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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 11h

Slowly coming back down to earth after finding this Siberian Blue Robin in our garden here at Hillwell, Shetland last week. The 5th British record and only the 7th for the Western Palearctic. A Holy Grail moment for sure. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The first year male SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN that graced our Shetland garden this morning. A fifth for Britain and one hell of a garden tick! Thanks to all that visited and enjoyed this special bird today. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Over the moon (to put it mildly) to find this first year male SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN in our garden at Hillwell, Shetland this morning. The fifth record for Britain and a first for Shetland. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The long-staying North American Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Eshaness. One of at least seven individuals to have made landfall here in Shetland so far this autumn. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The 200th species for my 2026 south Shetland 10km Patchwork Challenge: a first winter Red-breasted Flycatcher in the stunted sycamores at Sumburgh Hotel garden this evening. #PWC2026 #patchbirding @patchbirding.bsky.social #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Fabulous views of Lapland Buntings along the cliffs at Eshaness, Shetland today. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Lovely views of this first year Citrine Wagtail at Quendale Mill, Shetland over the last couple of days. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

A magical morning at Sumburgh Head, Shetland watching at least six Minke Whales. Shortly after we found a 'superpod' of over 100 White-beaked Dolphins! Here's one of the Minkes... #MarineLife #MarineMammals #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Another lovely bird to see at Eshaness, Shetland yesterday - Glossy Ibis. Once an extreme rarity here, the species is now pretty much annual in autumn and hails from expanding breeding populations in southern and south eastern Europe. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Enjoyed incredible views of this North American Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Eshaness, Shetland this morning. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Lovely to have a Yellow-browed Warbler feeding among the trees in our Shetland garden on Wednesday afternoon. A common breeder in the Siberian taiga forest, 'Yellow-broweds' are regular migrants to our shores. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The American Black Tern throwing some shapes at Loch of Tingwall, Shetland today! #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

We enjoyed terrific views of the North American Baird's Sandpiper at Dalsetter on Sunday evening and again on Monday morning. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

This stunning juvenile male Pallid Harrier has now been with us here in the south Mainland of Shetland for the last three weeks. At one stage it was joined by a juvenile female for a couple of days. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Love this brilliant seabird mural currently on display at Sumburgh Head painted by local Shetland school children and facilitated by the amazing team at Sumburgh Lighthouse and Shetland Amenity Trust. Puffins galore plus Arctic Skua, Gannet, Razorbill, Guillemot, Shetland Wrens and Orcas! Brilliant!

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

The third North American Baird's Sandpiper of the Autumn was at Dalsetter here in Shetland today. Less than 20 Shetland records and amazing that all three in 2026 have been within a few kilometres of each other! #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Distant views yesterday but today enjoyed incredible views of the juvenile American Black Tern (form 'surinamensis') at Loch of Tingwall, Shetland. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

A short video of Britain's third and Scotland's first-ever Egyptian Nightjar at Virkie, Shetland on Saturday afternoon. An incredible bird. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Enjoying more amazing views of the Pallid Harrier at Brow Marsh, Shetland this evening. It’s also midgetastic 🦟 #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

A migrant Greenish Warbler hovering to search the underside of the sycamore leaves for insects in the Grutness garden, Shetland. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

And then there were two! Watching the long-staying Pallid Harrier at Brow Marsh, Shetland last Thursday and delighted to find a second individual. Both birds put on a brilliant display as they glided around the marsh before going to roost. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Britain's third and Scotland's first-ever EGYPTIAN NIGHTJAR at Virkie, Shetland this evening. A brilliant find by Roger Riddington. Stunning. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Wow. Watching this EGYPTIAN NIGHTJAR sat outside Roger Riddington’s house at Virkie, Shetland. What a bird! #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

We enjoyed absolutely amazing views of a small pod of Risso's Dolphins from the cliffs at Sumburgh Head, Shetland on Sunday afternoon. Here's one of them. #MarineLife #MarineMammals #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

A migrant Wryneck at Quendale Mill, Shetland over the weekend. Stunning birds. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

A stunning Merlin sat outside our Shetland garden first thing this morning. A daily sight for us at this time of year but these pint-sized falcons rarely stay in one place for long. #firstbirdofmyday #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Bottlenose Dolphin breaching in Vidlin Voe, Shetland this afternoon. This individual was one of around 40 and the pod also contained lots of young calves. Still an extreme rarity here with less than ten documented records in Shetland inshore waters. #MarineLife #MarineMammals #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Enjoyed some wonderful views of this juvenile Pallid Harrier in the south Mainland of Shetland for the last few evenings. An absolute stunner! #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

