It's yet another beautiful day in Shetland, with temperatures hitting 20degrees!! I've been in the office this morning, but did have an interesting interuption. A young holidaying Dutch couple knocked at the door to alert us that a puffin had flown into the telegraph wire, crashed to the ground and was wandering around trying to find a route back to the clifftop. Much of Sumburgh Head reserve is bordered by dry-stone walls and it was unable to find its way. I accompanied the couple to the viewing platform where the puffin was now standing, and with their help managed to catch the puffin. It was able to move rather quickly, but unable to take flight fully. Once I had a hold of it, a quick check revealed it was uninjured. The feisty spirit was certainly intact, and it managed to grip my hand in a vice-like grip with its fantastic beak. The puffin had no intention of releasing its grip, and the gentleman carefully prised it off my hand. I released the bird over the wall, and it immediately launched itself from the cliff top looking non the worse. Unlike me, as I am now proudly sporting two puncture marks on my left hand.
Have a good weekend!
Helen