Eastern Crowned Warbler seen for first time in Scotland in Sandness

A RARE bird was spotted for the first time in Scotland on Thursday on Shetland’s Westside.

The Eastern Crowned Warbler was seen in Sandness, with a host of birdwatchers heading over for a glimpse.

It was the first record of the bird in Shetland and in Scotland.

It was only the fifth sighting in Britain.

Shetland Bird Club said the bird was found by Paul Harvey – with the above photograph taken by Penny Clarke.

Clarke said it was actually her second time seeing an Eastern Crowned Warbler in Britain, having come across one in 2009.

Speaking about sighting the bird in Sandness, she said: “It was insanely difficult to photograph, but good views were had every now and again.

“It was constantly on the move and feeding in the willows and more than often was obscured by branches.”

Clarke thanked the landowners who allowed the birdwatchers to stay there – with one person estimating there could have been up to 300 folk there.

The Eastern Crowned Warbler attracted up to 300 keen bird watchers to this plantation at Sandness.
Photo: Penny Clarke/X (Twitter)

The Eastern Crowned Warbler attracted up to 300 keen bird watchers to this plantation at Sandness.
Photo: Penny Clarke/X (Twitter)

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