A few images of Risso's Dolphins off the east coast of the south Mainland of Shetland this month. Photographed on dedicated UHI Shetland / Blue Connect Photo ID surveys operating under an EPS licence. #MarineLife #MarineMammals #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Amazing views of this juvenile Pallid Harrier hunting around Brow Marsh, Shetland at dusk yesterday. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Still buzzing from our encounter on Friday here in Shetland with the '65s' Orcas and their new addition. Here's the largest member of the pod - a huge bull we know as 'Busta'. In one of the pics you can see his fin dwarfing that of the new calf! #MarineLife #MarineMammals #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Two very welcome migrants in our Shetland garden this morning: Convolvulus Hawk Moth and a Common Rosefinch. #mothsmatter #teammoth #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

A NEW ORCA CALF!!! 🖤🤍🧡 An absolutely brilliant start to the day watching the '65s' pod in Bressay Sound, Shetland. With them was a tiny calf less than few months old. The pod were very closely bunched together so not confident who the mother is at this stage. #MarineLife #MarineMammals #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Arctic Warbler in Paul Harvey's garden at the southern (and frankly much nicer end of) Boddam, Shetland yesterday. It spent most of the time in the thick willow canopy despite the strong winds. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

A tiny Risso's Dolphin calf surfacing off the south Mainland of Shetland on Monday evening. One of several calves in a nursery pod comprising around 20 individuals. Photographed on a UHI Shetland / Blue Connect marine mammal survey under EPS licence. #MarineLife #MarineMammals #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Enjoyed some lovely encounters with several pods of Risso's Dolphins over the last two days off the south Mainland of Shetland. Note their extensive scarring - on most individuals this is generally conspecific and form the foundations for individual photo ID. #MarineLife #MarineMammals #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

All the way from the high North American Arctic: amazing views of this Baird's Sandpiper at Pool of Virkie yesterday. A rare bird here with <20 documented Shetland records. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

All the way from eastern Scandinavia: a migrant Greenish Warbler at Sumburgh Head, Shetland yesterday evening in very much anticipated early autumn weather of rain and easterly airflow. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Risso's Dolphins here in Shetland on Monday inc. two individuals Floppy and Clip. Floppy has a collapsed dorsal fin and Clip (at 20s) is so called because of the indent on the dorsal fin. First 📷 in 2014 with photo ID allowing us to track subsequent movements. #MarineLife #MarineMammals #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Not exactly great 'moth-ing' weather of late here in Shetland but another stunning Burnished Brass (left), True Lovers Knot (top right) and one of several Gold Spots (lower right) have been very welcome visitors to our garden. #mothsmatter #teammoth

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

The sad sight of Gannet chick in a nest at Noss NNR, Shetland containing masses of discarded fishing net. Gannets already face enough threats so the news today that NatureScot REFUSED the licence for the annual Guga hunt on Sula Sgeir is very welcome. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

PUFFLING!!! Some great views of 'Pufflings' at Sumburgh Head this week including this individual taking its first wing stretches outside its burrow yesterday evening watched by mum or dad! #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Enjoyed some lovely displays of Bog Pimpernel out in the damper margins of the west Mainland of Shetland last week. #wildflowers #ukwildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Saddened by the news our friend Bill Oddie has passed away. We spent many happy days birding with Bill on his beloved Fair Isle and here in Shetland and his books in the 1980s inspired us and a generation of young birders. Since then he has inspired millions to appreciate nature. A true legend.

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Gold Spot in our Shetland garden last week. Stunning. #mothsmatter #teammoth

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

PUFFLINGS!!! Wonderful to see several young Puffins at their burrow entrances at Sumburgh Head, Shetland yesterday. It won't be long before these bundles of fluff and feather head away from our shores to spend the next couple of years at sea. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Mother and calf Orcas... The beautiful sight of female '152' from the '27s' pod and her calf born in Autumn 2024 heading south off Sumburgh Head, Shetland just over ten days ago. #MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Lovey to watch this BASKING SHARK off St. Ninian's Isle. Shetland yesterday evening. Estimated to be around 6 metres in length using Fulmar wing spans in pics and video as measuring aids! 🦈 #MarineLife #UKWildlife #Shark

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Not what I was expecting to see in our at garden at Hillwell, Shetland today - a male Hawfinch! Only a handful of previous Shetland July records exist. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

A stunning Burnished Brass from our Shetland garden actinic yesterday. A scarce immigrant to Shetland and just about annual here since the first record in 1997. #mothsmatter #teammoth

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