Monthly Report, July 2024

A Shetland Month. Lots of time spent around the south end of the Shetland mainland - particularly on Quendale Beach, Scat Ness and at Sumburgh Head.

Reporting Days: 31

Location: Shetland

Distance Walked: 323 km

Distance Driven: 884 km

Photographs Taken: Thousands. Mostly Puffins.

Days which included a visit to Sumburgh Head: 18

Days which included a walk on Quendale Beach: 26


Quendale Beach

This is my default walk from the house - most mornings (whatever the weather) and some evenings (if the weather is nice).

Clear water in Quendale Bay

Early morning low tide at Quendale Bay

Evening high tide at Quendale Bay


Sumburgh Head

There may be bigger puffin colonies - but I'm pretty sure there aren't many more accessible puffin colonies.  

Sumburgh Head is a splendid place to watch both puffins and (in July and early August) pufflings.  I haven't seen any 'official' numbers for this year, but I definitely think I've seen more pufflings this year than I've seen in recent years (and I don't think it's just because I've spent more hours at Sumburgh Head!). 

Puffins at Sumburgh Head

More puffins at Sumburgh Head

Even more puffins at Sumburgh Head

Puffling and parent

Almost ready to fledge

Scat Ness

A splendid place in (almost) any weather - particularly good for wave watching when the wind and waves are right.

Wave watching at Scat Ness

More white water at Scat Ness


Next Month: More Shetland. More Pufflings.

August puffling at Sumburgh Head


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