I’ve simply returned from the Shetland Islands. You is likely to be anticipating me to start out writing in regards to the wonderful colonies of Northern Gannets Morus bassanus or Atlantic Puffins Fratercula arctica, amongst others. However no, my story in the present day is in regards to the birds that are available in to breed on the heather moorland which dominates the excessive floor. That is prime habitat for a lot of birds and Shetland is a good place to see them in comparatively pristine circumstances.
Shorebirds take the limelight. It’s fairly wonderful how birds that we’re used to seeing a lot of the 12 months on coastal mudflats, exploiting the intertidal, change their habits and take to the hills to boost their younger. Right here on Shetland, it’s the bigger shorebirds that instantly catch the attention. Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus are current in all places, flying back and forth, chasing rivals or freaking out with some potential predator that will get too shut. Curlews Numenius arquata, with their amazingly lengthy and curved beaks don’t fall far behind within the attention-seeking ranks. They might be cryptic however their dimension and calls make them very seen. The decision of the curlew is a kind of evocative sounds that claims “wilderness”. So is that of the Frequent Redshank Tringa totanus, one other breeding species of those moors.
The smaller shorebirds could also be more durable to search out however, when shut, their colors make them beautiful. Golden Plovers Pluvialis apricaria are at their most splendid at the moment, with an intricate mosaic of gold and black on the again and beautiful black underparts. Lapwings Vanellus vanellus, birds I affiliate with combined flocks with Golden Plovers in winter, are additionally right here. One other haunting name and a fantastic plumage, which they by some means handle to cover when sitting near the bottom with their younger shut by. Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula are additionally in immaculate plumage as they run within the expectation of being invisible. The image of vibrant shorebirds is accomplished by Dunlins Calidris alpina. By no means a greater time to see them in full breeding gown. I can’t finish the shorebirds checklist regardless of two different cryptic species extra typically seen on the coast than up right here. I’m referring to Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus, an in depth relative of the bigger curlew, and the Frequent Snipe Gallinago gallinago.
Different birds breed on these moors. Among the many passerines, Meadow Pipits Anthus pratensis and Skylarks Alauda arvensis, not surprisingly maintain near the bottom and rely, just like the Snipe, on their cryptic plumage. And with good motive. Additionally out now are the fledged younger of the Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe. It’s exhausting to consider that these tiny and inexperienced birds, which had been eggs solely weeks in the past, will quickly embark on their maiden voyage, one that may take all of them the best way to tropical Africa.
So why are Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and the smaller shorebirds so cautious and nervous at this susceptible time? All of it has to do with a small however extremely aggressive and environment friendly predator that comes up right here to boost its personal younger on the expense of Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and the fledglings of the smaller shorebirds. That is the gorgeous Merlin Falco columbarius, really the royalty of those moors. Watching them darting throughout the sky, doing low degree flights at excessive pace as they terrorise the neighbourhood, is certainly one thing price developing right here to see.
