No matter what the season, there is always wildlife to enjoy in Shetland but many of us particularly look forward to spring. Not only do we enjoy seeing the birds returning to Shetland to breed, but many Shetlanders look forward to the sounds which they bring. Here’s a taster of what’s to come.
Spring in Shetland is a favourite time of year for many as the cliffs, coastlines, fields and moors come alive with the sound of birdsong and flowers begin blooming. RSPB Shetland's Helen Moncrieff describes the sights and sounds.
Sounds like spring is here
Amazing Sounds
Starling
To me, our resident starlings are like peerie DJs mixing the calls of birds like lapwings, fulmars and ravens, with man-made sounds like mobile phones and engines. Their mimicry is amazing.
Skylarks have a similar skill. Despite being aware of them all my life, it was only in adulthood I noticed that skylarks also mimic. Walking beside Sumburgh Airport I heard a skylark and was surprised to hear it building into its song the Fire Station's external phone bell! I tune my ears in and now notice them mimicking birds like dunlin and golden plover. No doubt they bring calls back from their wintering grounds too of birds I have never heard.
Skylark
Peerie broon birds
Meadow Pipit
The skylark captures the imagination but another ‘peerie broon bird’ to pay attention to is the meadow pipit. Rather than soar in the sky pelting out their song like the skylark, meadow pipits ‘parachute’ singing a simpler segmented uniform call.
Another peerie broon bird is our local subspecies of wren. It’s thought that our Shetland wrens sing even louder than their mainland cousins to be heard over the sounds of the wind and waves crashing on the shore. Make sure you spend some time tuning into our resident starlings and wrens, and the skylarks and meadow Pipits who’ve returned to breed.
Wren
Alang da banks
Shetland’s cliffs - or 'banks' - come alive in the spring. Sumburgh Head RSPB Nature Reserve is one of the most accessible seabird colonies in the UK and the soundscape is wonderful.
Rising from the bottom of the cliff, listen for guillemots. When speaking about them with bairns, I call them "gigglymots" as it sounds a little like laughter going through their colony.
Guillemots
Kittiwake
Kittiwakes get their name from their call, and razorbills have a local name ‘sea craa’ as their call is like a croaky crow.
Towards the top of the cliffs, not just in spring, fulmars' distinctive cackle can create a white noise which helps quieten my busy brain. A patient observer will soon be able to tell whether they are hearing a pair bonding or a neighbourly dispute.
Fulmar
Puffin
Puffins can be heard calling from their burrows – a sound we all cherish – but remember that puffin burrows can be unseen and it’s vitally important not to cause damage to their nest sites.
Another colonial cliff-nester whose sound is almost overwhelmingly impressive is the gannet – take a trip to one of their amazing colonies by boat if not on foot.
Gannets
Adding a higher-pitched sound to the cliffs are rock pipits and twite.
Twite
Don't forget, there is always the chance of hearing migrant birds as they pass through Shetland.
On da croft
Shetland really ought to be more famous than it is for its wading birds. With an estimated 2,300 pairs of curlew, 1, 740 pairs of lapwing, 3,350 pairs of oystercatcher, 1,170 pairs of redshank and 3,350 pairs of snipe – the soundscape of Shetland’s croftlands is glorious.
Oystercatcher / Curlew / Redshank
Some of those species breed both in-bye and on moorland and thanks to nature-friendly land management, this ornithological orchestra performs throughout spring into summer. If you open your ears on Shetland’s moorland and lochs, listen for dunlin, golden plover and the haunting call of red-throated diver whose call is said to forecast the weather (maybe stick with the Met Office though!).
Snipe
The sound of snipe drumming and chipping on a spring evening is very special, especially when you know the drumming sound isn’t a vocalisation but comes from the tail. Shake a tail feather!
...This ornithological orchestra performs throughout spring into summer. If you open your ears on Shetland’s moorland and lochs, listen for dunlin, golden plover and the haunting call of red-throated diver...
Nature's voice
As well as singing for a mate and to hold territory, birds use their call as a warning to intruders. Please listen to the birds and do not disturb them.
Many of the wild visitors who we share Shetland’s spring with have crossed oceans and deserts to be here. They need their energy to raise the next generation rather than see off curious humans!
Arctic Tern
Birds who will loudly let you know if you’ve come too close to their nest site are tirricks – the name we give to both Arctic and common terns. For me, their screeching call marks the arrival of summer.
Often arriving around the time of the Shetland Folk Festival, it feels fitting that this global traveller returns to the isles bringing joy to all who hear it.
Ringed Plover
Often near tirrick colonies but more subtle with their alarm is the ringed plover who will try to lead you away from their cryptic nests. If you’re not familiar with bird calls and want to take responsibility in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code it’s worth learning some calls before heading out.
Learning bird calls is a great way to deepen your wildlife knowledge and connect with other people. Sound can stay in the memory better than sights for some people.
Spring scents stir the senses
Spring Squill
As well as opening your eyes and ears to the signs of spring, you can use your nose too. Shetland’s wildflowers sweeten the air – particularly along roadside verges and coastlines.
Spring squill is soon joined by thrift and bird’s foot trefoil and vetches. Even the humble daisy is worth taking a closer inspection.
Seabirds add to the sensory experience – guano (seabird poo) is one of my favourite smells but it’s the smell of European Storm-Petrels at Mousa RSPB Reserve which to me is a highlight of the breeding season. These tiny ocean wanderers return to Shetland to breed having spent the winter beyond South Africa.
So, open your senses this spring and deepen your connection with Shetland’s wild beings.
Shetland through the seasons
Shetland's wildlife is ever-changing, meaning there is always something to pique the interest of a nature lover.
From the stunning starry displays and northern lights shows in the winter through to storm petrels heading home as the midnight sun sets, there's always something incredible happening, and a great chance to see it.
That's why Shetland is an excellent year-round destination, and our thriving communities make it an even more special place to call home.