Fair Isle Bird Observatory & Guesthouse

Sightings archive: June - December 2016

21st - 31st December

HIGHLIGHTS:
'Tundra Bean Goose': one still present, until 28th at least
Iceland Gull: 2 juveniles on 21st
Glaucous Gull: 5 (4 juveniles and a 2W) on 21st, one juvenile on 23rd, three (all juveniles) at South Light on 26th, with two juveniles and an adult there the following day, with a 2W again on 31st.

Glaucous Gull, Obs, 21st December (David Parnaby)

OTHER SPECIES (notable records, counts [counts usually refer to the peak during the period] etc - note that coverage of the island is limited at this time of the year):
2 Whooper Swans (the adult and juvenile remained to the end of the year), 3 Pink-footed Goose, Barnacle Goose (until found dead on 27th), 11 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 6 Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye (Furse on 23rd), Great Norther Diver (an adult in North Haven on 31st), Red-throated Diver (31st), Grey Heron, Merlin, Peregrine, 3 Water Rail, 3 Oystercatcher, Lapwing (until 25th), 3 Sanderling (South Light on 26th, an unusual winter record), Jack Snipe (on North Haven beach on 27th), 5 Black-headed Gull (from 25th), 13 Common Gull (27th), 2 Carrion Crow (still at South Light), 3 Skylark, Song Thrush, 38 Redwing, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Twite, 'Mealy Redpoll'.

Long-tailed Duck, North Haven, 31st December (David Parnaby)

Other wildlife:
Common Wasp: one in the Obs on 24th December was the first record for the isle (there has been one previous record of Norwegian Wasp), although it was presumably 'imported', possibly in the Christmas tree or with recent post.

Year List: 216

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16th - 20th December

HIGHLIGHTS:
'Tundra Bean Goose': one still present, usually around Field
Glaucous Gull: juveniles on 17th and 20th

OTHER SPECIES (notable records, counts [counts usually refer to the peak during the period] etc - note that coverage of the island is limited at this time of the year):
2 Whooper Swans, 3 Pink-footed Goose, Barnacle Goose, 3 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 28 Mallard, 9 Long-tailed Duck (flock in Ditfield on 19th), Red-throated Diver (one in South Harbour on 16th-17th was a rare winter record), Grey Heron, Merlin, Peregrine, Water Rail (Obs), 2 Oystercatcher, Lapwing (19th), Bonxie (the flightless bird found dead on 19th), Carrion Crow (still at South Light), 11 Skylark, 10 Blackbird, 10 Fieldfare, Song Thrush, 20 Redwing, Meadow Pipit, 2 Twite, 'Mealy Redpoll'.

Red-throated Diver, South Harbour, 16th December (David Parnaby)

Year List: 216
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1st - 15th December

HIGHLIGHTS:
'Tundra Bean Goose': one near Field Ditch was probably the lingering bird from November
Iceland Gull: a second-winter on 5th and juvenile on 14th
Glaucous Gull: 5 (and adult and four juveniles) on Ditfield on 10th, with single juveniles on 11th, 12th and 15th

OTHER SPECIES (notable records, counts [counts usually refer to the peak during the period] etc - note that coverage of the island is limited at this time of the year):
2 Whooper Swans, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 77 Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, 10 Wigeon, 16 Teal, 18 Mallard, 3 Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye (15th), blue Fulmar (4 from the Good Shepherd on 9th, one from South Light on 14th), Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (one in North Haven on 8th was a rare winter occurence), Merlin, Peregrine, 5 Water Rail (2 at Chalet, singles at Obs, Burkle and Schoolton), 2 Oystercatcher (a rare wintering record), 3 Golden Plover, 50 Snipe, 31 Curlew, Bonxie (the flightless bird still present at Easter Lother Water), Guillemot (large numbers present on several dates, with birds on the cliffs on 2nd and 12th-13th at least), Long-eared Owl (still at the Obs on 2nd), Carrion Crow (still at South Light), 7 Skylark, 10 Blackbird, 13 Fieldfare, Song Thrush, 30 Redwing, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Twite, 2 'Mealy Redpoll', 8 Snow Bunting.

Water Rail, Chalet, 14th December (David Parnaby)

Year List: 216
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Monday 21st - Wednesday 30th November

Summary: a mixed bag of generally wintry weather, although calm and mild to start before some windier, westerly winds kicked in (and even saw a few cancelled flights). A calm day on 27th was the perfect opportunity to get right round the coasts from the Obs anti-clockwise to South Harbour for Beached Bird Survey and to have a check of the Grey Seal pups, and also to see what birds were about (not that many in North!).

HIGHLIGHTS:
Iceland Gull: a juvenile at Ditfield on 30th was probably only the 3rd individual of the year, following adults on 14th October and 7th-16th November)
Glaucous Gull: 2 (juvenile and second-winter) at Ditfield on 30th
'Tundra Bean Goose': a single at Setter on 30th

OTHER SPECIES (notable records, counts [counts usually refer to the peak during the period] etc - note that coverage of the island is limited at this time of the year):
2 Whooper Swans (adult and juvenile still present in the south), 5 Pink-footed Goose, 'European White-fronted Goose' (adult still present), 120 Greylag Goose, 4 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Goldeneye (Havens, 27th), Grey Heron, Merlin, Peregrine, 2 Water Rail (maximum count, although at least 4 individuals probably present), 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Golden Plover, Lapwing (29th), Knot, 7 Purple Sandpiper, Jack Snipe (30th), 2 Woodock (Wirvie Burn, 27th), 21 Curlew, Bonxie (an injured, flightless juvenile still present on Easter Lother Water on 27th - having been present there since at least 3rd November it is not clear how it is surviving), 12 Kittiwake (passing South Light in 15 minutes on 25th), 4 Common Gull, 12 Guillemot (passing South Light in 15 minutes on 25th), Razorbill (one found dead on North Haven during Beached Bird Sirvey on 27th was the only record of the month), Woodpigeon (until 28th at least), Long-eared Owl (a ringed, and slightly Fulmar-oiled, bird at the Obs on 27th was presumably the one ringed on 3rd November), Jackdaw (one at Burkle on 22nd in what has been a very quiet year for the species), Carrion Crow, 17 Skylark (very much a minimum count, with larger than usual numbers seemingly lingering), Chiffchaff (a late bird, apparently abietinus at the Obs on 28th), Blackcap (a male at the Obs on 21st), Blackbird (c40), Fieldfare (only small numbers, probably no more than 10), 5 Song Thrush (in the North on 27th), Redwing (small numbers, c20-30), Robin (good numbers still present, i.e. 17 in North on 27th, with probably a similar number in south), Meadow Pipit (still small numbers, probably double figures, remaining), Chaffinch (male at Obs on 24th), Greenfinch (male ringed at Obs on 21st), 5 Twite, 'Mealy Redpoll' (21st), 13 Snow Bunting.

European White-fronted Goose with Greylags, Utra, 28th November (David Parnaby)

Other wildlife:
A count of Grey Seal pups revealed a minimum of 55 have been born around the island so far this year, with the bulk of the pupping now likely to be over (a total of 57 were born in 2015).

Year List: 214
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Thursday 17th - Sunday 20th November

Weather:
Windy and cold to start, then calming weather produced a couple of still days with some heavy frost.

HIGHLIGHTS:
SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT: a male seen feeding in the open in the small fenced field on the west side of the road between Lower Stoneybrek and Stackhoull was sadly seen only by Nick, as it disappeared whilst he was calling the news out and couldn't be relocated. Given the often very elusive nature of the species, there's still a slim chance it coudl still be around somewhere...
Waxwing: a first-winter female ringed at the Obs on 19th
Little Auk: one in the Havens on 18th
Glaucous Gull: 2; a juvenile at South Light on 17th-18th with another juvenile at Ditfield on 18th

Glaucous Gull (centre) with Herring Gulls, South Light, 18th November (David Parnaby)

OTHER SPECIES (notable records, counts [counts usually refer to the peak during the period] etc - note that coverage of the island is limited at this time of the year):
2 Whooper Swan, Barnacle Goose, 6 Teal, Pintail (one on Da Water on 18th), 3 Long-tailed Duck, Peregrine, 6 Water Rail (a peak count of four, but locations indicated at least 6 birds present), 3 Golden Plover, Knot, 2 Purple Sandpiper, Jack Snipe (Walli Burn, 19th), 6 Curlew, 4 Woodpigeon, Long-eared Owl (Obs, 17th), Blackcap (female at Chalet, 19th), 2 Chaffinch, Brambling, 2 Goldfinch (19th), 3 Twite, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 6 'Mealy Redpoll', 3 Snow Bunting, Reed Bunting.

