The Stonechat and Whinchat were still hanging around Aith Burn

Nothing out of the ordinary today apart from spending a wonderful 20 mins watching a Merlin chasing prey. Spellbinding!

Best bird today was a Stonechat, only my second in 9 years! A little flock of 14 Snow bunts was nice to see.

I didn't manage any worthwhile pics of the Lancy but thanks to John Sweeney who gave me these copies of his. Proper skulker!

Managed to find a first-for-Fetlar today (and that doesn't happen very often!) Lanceolated Warbler - Feal Burn plantation.

I finally managed to catch up with the very flight/elusive Little Bunting at Everland, present for the 3rd day (found by Dan Beadle & co)

The Little Bunting remained at Oddsta this morning.

Little Bunting at Oddsta this afternoon. The Snow Bunting wasn't happy and kept chasing it!

Busy today with lots of new birds in. 3 YBWarblers, at least 50 Goldcrest, Redstart and my first Barnacle Geese of the Autumn. Very strong winds and frequent showers made it tough going, hopefully when it dies down tomorrow there will be more to find!

The two Snow Buntings were still hanging around the old ferry terminal, it was very windy but at least they were a little more confiding.

A couple of Snow Buntings at the old ferry terminal - thanks to Pete Ellis for the heads up.

Slav Grebe on Loch of Funzie, this morning.

Yellow-browed Warbler in my garden this morning.

My first Yellow-browed Warbler of the Autumn. Tresta garden.

Redstart, Whitethroat, Pied Fly and RBShrike (present for 3rd day)

Red-backed Shrike, second one of the Autumn, at Funzie mires this afternoon.

A few bits and pieces today on Fetlar: 2 Whinchat, 2 Garden Warblers, Pied Flycatcher, 2 Willow Warblers and 8 Ruff. Although the highlight was seeing 3 Merlins.

Found an Arctic Warbler this afternoon - at Tresta.

A few migrants in today. Whinchat, Lesser Whitethroat and Pied Fly.

The Merlin returned to roost in my back garden this evening at 8pm

A nice start to the new month. Red-backed Shrike at The Haa of Funzie

Merlin in my back garden just now. (taken through a very grubby back door window)

3 more Ruff today, this time in the cut field at Aith

Short-eared Owl at Funzie today

Ruff at Funzie today

Haven’t seen a single one on the island since 19th April so it was good to find a Merlin in Feal plantation today.

Arctic Skua causing havoc among the (many) juvenile Tirrick's this afternoon.

Delighted to see that the pair of Red-throated Divers I’ve been watching closely (for several years now) have produced their usual complement of two chicks. Hopefully they’ll keep them safe from predators until they’re fully fledged 🤞

All quiet on the birding front but 5 or 6 Rissos provided some late entertainment today

Drumming Snipe over Funzie Mires this afternoon

The Shrike was a little closer this evening, also calling frequently.

Found a stunning male Red-backed Shrike today. Unfortunately it was distant so only managed a naff record shot. In my defence, it was 300m away...

Spent an enjoyable half hour watching a dozen (8f + 4m) RNPhals feeding on the sea, in the late evening light.

A pale morph Arctic Skua patrolling Tresta Beach. Much to the distress of the Tirricks.

Busy carrying out surveys today which took me to prime Bonxie country. They weren’t at all happy with my presence as they pursued their relentless dive-bombing

In the worst of the weather a good count of 8 birds (4m + 4f) were on the sea at Aith

A wild day with occasional heavy downpours but at least the sun was shining on this pair early afternoon.

Ridiculous views of Red-necked Phalaropes today

Stunning male Red-backed Shrike near Everland this afternoon (found by Beth Aucott)

Numbers building nicely and plenty of birds already paired up.

Some great Arctic Skua action this evening, even though they were largely distant, peforming stunning aerial acrobatics for over 20 minutes. 4 birds in all - 1 pale phase, 2 dark and an intermediate morph.

On a sparkling sea

Phalaropes are back and looking splendid in the sunshine.

A pod of at least 7 Rissos Dolphins offshore today. A long way out, hence the massively cropped pics. Hopefully, if they’re still around tomorrow they might be a bit closer!

Both Surf Scoters still off Brough Pier this afternoon. Never more than 5m away from each other, the drake periodically stretching its neck and calling.

At least half a dozen Great Northern Divers near Brough Lodge too. A couple in breeding plumage.

A few days of hard work in the field for no reward were finally put to bed today with a "pair" of Surf Scoters off Brough Lodge pier, Fetlar.

My first Whimbrel of the year. I've missed that distinctive call.

Male & female Merlins from the last couple of days

Difficult choice but my birds of the year perhaps weren’t the rarest but it’s about much, much more than that. Red-backed Shrike (found >20 between May/September) Icterine Warbler (one of 4 in my garden) Wryneck (the third one I found) Nightjar (arguably the earliest ever Shetland record)