Adrian Kettle
@akettle.bsky.social
Birder on Yell in Shetland.
The last couple of weeks has seen good numbers of Siberian CC with a few Common CC mixed in.
This Sibe was photographed in Mid Yell yesterday. #shetlandbirding
This Sibe was photographed in Mid Yell yesterday. #shetlandbirding
November 10, 2025 at 5:27 PM
The last couple of weeks has seen good numbers of Siberian CC with a few Common CC mixed in.
This Sibe was photographed in Mid Yell yesterday. #shetlandbirding
This Sibe was photographed in Mid Yell yesterday. #shetlandbirding
Had a couple of hours birding late PM on Yell today.
Managed 3 Blue Tits, 2 fem Northern Bullfinch, 5 Siberian & 1 CC, Redpoll, Sparrowhawk and a fem Common Scoter.
Then at last knockings found a Pallas’s Warbler, strangely scarce on Shetland, whilst checking a flock of 50+ Twite #shetlandbirding
Managed 3 Blue Tits, 2 fem Northern Bullfinch, 5 Siberian & 1 CC, Redpoll, Sparrowhawk and a fem Common Scoter.
Then at last knockings found a Pallas’s Warbler, strangely scarce on Shetland, whilst checking a flock of 50+ Twite #shetlandbirding
November 8, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Had a couple of hours birding late PM on Yell today.
Managed 3 Blue Tits, 2 fem Northern Bullfinch, 5 Siberian & 1 CC, Redpoll, Sparrowhawk and a fem Common Scoter.
Then at last knockings found a Pallas’s Warbler, strangely scarce on Shetland, whilst checking a flock of 50+ Twite #shetlandbirding
Managed 3 Blue Tits, 2 fem Northern Bullfinch, 5 Siberian & 1 CC, Redpoll, Sparrowhawk and a fem Common Scoter.
Then at last knockings found a Pallas’s Warbler, strangely scarce on Shetland, whilst checking a flock of 50+ Twite #shetlandbirding
Reposted by Adrian Kettle
Exactly the kind of post that could make #BirdID a magnificent feed everyone could benefit from.
Just need the birders to structure their posts like this if they can think that way.
Just need the birders to structure their posts like this if they can think that way.
LESSER KESTREL on #StKilda! Retrospectively identified from Will Miles' excellent images on 16th Sept. We'd recorded a Kestrel from 12th, possibly the same bird, but sadly not relocated today.
@birdguides.bsky.social
@scottishbirding.bsky.social
@hebridesbirds.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social
@scottishbirding.bsky.social
@hebridesbirds.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Exactly the kind of post that could make #BirdID a magnificent feed everyone could benefit from.
Just need the birders to structure their posts like this if they can think that way.
Just need the birders to structure their posts like this if they can think that way.
2/2 After seeing the geese a quick trip down to Sandwick to see a Dusky Warbler, worked out well. #shetlandbirding
November 5, 2025 at 9:40 PM
2/2 After seeing the geese a quick trip down to Sandwick to see a Dusky Warbler, worked out well. #shetlandbirding
Another trip to Lerwick for supplies and at last managed to get some photos of the Taiga Bean goose on a sports field! with a Pinkfoot. 1/2 #shetlandbirding
November 5, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Another trip to Lerwick for supplies and at last managed to get some photos of the Taiga Bean goose on a sports field! with a Pinkfoot. 1/2 #shetlandbirding
Good day around central Yell yesterday. Best was Yells 2nd Firecrest in Mid Yell,2 Northern Bullfinch, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Jackdaw, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, 4 Siberian CC, 1 CC and 2 Water Rails. #shetlandbirding
October 31, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Good day around central Yell yesterday. Best was Yells 2nd Firecrest in Mid Yell,2 Northern Bullfinch, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Jackdaw, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, 4 Siberian CC, 1 CC and 2 Water Rails. #shetlandbirding
To say the weather has been a bit challenging today is rather an understatement!
But the 3 Northern LTT still on Yell. Will they stay until we get a day with some daylight?
Love the yellow eyeshadow! #shetlandbirding
But the 3 Northern LTT still on Yell. Will they stay until we get a day with some daylight?
Love the yellow eyeshadow! #shetlandbirding
October 25, 2025 at 4:46 PM
To say the weather has been a bit challenging today is rather an understatement!
But the 3 Northern LTT still on Yell. Will they stay until we get a day with some daylight?
Love the yellow eyeshadow! #shetlandbirding
But the 3 Northern LTT still on Yell. Will they stay until we get a day with some daylight?