Partially leucistic Fieldfare, Da Water, 18th November (David Parnaby)

Year List: 214
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Tuesday 15th - Wednesday 16th November

Weather:
Strong westerly winds just allowed a plane in on Tuesday after the cancellation of flights on Monday, then stronger winds from the west again saw no transport on Wednesday. Although there were birds about, there wasn't much in, although lots of gulls on the island top saw a few more white-wingers.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Iceland Gull: an adult in South Harbour on 16th
Glaucous Gull: 3; adult and 2 juveniles at Ditfield on 16th in a large loafing gull flock
'Tundra Bean Goose': one with the goose flock near Burkle may have been a lingerer from earlier in the month

Tundra Bean Goose (second from right) with Pink-footed Geese, near Burkle, 15th November (David Parnaby)

OTHER SPECIES (notable records, counts [counts usually refer to the peak during the period] etc - note that coverage of the island is limited at this time of the year):
2 Whooper Swan, 25 Pink-footed Goose, 'European White-fronted Goose' (still present in the goose flock between Burkle and Busta), 91 Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose (although it had been mostly hanging out near the Meadow burn by itself, it has now joined up with the goose flock), 4 Wigeon, 6 Teal, Long-tailed Duck (North Haven, 16th), Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk (young male still present), Merlin (female), Peregrine (juvenile female, 16th), 3 Water Rail (2 showing regularly at Chalet and one at Burkle), 4 Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Knot, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 8 Curlew, 126 Turnstone, Black-headed Gull (16th), 5 Common Gull, 3 Woodpigeon, 48 Fieldfare, 20 Redwing, Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 9 'Mealy Redpoll'.

Year List: 213
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Thursday 10th - Monday 14th November

Weather:
A predominantly south-easterly wind at the start of the period, rather windy at times, with the wind becoming westerly by the 14th. Some rather wet spells, particularly overnight on 13th/14th.

HIGHLIGHTS:
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL: 2; the bird from 9th was still present at School on 10th, when it was joined by another, with both still present on 11th. The initial identification as a possible hornemanni seemed less clear when the birds were seen alongside a range of Mealies, so a net was set up and one of the Arctics was caught, with measurements confirming the suspicion that it was exilipes. Since the start of 2006 there have been just three previous Coues's Arctic Redpolls on Fair Isle, with two of them remarkably involving July records. During the same time period there have been nine Hornemann's Arctic Redpolls.

Coues's Arctic Redpolls at the School, 10th November, (David Parnaby)

Little Bunting: one still at Setter throughout
Hawfinch: a male at Haa, then Brecks and Burkle, on 11th was still present the next day
'Northern Bullfinch': the ringed female remained at the Obs throughout
Little Auk: one off South Light on 11th
Glaucous Gull: juvenile at South Light on 13th

OTHER SPECIES (notable records, counts [counts usually refer to the peak during the period] etc - note that coverage of the island is limited at this time of the year):
2 Whooper Swanm (adult and juvenile), 25 Pink-footed Goose, European White-fronted Goose, 110 Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, 3 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 20 Mallard, Diver sp? (one high over the island on 10th was considered by the observer to most likely to be White-billed, but could not be confirmed), Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk (a male throughout), Merlin, 3 Water Rail (the peak day count, although it is possible that at least 7 were involved in sightings judging from locations), Moorhen (juvenile in the Meadow Burn, 11th), Oystercatcher (until 12th at least), 4 Golden Plover (11th-12th), 2 Lapwing, Knot (North Haven throughout), 3 Dunlin (10th), Jack Snipe (11th), Woodcock (virtually daily in small number, peak count 5 on 11th), 106 Turnstone, 2 Black-headed Gull, 3 Woodpigeon, Long-eared Owl (one in the North on 10th and one at Stackhoull on 13th), Short-eared Owl (Boini Mire on 14th), Blackcap (2 females on 10th, with two males and a new female the following day), 40 Blackbird, 31 Fieldfare, 30 Redwing, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, Greenfinch, 7 Twite, 2 Lesser Redpoll (on 10th, with 1 still on 11th), Mealy Redpoll, 9 on 10th building to 13 on 14th), 8 Snow Bunting, Reed Bunting.

Other wildlife:
Risso's Dolphin: 3 off South Light on 11th

Year List: 213
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Wednesday 9th November

Summary:
Still birds coming in (although not the easiest conditions for viewing, with a strong, cold wind), including a nice rarity to top off the autumn..

Weather:
ENE 7, cloudy throughout with a very few showers and remaining cold

HIGHLIGHTS:
ARCTIC REDPOLL: one, apparently a hornemanni bird, was at the School Brae in a small mixed group of redpolls

Arctic Redpoll (with Mealy Redpoll in bottom image) (David Parnaby)

'Northern Bullfinch': a female still at the Obs
Little Auk: 2 off South Light
Iceland Gull: adult in Ditfield
Glaucous Gull: juvenile at Muckle Uri Geo
Waxwing: one at the Haa
'Pale-bellied Brent Goose': juvenile still in the south of the island

OTHER SPECIES (notable records, counts etc - note that coverage of the island is limited at this time of the year):
2 Whooper Swan, Barnacle Goose, 12 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 3 Goldeneye, Merlin, Water Rail (Burkle), Oystercatcher, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Woodcock, Lesser Black-backed Gull (juvenile off South Light), 4 Woodpigeon, 2 Carrion Crow, 14 Fieldfare,Song Thrush, 29 Redwing, 18 Robin,Chaffinch, Brambling, Greenfinch, 2 Twite, Lesser Redpoll, 4 'Mealy Redpoll', 20 Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting, Reed Bunting.

Year List: 213
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Tuesday 8th November

Summary:
And they're off. The last of the wardening team departed (and good luck to them tonight on the Northlink!), bringing another great season to an end. The strong winds had clearly delivered a few new birds, including a small but notable increase in thrushes (with counts below representing birds observed around the Obs, traps and sections of the south that were covered), a few more Blackbirds were trapped than in recent days and they were notably light, suggesting that they were indeed new arrivals. From now on, coverage will be substantially reduced, although as well as the Parnabys, the island has a number of sharp-eyed observers (including two ex-FIBO Wardens and islanders whose finds include birds of the magnitude of Citril Finch, Brown-headed Cowbird and Little Bustard!), so there's still a chance of adding a few bits and bobs to the year's sightings (especially with another day of strong E winds coming up). We'll be updating the Latest Sightings section less from now on as well, but Twitter and Facebook will still cover any major news (hopefully there'll be something!).

The plane departs Fair Isle with the last of the seasonal wardening team on board (David Parnaby)

Weather:
ENE 5/6 strengthening slightly later, mostly dray but cold and showers later, with sleety squalls by the end of the night.

HIGHLIGHTS:
'Northern Bullfinch': 2 females at the Obs; the ringed bird from yesterday remaining, with another giving a slightly more nasal call joining it - the two calling to each other provided quite an interesting comparison
Waxwing: 5 at Burkle - at least 2 at the Obs may have been part of the same group
Shorelark: one on the Skadan

OTHER SPECIES (notable records, counts etc - note that coverage of the island is limited at this time of the year):
2 Whooper Swan, Barnacle Goose, 7 Wigeon, 5 Teal, Long-tailed Duck, 2 Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, 3 Golden Plover, Lapwing, 8 Purple Sandpiper, 6 Woodcock, 7 Common Gull, 5 Woodpigeon, 2 Carrion Crow, 34 Blackbird, 10 Fieldfare, 5 Song Thrush, 22 Redwing, 15+ Robin, Black Redstart (one at Quoy was presumably a new arrival), 2 Chaffinch, Brambling, 2 'Mealy Redpoll', 5 Snow Bunting.

Other wildlife:
There are still a few new Grey Seal pups on the west coast, whilst many of the earlier ones have 'fledged', in what seems to be a reasonable breeding season so far.

