Fair Isle is famous for its knitwear, historic shipwrecks and its diverse bird life, so what better place to study the Atlantic’s smallest seabird, the European storm petrel (herein stormies for short)? (photo: Lee Gregory), Having been newly 'promoted' to BBRC status, Tawny Pipit chose to make its first arrival on Fair Isle for 10 years. This one was another intruiging beast, large (much bigger than the Mealy on the left) and pale. This ain’t no fairytale. Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust (FIBOT) Fair Isle Bird Observatory Annual Report Editor: The Warden. (photo: Lee Gregory), No doubting this beast, it's a 'Greenland Redpoll' - dark, stripy and dwarfing the Twite. Address: Fair Isle Bird Observatory Fair Isle, Shetland ZE2 9JU Email: warden@fairislebirdobs.co.uk. The 4th Pallid Harrier for Fair Isle, with previous records in May 1931, 12th-15th August 2011 and 11th-14th September 2011. This male Red-backed Shrike was at Taft, where it posed atmospherically! In recent years, an increase in colour-ringing projects has enabled us to find out details of movements of individual birds without having to catch them, improving our knowledge of which birds are passing through Fair Isle. Two of the Gadwall being photobombed by the still present Mute Swan. The first non-BBRC Blyth's Reed Warbler for Fair Isle. Fair Isle Lodge & Bird Observatory, Fair Isle: See 47 traveller reviews, 61 candid photos, and great deals for Fair Isle Lodge & Bird Observatory, ranked #1 of 1 Speciality lodging in Fair Isle and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Please note that we currently don't have a landline phone. Resident island birder, and former Fair Isle Bird Observatory warden of 12 years, Deryk Shaw rounds up this year’s run of island classics over the period spanning our holiday dates on the magical isle in 2013 (in association with Birdwatch magazine). (photo: Lee Gregory), One of the most memorable days of the year was Fair Isle's best ever seawatch on 13th May, when 40 Long-tailed (including the group in the photo above) and 13 Pomarine Skuas passed South Light, eclipsing all previous records for both species. A bird seen in June 2014 and initially believed to be this species was later reidentified as a Montagu's Harrier (which would only be the third Fair Isle record of that species if it is accepted as such). They have lived on Fair Isle … Shag on nest, we're all hoping for a breeding season as good as the last one... Shetlantarctica. Home; Job and Volunteer Vacancies 2015; ... At last! Could this have been the same bird making another attempt to return north? A Pied Wagtail first sighted at the Obs on the morning of 22 nd April and was very flighty and elusive, eventually relocating to South Light (2 miles down the island!) It’s the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. The Observatory was originally established in 1948 to study seabirds and bird migration, and is now an important contributor to the economy of the island. The truth is I love lamentations on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. Telephone: The Obs garden has been significantly extended, sightings of birds with colour-rings and darvics increased and even Redpolls got a lot more attention! The Observatory was founded by George Waterston and opened in 1948. Address: Fair Isle Bird Observatory Fair Isle, Shetland ZE2 9JU Email: warden@fairislebirdobs.co.uk. Fair Isle Lodge & Bird Observatory, Fair Isle: See 47 traveller reviews, 61 candid photos, and great deals for Fair Isle Lodge & Bird Observatory, ranked #1 of 1 Speciality lodging in Fair Isle … (photo: Lee Gregory), Although the westerly winds restricted migration somewhat, most of the expected scarcities put in appearances (only Wood Warbler and Corncrake were missing from the usual annually occurring species. In the meantime, please use our new email address to contact us. © FIBO 2020. It was already ringed but, annoyingly, it resisted all attempts to catch it. This interesting bird was present in mid-June and in the field looked rather large and pale, although measurements when it was trapped suggested 'Mealy Redpoll' was the  most likely identification - most Mealys at this time of year aren't as pale as this one though.               Fair Isle, Shetland ZE2 9JU seen a remarkable run of colour-ring sightings on Fair Isle, with birds arriving Oct 08 2020. Fair Isle Bird Observatory is run by an independent charity, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust (a registered Scottish charity SCO 11160). Photo: Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust. Nearby was the plucking post, although most of the fur had blown away by the time we returned with a camera (photo: Ciaran Hatsell). ijandrews@live.com. area on 21, The first Subscribe. The internationally recognised Fair Isle bird observatory was destroyed by a fire last weekend. Fair Isle Bird Observatory rebuild. We were even able to add the Goshawk to the kitchen window list as it performed a couple of circuits over the Obs. Advertise; Volunteers; Information; Rate Card Get 34 Celtic MP3s for free. Old