They have lived on Fair Isle … Wheatears are finally arriving in slightly more reasonable numbers (photo: Ciaran Hatsell).               Fair Isle, Shetland ZE2 9JU A few White Wagtails have been passing through, as well as a few 'Greenland' Wheatears, both typical migrants in westerly winds. where the combination was clinched. Telephone: Please note that we currently don't have a landline phone. Fair Isle Bird Observatory is run by an independent charity, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust (a registered Scottish charity SCO 11160). Fair Isle Bird Observatory: the Warden's diary Pages. (photo: Lee Gregory), Common migrants were generally only present in small numbers, so the traps have been quieter this year than 2014, although a few surprises still appeared including this Long-eared Owl. This one was another intruiging beast, large (much bigger than the Mealy on the left) and pale. This male Red-backed Shrike was at Taft, where it posed atmospherically! (photo: Lee Gregory), The first 'pink' Rose-coloured Starling on Fair Isle since 2007. Address: Fair Isle Bird Observatory Fair Isle, Shetland ZE2 9JU Email: warden@fairislebirdobs.co.uk. 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. During its stay it reached a weight of 24.6g, more than double the smallest Lesser Redpoll caught this spring (11.1g). If you are a UK tax payer, please complete a Gift Aid declaration to increase your donation by 25% courtesy of the Government. A devastating blaze which razed the popular Fair Isle Bird Observatory would have destroyed the building even if more firefighters from the mainland had … This is going to be a long and photo heavy post! 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. Address: Fair Isle Bird Observatory I wonder if the swan hangs on until the autumn and gives a few of our regulars a Fair Isle tick? Visit the Fair Isle Bird Observatory website for more information, the latest news and recent sightings. Despite the valiant efforts of firefighters from across Shetland and the Fair Isle team that was led by Fiona Mitchell, David and Susannah Parnaby’s home was completely destroyed. 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). Project Manager & Sub-Committee • 10th Sep 2019, Staff vacancies & volunteer opportunities, Financial assistance for young ornithologists (JHMF). The 'epic' seawatch had started quiet quietly, with a blue Fulmar (above), an Arctic Tern and a Black-headed Gull the only 'notable' birds from the first 45 minutes! Tommy's personal collection of random memories old and new associated with my "wild life" on Fair Isle one of the Shetland Islands part of Scotland and the most remote inhabited island in the UK. Photo: Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust. (photo: Lee Gregory). Fair Isle was ‘discovered’ as a birding hotspot by Eagle Clarke early in the 20th Century. Shag on nest, we're all hoping for a breeding season as good as the last one... Shetlantarctica. Fair Isle Bird Observatory rebuild. Home; Job and Volunteer Vacancies 2015; ... At last! 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. 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. T he t ime elapsed was 6 years 2 days. The scene on Saturday as winter returned to the Northern Isles, although we got away with just a few wintry showers on Fair Isle. 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. Contact us. © FIBO 2020. Gift Aid IMPORTANT. In the meantime, please use our new email address to contact us. (photo: Lee Gregory), Two Greenish Warblers arrived on the same day in spring, both were typically mobile. 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)? Subscribe. The Obs garden has been significantly extended, sightings of birds with colour-rings and darvics increased and even Redpolls got a lot more attention! Below is a summary of these sightings: A Pied (photo: Lee Gregory), With more time on our hands due to spells where migrants were thin on the ground, we were able to concentrate on other things. Website: www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk. A very confiding adult Long-tailed Skua spent most of the day around Gilsetter and the Parks a few days later. several times before the ring was fully read, this bird was around the Shop 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. Fair Isle Bird Observatory: the Warden's diary Pages. Only the 6th record for Fair Isle and the first since 1996, this one wasn't really on anyone's radar. Fair Isle, Shetland ZE2 9JU Email: warden@fairislebirdobs.co.uk. A flighty Ring Ouzel at Busta Geo was the first of the year (photo: Ciaran Hatsell). The Fair Isle Bird Observatory team is headed by David Parnaby (Warden) and his wife Susannah (Administrator). (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. After 12 years and three dips, I can finally add Rough-legged Buzzard to my Fair Isle list!!! ijandrews@live.com. The 4th Pallid Harrier for Fair Isle, with previous records in May 1931, 12th-15th August 2011 and 11th-14th September 2011. There have been no autumn records since 2009. The first non-BBRC Blyth's Reed Warbler for Fair Isle. 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. FIMETI. I was met by Peter Davis and Gordon Barnes and shown my accommodation. 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). Killer Whale photographed by island resident Joe Butler with his phone as it swam under the cliffs at Buness. 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!) Calm weather was enough to encourage the family down south for a picnic, and was even nice enough for coats to be shed (although not the wooly hats!). Website: www.fimeti.org.uk. Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust (FIBOT) Fair Isle Bird Observatory Annual Report Editor: The Warden. (photo: Ciaran Hatsell), One of the 5 Hawfinch from the spring. 