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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Only the 2nd Peregrine I’ve seen on Yell in 6 years. This juvenile “calidus” type never came close but showed for quite some time #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Managed to jam in on a Glossy Ibis last night whilst taking Tracy out for her birthday. #birdingshetland Today a Rosefinch graced our garden, obviously Tracy got the better photo, through the double glazing!

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Went back to Cullivoe in rather driech conditions to see if the Med Gull was still there, it was and had been joined by a second more juv bird. Apparently the first multiple occurrence in Shetland! #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

A quick whizz round Yell in search of American waders was a complete failure! But did managed to find this juv/1stw Med Gull at Kirk Loch, Cullivoe. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Well today’s shopping trip to Lerwick was good. A day of 2 Black Tern sp. American Black Tern(1st for Shetland) at Tingwall loch and then refinding the European Black Tern, seen by @BlaenavonNature in Lerwick harbour on Monday(still a rare bird in Shetland) at Clickimin loch. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

A non birding day today as was at the annual Yell show, that was until Roger Riddington found an Egyptian Nightjar at Eastshore! Juv male Pallid Harrier into roost at Brow marsh on the way home. Not bad for a non birding day!

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Two of our boys took a big interest in a little visitor we’ve had around the garden this summer.

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

A couple of iPhone pics of the eclipse from Mid Yell, Shetland at 7pm

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

The most exciting thing to have happened in Mid Yell this month is this funky leucistic Starling, moulting to 1st winter. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Bit of a surprise find this morning whilst picking up some animal feed in Lerwick, Black Redstart behind the Harbro warehouse. The RN Duck still at Clikimin but not getting any closer! #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Not a bad shopping day today. Started with a sum plum Black throated Diver, still scarce in Shetland, 2 Risso’s Dolphins then onto Lerwick where the Queen Eider was showing distantly then whilst stuffing my face and on the phone to Tracy I found an eclipse drake Ring necked Duck. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Trip over to Fetlar today. Juvenile Ruddy Shelduck was the main target but a supporting cast of Red necked Phals, Red throated Divers (1 of which gave a close flyby) Carrion Crow, nest building Twite and Quail seen. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

The Bonaparte’s at Scatsta was still distant yesterday. Nice group of Common and Arctic terns at Gulberwick, including a 1st sum Arctic, portlandica. Red breasted Merganser would have been a good photo if I hadn’t buggered up the settings! #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Walking the hills in Yell this time of year everybody’s got something to say!#birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Well that wasn’t what expected the way the day to go! Dipping a Bearded Seal, for the second time! Searching the local area around Sella Ness came across this 1st summer Bonaparte’s Gull, not a bad conciliation ! Always a bit distant but managed a few record shots. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Midnight on the beach last night for the longest daylight day with Hazel for a BBQ and enjoying the simmer dim here in Yell, Shetland.

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Two of our rescue boys saying hello!

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Very few birds around today. So, went down to West Burrafirth, Papa Stour ferry terminal for this absolute stinker of a summer plumage White billed Diver. Also seen GN and 2 RT Divers, Razorbills, Guillemot and Black Guillemot. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Right, you’re going to have to use your imagination or just believe me when I say this is a Hobby. I did see it in the bins coming towards me but the camera skills were too slow as went past me at mach 5! Still a scarce bird on Shetland and especially on Yell. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

I found a fem RB Shrike at Gutcher. Then onto ferry to Unst. Western Sub Alp, Icterine, 2 Quail, RN Phals, Whimbrels, 2 ad sum Little Stints, Pacific Diver, Spotted Fly were the best of a good day. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Classic Shetland spring birds. A singing Red Spot Bluethroat, defending itself admirably against 2 male Wheatears and a cracking male Red backed Shrike. Last week in south mainland. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

This Carrion Crow showed well at Vatsetter, Yell today. So well it seemed to show some faint grey feathering around the thighs. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

The big Icelandic Redpoll still today in Mid Yell. Showing how important Dandelions are, with its face plastered in pollen. Best of the rest today, 3 Swallows, 5 Tree Sparrows, 2 White Wagtails and a couple of Whimbrel. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Interesting Redpoll in the garden today. I’m leaning towards an Icelandic bird as it can’t be an Arctic. Also my first Shetland Bumblebee and Red Admiral of the year. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Last week I had a day of birds on walls at Sumburgh Head, Shetland. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

A Canada Goose was a good bird at Gloup, Yell. Found by Jim Nangle. I thought I would go and check it out, glad I did as it turned out to be a good candidate for a Todd’s Canada. A genuine vagrant from America! #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Hawfinch, Goldfinchs,Chaffinchs,Bramblings,Siskins, Willow Warbler a few CC,Sparrowhawk,2cy Rook Woodpigeons & Collared Dove in the garden. Marsh Harrier, LEO & Arctic Tern around Mid Yell. I could have got better photos of the MH if my car hadn’t rolled past me, panic! HANDBRAKE #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

3rd April back on Unst with a bit of a goose fest. 6 Taiga Bean geese at Ordaal with 6 Jackdaws in the same area. 3 Greenland Whitefronts at Buness, another single was seen at Uyeasound, single Pinkfoot at Buness as well.Migrant Song Thrush at Uyeasound & the LTD’s always good. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

A visit to Unst on the 28th March gave good views of this Black Redstart at Haroldswick, an Unst tick along with this Turkey at Valyie! #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Sunset looking west from Gloup Yell this evening.

