Lately the weather has been a mix of sunshine, gales, snow and hail but the south easterly winds brought some welcome migrants including an amazing fall of 160 robins on Friday (20 April) which saw them tumbling out of the drystane dykes in one's, two's, three's...they were everywhere! Fluttering around like rusty red flames against a grey wintry background, providing such a warmth of colour, the reserve was glowing with them, making it one of the most amazing things I have witnessed, the sight of so many all around just magical. With 200 Robins around Sumburgh that weekend, Shetland as a whole may have had thousands, what a thought! We know at least one pair has stayed to breed locally, I wonder how many more might try?
That same Friday, ten siskin, two redpoll and a chaffinch were feeding among the twite at the lighthouse in the morning drzzle, brightening the view and providing the first rush of colour. Other recent visitors include ring ouzel, chiffchaff, song thrush, dunnock, blackcap, snow bunting, fieldfare and brambling.
More recently, a common crane circled overhead and thanks to a head's up from Fair Isle Bird Observatory on Sunday, we saw a white tailed eagle!
Since Sunday the sea has been calm and the sun has shone, making the lengthening evenings spectacular. Two local fishing boats have reported sighting 3 killer whales for four nights running now a couple of miles off Sumburgh Head. Hearing that that they are around is always exciting, so keep your eyes on the sea, and sky, the first swallows and arctic terns are arriving, heralding the start of summer!