Well, autumn is certainly here. There are dozens of visiting birdwatchers in the area, all hoping to catch sight of a rare vagrant. I think some have had great fortune in seeing birds like the Swainson's thrush or Radde's warblers. It's good that people who spend their money to visit Shetland get the reward of seeing what they are looking for.
I didn't go and see my top favourite rarity (White's thrush), but was just glad to be reminded that they exist. I did however, take heed of Gary Bell's phone call after work last night and went to look for another of my favourite migrants - a great grey shrike. We got super views of the bird, just north of Sumburgh Head. I saw it with a bee in its beak, and at one point I think I saw it take a mouse to a fence. It's great to witness behaviour of birds not common to these islands.
I have been delighting in seeing other avian autumn visitors. I love seeing robins, blackcaps and bramblings. I even squealed at delight in seeing a dunnock and magnificently colourful chaffinch this morning, just outside the office window. You see, we don't get all that many colourful birds in Shetland, so to see the breast of a red red robin come bob bob bobbin along (sorry! couldn't resist) or the brightness of a willow warbler it is a real treat. What I have most enjoyed seeing and hearing are the many many goldcrests which are around at the moment. To think a bird so small has crossed the North Sea is mind-boggling. I was trying to think of a collective noun for them, and came up with a trinket of goldcrests. There may be a name for them already, but I shall stick with a trinket of goldcrests.
A walk on the beach last night revealed a couple of wheatears on their way to Africa, a few dozen turnstone, a hundred or so curlews, two sets of otter tracks and (thanks to Jenny our Shetland Administrator for pointing me towards them) good views of harbour porpoises which have gathered in Quendale bay. I also have to thank Jenny for a late night tip-off text. Around 11pm, I found myself on top of a hill (dressed in pyjamas, slippers and dressing gown) watching the greatest light show on earth, the Northen Lights. In Shetland, we call them "Da Merry Dancers" as the lights dance across the night sky, twisting and turning, beaming spotlights, glowing and ever changing. I am a dedicated fan of Strictly Come Dancing (total obsessive to be honest) and couldn't help compare the movements of light in the sky to waltzes and sambas and fleckles. Thankfully, Paul Daniels and Ann Widecome didn't enter my mind at the time.
Another feature of autumn is of course Autumnwatch on the BBC. I am not sure whether it is still available via the internet, but if you can take a look at Charlie Hamilton-James' piece about otters in Shetland. I am so pleased for Charlie for getting such great shots and am most grateful to all the folk involved in bringing widlife television and radio programmes to us. It's great and long may it continue.
Today, I was told that Gary had found a fair few goldcrests impaled on barbed wire fences. That great grey shrike turned out to have a taste for small birds as well as insects and mammals. What can you say to that?
Cheerio for noo
Helen