Love the yellow eyeshadow! #shetlandbirding
Managed slightly better photos of the 3 Northern Long tailed Tits at Sound Yell today. Also saw another bird, without a tail, found by Dougie Preston at Camb. #shetlandbirding
October 24, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Managed slightly better photos of the 3 Northern Long tailed Tits at Sound Yell today. Also saw another bird, without a tail, found by Dougie Preston at Camb. #shetlandbirding
Other birds on Yell today included a surprise Great White Egret an expected Jack Snipe and a very pale Redpoll, doesn’t look like an Arctic to me. Another Moorhen today along with large numbers of thrushes kept the interest up. #shetlandbirding
October 22, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Other birds on Yell today included a surprise Great White Egret an expected Jack Snipe and a very pale Redpoll, doesn’t look like an Arctic to me. Another Moorhen today along with large numbers of thrushes kept the interest up. #shetlandbirding
Right, before you judge my photos, it was a last ditch attempt in near dark! Taken at 16000 iso, to be fair they are better than I was expecting! Found by a local resident outside his house on the road verge!
Northern Long tailed Tits are still a rare bird in UK. #shetlandbirding
Northern Long tailed Tits are still a rare bird in UK. #shetlandbirding
October 22, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Right, before you judge my photos, it was a last ditch attempt in near dark! Taken at 16000 iso, to be fair they are better than I was expecting! Found by a local resident outside his house on the road verge!
Northern Long tailed Tits are still a rare bird in UK. #shetlandbirding
Northern Long tailed Tits are still a rare bird in UK. #shetlandbirding
Yesterday there was an arrival of birds on Yell. Jackdaws, Moorhen (only 2nd I’ve seen on here) Bramblings, Blackcaps and Redwings were the main arrivals. But 2 Greenfinch (rare on here) YBW & juv Peregrine.
Then a quick trip to Brig o Fitch Black faced Bunting! #shetlandbirding
Then a quick trip to Brig o Fitch Black faced Bunting! #shetlandbirding
October 22, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Yesterday there was an arrival of birds on Yell. Jackdaws, Moorhen (only 2nd I’ve seen on here) Bramblings, Blackcaps and Redwings were the main arrivals. But 2 Greenfinch (rare on here) YBW & juv Peregrine.
Then a quick trip to Brig o Fitch Black faced Bunting! #shetlandbirding
Then a quick trip to Brig o Fitch Black faced Bunting! #shetlandbirding
Today started with 5 NW Redpolls at Windhouse and ended with a Rosefinch (found by Tracy) in our garden. With basically nothing in between despite trying, honest! #shetlandbirding
October 12, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Today started with 5 NW Redpolls at Windhouse and ended with a Rosefinch (found by Tracy) in our garden. With basically nothing in between despite trying, honest! #shetlandbirding
100’s of these By the wind Sailors on West Sandwick beach Yell today. #shetlandbirding
October 11, 2025 at 5:41 PM
100’s of these By the wind Sailors on West Sandwick beach Yell today. #shetlandbirding
Of course there was also the Siberian Thrush that has taken up residence at Asta on mainland Shetland. #shetlandbirding
October 10, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Of course there was also the Siberian Thrush that has taken up residence at Asta on mainland Shetland. #shetlandbirding
Back on Unst Blackpoll Warbler and Glossy Ibis. A very vocal Red breasted Fly on Yell and a distant Western Sub-alpine Warbler on mainland Shetland. Just a few of many highlights so far this autumn.
October 10, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Back on Unst Blackpoll Warbler and Glossy Ibis. A very vocal Red breasted Fly on Yell and a distant Western Sub-alpine Warbler on mainland Shetland. Just a few of many highlights so far this autumn.
A couple of posts of birds photographed on Shetland this October so far. 7 Glossy Ibis , Hornemann’s Redpoll, Bluethroat and a roadside bunting that really should have been something rarer! All on Unst. #shetlandbirding
October 10, 2025 at 6:13 PM
A couple of posts of birds photographed on Shetland this October so far. 7 Glossy Ibis , Hornemann’s Redpoll, Bluethroat and a roadside bunting that really should have been something rarer! All on Unst. #shetlandbirding
Day on Unst yesterday. Citrine Wagtail, 2 Rosefinch with Brambling & Chaffinch arriving.
Also a ridiculously elusive Radde’s Warbler.
Mealy & Hornemann’s Redpoll.
Then the Glossy ibis, 1 flew from Haroldswick beach whilst relocating it another 6 flew in to make a flock of 7! #shetlandbirding
Also a ridiculously elusive Radde’s Warbler.
Mealy & Hornemann’s Redpoll.
Then the Glossy ibis, 1 flew from Haroldswick beach whilst relocating it another 6 flew in to make a flock of 7! #shetlandbirding
September 30, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Day on Unst yesterday. Citrine Wagtail, 2 Rosefinch with Brambling & Chaffinch arriving.