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Does anybody know who this Witches broom might belong to. It was found on today Boddam beach, Shetland? 😉 #shetlandbirding

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Quite pleased with this juv Iceland gull flying through Mid Yell Voe this morning, as wingers have been very scarce this winter in Shetland. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Cheeky little Tengmalm’s twitch this afternoon, over to Ollaberry. Inter island ferries played their usual part in lengthening a 3/4 hour journey into 3 1/2 hours! #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Great weather and a few miles covered in North Yell. 2 Pinkfeet, 1 looking more Likely to get back to the breeding grounds than the other! Lots of Skylarks back in the last couple of days. Best though was 4 Humpbacks heading west past Breckon, no photos 😢 #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Well after 4 days of trying I finally managed to see the Bonaparte’s Gull at Uyeasound, Unst. Flew in late afternoon for about 5 minutes. Also present was the 2nd winter Glaucous Gull and nearby 2 Tundra Bean geese. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Spent the day on Unst. Didn’t see the Bonaparte’s Gull but did see some good birds on a driech day. 2 Tundra Bean geese, 2 Whitefronts, 2w Glaucous Gull, Kumlien’s/Thayers gull, White billed Diver plus 100’s of Long tailed Ducks. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Also around North Yell this morning were a few Whoopers a nice adult Russian Whitefront and I got a slightly better photo of the Coot! #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

The amazing variation of the 2 Mute Swans I saw today at Kirk Loch on Yell. A very dark 1st winter bird and a Polish type adult. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Nice cold and calm day here on Yell. The sea had frozen and the tide gone out to leave some nice patterns. Bullfinch was new for the year along our road and with Ravens gathering nest material last week and Hoodies defending their empty nests, spring must be close, joke! 😂 #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Yesterday shopping run to Lerwick. Managed a 6 goose species day ( Taiga, Tundra Beans, Greylag, Whitefronts, Barnacle & Pinkfoot). Waxwing, 3 Greefinch and a superb Bittern reducing the Stickleback population at Spiggie. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

A very attentive mother with her cub in Mid Yell yesterday. The weather may have improved but the Yell Coot photos haven’t! #shetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

Weather back to normal today, although wind was calmer than the last 3 weeks! A 3rd w/4th cy Glaucous Gull and a flock of 9 wintering Jackdaws in Burravoe, Yell. Tried to get a photo of the Coot but it had done a bunk! 2 of the 34 TD’s showed some signs of Ring necked Duck. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

Beautiful day in Shetland yesterday. 6 Tundra Beans, same as Unst the other day, at Cullivoe. 2 Whitefronts at Sellafirth. But best of all was a Coot on Kirk Loch, no photo!, first on Yell since I’ve lived here. Always something to see when waiting for ferries as well! #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

More pics of the Kumlien’s/Thayer’s gull on Unst yesterday. Hopefully get some better ones when the snow blizzard’s stop. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

A couple of posts on the Kumlien’s/Thayer’s gull currently on Unst. Here’s some photos of it from March 24 as a 1st w (2nd cy) March 25 as a 2nd w (3rd cy) and February 26 as a 3rd w (4th cy) #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Don’t think I’ve ever seen so much white in the wing of a Tundra Bean goose before. Very broad and seemingly unworn. #birdingshetland

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Reposted by Adrian Kettle

gpcbirding.bsky.social @gpcbirding.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

come to the conclusion it is just not worth bothering; protected areas by the Humber, right managed by Lincs Trust; track to a sailing pit, apparently hedge prevents wind and stops sailing; also harbours insects that used to feed 1000 Swifts and hirundines in spring - disconnect with natural world

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Also on Unst today at Uyeasound. The Kumlien’s/Thayer’s gull, 1st winter male Common Scoter and Woodcock along with c500 Long tailed Ducks, in the snow. The sound made the spectacle even better. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Today on Unst managed 5 sp of geese, Tundra Bean, Whitefront, Pinkfoot, Barnacle and the ever present Greylag. To be continued.. #birdingshetland

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Adrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Has anybody submitted anything!😂😂

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