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. 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. (photo: Lee Gregory), Two Cranes put on a great show as they flew down the island, fed on Malcolm's Head for a while, circled out to sea a couple of times then ended up near Hoini. With over 378,000 birds ringed by FIBO, there have been some remarkable movements logged, with ringed birds recovered as far away as Brazil, Canada, Russia and South Africa amongst others. seen a remarkable run of colour-ring sightings on Fair Isle, with birds arriving Latest issue: 2018. This ain’t no fairytale. on the island from far and wide. Where is Fair Isle; Getting to Fair Isle; Airtask timetable; Loganair timetable; Good Shepherd timetable; Who we are. The island was bought by George Waterston shortly after the Second World War and has hosted a bird observatory since August 1948. - Population 45 Resident Islanders, 1200 Sheep, 20,000 Puffins and a few rare birds. Plans for a new bird observatory and guest house on Fair Isle – to replace the former fire-ravaged building – have been lodged. 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. Telephone: This was little more than a tiny room in one of a series of sheds. (photo: Lee Gregory), Another species that has just gone back on the BBRC list is Rustic Bunting; this bird at Utra was our first since 2013. The internationally recognised Fair Isle bird observatory was destroyed by a fire last weekend. Could this have been the same bird making another attempt to return north? 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 … 6 Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report for 2011 Warden’s report and from then on in the birding kept producing highlights, with a decent total of 210 species recorded throughout the year. Tommy's personal collection of "Wild Life" adventures. Don’t cry for me Paddy. First published: 1949 . 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. Thankfully, no one was injured. 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. (photo: Lee Gregory), Having been newly 'promoted' to BBRC status, Tawny Pipit chose to make its first arrival on Fair Isle for 10 years. (photo: Ciaran Hatsell), Three Hobby sightings were all far enough part in dates to suggest they involved different birds, all sadly proved untwitchable. A few other common migrants have been on the move, including a couple of Collared Doves. Sign Up For Our Daily Newsletter Readers. This talk will describe the changes at Fair Isle Bird Observatory since 1950. The Fair Isle Marine Environment and Tourism Initiative is a community-led initiative. Ex naval huts from the Second World War, they were cold, damp and draughty. 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. Please note that we currently don't have a landline phone. Totals included: 3 Short-toed Larks, 6 Red-backed Shrikes, 3 Bluethroats, 3 Common Rosefinch, 5 Icterine Warblers, 2 Wrynecks, 7 Marsh Warblers, 5 Hawfinch and an Osprey. My travelling companions this time were Fred & … We'll also publish an update soon on some of the more interesting piece of ringing news from the spring and then there should be seabird news to report. (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 . Address: Fair Isle Bird Observatory Fair Isle, Shetland ZE2 9JU Email: warden@fairislebirdobs.co.uk. Getting to Fair Isle. 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! Warden's blog: fibowarden.blogspot.co.uk. 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 Fair Isle Bird Observatory: the Warden's diary Pages. If the Redpolls end up being lumped, they'll surely be one of the most variable passerines we see in Britain (photo: Lee Gregory). 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. area on 21, The first (photo: Chris Dodd), The first Nightingale since 2012 was trapped at the end of June. It was noticeable that the Raven tended to mostly keep a sensible distance from a predator that could almost certainly cause it some problems should it have wished. (photo: Lee Gregory), The regular site of Bull's Park again attracted Dotterel, with a trip of four present for a couple of days. The warden and administrator. After visiting Shetland mainland every autumn since 2007 the opportunity came up to visit Fair Isle and stay at the world famous bird Observatory. colour ringed Purple Sandpiper to be sighted on Fair Isle, this bird was ringed We were even able to add the Goshawk to the kitchen window list as it performed a couple of circuits over the Obs. Email: warden@fairislebirdobs.co.uk, If you have any photographs of any of the people on this list, particularly if they were taken during the time they worked on Fair Isle, please email Lifestyle and island living insights on the most remote inhabited community in the UK. 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. Below is a bit of a random collection of images from the spring since my last update. Many thanks to. 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). Fair Isle Bird Observatory website. Staff; Wardens past and present; The Trust; FIBOT accounts; Birds. The distinctive underpart coloration was surprisingly variable in the field, but the rattling call and DNA analysis confirmed the identification beyond any doubt. As was pointed out on Twitter, a good ID feature is when you realise the 'crow' mobbing it is, in fact, a massive Raven! population 60 people, 1200 sheep, 20,000 puffins and a few rare birds. After more than two decades of campaigning, a Marine Protected Area for the island was announced by the Scottish Government in October 2016. Jobs; Volunteers; Jobs Search; Training; In Depth Features; Advertisers. Wagtail first sighted at the Obs on the morning of 22, Sighted Fair Isle, Shetland Islands, Scotland. Old Observatory. 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