As autumn migration is on its way

 Very busy week with guests so and luckily the weather has been good for them. It actually got to 20 yesterday, so we got our chores done and went out for the afternoon. We did a wander and Rob did some drone footage at Stanyvatstoe loch to see the heather from above. Sandness was very quiet, so we headed down South. There were quite a lot of waders at Virkie, but the tide was out a long way.

The pony at Grutness was in a bad mood and was chasing away all the waders.

The Sumburgh quarry was also quiet, just lots of sparrows and a Wheatear. The fulmars have nearly fledged.

Grutness beach had a few Sanderlings and Ringed Plover. The light was lovely.

There were several new calves near  fleck

Then we went for the Pallid Harrier and waited for it to come into roost. It didn't disappoint me but the light was terrible.

Summers arrived

 It's about time we had more than a day in a row of sunshine. The cats have enjoyed it.
Also , this allowed for a bit of time in the garden, so, Jill got to digging a trench for the stable electricity cable. It was hard going due to getting through the old cobbles with a pick axe.

It also means we finally had some lovely sunsets.

We had a quick trip to Melby to get away from the paperwork still being created by the issues we had with the heating company. It was quiet.

The flowers are still doing well.

Heather

 Got to love the colours of August. The heather is gorgeous this year.

Jill has been working on new mug designs as we had sold out.

We have had some good luck. We had our first pair of swallows nesting in the barns and they fledged one chick. The first nest failed so we are chuffed. First fledgling swallow at Watsness.

We haven't had much chance to get out, but Jill popped out for a bit today. Just a wander to Melby.  Nice hare on the way.

Melby was quiet but some fisherman were throwing out fish offal which was bringing in gulls , terns and kittiwakes.

It was nice to get a short burst of good weather. Bit cloudy for the sunset though.