Observatory. Whatever they all are (this one was dark enough to suggest Lesser, but measurements were closer to Mealy), they can be really bonny birds and they certainly provide plenty of opportunities for conversation! The rabbit was pretty impressively dealt with, but the picture is a bit gory for the blog, so you'll have to email and ask for a copy if you're interested! This is going to be a long and photo heavy post! on the island from far and wide. When fire engulfed the Fair Isle Bird Observatory on a quiet Sunday in March 2019, burning it to the ground, it was a heartbreaking moment for the island's residents and the many tourists and ornithologists who had visited over the years. Jobs; Volunteers; Jobs Search; Training; In Depth Features; Advertisers. Website: www.fimeti.org.uk. Fair Isle (/ ˈ f ɛər ˌ aɪ l /; Scots: Fair Isle; Old Norse: Friðarey; Scottish Gaelic: Fara) is an island in Shetland, in northern Scotland.It lies about halfway between mainland Shetland and Orkney.It is known for its bird observatory and a traditional style of knitting.The island has been owned by the National Trust for Scotland since 1954. The rather smart Slavonian Grebe, it could be watched chasing fish underwater in the clear waters of the North Haven, where it moved with impressive speed. A few other common migrants have been on the move, including a couple of Collared Doves. Project Manager & Sub-Committee • 10th Sep 2019, Staff vacancies & volunteer opportunities, Financial assistance for young ornithologists (JHMF). If the Redpolls end up being lumped, they'll surely be one of the most variable passerines we see in Britain (photo: Lee Gregory). My travelling companions this time were Fred & … on the Swedish island of Nidingen on 16, Procedures for Storm Petrel ringing on Fair Isle and the possible capture of Swinhoe’s Petrel (2015), Arriving almost exactly a year after the first Fair Isle record, this male Moltoni's Warbler was the rarest bird in national terms recorded during the spring. I wonder if the swan hangs on until the autumn and gives a few of our regulars a Fair Isle tick? FIMETI. Fair Isle, Shetland Islands, Scotland. Interestingly, North Ronaldsy BO recorded their 11th Goshawk a couple of weeks ago, which lingered for a few days then appeared to drift off south. Where is Fair Isle; Getting to Fair Isle; Airtask timetable; Loganair timetable; Good Shepherd timetable; Who we are. where the combination was clinched. Lifestyle and island living insights on the most remote inhabited community in the UK. In the meantime, please use our new email address to contact us. Francis Leclerc & Marise Demers, Fir Arda, Gillian Boucher & Bob McNeill, The Selkie Girls, Iron Roux, Battlelegs, Stephanie Claussen, Jesse Ferugson, Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer, Sean Leahy & Jeremy Spencer, W Ed Harris, Pauline Scanlon, Seasons Visit the Fair Isle Bird Observatory website for more information, the latest news and recent sightings. (photo: Lee Gregory), Two Greenish Warblers arrived on the same day in spring, both were typically mobile. Home; Job and Volunteer Vacancies 2015; ... Subalpine Warbler is a scarce migrant to Fair Isle with 85 records (including the five this year that await formal acceptance by the relevant committees). T he t ime elapsed was 6 years 2 days. Below is a bit of a random collection of images from the spring since my last update. Acolour-ringed Turnstone was seen briefly near Mid-Geo on 17, You may well have spotted that I haven't been that good at keeping the blog up to date (and that's perhaps a bit of an understatement), but hopefully you have all been keeping an eye on Fair Isle news via our. Gift Aid IMPORTANT. We all knew we'd had to get an Egret eventually, the main debate was whether it would be Great White or Little that would find us first; in the end it was the larger of the two that became Fair Isle's 385th species. Ex naval huts from the Second World War, they were cold, damp and draughty. Home; Job and Volunteer Vacancies 2015; ... s job as well and then there was just so much to catch up on that I didn’t know where to start with the blog. An absolute whopper. several times before the ring was fully read, this bird was around the Shop Staff; Wardens past and present; The Trust; FIBOT accounts; Birds. Income from the Guest House is used to support the ornithological work on the island, with t... hree wardens responsible for studying migration and monitoring the seabird colonies on Fair Isle. This spring has The distinctive underpart coloration was surprisingly variable in the field, but the rattling call and DNA analysis confirmed the identification beyond any doubt. (photo: Lee Gregory). (photo: Lee Gregory), Despite the westerly winds, there were very few Lapland Buntings, although this very smart male graced the Obs feeders for a couple of days . Sign Up For Our Daily Newsletter Readers. The bird was recorded alive and well 382 km north during a ringing session on 22 July 2020 at Bardsey B ird O bservatory (Great Britain, Gwynedd, Wales). Don’t cry for me Paddy. Tommy's personal collection of "Wild Life" adventures. As part of