Hugh Harrop Wildlife

Director & guide @shetlandwild | Cameraman | Orcaholic | Co-author of @PrincetonUPress Europe's Sea Mammals, Europe's Birds, Britain's Birds & British Birds.

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

Two minutes of aerial footage from what was an incredible all-day encounter with the 27s #Orca pod here in #Shetland last week. Wonderful to watch, film and photograph. @Seasaver @TheOrcaProject @Britnatureguide @kasmunro @whalesorg @PromoteShetland @kazcustard @BDMLROrcaAware

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

Nice views of the female King Eider (furthest left bird) with her commoner cousins in a choppy Lerwick Harbour, Shetland yesterday.

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

All the way from Arctic Canada 🇨🇦
Nice to find this third-winter Kumlien's Gull at Ireland Beach just north of St. Ninian's Isle, Shetland today.

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

A short video of the Western Cattle Egret that has been present in the Dunrossness area of Shetland for the last couple of weeks. Less than 15 Shetland records of this species since the first in 1999.

[Salmon Scotland @SalmonScotland]

“Caring for our salmon is a responsibility our farmers take seriously every day”:

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

Delighted to have another Bohemian Waxwing visit our Shetland garden today. Look at that crest!

[Marcus Lawson @MJLbirder]

The epitome of greenwashing.

[Ailsa McLellan @AilsaMcL]

Totally shameless. From huge lengths of feed pipe (below) to microplastics abraded from same pipes by ricocheting feed pellets, the foreign owned industry in control of #ScottishSalmon are huge polluters. Clean up your act - don’t expect a pat on the back.

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

Incredible views of this Common Quail at Ringasta, Shetland this afternoon. It has been an exceptional year for this migratory species in Shetland but given the fact it is early November, we'd expect it to be well on its way to sub-Saharan Africa by now.

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

Fabulous views of this Minke Whale off Compass Head, Shetland this afternoon. The sea was so calm we could even watch it swimming underwater - helped by following the gleaming white-banded diagnostic short pectoral fins.

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

@BarryHambly @RareBirdAlertUK @ShetlandWild @NLFerries We suspect they come from breeding grounds in Scandinavia and maybe even further east.

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

The last couple of weeks have seen good numbers of Long-eared Owls making landfall in Shetland. This stunning individual in the south Mainland was one of four seen today.

[Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) @CABS_REPORTS]

⚖️ HISTORIC VICTORY IN SICILY! 🇮🇹

Acting on a lawsuit by CABS & partners, the Administrative court in Palermo has officially ended the hunting season across Sicily due to illegal practices targeting endangered birds.

~27,000 hunters grounded & 100k+ migratory birds saved!

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

Scanning through the 200+ Golden Plover flock of Virkie, Shetland yesterday for more views of the two American Golden Plovers. One. Then another. Hang on, there's another. Check. One, two and.... yes, three! Delighted to find this new beautifully spangled individual and nice to get a wing stretch to reveal that diagnostic grey underwing.

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

Jack Snipe in a Shetland iris bed adopting the 'you cannot see me' freeze-pose. These pint-sized relatives of the more numerous Common Snipe are regular autumn migrants to Shetland from Scandinavia and further east but the vast majority go undetected.

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

Fabulous views of these two American Golden Plovers at Pool of Virkie, Shetland this afternoon.

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

One of two Bohemian Waxwings continuing to grace our Shetland garden today. Long may they continue to do so!

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

This Cattle Egret roamed the Dunrossness area last week spending time at Clevigarth, Fleck, Spiggie, Culsetter and Noss Hill - yes, you guessed it - wherever all the cows are! Still exceptionally rare in Shetland with <15 individuals ever recorded here.

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

Amazing views of this first-winter Grey Phalarope feasting on kelp flies just a few metres offshore in the Wick of Ireland north of St. Ninian's Isle, Shetland today. Incredible to think that something 20 cm long weighing 50 grams can spend the whole winter swimming around on the Atlantic!

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

One of two Bohemian Waxwings gracing our Shetland garden today. Stunning birds!