Year List: 213
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Monday 7th November

Summary:
A pleasant day, with a good selection of birds recorded. A quick seawatch (at 0905-0915 - after the school-run!) produced enough birds to make it worthwhile to put in a more concerted effort from 1010 to 1155. It turned out to be one of the better seawatches of the year (which, considering this is Fair Isle, doesn't necessarily say much admittedly), with a few species of wildfowl moving amongst a decent spread of other species. All in all, a fitting way to say goodbye to the last of the wardening team, who leave tomorrow (although with some strong SE winds on the way, maybe they'll be tempted to stay an extra day or two...).

Seawatching off South Light (David Parnaby)

Weather:
NE4 becoming ENE 2/3, cloudy throughout and cold with very occasional light showers.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Waxwing: 5 at the Obs late in the afternoon
Little Auk: 8 off South Light; the highest land-based count since 2011 (although 20 were seen from the Good Shepherd on 24th December 2014)
Iceland Gull: an adult lingering close inshore off South Light
Glaucous Gull: a juvenile off South Light may have been the same bird that passed north through the Havens later
'Pale-bellied Brent Goose': juvenile still near Skerryholm (where it hangs out either with the Whooper Swans or Mallards)
'Tundra Bean Goose': one with Pink-footed Geese at Upper Leogh
'Northern Bullfinch': the female remained at the Obs

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Whooper Swan, 6 Pink-footed Goose, 16 Wigeon (including 10 past South Light), 3 Teal, 38 Mallard (including 18 past South Light), 6 Long-tailed Duck (including 4 past South Light), 11 Goldeneye (the highest count since 2013; including 5 past South Light), 2 Great Northern Diver (singles past Buness and South Light), 29 'blue' Fulmar (past South Light; 7 from 0905 to 0915 and 22 from 1010 to 1155), Grey Heron, 2 Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, 3 Golden Plover, Knot, 2 Woodcock, 2 Great Skua (past South Light), 6 Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull (juvenile through the Havens), 8 Woodpigeon, 2 Carrion Crow (the long-staying birds still at South Light), 2 Goldcrest (singles at the Obs and Gully), 2 Blackcap (females at the Obs), 8 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, Song Thrush, 11 Redwing, 10 Robin, Chaffinch, 2 Twite, 'Mealy Redpoll' (a lovely, frosty individual trapped at the Obs), 7 Snow Bunting.

'Blue' Fulmar (top) with normal Fulmar off South Light (David Parnaby)

'Mealy Redpoll' at the Obs (David Parnaby)

Other wildlife:
Minke Whale and 7 Harbour Porpoise off South Light.
A wonderful display of bioluminescence in the North Haven late in the evening produced one of the biggest twitches of islanders of the year!

Year List: 213
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1st-6th November

Summary:
Generally more westerly based winds, strong at times and with a more wintry feel at times. Not many new arrivals, and only one day of census (on 4th, with a NE6-7 wind). The team gradually started to disperse and we wish them all well for the winter.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Little Egret: one in South Harbour on 1st spent the afternoon in Walli Burn; only the second record for Fair Isle, following the first for the island in the spring

Little Egret over Meoness, 1st November, (David Parnaby)

Little Bunting: still at Bull's Park on 4th
Waxwing: one on 1st and 3rd
Yellow-browed Warbler: one at Lower Leogh on 3rd
'Pale-bellied Brent Goose': the juvenile remained around Skerryholm and the Haa area until 6th
'Northern Bullfinch': female at the Obs 4th-6th
'Tundra Bean Goose': 4 on 1st, with three still on 4th and one the following day
'Siberan Chiffchaff': 3 on 3rd and one on 4th (the only Chiffchaffs seen this month)
Glaucous Gull: a juvenile in Havens then at Easter Lother on 4th

OTHER SPECIES (notable species, counts etc - figures below are generally the maximum count for the period):
3 Whooper Swan (an adult and juvenile on 1st, with the juvenile found dead the next day but then replaced by a new juvenile on 3rd), 28 Pink-footed Goose, 'European White-fronted Goose', 108 Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, 13 Wigeon, 8 Teal, Pintail (one in Walli Burn on 4th), 2 Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye (young male 4th-6th), Red-breasted Merganser, Great Northern Diver, 2 Cormorant, Grey Heron (from 4th), Sparrowhawk (1st-2nd), Merlin (3 on 4th), 2 Peregrine, 2 Water Rail, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover (until 6th), Knot, 4 Jack Snipe, 30 Woodcock (during Sheep Hill on 2nd), 63 Redshank, 75 Turnstone, Great Skua (one over Bullock Holes on 6th was quite late), 14 Woodpigeon, Long-eared Owl (adult female trapped at the Obs on 3rd), Short-eared Owl, Goldcrest (one at Wester Lother on 4th and one at Obs on 6th), 3 Blackcap, 74 Blackbird (on 4th, although less than 10 by 6th), 29 Fieldfare (on 4th, with just one on 6th), 27 Song Thrush (on 4th, with just one on 6th), 103 Redwing (on 4th, with less than 10 by 6th), 46 Robin (4th, with 11 on 6th), Wheatear (one at Double Dyke on 4th), Dunnock (3rd-4th), Grey Wagtail (one still in South Harbour, with 2 on 5th), 3 Chaffinch, Brambling (3rd), Greenfinch (3rd), Goldfinch (one on 3rd, with 3 on 4th), Lesser Redpoll (one until 5th), 2 'Mealy Redpoll' (1st, with one on 3rd), 17 Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting (4th).

Year List: 213

Whooper Swan (and Oscar Charlie Coastguard Helicopter) over Utra, 6th November (David Parnaby)
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Monday 31st October

Summary:
That's all folks! Well, not quite - the rest of the wardening team won't have dispersed until next week, so there'll still be the chance of more birds to be found (and the Parnaby family stay at the Obs all year, so between us and the islanders, we'll hopefully spot any wandering Gyr Falcons etc during the winter), but the FIBO season is officially over for another year. It's been another great year, with some fantastic birds (including three additions to the Fair Isle list), over 80 descriptions accumulated (possibly the most in a year since Little Bunting, Richard's Pipit et al were dropped from the description list), a decent seabird season, good ringing totals (over 6,000 birds ringed so far, as well as 11 controlled birds from Norway and singles from France, Portugal, The Netherlands and Belgium on top of several movements from within the British Isles), another great year for guests and the publication of the first paper connected with the Fair Isle Migration Project, utilising over 60 years worth of data collected by FIBO. Of course, there are lots of people to thank after the end of a season and, in particular, we wouldn't be able to do what we do here without the cooperation of the islanders, the support of the guests and the fantastic work of the FIBO staff and volunteers (including the FIBOT board of directors), as well as financial contributions from JNCC, SNH and SOTEAG, as well as numerous individual donations. Thanks to everyone concerned and we hope you've all enjoyed the year as much as we have.
We'll hopefully get the staff and volunteer vacancies on the website sometime in the next couple of months, whilst it's not that long until bookings open for 2018 (1st March for FOFI members, 1st April for everyone else), bookings for 2017 are already looking quite full at times, and the 2015 Annual Report shouldn't be too far away from publication (and the 2016 is already underway!). In the meantime, we'll be compiling all the end of season paperwork and getting on with the shutting down of the Obs, as well as tackling some of the jobs we can only do whilst the Obs is empty. Please bear with us during November, as we'll be doing our best to keep up to date with emails and phone messages, but we are not able to be in the office all the time (especially if there are any late bursts of easterlies!).

Weather:
WNW 3/4 increasing later, cloudy throughout with rain early on, but good visibility.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Little Bunting: still at Setter
Waxwing: 2
Shorelark: 4 on Buness
Great Grey Shrike: still present
'Pale-bellied Brent Goose': juvenile still in the south
'Tundra Bean Goose': 6 still in the south
'Siberan Chiffchaff': one

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
11 Whooper Swan, 19 Pink-footed Goose, 2 'European White-fronted Goose', 111 Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, 13 Wigeon, 9 Teal, Tufted Duck, 3 Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye, Sparrowhawk, Merlin, 2 Peregrine, Water Rail, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, 6 Golden Plover, Knot, 2 Jack Snipe, 4 Woodcock, 4 Great Skua, 16 Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, Garden Warbler (a late bird in Bull's Park), 200+ Blackbird, 282 Fieldfare, 21 Song Thrush, 270 Redwing, Black Redstart (still at Ditfield), 2 Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 3 Chaffinch, 8 Brambling, 3 Greenfinch, Goldfinch, 8 'Mealy Redpoll', 35 Snow Bunting, 5 Lapland Bunting, Yellowhammer, 2 Reed Bunting.

