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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

A few highlights from our 2026 'Ultimate Shetland' trips on which we enjoyed amazing wildlife in amazing scenery. Find out more about joining our flagship week-long wildlife tours which will be operating in May, June and July 2027 at www.shetlandwildlife.co.uk/holidays/wil... #UKWildlife

Puffin, Shetland by tour participant Janet Rochester

Red-necked Phalarope, Shetland by Hugh Harrop

Atlantic White-sided Dolphins Shetland by Hugh Harrop

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Not long go before the start of our two sell-out 'Autumn Gold' birding holidays. A few feathered, furred and finned highlights from recent trips ⬇️

North American Blackburnian Warbler by Hugh Harrop / Shetland Wildlife

North American Yellow Warbler by Hugh Harrop / Shetland Wildlife

Orcas by Hugh Harrop / Shetland Wildlife

Otter by Hugh Harrop / Shetland Wildlife - we see them on every tour...

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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 · 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 · 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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Janet Roch @cumberlandjc.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Todays #BirdOfTheDay was a no brainer for me (see Alt) A Knot in summer plumage truly is one of the most #FabulousWaders May '26 in the #Shetlands with @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social Canon R5 500mm f7.1 1:1000s ISO800 #Birds #UKBirding #BirdsSeenIn2026 #EastCoastKin #TidesOutTuesday #ArtYear

Living in Sheffield (UK) I've only ever seen Knot in winter plumage before, still attractive birds with their streaky markings but grey.....only grey. Who knew that when they finally get to showing off their breeding colours they are such a vibrant russet-orange. Some of these birds stop of in Shetland on the way to their breeding grounds in the artic and with no time to waste once they get there some of them were already "Dressed to Kill" in their summer finery. What a treat!
Photo shows a medium size wader with a brown black and white streaked head, back and wings, green legs, black beak and a beautiful orange chest, standing on one leg, on seaweed at the edge of the sea.

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

ORCA CALVES: a short video from last 'super' Sunday - surely the undoubted highlight of our ninth consecutive @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social 'Ultimate Shetland' trip! #MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

An amazing start to our @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social 'Ultimate Shetland' trip with incredible views of Orcas as they headed south from Noss to Sumburgh. Delighted to see two known calves in the pod with their mothers - but from differing matrilines. #MarineLife #MarineMammals #UKWildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Atlantic Puffin heading out to sea against the backdrop of the spectacular Noss cliffs. An amazing trip with glass-calm seas and thousands of seabirds enjoyed by our 'Ultimate Shetland' group. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #Birds #UKWildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Summer solstice at Mousa Broch as we awaited the arrival of Storm Petrels just before midnight in the 'Simmer Dim' light. A truly magical evening experienced by our 'Ultimate Shetland' group and thanks to our friends and associates at The Mousa Boat. #SummerSolstice #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

ORCAS! What a way to round off our fifth consecutive 'Ultimate Shetland' tour! Fabulous views for guests and guides of four of '27s' pod off the south Mainland yesterday evening. I'm not sure we could have written the script any better. #MarineMammals #UKWildlife 📸 by @hughharrop.bsky.social

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

An incredible day for our @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social 'Ultimate Shetland' group which started off with a wonderful pod of Orcas in Quendale Bay just after breakfast and ended with these Risso's Dolphins out in the west Mainland this afternoon. #MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife

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Veronica @puzzlewild.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Back in January, I found the Mountain Hares hunkered down against the wind, wrapped in their white winter coats with @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social Returning in spring, a real was amazing to see the contrast in both the land and hares. A real joy to watch #UKWildlife #UKMammals #shetland #scotland

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Super views of this Red-necked Phalarope at Loch of Funzie, Fetlar, Shetland today for our 'Ultimate Shetland' group. Pic by guide Mick.

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Lesser Twayblade - one of the most difficult orchids to find in Shetland. It is tiny at around 5-10cm tall and grows inconspicuously wherever heather and sphagnum moss grow together. A real get-down-on-your-hands-and-knees job! Super pic by tour participant Veronica Sweeney. #wildflowers #ukwildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

It has been an amazing 24 hours for our third Ultimate Shetland group of the season with fabulous views of Red-necked Phalarope (pictured), a night trip to see Storm Petrels on Mousa and a very active Bottlenose Dolphin - still rare in Shetland inshore waters. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #UKWildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Our 'Ultimate Shetland' group have enjoyed fabulous views of several Mountain Hares this week. This beautiful image is from our day out 'west' on Tuesday and was taken by tour participant Elliott Neo. #UKWildlife #UKMammals

