Skeld, Shetland, Day 20 June 10th

Today dawned…very early as up in Shetland the daylight lasts for over 21 hours per day. However, in common with most of northern Europe it was dull, damp and chilly.

Not to be deterred we had decided that we would go for a walk today, aiming to explore and see a little more of this sparsely populated area. In fact we had decided to drive a few miles where, we had been told, we might see otters. In the event, we changed our plans and followed a walk set out in a book purchased in Lerwick. This would take us along a short peninsula of land to the south.

We began by walking uphill along a road and past a small school. The wind was blowing hard and threatening rain. What became clear was that the bird life was undeterred. Oystercatchers proliferate in the north and their cries could be heard almost all day. This particularly was the case when they saw us and they acted as policemen/women trying to scare us off. They flew nosily about rushing around and landing well away from their nests.

We also saw Meadow Pipits, small and far more cautious but busy looking for food. Maybe we also saw some Tree Pipits but it was hard to be sure, as the light conditions precluded clarity even with glasses.

Riding home yesterday it was the beautiful, delicate Redshanks who created a lot of noise. Similarly today, when they had nested close to the road, the site of two lumbering figures sparked of a din of bird shouting, as the parents adopted strategies to frighten us off. In fact, what we got was frequently a close up of the birds perched on then top of nearby posts.

Having left the tarmac we spent about 2 hours heading across the moorlands towards the southern tip of the peninsula. With lots of water on the ground our feet became sodden but, happily, remained warm enough so we did not have to abandon the walk. This meant we got to see some fantastic coastal scenery, with steepish cliffs and stacks on which many birds rested and nested. Loads of Shags, Black Guillemots (we think), and some Cormorants were visible. We also found Fulmars nesting on the cliffs at one point, when an inlet from the sea cut across our path. In a bay, littered horribly when high tides dumped rubbish, a grey seal lazily languished on a rock until he heard us walking by. He then slipped into water and vanished.

Apart from the above we also saw Wimbrels and Curlews, an occasional Hooded Crow, Arctic Terns, a Lapwing, Wheaters, Great Blackbacked and Common Gulls.

Our walk, of about 7 mile, took about 5-6 hours as we walked at a very gently pace and enjoyed the views!