Year List: 213
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Sunday 30th October

Summary:
Although generally quiet, there were obviously some birds on the move, with thrush numbers in particular increasing and a few more finches around.

Weather:
WSW 3/4, cloudy with rain at first.

HIGHLIGHTS:
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: still present, although it had moved the short distance to Mid Geo
Common Rosefinch: at Setter in the late afternoon then roosted at Chalet
Little Bunting: still present at Setter
Waxwing: 3 at Burkle
Shorelark: 5; three on Buness, with singles at North Light and wandering in the south-east
Great Grey Shrike: still present and roosting at the Plantation
'Pale-bellied Brent Goose': at the Walli Burn then Skadan
'Tundra Bean Goose': 6 at Upper Stoneybrek
'Siberan Chiffchaff': one at Nether Taft

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
13 Whooper Swan (12 present briefly in the morning on the sea at Ditfield before flying south and a juvenile still on Da Water), 30 Pink-footed Goose, 2 'European White-fronted Goose', 198 Greylag Goose, 18 Barnacle Goose, 39 Wigeon, 11 Teal, Tufted Duck (female on Da Water), 8 Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Diver, Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (found dead in South Haven), Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 3 Water Rail, 30 Golden Plover, Knot, Jack Snipe, 65 Snipe, 11 Woodcock, 80 Redshank, 20 Great Skua, 21 Woodpigeon, Long-eared Owl (School), Short-eared Owl, 2 Carrion Crow, 3 Goldcrest, 242 Skylark, 4 Chiffchaff, 13 Blackcap, 338 Blackbird, 347 Fieldfare, 55 Song Thrush, 591 Redwing, Mistle Thrush, 79 Robin, Wheatear (on Ward Hill), 4 Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 185 Meadow Pipit, 7 Chaffinch, 13 Brambling, 5 Greenfinch, 3 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin, 65 Twite, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 8 'Mealy Redpoll' (plus 1 unidentifed Redpoll), 139 Snow Bunting, 6 Lapland Bunting, Yellowhammer, 2 Reed Bunting.

Other wildlife:
7 Harbour Porpoise off Buness

Year List: 213
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Saturday 29th October

Summary:
An end to the gales at last, and so census resumed. There are still plenty of birds about, but generally it is feeling like the end of the autumn is rapidly approaching, with few new migrants detected.

Weather:
SW 2, grey and cloudy, with drizzle becoming more persistent rain later.

HIGHLIGHTS:
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: still on the South Harbour beach
Little Bunting: one still at Setter
Waxwing: the adult male at the Obs then the Haa later
Shorelark: 6; 3 on Buness and 3 at the Naaversgills
Great Grey Shrike: at the Rocket Station on Hill Dyke
'Pale-bellied Brent Goose': the juvenile still present on the Skadan, it was caught during a dazzling session overnight and became the first of its species to be ringed on Fair Isle
'Tundra Bean Goose': 6; 5 around the middle of the island and one with Greylags over Lerness

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
13 Whooper Swan (including 3 juveniles, all on Da Water at one stage, there were two darvic-ringed birds, but sadly the detaisl could not be noted as the flock remained sat tight on the water), 36 Pink-footed Goose, 11 'European White-fronted Goose', 408 Greylag Goose, 9 Barnacle Goose, 37 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 10 Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Great Northern Diver, Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (off South Haven), Merlin (male), Peregrine, 4 Water Rail, 36 Golden Plover, 5 Jack Snipe, 70 Snipe, 5 Woodcock, 190 Turnstone, Great Skua (one off North Light), 25 Woodpigeon, Long-eared Owl (Chapel Plantation), 4 Short-eared Owl, 3 Carrion Crow, 2 Goldcrest, 159 Skylark, 8 Chiffchaff, 10 Blackcap, 247 Blackbird, 92 Fieldfare, 53 Song Thrush, 386 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 98 Robin, Black Redstart (still in Ditfield), 4 Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 181 Meadow Pipit, 4 Chaffinch, 7 Brambling, 3 Greenfinch, Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 3 'Mealy Redpoll' (plus 1 unidentifed Redpoll), 66 Snow Bunting, 6 Lapland Bunting, Yellowhammer, 2 Reed Bunting.

Year List: 213
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Friday 28th October

Summary:
Still too wild for a full census, but a slight improvement on yesterday, with wildfowl passage the most notable feature of the day

Weather:
SW 7-8, decreasing later. Cloudy and cold, with showers in the morning dying out to leave a more pleasant afternoon

HIGHLIGHTS:
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: still present on the beach at South Harbour
'Pale-bellied Brent Gooose': a juvenile on the Skadan
Little Bunting: one still at Setter
Waxwing: the adult male and juvenile both still present, spending some time at Brecks before returning to the Obs
'Tundra Bean Goose': 7 again present

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
10 Whooper Swan (7 adults and 3 juveniles), 31 Pink-footed Goose, 11 'European White-fronted Goose', 227 Greylag Goose, 40 Wigeon, 7 Teal, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser (male), Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Water Rail, 27 Golden Plover, 8 Jack Snipe, 3 Woodcock, 116 Turnstone, 45 Black-headed Gull (highest count of the year), 7 Common Gull, 16 Woodpigeon, 3 Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, still reasonable numbers of thrushes, with most of the Redwings trapped today being the larger, darker coburni race from Iceland, Black Redstart, 2 Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 3 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 3 Greenfinch, Lesser Redpoll, 3 'Mealy Redpoll', Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting, Yellowhammer, 2 Reed Bunting.

Year List: 213
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Thursday 27th October

Summary:
A generally poor day, with no full census due to the weather and rather little to report, although some goose passage was evident

Weather:
W or SW 5/6 increasing 7/8, regular heavy showers and more persistent rain later in the afternoon, all in all rather unpleasant.

HIGHLIGHTS:
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: still in South Harbour
Hawfinch: an unringed male at the Haa
'Northern Bullfinch': the male still present in the Vaadal
Waxwing: 2 still at the Obs
Great Grey Shrike: still present, coming in to roost at the Obs in the evening
'Tundra Bean Goose': 6

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
18 Pink-footed Goose, 8 'European White-fronted Goose', 115 Greylag Goose, 2 Teal, 4 Long-tailed Duck, Water Rail, Ringed Plover (just one remaining), 21 Golden Plover, 3 Lapwing, 4 Jack Snipe, 6 Woodcock, Bonxie (just one seen), 8 Kittiwake (in 10 minutes off South Light, suggesting some passage), 19 Black-headed Gull, 11 Common Gull, 7 Goldcrest (on north-east cliffs only), 3 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, reasonable numbers of thrushes around, but no counts made, Mistle Thrush, 6 Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, Chaffinch, 5 Brambling, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 'Mealy Redpoll', 11 Snow Bunting, Yellowhammer.

Year List: 213
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Wednesday 26th October

Summary:
A wet and windy day, with census counts affected by the poor weather.

Weather:
SW 5-6, occasionally 7, showers at times, often heavy and prolonged.

HIGHLIGHTS:
PINE BUNTING: still frequenting the Bull's Park crop strip
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: still at the beach in South Harbour
Hawfinch: an unringed female at the Obs was the third individual of the month
'Northern Bullfinch': the male still present at the Vaadal
Little Bunting: one still at Schoolton
Waxwing: 2; an adult and immature male at the Obs
Shorelark: 3 at the nack of the Naaversgills
Great Grey Shrike: still present
'Tundra Bean Goose': 7 now present

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
23 Pink-footed Goose, 5 'European White-fronted Goose', 8 Greylag Goose, 50 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 3 Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye, Cormorant, 2 Peregrine, 2 Water Rail, 5 Jack Snipe, 20 Woodcock, 23 Woodpigeon, 3 Short-eared Owl, Carrion Crow, 14 Goldcrest, 7 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 200 Blackbird, 453 Fieldfare, 60 Song Thrush, 878 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 43 Robin, Black Redstart, Wheatear, 6 Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 111 Meadow Pipit, 7 Chaffinch, 29 Brambling, 3 Greenfinch, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 2 'Mealy Redpoll', 4 Snow Bunting, 5 Lapland Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer, 5 Reed Bunting.

Year List: 213
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Tuesday 25th October

Summary:
A slightly more 'end of season' feel about the island today, although nets and traps were promising first thing and showed that there were more birds in, although there were no major new highlights (and no Wheatears for the first time since they arrived on 4th April). The first proper westerlies of the month look set to precede a few days of what is likely to be a quieter spell, but with the way this autumn has been going nationally, who knows what will happen.