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Some of the ornithological highlights from our first 'Ultimate Shetland' tour of the season last week - a migrant trio of Bluethroat, Pectoral Sandpiper and Red-backed Shrike. Pics by @hughharrop.bsky.social #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Fabulous to see our first Minke Whales of the season this weekend with at least three individuals around the Sumburgh Head area today. Pic by SW guide @hughharrop.bsky.social

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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

🐦‍⬛ My trip to Mull and nearby islands comes to an end, with a satisfying 99 (🎈) bird species seen/heard over six days, the highlight for me being the obliging Corncrake on Lunga. Excellent organisation by @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social and our guide Dave Fairhurst. My year list is boosted to 181. 🙂

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Oysterplant: very rare across coastal northern Britain and found at only a handful of sites here in Shetland. Always a highlight for our groups in spring and summer and although Gaelic isn't the mother tongue here, we love the Gaelic name Tiodhlac na mara - gift of the sea. #wildflowers #ukwildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

What a week! Highlights: Shetland's seventh-ever Tengmalm's Owl, a day following Orcas, Otters, Mountain Hares, lots of Common & Grey Seals, King Eider, Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Velvet Scoter, Slavonian Grebes, Peregrine & several Merlins. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #UKWildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

One place has become available on our flagship Ultimate Shetland week running from 23 - 30 May 2026. Details are at www.shetlandwildlife.co.uk/holidays/wil... and a few highlights from previous trips are below ⬇️ #UKbirding #UKWildlife #Birds #MarineLife #MarineMammals #Wildflowers #bloomscrolling

Oysterplant by Hugh Harrop / Shetland Wildlife - found at only a handful of coastal sites in Shetland.

Red-necked Phalarope by Hugh Harrop / Shetland Wildlife

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Malcolm Campbell @malcolmjsc.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Another photo from our trip to Shetland with Shetland Wildlife. Our guide was the excellent Dave Fairhurst. We had great views of mountain hares, white against the landscape. #scotland #shetland #hare

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Tuesday night at Lerwick, Shetland 2026 Up Helly Aa 🔥 as enjoyed by our two groups. Thanks to everyone who makes this event so spectacular each and every year! #Shetland #uphellyaa

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Malcolm Campbell @malcolmjsc.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

We went to Shetland the last few days with Shetland Wildlife - three days birdwatching then Up Helly Aa. Next up are the Jarl Squads #scotland #shetland #uphellyaa

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Malcolm Campbell @malcolmjsc.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

We went to Shetland the last few days with Shetland Wildlife - three days birdwatching then Up Helly Aa. Let’s start with the Fire! #scotland #shetland #uphellyaa

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

No. 1 in our Top 10 highlights of wildlife seen by guests on our 2025 tours: Orcas. We enjoyed several incredible encounters this year including this July day when we followed the '65s' pod from land enjoying views down to just a few metres! #MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

No. 2 in our Top 10 highlights of wildlife seen in 2025: an incredible nursery pod of at least 120 Bottlenose Dolphins in Vidlin Voe in early November. Only the fourth-ever documented record for Shetland inshore waters. A magical day! #MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

No. 3 in our Top 10 highlights of wildlife seen on our 2025 tours was this male Siberian Thrush which, with patience, afforded absolutely brilliant views for both of our Autumn birding groups in early October. Stunning! #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #UKWildlife #Birds

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

No. 4 in our Top 10 highlights of wildlife seen on our 2025 tours was this stunning Grey Phalarope in summer plumage at Loch of Spiggie in early June. No wonder why the rest of the world calls them Red Phalaropes! #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #UKWildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

No. 5 in our Top 10 highlights of wildlife seen on our 2025 tours - this nursery pod of Pilot Whales in Mousa Sound. Some of the calves were tiny and looked just a few weeks - if not days - old. Footage by @hughharrop.bsky.social #MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

No. 6 in our Top 10 highlights of wildlife seen in 2025 were several encounters with Humpbacks including a MATCH to an individual first documented off the Azores in 2016, off Svalbard in 2017 and then by us here in Shetland in March 2025. Amazing! #MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

No. 7 in our Top 10 highlights of wildlife seen on our 2025 tours were several sightings of 'Northern' Long-tailed Tits in Autumn. Watching these flying lollipops was a privilege and we are not sure there is a word that can justify their beauty! #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #UKWildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

No. 8 in our Top 10 highlights of wildlife seen on our 2025 tours was the superpod of White-beaked Dolphins off the coast of Shetland - the 6th species of cetacean we saw that week! Aerial footage by @hughharrop.bsky.social #MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

No. 9 in our Top 10 highlights of wildlife seen on our 2025 tours - Dotterels. We enjoyed lovely views of these two migrants at Stenness in May. Very small numbers pass through Shetland every spring so it was an absolute joy to watch this pair. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #Birds #UKWildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

In the run up to 2026 we'll feature our Top 10 highlights of wildlife seen on our 2025 Shetland tours. To kick off, here's No.10 - a magnificent summer plumaged Red-necked Grebe at Wadbister. Far from annual here with most Shetland records occurring November - March. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

How was your spring and summer? Read about ours here in Shetland at shetlandwildlife.co.uk/news.htm #MarineMammals #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #UKWildlife #MarineLife #CetaceansUK

Oysterplant - found at just a few locations in Shetland. Pic by Hugh Harrop.

