More from Shetland

Here are a few of the views from around Sumburgh:

Sumburgh Hotel and Sumburgh Farm across the bay.

Sumburgh Head looking across the bay

Sumburgh Head looking back along the coastal path

The bay at Sumburgh with the farm hotel and lighthouse

On our first full day we took a walk up to Sumburgh Head taking the road up and coming back along the coastal path. The Puffins up at the Head were amazing, so close you could reach out and touch them. Fulmar, Kittiwake, Shag, Guillemot, Razorbill, marauding Gulls and Skuas made up the rest of the cast for a spectacular show. And the backdrop was as spectacular as the bird life. More later....

Shetland 2009

Just back from Shetland where we had a great time. The weather was very kind to us and, our hosts, Shetland Wildlife, were brilliant. There are loads of photo's to come but following are the first few hot off the press:

This Red-throated Diver was one of a pair at the RSPB reserve at Funzie Ness on Fetlar. Having gone there to see the Red-necked Phalarope (more on that later) we were lucky to get very close views of this bird, one of a pair. A second pair were holding ground in the middle of the lake forcing this bird and its mate close to the shore.

Why did the Otter cross the road? To get to the other side of course! I spotted this chap fishing while out early, checking the shoreline, at Baltasound on Unst. After a while it started heading up the beach before moving up onto the road, crossing over, and entering a derelict building on the opposite side. I followed it in and ended up looking at it looking at me from only 7 feet away. A fantastic moment I won't forget for a long time.