Weather:
S becoming SW 3/4 increasing 5 later, mostly cloudy, although remaining dry.

HIGHLIGHTS:
PINE BUNTING: the male again showing well at Bull's Park
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: still present at South Harbour
'Northern Bullfinch': the male was trapped at the Vaadal and later returned to the Obs
Little Bunting: 2; singles at Setter and Lower Leogh, although it was possible that there were two at each site
Waxwing: 2; yesterday's adult male at the Obs was joined by another
Shorelark: 4; one at North Naaversgill and three still on Buness
Great Grey Shrike: at Field Ditch then roosting in the Plantation
Little Auk: 2; one in South Haven and another from the Good Shepherd
'Tundra Bean Goose': 6 still present

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
21 Pink-footed Goose, 11 'European White-fronted Goose', 13 Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, 53 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 4 Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye, Sooty Shearwater (from Good Shepherd), 2 Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, 2 Water Rail, 6 Jack Snipe, 8 Woodcock, 39 Woodpigeon, 2 Long-eared Owl (Springfield), 2 Short-eared Owl, 3 Carrion Crow, 28 Goldcrest, 223 Skylark, 18 Chiffchaff, 61 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 152 Blackbird, 257 Fieldfare, 173 Song Thrush, 506 Redwing, 4 Mistle Thrush, 123 Robin, Black Redstart, 4 Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 162 Meadow Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 20 Brambling, 3 Greenfinch, Goldfinch, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 6 'Mealy Redpoll' (plus 2 unidentifed Redpoll), 6 Snow Bunting, 10 Lapland Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer, 16 Reed Bunting.

Other wildlife:
Painted Lady at Quoy

Year List: 213
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Monday 24th October

Summary:
Rather quiet for new birds, with a general dwindling of migrant numbers, although a good list of species remaining made for a good day's birding, particularly for the visitors who arrived on Fair Isle today.

Weather:
ESE3, mostly cloudy with some showers then rain in the evening.

HIGHLIGHTS:
PINE BUNTING: still present in Bull's Park where it showed well, before roosting at the Obs
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: still present and showing very well on the beach at South Harbour
'Northern Bullfinch': the male spent the day around Stackhoull, before returning to the Obs at dusk
Little Bunting: 3; two near Pund and aother still in the south-east around Springfield
Waxwing: an adult male at the Obs, which wandered around the island for a while, which was trapped in the evening when it returned to the Obs
Shorelark: 5; singles at South Naaversgill and near Busta Geo, with three on Buness
Great Grey Shrike: seen at the Plantation in the evening
Yellow-browed Warbler: 2; singles at Lower Leogh and Guidicum
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 1
'Tundra Bean Goose': 6 still around Setter and Stoneybrek

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
19 Pink-footed Goose, 11 'European White-fronted Goose', 14 Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, 23 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 8 Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter, Goldeneye, Great Northern Diver, Grey Heron, Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 2 Water Rail, 35 Golden Plover, 3 Jack Snipe, 57 Snipe, 5 Woodcock, 29 Woodpigeon, 3 Short-eared Owl, 2 Carrion Crow, 38 Goldcrest, 180 Skylark, 18 Chiffchaff, 16 Blackcap, 144 Blackbird, 130 Fieldfare, 139 Song Thrush, 393 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 128 Robin, Black Redstart, Wheatear, 4 Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 159 Meadow Pipit, 6 Chaffinch, 32 Brambling, 3 Greenfinch, Goldfinch, 6 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 8 'Mealy Redpoll' (plus 1 unidentifed Redpoll), 7 Snow Bunting, 12 Lapland Bunting, 3 Yellowhammer, 18 Reed Bunting.

Year List: 213
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Sunday 23rd October

Summary:
So no major rarities (maybe the leap year meant our Megas arrived yesterday instead?), although there was an addition to the year list. Generally quiet - still plenty of birds about, but not too many new arrivals.

HIGHLIGHTS:
PINE BUNTING: present again in the Bull's Park crop strip (an Obs oat crop planted specifically for birds) before being seen at the Obs in the eveninng, where it was apparently going to roost
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: the confiding presumed 'Stejneger's Stonechat' remained on South Harbour
'Northern Bullfinch': present at the Obs in the morning before removing to Quoy and Aesterhoull before returning to the Obs to roost
Little Bunting: 2 still in the south
Waxwing: 10
Shorelark: 3 still on Buness
Great Grey Shrike: still around the Plantation area
Yellow-browed Warbler: one at Guidicum
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 1
'Tundra Bean Goose': 6 still present
Little Auk: one on the sea off Hjukni Geo was the first of the year

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
Whooper Swan, 20 Pink-footed Goose, 12 'European White-fronted Goose', 18 Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, 62 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 6 Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, Merlin, Peregrine, 3 Water Rail, 32 Golden Plover, 10 Jack Snipe, 9 Woodcock, 25 Woodpigeon, Long-eared Owl, 7 Short-eared Owl, 2 Carrion Crow, 49 Goldcrest, 203 Skylark, 30 Chiffchaff, 14 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 145 Blackbird, 205 Fieldfare, 121 Song Thrush, 504 Redwing, 4 Mistle Thrush, 147 Robin, Black Redstart, 3 Wheatear, 7 Dunnock, White Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 185 Meadow Pipit, 10 Chaffinch, 35 Brambling, 4 Greenfinch, Goldfinch, 5 Siskin, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 10 'Mealy Redpoll' (plus 5 unidentifed Redpolls), 14 Snow Bunting, 17 Lapland Bunting, Yellowhammer, 17 Reed Bunting.

Other wildlife:
2 White-beaked Dolphin off South Light and 11 Harbour Porpoise off Meoness

Year List: 213
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Saturday 22nd October

Summary:
Well, that was a bit of a surprise! Two more massive rarities new in, but both repeat occurences from earlier this week! Generally quieter for new arrivals otherwise, but at this time of the year that is often the case, with major rarities not always turning up with a big supporting cast. A gorgeous addition to the year list was amongst the other enjoyable aspects of another very pleasant day. There couldn't really be a better build up to the magical 23rd October (on which date in Fair Isle's history there has been Rufous-tailed Robin and two Rubythroats found), so what will tomorrow bring...

Weather:
ESE 3/4 decreasing through the day, mostly sunny, with excellent visibility.

HIGHLIGHTS:
SIBERIAN ACCENTOR: one at Kirn o' Skroo was thought to be a new bird, with much blacker ear coverts and less pronounced mantle stripes amongst the features noted that separated it from the bird on 20th.

Siberian Accentor (Lee Gregory)

PINE BUNTING: remarkably, given that 3 females had been seen just a few days ago, a male was found in the Bull's Park crop strip which, despite being a bit flighty initially (roaming as far as the School), went on to show well
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: the possible 'Stejneger's Stonechat' was still in South Harbour
'Northern Bullfinch': a male flew north over Double Dyke and was then showed well at the Obs; the first record since 2014
Little Bunting: 2 in the south
Waxwing: 4
Shorelark: 5; singles at North Naaversgill and Brecks, with 3 still at South Light
Great Grey Shrike: one trapped in the Plantation late in the afternoon turned out to be an unringed bird
Yellow-browed Warbler: one at Burkle
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 3
'Tundra Bean Goose': 6 still present
Blue Tit: sadly found predated by a cat

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
Whooper Swan, 21 Pink-footed Goose, 18 'European White-fronted Goose', 10 Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, 56 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 4 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Common Scoter (including one found in Gilly Burn, which was brought to the Obs but appeared in good health, so was ringed and released; the first to be ringed on the Isle), Goldeneye, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Peregrine, 4 Water Rail, 29 Golden Plover, 5 Jack Snipe, 9 Woodcock, 29 Woodpigeon, 2 Short-eared Owl, 3 Carrion Crow, 40 Goldcrest, 24 Chiffchaff, 25 Blackcap, 2 Mistle Thrush, Black Redstart, 5 Wheatear, 8 Dunnock, White Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 8 Chaffinch, 46 Brambling, Greenfinch, 9 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 5 'Mealy Redpoll' (plus 2 unidentifed Redpolls), 9 Snow Bunting, 4 Lapland Bunting, 3 Yellowhammer, 6 Reed Bunting.

Year List: 212
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Friday 21st October

Summary:
A bit of a clear out and, although it felt like something might have come in, there wasn't anything major new found. The weekend still looks good though and there are still lots of birds about.

