BIRD WATCHING
Birding is so good in Shetland because the islands offer almost unparalleled opportunities to see an exceptional variety of birds in a setting of rugged seascapes and rolling hills. During the summer, a million seabirds nest in spectacular colonies on the islands’ rugged sea cliffs and find their food in the rich offshore waters. The moorland, heaths and countless lochs on the main islands are the habitats of unusual groups of breeding birds, including some species which occur mainly in the Arctic tundra and are rare in the UK.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)’s reserves in Shetland hold many of these uncommon breeding birds. There are also three National Nature Reserves managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), and the famous Fair Isle Bird Observatory, operated by a trust.
During spring and autumn, a wide variety of species pass through the islands on migration, especially following south-easterly winds. Very rare species are sometimes found among the more typical warblers, chats, flycatchers, shrikes, finches and buntings.
A BIRD WATCHER’S PARADISE
Ever since bird watching became a popular British leisure pursuit in the late 19th century, Shetland’s been famous, among those in the know, as the place to enjoy sensational seabird colonies and amazing rarities.
If you want close-up views of tens of thousands of breeding Gannets, alongside Guillemots, Puffins, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Fulmars, you head for Sumburgh Head, Noss or Hermaness nature reserves. These three large seabird colonies are easily accessible and have nesting Great Skuas (‘Bonxies’) – famously rare and aggressive, gull-sized birds, fond of dive-bombing hill walkers. More than half the world population of this species breeds in Shetland, which is also a summer home to the equally feisty Arctic Skua or ‘Skooti Alin’
SEA MAMMALS
Shetland’s undisturbed beaches and sheltered inlets are havens for common seals. Grey seals generally favour more exposed coastline but you can often see both species together. Together with porpoises they’re Shetland’s most commonly seen sea mammals. Mousa, Sound (near Lerwick) and the marina on Bressay are favourite spots for sealwatching and they often swim right alongside boats in Lerwick Harbour.
Shetland has the highest density of otters in the UK, with an estimated population of 1000. They are widespread but furtive. One of the best places to see them is the island of yell.
Porpoises are the commonest cetaceans around Shetland and are often seen in Mousa Sound and southern yell Sound. Dolphins and whales mainly visit the islands in summer. The best places to see them are headlands such as Sumburgh Head, Watsness and Hermaness, and the large bay between Fetlar and Skerries.
SHETLAND PONIES
Diminutive Shetland ponies have roamed the hills of Shetland for many centuries. This unique breed is a mere 28-42 inches high and instantly recognisable. Formerly used as pack ponies to carry peats home from the hill, and in the 19th century exported to work in English coal mines, Shetland ponies are remarkably hardy and very strong for their size.
You can still see ‘Shelties’ grazing by the roadside in many parts of the islands. Good places to meet them include Robin’s Brae and Brindister on the road from Sumburgh Airport to Lerwick, and between Belmont and Baltasound in Unst.