A guide to wildlife on the Shetland Islands
Situated in the cold, remote waters north of Scotland, more than 100 islands make up this sub-arctic archipelago. Shetland harbours some of Britain’s most abundant and diverse wildlife. This isolated archipelago provides an undisturbed haven for iconic northern species.
Each summer, over one million seabirds flock to the towering sea cliffs blanketing the islands. Wave after wave of gannets, puffins, guillemots, and razorbills arrive from their southern and Atlantic wintering grounds to breed. The cacophonous colonies and whirling murmurations of seabirds resting on sheer cliffs and rocky outcrops provide endless opportunities to observe iconic northern species.
Otters also thrive in the frigid but food-rich waters around Shetland, with densities greater than anywhere else in Europe. These charismatic creatures can be spotted with patience, whether hunting along the coastline or engaging in playful antics with their young.
Seeking solitude from human disturbance, northern gannets, red-throated divers, greylag geese, and a host of waders migrate to Shetland. Rugged shorelines, dotted with jewel-like lochs, shelter these summer visitors or overwintering species.
With its extreme isolation and abundance of fish, Shetland remains a true wilderness refuge. Nowhere else in Britain can match the diversity and concentrations of wildlife found in this archipelago, a hidden gem for nature enthusiasts and photographers.
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Wildlife in Shetland
Shetland is a dream for birdlife and sea mammals with many transient visitors as well as permanent residents. When driving around the islands there will be wildlife on gate posts and pottering along the side of the road. Keep an eye and an ear out for golden plover, red-necked phalarope, snipe and curlew who can all be seen across the islands.
It is just a matter of keeping your eyes open and your camera ready. Dolphins, pilot whales and orcas are seen on a regular basis off the coast throughout the year. More unusual visitors may arrive along the coast and recent visitors include rosy starlings, snow geese, bearded seals and a very lost walrus.
As well as mammals and birds, Shetland has a large number of wildflowers. In the summer the meadows and cliff tops are awash with colour including bright pink sea thrift, white bog cotton and yellow iris.
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Fulmar
The fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) is one of the most commonly seen birds on the Shetland Islands and while it may look like a ‘seagull’ it has some special features. The fulmar is a member of the petrel family and excretes an oily, noxious substance when it feels threatened. The beak has a tubular structure on the top mandible that excretes salt. These seabirds spend much of their life on the open ocean and only return to land to nest. These are mainly seen during the spring and summer riding the updrafts on the cliffs.
Where to see fulmar: the cliffs around the Knab in Lerwick are full of fulmars as well as the bird cliffs at Sumburgh Head.
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Puffins
Puffins (Fratercula artica) are summer visitors to the Shetland Islands and nest in the sandy cliff tops. Their burrows are re-used year after year and their return each summer is almost guaranteed within a few days. The puffins can be seen returning to their burrows with sand eels and their antics can provide hours of entertainment and photography opportunities.
Where to see puffins on Shetland: Puffins can be found on the cliffs at Hermaness Nature Reserve, Sumburgh Head and on the island of Noss off Bressay.
![](https://meanderingwild.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shetland-puffin.jpg)
Want to know more about puffins in the UK?
Mini-guide to Puffins in the UK
This ebook includes information about the puffin colonies, where to find them and how to visit responsibly. With 20 pages of information, maps and beautiful photographs, it will help you see the puffins on your next summer adventure in the UK.
Seals
Seals are common all around the coast of Shetland. They haul out on the rocks and slipways and can often be seen bobbing just off the coast watching what is going on. Both grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and common seals (Phoca vitulin) can be seen living together although the common seals are more common.
Common seals have a more rounded face and shorter nose with a mottled appearance. The grey seals have a longer face and a ‘harder’ appearance.
Where to look for seals on Shetland: All around the coast of Shetland is a chance to see seals. They can often be seen around slipways in the villages and in Lerwick harbour.
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Otters
Otters (Lutra lutra) are found all along the coast of Shetland. They can be hard to find but with good fieldcraft and patience, it is possible to find them. Some are more confiding and can be seen running along the harbour walls and jetties. Nothing beats queuing for a ferry and realising there is an otter on the beach. The otters are easily spooked so keeping hidden is the only way to watch and photograph these amazing mammals. A local guide can make finding the otters much easier, especially if you have limited time on the islands.
Where to see otters on Shetland: Otters are everywhere on Shetland. Keep your eyes open while driving along the coast for their heads in the sea. They will usually swim to shore with a catch so watch out for their bow wave.
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Black Guillemot
This amazing sea bird has a distinct black and white appearance which is offset by their bright red mouth. These small seabirds are found on the rockier sea cliffs and live in small colonies. Their favoured habitat makes them hard to approach. The black guillemot (Cepphus grylle) are distinct in behaviour and appearance from the common guillemot.
Where to find black guillemot on Shetland: these elusive birds congregate in small colonies. Look out for rocky shores where they have plenty of nooks to nest in.
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Arctic tern
The Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) is one of the many seabird species that flock to breed on Shetland each summer, undertaking an epic migration that sees them travel from Antarctica to the northern islands. These marathon flyers make a 24,000-mile round trip each year in pursuit of endless daylight and abundant marine life.
