Hello
FIrstly apologies for lack of blog posts. It's been a hectic time in Shetland. We'll up date soon, with photos from what's been happening. FOr now though, I just want to make sure you know about puffin cam.
The puffin camera (www.rspb.org.uk/shetlandsummer or www.shetland.org) is a huge success. If you haven't looked at it, then do so now! Or after you've read the rest of this entry. The chick is due to hatch between 14 and 17 June. Needless to say, we are all very keen to see what happens. What a joy it is to be able to watch the private life of puffins, live. I've only seen one change over happen (both adults incubate the egg). I was expecting a lot of billing and bonding, but no - what an unceremonious affair it was. The puffin on the egg basically got out the burrow as quick as it could, had a stretch and a wander around outside and then flew off out to sea. Meanwhile, the returning adult gathered some nest material and made the egg and itself comfy.
No time to mention guillemot chicks, Minke whale showing off around the Mousa ferry, live broadcasts on BBC Radio Scotland Out of Doors, classic cars, eider ducklings, phalaropes return, Arctic skuas and bonxie aerial combat, shag chicks, field teaching anecdotes, and Date WIth Nature success.
Cheers eenoo
Helen