Overview
Whalsay is one of the smaller of Shetland's main islands and lies about 5km off the east coast of Mainland.
It is rather low-lying with many marshes and lochans dotting the moorland. The island is less visited than some others in the archipelago but it attracts many migrants due to its easterly position.
Birds
Notable Species
The ferry to Whalsay crosses Dury Voe which has Little Auk, Great Northern Diver and large numbers of seaduck in winter. The ferry terminal is at Symbister which is probably the island's best-known birding site and an excellent area for migrants. The fish-factory at Symbister attracts large numbers of gulls and has regular Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull in winter.
Skaw is situated in the north-east of the island and migrant passerines are drawn to the area in large numbers. The farmed land, gardens and golf-course are ideal for migrant larks, pipits, wagtails and buntings. There is a loch nearby which attracts waders and waterfowl on passage.
Also on the east coast is Isbister which has similar habitats and breeding Whimbrel and skuas. Brough, on the opposite side of the island, is another good area for migrants.
Rarities
Rarities recorded on Whalsay have included Black-throated Thrush, Lanceolated Warbler and Ruppell's Warbler, Two-barred Crossbill and Woodchat Shrike.
Rare seabirds such as Ivory Gull and Ross's Gull have been recorded as well as a Yellow-billed Diver that spent every winter for thirteen years in Dury Voe.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Northern Fulmar, Sooty Shearwater, Manx Shearwater, European Storm Petrel, Northern Gannet, Great Cormorant, European Shag, Mallard, Common Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Eurasian Golden Plover, Northern Lapwing, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, Great Skua, Arctic Skua, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Iceland Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Glaucous Gull, Black-legged Kittiwake, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Little Auk, Atlantic Puffin, Rock Dove, Eurasian Skylark, Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Common Wren, Northern Wheatear, Eurasian Blackbird, Yellow-browed Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Hooded Crow, Northern Raven, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting
Other Wildlife
Otters are seen regularly around the coast of the island - the tidal pool at the Houb is a good place to look for them, particularly in the 2 hours either side of high tide.
Site Information
History and Use
To do
Access and Facilities
Whalsay is reached by ferry from Laxo via Dury Voe (30 minutes) and lands at Symbister.
The harbour can be viewed from the embankment near the ferry terminal. The area around Symbister north to Hamister and south to Clett can be explored on foot.
Isbister and Skaw are easily reached by road from Symbister.
Alternatively, there are daily flights (except Sunday) from Lerwick.
Contact Details
To do
External Links
Content and images originally posted by Steve
