Hello
For the second Saturday morning in a row, I was treated to a sea mammal spectacular. A week ago, I got my houseguest out of bed to go see pilot whales in Lerwick harbour. Then this Saturday it was like a replay. I received a phone call from my Mom saying that a group of killer whales were passing south past my parents' house! I alerted a different houseguest Hannah (who studies storm petrels on Mousa), and tried texting a few locals whilst dressing. We hopped in my van and headed to Grutness, thinking that would give us the best views back up the coast.
Filled with anticipation, we parked up by the pier (where the ferry goes to Fair Isle) and set off running to the Laaward. Having only got to bed just before 6am (having been working at our local Up Helly A dance), I wasn't feeling that healthy. However, our haste was not necessary as almost immediately, we saw the big black bull fin, followed closely by views of another two smaller individuals. My first sighting in well over a year - Hurray! The weather and sea state could not have been better, and sunlight glistened off their fins and bodies as the whales surfaced.
I think there was a pod of three and a pod of four. We popped up to the Sumburgh Head reserve and saw the fins heading towards Da Roost (the stretch of wild sea between the Shetland mainland and Fair Isle). What a wonderful start to the day. I'd seen the Northern Lights the night before, so once again felt like the luckiest person on earth. This man must also have felt pretty lucky, as my brother's photograph shows.
Early this morning at Grutness beach, I found a dead red-throated diver. It's always sad to find dead birds, but interesting to find out more. I checked the bird for leg rings, as there has been long-term ringing programme of divers in Shetland for year. To my surprise, I found one and immediately called Dave Okill, our local BTO representative. He just called me back a few minutes ago and informed me that the bird was ringed as a chick last summer in Olnesfirth, a good number of miles north of Grutness. It was the smaller of a brood of two. There had been a diver (or Raingoose as we call them in Shetland) around between Grutness and West Voe, so I assume it is the same bird.
The sea, as ever, has brought to me a host of emotions. In 48hours I've had joy, curiosity and a touch of sadness.
I can't wait til next Saturday to find out what surprises the sea will bring. Humpbacks?
All the best from 60North
Helen