At this time of year, we are often looking to the skies to catch sight of old feathered friends returning to breed, like Arctic terns and Arctic skuas; and also for migrants like willow warblers, lesser whitethroats, blackcaps and the odd rarity. I was just leaving work a couple of nights ago when I spotted something rather unusual.
Imagine my surprise on seeing this bird at Sumburgh Head.
This is surely the first record of a Galah Cockatoo on the reserve. Here's Newton (right) and Galah checking ID confirmation.
Laura Rennie and Sui (pronounced Soo-ee), with Fitful Head and Virkie in the background.
Laura runs Animal Magic and was in Shetland to visit schools. She was visiting Sumburgh Head to give Sui some excericse. With an abundance of enthusiasm and energy, Laura uses birds and other animals to help educate children about all sorts of curriculum related topics, like rainforests and minibeasts. I could see similarities with our own environmental education programme, raising awareness about the environment in an enjoyable way.
One year-old Sui, keeping an eye on the fulmars and occasional bonxie (great skua). Every now and then, in his Glasgow accent, he'd say "Come here!" or "what what what." Sui's definitely a character and I think schoolbairns in Shetland will remember him (and Laura!) for a long time.
Me, Sui and Newton.