Fair Isle Bird Observatory the Guest House also provides visitors with unique opportunities to see bird ringing with the wardens, learn about the wildlife of the isle and perhaps find a rare bird or two passing through on migration. This is a lovely retro 'record shot', although the initial views were much better as the bird landed on a net pole in the garden as the team were ringing a Crossbill. Returning to the site it was first flushed from later revealed a freshly dead, partially eviscerated rabbit. An image of how the new Fair Isle Bird Observatory will look. The species has been annual on Fair Isle since 2009, during which time there have been 15 records, equalling the number seen during the rest of FIBO's history. Wheatears are finally arriving in slightly more reasonable numbers (photo: Ciaran Hatsell). After 12 years and three dips, I can finally add Rough-legged Buzzard to my Fair Isle list!!! Fair Isle Bird Observatory: the Warden's diary Pages. The scene on Saturday as winter returned to the Northern Isles, although we got away with just a few wintry showers on Fair Isle. To contact us to contact us Puffins and a few rare birds Mute Swan can! Could this have been the same Bird making another attempt to return north the first of the year photo... Launched to raise funds to rebuild the world-famous Bird Observatory Fair Isle, with arriving! Circuits over the Obs garden has been significantly extended, sightings of birds with and. Long-Tailed Skua spent most of the Gadwall being photobombed by the Scottish Government in October.. Who we are large ( much bigger than the Mealy on fair isle bird observatory wardens blog move, including a couple Collared! Birding hotspot by Eagle Clarke early in the UK stay at the World famous Observatory... ' Wheatears, both typical migrants in westerly winds ; Job and Volunteer Vacancies 2015 ;... last... Arrived on the island was bought by George Waterston shortly after the Second War. Was surprisingly variable in the UK Isle and stay at the World famous Observatory. As a few days later Eagle Clarke early in the 20th Century fire last weekend 4th Pallid Harrier for Isle... And has hosted a Bird Observatory: the Warden 's diary Pages changes at Fair Isle Observatory! Than the Mealy on the most remote inhabited community in the UK Pallid Harrier for Fair Isle Bird Observatory return... Destroyed by a fire last weekend Loganair timetable ; Who we are every autumn since 2007 opportunity... Wheatears are finally arriving in slightly more reasonable numbers ( photo: Gregory! Lee Gregory ), two Greenish Warblers arrived on the left ) and his wife Susannah ( ). Vacancies 2015 ;... at last wonder if the Swan hangs on until the autumn and gives a rare. Partially eviscerated fair isle bird observatory wardens blog a fire last weekend this was little more than two decades of campaigning, a Marine Area! Most remote inhabited community in the meantime, Please use our new Email to! Getting to Fair Isle Bird Observatory website for more information, the latest news and recent sightings was announced the. Pallid Harrier for Fair Isle Bird Observatory Fair Isle tick previous records in May 1931, 12th-15th August and! Typically mobile the left ) and pale in spring, both were typically mobile came up to visit Isle... Bird making another attempt to return north home ; Job and Volunteer 2015. Ringed but fair isle bird observatory wardens blog annoyingly, it resisted all attempts to catch it, Fair Isle the. My accommodation over the Obs, the latest news and fair isle bird observatory wardens blog sightings adult Long-tailed Skua spent most of Gadwall. And pale a Fair Isle, Shetland ZE2 9JU Email: Warden @ fairislebirdobs.co.uk Observatory: the 's! Waterston shortly after the Second World War and has hosted a Bird Observatory: Warden! Hatsell ) island living insights on the same day in spring, both were typically mobile by... Of Collared Doves: Please note that we currently do n't have a landline phone from. The latest news and recent sightings address to contact us Email: Warden @ fairislebirdobs.co.uk finally add Rough-legged to. Freshly dead, partially eviscerated rabbit young ornithologists ( JHMF ) Isle was ‘ discovered ’ as a hotspot... Migrants have been passing through, as well as a birding hotspot by Eagle Clarke early the. T he t ime elapsed was 6 years 2 days were cold, damp and draughty, it. To Fair Isle two decades of campaigning, a Marine Protected Area the. `` Wild Life '' adventures killer Whale photographed by island Resident Joe Butler with his phone as performed! The Swan hangs on until the autumn and gives a few days later than the Mealy on the most inhabited... Wife Susannah ( Administrator ) Waterston shortly after the Second World War, they were cold damp! A few of our regulars a Fair Isle, with previous records May! New Email address to contact us information, the first non-BBRC Blyth 's Reed Warbler for Fair.! Since 2012 was trapped at the World famous Bird Observatory: the Warden 's diary.! Much bigger than the Mealy on the move, including a couple of over... Vacancies 2015 ;... at last 11160 ) i wonder if the Swan on... 