Waiting for Storm Petrels to arrive at Mousa Broch in the 'Simmer Dim' light. Image taken at midnight! Pic by Hugh Harrop.

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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

🐦‍⬛ It's been an enthralling week on Shetland (photo is of Esha Ness) thanks to Shetland Wildlife and our excellent guide Dave Fairhurst. I managed 96 bird species, two of them 'lifers' (Common Rosefinch, Siberian Thrush), and my year list is up to 203. My personal highlight was the young Bluethroat.

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Snowball! Our Autumn birding group enjoyed lovely views of this beautiful Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll at Vaylie, Unst yesterday. Thanks to our good friend Rich Andrews @mrbristolian.bsky.social for the pic. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

It's not just the weather Gods shining on us at the moment - the Orca Gods are too! An amazing morning for our @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social 'Walk Shetland' group as we watched the '65s' pod close inshore off Gulberwick and Easter Quarff 🖤🤍 #MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

A few pics from our 5 - 12 July 2025 'Ultimate Shetland' tour with Orcas as one of the highlights. www.shetlandwildlife.co.uk/holidays/wil... #birdingscotland #ukbirding #wildflowers #ukwildlife #MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #Shetland

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Happy smiling faces for David's 'Ultimate Shetland' group yesterday with fabulous views of the '65s' Orcas close inshore off the east Mainland of Shetland. Here's bull 'Busta' passing us at Kirkabister. 🖤🤍 📷 @hughharrop.bsky.social #MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

A few pics from our 21 - 28 June 2025 'Ultimate Shetland' tour. www.shetlandwildlife.co.uk/holidays/wil... #birdingscotland #ukbirding #wildflowers #ukwildlife

Norwegian Sandwort - a true and very rare tiny Arctic Alpine - by David Fairhurst / Shetland Wildlife

Shetland's third-ever Black-winged Pratincole at Spiggie by Hugh Harrop / Shetland Wildlife

Red-necked Grebe in summer plumage by Hugh Harrop / Shetland Wildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Our 'Ultimate Shetland' group enjoyed a fabulous encounter with Orcas yesterday in the east Mainland of Shetland. The grouping comprised the '65s' (including the huge bull 'Busta') and three of the 27s pod. Enjoy these excellent pics by Hannah Loughnane. 🖤🤍 #MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Our two 'Ultimate Shetland' groups enjoyed the Summer Solstice on Mousa watching and listening to hundreds of Storm Petrels returning ashore to the Iron Age Broch at 'dusk'. Have a listen! Video by tour participant David Sowdon. #birdingscotland #ukbirding #ukwildlife

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

A few pics from our 14 - 21 June 2025 'Ultimate Shetland' tour. www.shetlandwildlife.co.uk/holidays/wil... #birdingscotland #ukbirding #wildflowers #ukmammals #ukwildlife

Otter by Shetland Wildlife guide Mick Durham

Gannet by Shetland Wildlife guide Mick Durham

The rare and localised Oysterplant by Shetland Wildlife guide Hugh Harrop

Whooper Swans and cygnets by Shetland Wildlife guide Hugh Harrop

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

A few pics from our 7 - 14 June 2025 'Ultimate Shetland' tour. www.shetlandwildlife.co.uk/holidays/wil... #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #Birds #MarineMammals

Red-necked Phalarope by tour participant Jeff Smith

Arctic Skua by tour participant Jeff Smith

Red-throated Diver by tour participant Jeff Smith

Common Seals by tour participant Jeff Smith

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Shetland Wildlife @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

A few pics from our 7 - 14 June 2025 'Ultimate Shetland' tour. www.shetlandwildlife.co.uk/holidays/wil... #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #Birds #MarineMammals

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Lovely displays of Edmonston's Chickweed (aka Shetland Mouse-ear) on the serpentine fellfield at Keen of Hamar last week for our @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social Ultimate Shetland group.This Cerastium is endemic to the island of Unst and found nowhere else in the World. A must-see! #wildflowers

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