Shetland - Day 4

With very little around at the moment, the choices are endless so today's excursion to Unst was very much on the cards.  Two ferries are required to reach the north of Shetland from the Mainland, seemlessly co-ordinated so that waiting times are kept to a minimum.  Northbound navigation was leisurely and uncomplicated.  It helped that there were very few people making the journey.

The en-route scenery is breathtaking, the big landscapes that Scotland excels in.

Birding however was dire to say the least but visiting some of Shetland's most heralded sites are now etched into the memory, a reference point for the folk next week who will be arriving in forecasted winds that appear to be much more favourable for vagrancy.

So, for today's sightings:

Yell - a single merlin chasing a meadow pipit as seen from the car

Norwick, Unst - Visiting the famous Valyie garden and chatting to the owners who were extremely convivial.  The little stint remained on the beach associating with an assortment of common waders.  

Bird of the day went to a drab first year common rosefinch in the garden.  A single willow warbler, blackcap, and two robin were present there.  A prominent feature were a group of around 40 chaffinch commuting between the row of pines and the fallowed field with three siskin within the group. Constant sightings of great skua were observed in the area and a skein of pink-footed goose flew high over newly arrived onto our shores. A kestrel and a sparrowhawk flew along the escarpment behind the garden.

Two highlights of the day - fine sustenance at the UK's most northerly cafe followed later by a walk out to the cliffs at Hermaness with spectacular views to behold.