat.

Steve Mintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17702529278152584073noreply@blogger.com0