Weather:
SE 2/3, mostly bright with a few cloudy spells

HIGHLIGHTS:
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: still present in South Harbour
Common Rosefinch: one at Quoy
Little Bunting: 2 in the south
Waxwing: 4; 3 at Burkle and one over Buness
Shorelark: 3 on the football pitch at South Light
Great Grey Shrike: still present and roosted in the Plantation
Hawfinch: the male was trapped in the Plantation
'Tundra Bean Goose': 6 still present in south
Blue Tit: seen briefly in South Harbour

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
Whooper Swan, 14 Pink-footed Goose, 6 'European White-fronted Goose', 19 Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, 58 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 3 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Common Scoter, Goldeneye, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Merlin, Peregrine, Water Rail, 18 Golden Plover, 7 Jack Snipe, 91 Snipe, 9 Woodcock, 132 Turnstone, 25 Woodpigeon, 5 Short-eared Owl, 3 Carrion Crow, 50 Goldcrest, 175 Skylark, 21 Chiffchaff, 25 Blackcap, 242 Blackbird, 169 Fieldfare, 174 Song Thrush, 666 Redwing, 3 Mistle Thrush, 169 Robin, Black Redstart, 4 Wheatear, 8 Dunnock, White Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 232 Meadow Pipit, 9 Chaffinch, 33 Brambling, Greenfinch, 4 Siskin, 2 Linnet, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 10 'Mealy Redpoll' (plus 6 unidentifed Redpolls), 19 Snow Bunting, 10 Lapland Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer, 7 Reed Bunting.

Year List: 211
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Thursday 20th October

Summary:
A mega, a real mega, and what a bird! Fair Isle's 388th species dominated the day, causing disruption to census and some real excitement for arriving Obs guests who were in the air on the flight from Tingwall when the bird was found! A few other new birds as well made for an enjoyable day all round and a happy Obs this evening!

Twitch at Troila (Lee Gregory)

Weather:
SE2 increasing slightly later. Sunny, with just a few clouds and a generally lovely day.

HIGHLIGHTS:
SIBERIAN ACCENTOR: WOW! For a species not previously recorded in Britain until this autumn, it's amazing that this was (pending acceptance) the 6th for Britain. But still, WOW! Found mid-morning in Troila Geo, an initial panic when the bird flew towards Tineside and was lost from view was soon forgotten when it returned to Troila and performed admirably for the rest of the day, occasionally coming right to the top of the cliff.

Siberian Accentor (top David Parnaby, bottom two Lee Gregory)

SIBERIAN STONECHAT: still present in South Harbour, although elusive at times
Icterine Warbler: one at Chalet was the latest ever Fair Isle record

Icterine Warbler at Chalet (Lee Gregory)

Blue Tit: still in South Harbour
Olive-backed Pipit: one still around Upper Stoneybrek
Little Bunting: 2 in the south
Waxwing: 2 (at least) recorded wandering the north of the island
Shorelark: 5; singles a Lerness, Hoini and Skadan and 2 still on Buness
Great Grey Shrike: still present and lurking in the Plantation area
Hawfinch: a male in the south of the island was a new arrival
'Tundra Bean Goose': 6 still present in the south
Yellow-browed Warbler: 4; two around Burkle, with singles at Malcolm's Head and Gilsetter
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 5; a slight increase on recent days

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
4 Whooper Swan (flew south), 34 Pink-footed Goose, 6 'European White-fronted Goose', 54 Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, 70 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 6 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Common Scoter, Goldeneye, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, Merlin, 2 Water Rail, 60 Golden Plover, 8 Jack Snipe, 49 Snipe, 5 Woodcock, Common Sandpiper, 28 Woodpigeon, Long-eared Owl (one by the Ringing Hut was presumably the bird seen later on the airstrip), 2 Short-eared Owl, 3 Carrion Crow, 46 Goldcrest, 215 Skylark, 42 Chiffchaff, 32 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 158 Blackbird, 223 Fieldfare, 161 Song Thrush, 482 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 166 Robin, Black Redstart, 9 Wheatear, 6 Dunnock, White Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 6 Grey Wagtail, 283 Meadow Pipit, 7 Chaffinch, 40 Brambling, Greenfinch, 7 Siskin, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 10 'Mealy Redpoll' (plus 12 unidentifed Redpolls), 18 Snow Bunting, 10 Lapland Bunting, 5 Yellowhammer, 16 Reed Bunting.

Other wildlife:
Red Admiral

Year List: 211
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Wednesday 19th October

Summary:
A lovely calm day for birding and, although there had been a bit of a clear-out, there were still a few new things and the feeling of something good lurking somewhere...

Weather:
NW2/3, calming later, cloudy spells with brighter patches.

HIGHLIGHTS:
PINE BUNTING: one unringed female still present at Quoystill present
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: the potential 'Stejneger's Stonechat' was still in South Harbour, where it was trapped in the evening
Shorelark: 6; 3 on Brecks, 2 on Buness and a single at Guidicum
Blue Tit: still present at South Harbour
Olive-backed Pipit: a mobile bird still present in the Barkland area
Little Bunting: one still in the south
Waxwing: 2, including a first-winter male trapped and ringed

Waxwing and Ciaran (Lee Gregory)

Great Grey Shrike: still present and roaming the area in the vicinity of the Plantation
Hawfinch: still present around the Plantation
'Tundra Bean Goose': 5 still present
Brent Goose: one over with Greylags
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 3

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
40 Pink-footed Goose, 6 'European White-fronted Goose', 78 Greylag Goose, 4 Barnacle Goose, 58 Wigeon, 9 Teal, Shoveler (Easter Lother Water), 3 Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter, Goldeneye, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, Grey Heron, 2 Merlin, Peregrine, 3 Water Rail, 43 Golden Plover, 8 Jack Snipe, 55 Snipe, 5 Woodcock, 38 Woodpigeon, 6 Short-eared Owl, 3 Carrion Crow, 45 Goldcrest, 245 Skylark, 26 Chiffchaff, 36 Blackcap, 167 Blackbird, 158 Fieldfare, 210 Song Thrush, 636 Redwing, 3 Mistle Thrush, 172 Robin, Black Redstart, 6 Wheatear, 7 Dunnock, White Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 238 Meadow Pipit, 6 Chaffinch, 68 Brambling, Greenfinch, 6 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 14 'Mealy Redpoll', 24 Snow Bunting, 10 Lapland Bunting, 4 Yellowhammer, 24 Reed Bunting.

Other wildlife:
Pipistrelle Bat sp?: one over South Harbour, with presumably the same animal over the Haa later
4 Risso's Dolphins were seen briefly from South Light

Year List: 210
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Tuesday 18th October

Summary:
A calm day with sunshine made a pleasant change from the recent strong winds, and the effects were immediately noticeable, with the nets and traps proving rather busy in the morning. Although it felt like there had been a bit of a clear out, there were still plenty of birds about, and with things showing a lot more readily than in recent days everyone was expecting a major rare to pop up at any point, although it wasn't to be. With thrushes heard moving at dusk, there may be fewer birds tomorrow, but with another pleasant day coming up, there is still nowhere we'd rather be birding.

Weather:
SE becoming W 2-3, cloudy at first but clearing to a remarkably mild and sunny day.

HIGHLIGHTS:
PINE BUNTING: the two unringed females were still present
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: although missing during an attempt to mistnet it in the morning, it reappeared at South Harbour where several faecal samples were collected, which might be enough to get the DNA required to establish the subspecies involved
Shorelark: 7; two on Buness and singles on South Green and Lerness were in the same locations as yesterday, but two on Meoness and one at Mopul may have been new arrivals
Blue Tit: after being seen at Pund, what was presumably the bird first seen on 15th moved down the island and made it to South Harbour
Olive-backed Pipit: 2: a wandering bird still around Chalet area, with the other still around Shirva
Little Bunting: 2
Great Grey Shrike: still present and roosting in the Plantation
Hawfinch: still around the Obs and Plantation feeders
Yellow-browed Warbler: one at Haa
'Tundra Bean Goose': 6
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 2

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
58 Pink-footed Goose, 5 'European White-fronted Goose', 7 Greylag Goose, 14 Barnacle Goose, 83 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 4 Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter, Goldeneye, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver, Sooty Shearwater (off the Good Shepherd), 3 Grey Heron, Kestrel, Peregrine, 2 Water Rail, 69 Golden Plover, 26 Jack Snipe, 60 Snipe, 15 Woodcock, Common Sandpiper, 38 Woodpigeon, 10 Short-eared Owl, 2 Carrion Crow, 59 Goldcrest, 182 Skylark, 20 Chiffchaff, 86 Blackcap, 3 Ring Ouzel , 398 Blackbird, 325 Fieldfare, 231 Song Thrush, 1401 Redwing, Mistle Thrush, 219 Robin, 4 Black Redstart, 7 Wheatear, 16 Dunnock, 2 White Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 362 Meadow Pipit, 12 Chaffinch, 73 Brambling, Greenfinch, 10 Siskin, 58 'Mealy Redpoll', 20 Snow Bunting, 18 Lapland Bunting, 5 Yellowhammer, 23 Reed Bunting.