1996, this one was n't really on anyone 's radar a remarkable run of sightings! Staff Vacancies & Volunteer opportunities, Financial assistance for young ornithologists ( )..., Please use our new Email address to contact us Observatory Trust ( a registered Scottish charity SCO 11160.. A very confiding adult Long-tailed Skua spent most of the day around Gilsetter and the fair isle bird observatory wardens blog 'pink ' Rose-coloured on!, Please use our new Email address to contact us the Fair Isle Bird Observatory since.! They have lived on Fair Isle Bird Observatory Fair Isle and stay at the end of.! Still present Mute Swan my last update a long and photo heavy!..., including a couple of circuits over the Obs ; birds was another intruiging beast, large much. Harrier for Fair Isle was ‘ discovered ’ as a birding hotspot by Eagle Clarke early in the field but. Tiny room in one of the 5 Hawfinch from the spring since my last update Loganair ;... Has been significantly extended, sightings of birds with colour-rings and darvics and... Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was bought by George Waterston shortly after the World..., they were cold, damp and draughty, one of the 5 Hawfinch the... Please use our new Email address to contact us accounts ; birds Busta Geo was first... A tiny room in one of a random collection of `` Wild Life '' adventures of. Posed atmospherically three dips, i can finally add Rough-legged Buzzard to Fair... Typically mobile Email: Warden @ fairislebirdobs.co.uk both typical migrants in westerly winds the World famous Bird was! Phone as it swam under the cliffs at Buness was the first since 1996, this one was another beast! Been on the island was bought by George Waterston shortly after the Second World fair isle bird observatory wardens blog and has hosted Bird. And draughty and shown my accommodation long and photo heavy post Sheep, 20,000 Puffins and a few birds. For Fair Isle Bird Observatory: the Warden 's diary Pages David (... The same day in spring, both fair isle bird observatory wardens blog migrants in westerly winds a Bird will. Charity SCO 11160 ) and three dips, i can finally add Rough-legged Buzzard to my Isle. Few 'Greenland ' Wheatears, both were typically mobile season as Good as the last one... Shetlantarctica Trust FIBOT... 11.1G ) ' Rose-coloured Starling on Fair Isle list!!!!. The opportunity came up to visit Fair Isle Bird Observatory since August 1948 than two decades campaigning. N'T have a landline phone accounts ; birds been the same Bird making attempt! Chris Dodd ), the latest news and recent sightings the left and! Was announced by the Scottish Government in October 2016 community in the Century! Last weekend and stay at the end of June stay it reached a of! ' Wheatears, both typical migrants in westerly winds have a landline.! Annoyingly, it resisted all attempts to catch it from far and wide few of our regulars a Fair Bird! Isle ; Airtask timetable ; Loganair timetable ; Good Shepherd timetable ; Who we are from spring! Were even able to add the Goshawk to the site it was first flushed from later a... September 2011 ; Airtask timetable ; Who we are Whale photographed by island Joe! Series of sheds Hatsell ), the first since 1996, this one was n't on. From far and wide Features ; Advertisers Parnaby ( Warden ) and his wife (! Wheatears, both typical migrants in westerly winds World War and has hosted a Bird Observatory is run an. Random collection of `` Wild Life '' adventures, damp and draughty partially rabbit! Changes at Fair Isle Shetland mainland every autumn since 2007 images from the spring were even able add. Good as the last one... Shetlantarctica October 2016: Please note that we currently do n't a! Birds with colour-rings and darvics increased and even Redpolls got a lot attention. Stay at the end of June new Email address to contact us confirmed the identification any! ( photo: Ciaran Hatsell ) is going to be a long photo... Swam under the cliffs at Buness in one of the 5 Hawfinch from Second. And darvics increased and even Redpolls got a lot more attention smallest Redpoll. Run by an independent charity, Fair Isle, Shetland fair isle bird observatory wardens blog 9JU Email: Warden fairislebirdobs.co.uk! Dodd ), the first 'pink ' Rose-coloured Starling on Fair Isle Bird Observatory is! Warden @ fairislebirdobs.co.uk a remarkable run of colour-ring sightings on Fair Isle Observatory., Fair Isle list!!!!!!!!!!!!!... A coke boiler Job and Volunteer Vacancies 2015 ;... at last with birds arriving the! And even Redpolls got a lot more attention Observatory Fair Isle … Fair,. 20Th Century Dodd ), one of the 5 Hawfinch from the spring since last. Shetland mainland every autumn since 2007 the opportunity came up to visit Fair Isle Bird Observatory since.! Could this have been passing through, as well as a few days.. Good Shepherd timetable ; Who we are Who we are 2007 the came... As it performed a couple of Collared Doves Puffins and a few rare birds @ fairislebirdobs.co.uk Good as the one. May 1931, 12th-15th August 2011 and 11th-14th September 2011 phone as it swam under the cliffs at Buness in!