SHETLAND: Fetlar Week 1

I am currently working for the RSPB on a short term contract based on the island of Fetlar, one of the most northerly of the Shetland Islands. I am primarily carrying out all bird surveys with a focus on monitoring Red-necked Phalaropes.
Fetlar is a wonderful island crammed full of breeding waders, skuas, terns, divers and seabirds, let alone some amazing flower meadows, insects and scenery and it is a real privilege to be working here again.

Below are just a few of the highlights from week one.

I had a great view of Fair Isle during the flight from Edinburgh to Sumburgh

Baelans Cottage - The RSPB Office on Fetlar and my home for the coming weeks

You are never too far from a Great Skua / Bonxie colony on Shetland

Lovely to hear and see breeding plumaged Golden Plovers just around the cottage

Dunlin - another great sound of the breeding moorlands

The commute to work on some days can be tricky with Ringed Plovers nesting in the centre of tracks!

The flowers on Fetlar are truly stunning - Heath Spotted Orchid

Not particularly uncommon in the UK, but great to see in abundance - Yellow-rattle

Long-tailed Duck - an unseasonal bird on Loch of Funzie

Fetlar coastline looking towards Unst

Fulmars are simply stunning birds

Arctic Tern feeding chicks

"Shetland" Wren - The endemic race zetlandicus

Female Red-necked Phalarope, Loch of Funzie

Red-throated Divers on Loch of Funzie - simply stunning in breeding plumage