Other wildlife:
Painted Lady, 2 Diamond-back moth, 2 Silver-Y.

Year List: 210
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Monday 17th October

Summary:
Yet again, a windy day and, yet again, another new Pine Bunting (although it is likely that all three were present yesterday evening)! Not too many other new birds, and quite a lot of time was invested into trying to get further evidence as the identity of the Siberian Stonehat, but still a feeling of impending rareness hangs over the Obs with some calmer weather finally heading our way .

Weather:
SE5-6 (occasionally 7), cloudy with some heavy showers early on and a little drizzle later.

HIGHLIGHTS:
PINE BUNTING: 3!; the bunting flock at Quoy increased again and, remarkably, there were three female Pine Buntings confirmed - the ringed bird and two unringed birds (the two unringed ones were often seen together, although generally not with the ringed female), an unprecedented and remarkable record

SIBERIAN STONECHAT: the candidate 'Stejneger's Stonechat' remained at South Harbour. Although several attempts were made to mist-net it to confirm the identification to subspecific level, it avoided the nets with remarkable aplomb.
Shorelark: 7; there were still three on Lerness and singles at South Green and Dronger, with two new birds on Buness
Blue Tit: still in Easter Lother
Olive-backed Pipit: 2; singles remaining at Shirva and Chalet
Little Bunting: 3; at least this number present in the south of the island
Great Grey Shrike: still present around the Plantation
Hawfinch: the first-winter female remained, moving between the Obs and the Plantation
'Tundra Bean Goose': 6 in the Pink-footed Goose flock at Upper Stoneybrek
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 2

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
74 Pink-footed Goose, 7 'European White-fronted Goose' (5 adults and 2 juveniles), 28 Greylag Goose, 12 Barnacle Goose, Shelduck (first of the autumn), 91 Wigeon, 4 Teal, Pintail (Utra), 6 Long-tailed Duck, 3 Common Scoter, Goldeneye, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, 4 Kestrel, 3 Water Rail, 36 Golden Plover, 37 Purple Sandpiper, 34 Jack Snipe, 71 Snipe, 36 Woodcock, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 41 Common Gull, 36 Woodpigeon, 8 Short-eared Owl, 5 Carrion Crow, 27 Goldcrest, 165 Skylark, 18 Chiffchaff, 63 Blackcap, 2 Ring Ouzel , 408 Blackbird, 252 Fieldfare, 172 Song Thrush, 1195 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 148 Robin, 5 Wheatear, 7 Dunnock, White Wagtail, 6 Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 239 Meadow Pipit, 14 Chaffinch, 100 Brambling, Greenfinch, 10 Siskin, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 34 'Mealy Redpoll', 10 Snow Bunting, 11 Lapland Bunting, 5 Yellowhammer, 23 Reed Bunting (highest count of the autumn).

Year List: 210
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Sunday 16th October

Summary:
Another day dominated by wind and with a really good number of birds about. At times it was almost too much, and by the end of the day it became apparent that amongst the new arrivals, there were multiples of both Pine Bunting and Siberian Stonechat! Another rare bunting and chat tomorrow would be welcome, but perhaps of different species next time!

Weather:
ESE 5-7, occasionally 8, cloudy throughout with showers and some more sustained rain around lunchtime.

HIGHLIGHTS:
PINE BUNTING: 2; remarkably, a second female was found feeding alongside the first at Quoy
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: 2; the lingering bird was seen again at Shirva, whilst a new bird at South Harbour showed some features that suggested 'Stejneger's Stonechat'
Shorelark: 5; singles at Dronger and South Green, with a flock of 3 on Lerness
Blue Tit: what was presumably yesterday's bird was relocated at Easter Lother (photo below by David Parnaby)

Barred Warbler: one at the back of Ward Hill
Olive-backed Pipit: 2; singles still at Shirva and Chalet
Little Bunting: 3; mobile birds in the south made an exact count difficult, but it was thought at least three were present
Great Grey Shrike: one still present, often in the Vaadal vicinity
Hawfinch: the first-winter female still present around the Obs and Plantation
'Tundra Bean Goose': 3; 2 on Buness flew south and were presumably part of the group of three seen later at Upper Stoneybrek
Yellow-browed Warbler: one on Dronger

Shorelarks on Lerness, the first flock of this species on Fair Isle since 2006 and, remarkably, it appears to be the first autumn flock since 1991! (David Parnaby)

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
75 Pink-footed Goose, 7 'European White-fronted Goose' (5 adults and 2 juveniles), 27 Greylag Goose, 102 Barnacle Goose, 136 Wigeon, 16 Teal, Pintail (Utra), 6 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Common Scoter, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Grey Heron, 3 Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine, 2 Water Rail, 53 Golden Plover, 7 Purple Sandpiper, 14 Jack Snipe, 57 Snipe, 32 Woodcock, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 26 Common Gull, 35 Woodpigeon, Long-eared Owl, 13 Short-eared Owl, 42 Goldcrest, 177 Skylark, 17 Chiffchaff, 51 Blackcap, Reed Warbler, 3 Ring Ouzel , 390 Blackbird, 315 Fieldfare (highest count of the autumn), 195 Song Thrush, 1286 Redwing (highest count of the autumn), 11 Mistle Thrush, 80 Robin, Redstart (Dronger), Stonechat, 4 Wheatear, 4 Dunnock, White Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 260 Meadow Pipit, 10 Chaffinch, 137 Brambling (highest count of the autumn), 2 Greenfinch (one trapped in the Plantation and another over Wester Lother were the first of the year), 10 Siskin, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 46 'Mealy Redpoll', 6 Snow Bunting, 9 Lapland Bunting, 5 Yellowhammer, 18 Reed Bunting (highest count of the autumn).

Year List: 210
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Saturday 15th October

Summary:
Another day of wind, with rain later in the day curtailing the ability to see much, but still lots of birds around, lots of good species (including another two additions to the year list) and new arrivals meaning the sense of something big arriving any day now still hangs on.

Weather:
E6/8, cloudy with showers throughout the day and more persistent rain setting in later in the evening.

HIGHLIGHTS:
PINE BUNTING: the female slightly more mobile, but still generally to be found around Burkle
PECHORA PIPIT: still present and showing well at Upper Stoneybrek
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: still present around North Shirva, where it showed well on occasions as it appeared to follow a feeding circuit around the area
Blue Tit: the 10th record (and 14th individual) for Fair Isle was seen for a short while in Kroga Geo - in Fair Isle terms, this was the bird of the day
Olive-backed Pipit: 2; one at Chalet and another at Shirva. A bird at Lower Leogh later in the day was present at the same time as the Shirva bird, but could have potentially been the Chalet bird relocating, although may have been a third individual
Little Bunting: 3 in the south
Waxwing: at least two mobile birds in the south
Great Grey Shirke: one mobile bird in the south, which showed well at times
Hawfinch: 1st-winter female still present, and was trapped in the Plantation
'Tundra Bean Goose': 3; two flew over Setter then landed near the Hill Dyke where there remained for the rest of the day, with another in a goose flock below Lower Leogh
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one at Kroga Geo
Yellow-browed Warbler: one on North Naaversgill
'Siberian Chiffchaff': three

'Tundra Bean Goose' (left), Pink-footed Goose (right) and 'European White-fronted Goose' (3 adults and 2 juveniles) at Lower Leogh (David Parnaby)

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
45 Pink-footed Goose, 7 'Eurpoean White-fronted Goose' (5 adults and 2 juveniles flew over Da Water then settled near Leogh), 29 Greylag Goose, 96 Barnacle Goose, 56 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 6 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Common Scoter, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, Peregrine, Water Rail (Steensi Geo), 20 Purple Sandpiper, 27 Jack Snipe, 59 Snipe, 50 Woodcock, Common Sandpiper, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 95 Common Gull, 37 Woodpigeon, 10 Short-eared Owl, 45 Goldcrest, 181 Skylark (highest count of the month), 10 Chiffchaff, 35 Blackcap, 6 Ring Ouzel , 440 Blackbird (highest count of the autumn), 276 Fieldfare (highest count of the autumn), 301 Song Thrush (highest count of the autumn), 1262 Redwing (highest count of the autumn), 3 Mistle Thrush, 70 Robin, Whinchat, 10 Wheatear, 9 Dunnock, 3 White Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 299 Meadow Pipit, 7 Chaffinch, 119 Brambling, 2 Siskin, 41 'Mealy Redpoll' plus 6 redpoll sp, 11 Snow Bunting, 14 Lapland Bunting, 3 Yellowhammer, 13 Reed Bunting (highest count of the autumn).

