Gannets in flight against the immense backdrop of Noss

So, having seen Orcas on our last full day in Shetland, we came to our last part-day, leaving at 7pm on the ferry. There was something I’d hoped to experience while visiting this time around and, unfortunately, weather conditions (whether strong winds and/or fog/mist) had prevented me from doing so. Through social media I’d become aware that Rebecca Nason, co-owner of Shetland Seabird Tours alongside Phil, had a hide for viewing Red Throated Divers on a small fresh water loch on the mainland. As with the Phalaropes, these birds are very sensitive to disturbance and as such are protected by law and listed as a Schedule 1 species by Scottish Natural Heritage. Rebecca as a licence to set up this hide and allow the likes of me to come along and photograph them. The pair that breed here, I was told, have been particularly successful in breeding, having managed to raise chicks for a number of years, which is great news.