14th - 20th August

It has been a very quiet affair over the past week, with staff mainly waiting out strong westerlies and rain the upcoming forecast doesn't provide us with much hope as we still wait for our first Willow Warbler of the autumn.

Notable sightings on 14th include a Lesser Whitethroat at the obs, a juvenile Red-necked Phalarope showing incredibly well at Westness, and a Sparrowhawk at the obs.

On 15th Swift were seen over the Nether Linnay crop and at Nouster, a Grey Plover at Nouster, and a Garden Warbler at Westness.

Two Grey Plover were present on 16th and 17th with one adult at Westness and one at Nouster.

On 18th a Redpoll was heard going over the obs track and a Grey Plover was still at Westness.

With the volume of large shears passing Shetland on 19th attention turned to sea watching, with staff situated at both a new location at Bridesness and more traditionally at the sea watch hide. From the two places a total of six Great Shearwater and two Cory's Shearwater were seen as well as one Leach's petrel.

A sea watch on 20th produced just one more Great Shearwater. Also seen were two Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel at Holland and a Collared Dove at Ancum.

Across the dates the same Turtle Dove and American Golden Plover were seen at Nether Linnay and the Links respectively from 14th to 18th.

Red-necked Phalarope - Zak Spaull