13th-14th August 2016

August 31, 2016 • 65 Comments

Archipelago 3

August 13th continued: St. Ninian's Isle and the Tombolo

Before we leave Sumburgh completely I must include a couple more images. Firstly this iphone shot of lichens growing so vigorously up on the headland and then also a few juvenile kittiwake views from near the lighthouse.

Lichen Lichen

Kittiwakes Kittiwake Kittiwake Kittiwake An unusual aspect of Shetland life is the frequency of ruined and abandoned homes. Rather than modernise and extend it seems that the old was inadequate for modern living. Shetland is covered by a myriad of ruined houses. Here's a couple. One from Saxa Vord... Ruin near Uyeasound

...so sad in the rain...and one from Yell. I call it 'Bookends Cottage.' Ruin on Yell near Sellafirth Back to Saturday August 13th! The St. Ninian's Isle tombolo [note the spelling! It's not a gambling den!] is a remarkable geographical feature. Waves part around the island so that on the mainland side waves approach each other. This brings sand to slowly form a barrier. The causeway may be breached occasionally by severe storms but it naturally restores itself. Tombolo at St. Ninian's Isle

St. Ninian's Tombolo I walked to the island and as I walked I suddenly noticed I had a companion: a sanderling was running along beside me! Cue multi-sanderling! Sanderling Sanderling Sanderling Sanderling Dunlin Dunlin Dunlin Dunlin Dunlin Dunlin Reaching the far side I spotted a large group of arctic terns. Arctic Terns

Spot all 4 species!

Eventually we headed back to Lerwick. I strolled down to the harbour again. Barry was already there and pointed me in the direction of part of the harbour where a black guillemot was chilling out... Black Guillemot Black Guillemot Black Guillemot A bird in the water seemed to be starting to go into winter plumage. Black Guillemot What's this herring gull got? Starfish? Herring Gull

Sunday 14th August: Walls and Sandness

A visit to Walls to prospect a potential future place to stay was followed by a drive to Sandness or more precisely to the Ness of Melby with its beach and views across the sound to Papa Stour. A wheatear paused briefly on the launch ramp. Wheatear An arctic skua headed fast out to sea. Not had a cuckoo shot as I call "birds as almost tiny dots" photos for some time. Here's one!

Arctic Skua I walked round the headland to catch up with the others.

Rock pipit. Rock Pipit Hoodies! Hooded Crows Raven Raven Raven Raven Raven Oiks! Oystercatcher Oystercatcher Oystercatcher On the beach were sanderlings, ringed plover and dunlins. Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Sanderling Sanderling Sanderling I ended the day back down in Lerwick harbour. Black guillemots for the last time. Black Guillemot Black Guillemot Black Guillemot Different plumages on immatures I assume. Black Guillemot Black Guillemot Farewell tysties! Black Guillemot

Quite a few arctic terns around as well.

Arctic Tern Arctic Tern Arctic Tern Looking out from the harbour across the sound a small fishing boat was returning followed by great black-backed gulls. Two bonxies were in the mix too! Gulls & Bonxie in Bressay Sound Gulls & Bonxie in Bressay Sound Finally, because immature gulls never get a look in, this one was watching me outside the harbour cafe. Herring Gull

Intermission

Archipelago: The Coda

will follow soon

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