Also a ridiculously elusive Radde’s Warbler.
Mealy & Hornemann’s Redpoll.
Then the Glossy ibis, 1 flew from Haroldswick beach whilst relocating it another 6 flew in to make a flock of 7! #shetlandbirding
Also a ridiculously elusive Radde’s Warbler.
Mealy & Hornemann’s Redpoll.
Then the Glossy ibis, 1 flew from Haroldswick beach whilst relocating it another 6 flew in to make a flock of 7! #shetlandbirding
The Short toed Lark at Otterswick, Yell showed better today in the sun as well! #birdingshetland
September 24, 2025 at 12:41 PM
The Short toed Lark at Otterswick, Yell showed better today in the sun as well! #birdingshetland
Back on Unst today this time for an Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler at Houlland. It showed very well but I unfortunately didn’t hear it call. Back on Yell a Short toed Lark, found by @rogerriddington.bsky.social was very flighty at Otterswick. #birdingshetland
September 23, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Back on Unst today this time for an Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler at Houlland. It showed very well but I unfortunately didn’t hear it call. Back on Yell a Short toed Lark, found by @rogerriddington.bsky.social was very flighty at Otterswick. #birdingshetland
Bit of a strange day, started with a Ring necked Duck at Tingwall then a Med Gull at Gremista. Just heading home across Yell when a message of a PG Tips on Unst came through, would be rude not to!
A skulking bird as per type but showed ok with patience.
High iso shots. #birdingshetland
A skulking bird as per type but showed ok with patience.
High iso shots. #birdingshetland
September 22, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Bit of a strange day, started with a Ring necked Duck at Tingwall then a Med Gull at Gremista. Just heading home across Yell when a message of a PG Tips on Unst came through, would be rude not to!
A skulking bird as per type but showed ok with patience.
High iso shots. #birdingshetland
A skulking bird as per type but showed ok with patience.
High iso shots. #birdingshetland
A few migrants arrived overnight with Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler (only the 2nd I’ve seen on Yell) and Pintail were year ticks. Other arrivals were 3 flighty White Wagtails and 17 Whoopers. #birdingshetland
September 15, 2025 at 5:45 PM
A few migrants arrived overnight with Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler (only the 2nd I’ve seen on Yell) and Pintail were year ticks. Other arrivals were 3 flighty White Wagtails and 17 Whoopers. #birdingshetland
For the second time in 24hours I’ve had to evacuate the car rapidly with camera settings all wrong to grab some shots of a bird of prey. This juvenile Honey Buzzard at Windhouse, Yell this morning. Last seen mobbed by a Merlin! #birdingshetland
September 13, 2025 at 12:14 PM
For the second time in 24hours I’ve had to evacuate the car rapidly with camera settings all wrong to grab some shots of a bird of prey. This juvenile Honey Buzzard at Windhouse, Yell this morning. Last seen mobbed by a Merlin! #birdingshetland
Managed to get onto this juvenile Red Kite at Graven north mainland as I was on the way home from a shopping tip! Info came out at just the right time despite directions being wrong! Originally found by Logan Johnson yesterday a few miles away. #birdingshetland
September 12, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Managed to get onto this juvenile Red Kite at Graven north mainland as I was on the way home from a shopping tip! Info came out at just the right time despite directions being wrong! Originally found by Logan Johnson yesterday a few miles away. #birdingshetland
A couple of random things from Yell.
A sheep x gazelle hybrid!
A four butterfly day, with Red Admiral, Large White, Painted Lady and a Shetland tick for me a Peacock! #birdingshetland
A sheep x gazelle hybrid!
A four butterfly day, with Red Admiral, Large White, Painted Lady and a Shetland tick for me a Peacock! #birdingshetland
September 10, 2025 at 7:45 PM
A couple of random things from Yell.
A sheep x gazelle hybrid!
A four butterfly day, with Red Admiral, Large White, Painted Lady and a Shetland tick for me a Peacock! #birdingshetland
A sheep x gazelle hybrid!
A four butterfly day, with Red Admiral, Large White, Painted Lady and a Shetland tick for me a Peacock! #birdingshetland
It was the Yellow show yesterday with good weather and more people than I’ve seen on Yell before, including a couple from North Carolina!
Tracy won a first prize 🏆 for her home grown limes! #shetland
Tracy won a first prize 🏆 for her home grown limes! #shetland
September 7, 2025 at 9:05 AM
It was the Yellow show yesterday with good weather and more people than I’ve seen on Yell before, including a couple from North Carolina!
Tracy won a first prize 🏆 for her home grown limes! #shetland
Tracy won a first prize 🏆 for her home grown limes! #shetland