Skilful aerialists, Arctic terns can be seen acrobatically plunge-diving for fish and aggressively defending their nesting territories from human disturbance or predatory gulls. Photographing their graceful flight patterns and capturing close-up shots of these hardy birds in their summer breeding plumage is a much sought-after wildlife photography opportunity in Shetland.
Where to find arctic terns on Shetland: There are a number of arctic tern colonies on the islands. You will know when you are near one as the terns will ambush you. Local guides will take you to the colonies if you want to photograph their aerial displays.
![Arctic terns in shetland fighting in the air](https://meanderingwild.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/shetland-arctic-tern-1024x819.jpeg)
Great Skua – ‘ Bonxie’
The Great Skua (Stercorrius skua) or Bonxie as it is known locally is a large predatory bird. It is aggressive and lives up to its name as the “Pirate of the Seas”, mugging other birds for food. They will also kill smaller birds like puffins and shearwaters and steal eggs from nests on the cliffs. They are not afraid to dive-bomb humans and their loud calling can be intimidating as you walk along the cliffs.
Where to find great skua on Shetland: these birds can be seen across the islands but their stronghold is on Unst. Hermaness Nature Reserve is one of their nesting areas so keep an eye out as you walk the boardwalks to the cliffs.
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Gannet
The gannet (Morus bassanus) is a large and elegant seabird. They have a complex courtship which can be seen on the precarious cliff ledges that they use for their nests. Their nests are built from seaweed in the same spot year after year and many over the last few years are now incorporating more and more plastic debris and discarded fishing nets and ropes. The colonies in which they build their nests are a living and breathing mass of feathers.
These stunning birds have a dark yellow colouration to the head with pure white plumage and black tips to the wings. Their large webbed feet have superb green stripes and a blue outer ring surrounds each eye. The young gannets have a black-and-white mottled appearance on their backs.
Best places to see gannets on Shetland: Gannets can be seen at Hermaness Nature Reserve on the cliffs to the left of the boardwalk and on the Island of Noss. If you want to photograph the gannets diving on Noss then a tour with a photographer is the only way to achieve these amazing photographs.
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Shetland Ponies
All over Shetland you will see ponies. These are hardy little souls who are out in all weathers. They are usually smaller than other ponies, especially the miniature Shetland ponies. Whatever their size they are stocky with short legs and the most amazing manes.
Finding Shetland ponies: Shetland ponies can be seen across the islands in fields and along the coastline. Always remember that their fields are private property and you should not feed the ponies. You should always park sensibly and be aware of your surroundings. For a guaranteed and personal experience, the Shetland Pony Experience is worth a visit.
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Wildlife photography on the Shetland Islands
The wildlife in Shetland is often a distance from a safe area. This is especially the case on the sea cliffs where the ledges are not easily accessible. For this reason, a longer lens is the best option. A minimum of 500mm on a full-frame camera will allow you to capture the wildlife safely.
A longer lens is also needed for otter photography. The only way to encounter the otters is from a distance and the longer the lens, the easier and less intrusive your encounter will be.
Some of the photography locations are across rocky coasts or quite long hikes so a smaller lightweight camera may be a better option.
Spare batteries and lots of memory are useful to allow you to stay out all day. Given the weather conditions in Shetland, a dry bag to store personal items and a sturdy camera bag with a waterproof cover is essential. You will also need to consider a waterproof cover for your lens and camera body and lens cloth.
If you are travelling to Shetland by plane, you will need to consider the size of your camera bag as the planes are compact with very limited overhead space or footroom.
Best time to Visit shetland for Wildlife
Shetland is a year-round location for wildlife but the summer months are by far the best for wildlife encounters. Spring and summer see the birds visiting their breeding grounds and from late April the sea cliffs come to life. They are busy areas until mid-July when they start to leave for their winter travels.
June and July are the best times to visit when the weather is relatively settled and the days are long. This is when you may see orcas patrolling the shallows in search of seals. Even in the summer, the weather can be unpredictable and chilly. In the winter months, the nights are long and the weather can be wild.
Otters are seals are resident all year round although the shorter days and rough weather in winter make it harder work to find and photograph them. During November and December, care should be taken as the seals are having their pups and should not be disturbed.
How to get to Shetland
Shetland can be reached from mainland Scotland by plane and ferry.
The Northlink ferry runs from Aberdeen daily and arrives into Holmsgarth in Lerwick which is just a short walk from the town centre. The ferry is an overnight journey with a late-night stop in Orkney.
It is also possible to fly to Shetland with Loganair. The flights leave from a number of Scottish airports and fly into the small airport at Sumburgh. This is about 45 minutes south of Lerwick so either a hire car, taxi or bus timetable is needed to plan your journey on from the airport.
Getting around Shetland
Shetland has good roads around most of the islands and the roads are empty. It is easy driving and having a car makes exploring possible. there is a bus service but it is limited and will make photography limited and difficult to organise. It is possible to hire a car when you arrive if you do decide to fly or take the ferry as a foot passenger.
The islands are served by a small ro-ro ferry that runs on a regular schedule. The times can be seen here. It is possible to buy multi-use tickets if you will be doing a lot of crossings or just pay once you are on the ferry.
Getting to Fair Isle is a little more complicated. the crossing can be made on the Good Shepherd IV from Grutness near Sumburgh airport or by taking a flight from Tingwall airport. If you are going to Fair Isle then you will need to be flexible with your dates to accommodate any weather.