Mealy Redpoll, Gilsetter (David Parnaby)

Year List: 209
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Friday 14th October

Summary:
Well, if anything it was too windy, but still lots of birds about and still a few new things found. Tomorrow will be probably be worse (certainly the afternoon looks terrible weather-wise), with Tuesday looking the best bet currently for calming conditions.

Weather:
E5/7, cloudy throughout with showers and feeling cold at times.

HIGHLIGHTS:
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: a flighty bird around Shirva was just the 4th autumn record in the last 19 years (during which time there has also been a spring 'Capian Stonechat')
PINE BUNTING: female still present at Burkle
PECHORA PIPIT: still around Stoneybrek
RED-THROATED PIPIT: seen and heard in flight near Busta
Olive-backed Pipit: 2; one still around Shirva with a second bird around Chalet
Little Bunting: 3 still present in the south
Great Grey Shirke: still present around the Hill Dyke
Hawfinch: one at the Obs was presumably yesterday's bird wandering
Velvet Scoter: one on the beach at Easter Lother
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 1

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
77 Pink-footed Goose, Greenland White-fronted Goose (one with Pink-feet opposite Stackhoull in the evening), 32 Greylag Goose, 148 Barnacle Goose, 76 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 6 Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter (one in South Harbour was the first of the year), 2 Red-breasted Merganser, Cormorant, Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine, 2 Water Rail, 24 Jack Snipe, 55 Snipe, 28 Woodcock, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull (juvenile on Lerness), Iceland Gull (an adult in a large gull roost near the airstrip was the first of the year), 8 Woodpigeon, 4 Short-eared Owl, 35 Goldcrest, 144 Skylark (highest count of the month), 16 Chiffchaff, 29 Blackcap, Ring Ouzel , 240 Blackbird (highest count of the autumn), 238 Fieldfare (highest count of the autumn), 249 Song Thrush (highest count of the autumn), 1122 Redwing (highest count of the autumn), 4 Mistle Thrush (highest count of the autumn), 77 Robin, 2 Whinchat, 9 Wheatear, 3 Dunnock, 3 White Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, flava Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 319 Meadow Pipit, 5 Chaffinch, 99 Brambling, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, 22 'Mealy Redpoll' plus 6 redpoll sp (interestingly, a lot of the Mealys are large, pale birds), 6 Snow Bunting, 10 Lapland Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer (at Burkle, both feeding alongside the Pine Bunting), 11 Reed Bunting (highest count of the autumn).

Year List: 207
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Thursday 13th October

Summary:
Another day full of promise and there were increases in many of the common migrants, making for some enjoyable birding. The forecast for the next two or three days looks a bit wild, but it's from a really promising direction, so we'll be hoping for some more good stuff...

Weather:
E 3/4 increasing 5/6 later, 100% cloud for most of the day and a few showers later on

HIGHLIGHTS:
PINE BUNTING: the female still present, although usually at Burkle
PECHORA PIPIT: still in the Lower Stoneybrek garden
RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL: what was presumably yesterday's bird had relocated from what was now a very windy Ward Hill to the more sheltered location of South Raeva then Hjukni Geo
Spotted Crake: 3; a remarkable day, with sightings of birds at Gilsetter (near Hjon Dyke) and Charlie's Trees more or less simultaneously, with a third found freshly dead at the School (having probably been killed by a raptor)
Dusky Warbler: what was presumably yesterday's bird had moved to the Meadow Burn
Olive-backed Pipit: one still around the Raevas
Little Bunting: 4; three in the south (including one that was trapped in the Vaadal) and another at Skinner's Glig
Great Grey Shirke: one around Pund and Hoini
Hawfinch: one at Chalet in the morning was presumably the bird seen around the west coast later
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one at Steensi Geo was presumably yesterday's bird relocating
Yellow-browed Warbler: 4
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 3
Velvet Scoter: 2 off Hjukni Geo, with one seen later off South Light

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
68 Pink-footed Goose, 13 Greylag Goose, 2 Barnacle Goose, 54 Wigeon, 11 Teal, Shoveler, Red-breasted Merganser, Grey Heron, Kestrel, Peregrine, 2 Water Rail, 11 Jack Snipe, 77 Snipe, 35 Woodcock (highest count of the autumn), 11 Woodpigeon, 4 Short-eared Owl, 145 Goldcrest, 55 Chiffchaff (highest count of the autumn), 20 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Ring Ouzel (highest count of the autumn), 232 Blackbird (highest count of the autumn), 209 Fieldfare (highest count of the autumn), 144 Song Thrush, 965 Redwing (highest count of the autumn), 2 Mistle Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher, 84 Robin (highest count of the autumn), Whinchat, 7 Wheatear, 3 Dunnock, 3 White and 2 Pied Wagtail (showing the steadily decreasing numbers of alba wagtails recorded during the month), flava Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 423 Meadow Pipit, 13 Chaffinch (highest count of the autumn), 123 Brambling (highest count of the autumn), 2 Siskin, 5 Lesser Redpoll (highest count of the autumn), 59 'Mealy Redpoll' (highest count of the autumn), 8 Snow Bunting, 12 Lapland Bunting, Yellowhammer (at Burkle, feeding alongside the Pine Bunting; first of the autumn), 7 Reed Bunting (highest count of the autumn).

Other wildlife:
2 Red Admiral

Year List: 204
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Wednesday 12th October

Summary:
A busy morning at the nets and traps set the tone for a day with increased numbers of common migrants noted and some nice highlights amongst them. The species list at the end of the day was again looking rather impressive and the feeling of optimism as the promising weather looks set to get even more promising is palpable.

Weather:
ESE2/3 increasing slightly at times later, cloudy and cool feeling as we weren't bathed in sunshine for the first time in many days!

HIGHLIGHTS:
RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL: the third of the autumn was found at the top of Ward Hill, providing a challenging twitch!
PINE BUNTING: the female remained around Quoy and showed very well
PECHORA PIPIT: still present at Lower Stoneybrek, where it was one of several nice bonuses for those twitching the Pine Bunting
Dusky Warbler: one found at Barkland (by a Pine Bunting twitcher!) showed very well at times
Shorelark: one at the base of Ward Hill was the second of the year
Olive-backed Pipit: 2; singles at Lerness and Shirva (then the Raevas) were presumably both lingering birds
Little Bunting: 3; a minimum count of birds wandering in the south, with 2 (presumably of these) roosting in the Gully with Bramblings
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one at North Raeva
Yellow-browed Warbler: 10
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 6

Red-flanked Bluetail, Ward Hill (Ciaran Hatsell)

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
94 Pink-footed Goose, 22 Greylag Goose, 2 Barnacle Goose, 49 Wigeon, 13 Teal, Pintail, Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, Peregrine, Water Rail, 5 Jack Snipe, 6 Woodcock, 11 Woodpigeon, Long-eared Owl, 3 Short-eared Owl, 181 Goldcrest, 38 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 17 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Ring Ouzel, 163 Blackbird, 50 Fieldfare, 160 Song Thrush, 679 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher, 63 Robin, Redstart (at the top of Ward Hill with Bluetail and Robins for company), Whinchat, 16 Wheatear, 5 Dunnock, flava Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 669 Meadow Pipit, 4 Chaffinch, 55 Brambling, Siskin, 11 'Mealy Redpoll', 2 Snow Bunting, 11 Lapland Bunting, Reed Bunting.

Other wildlife:
Grey Seal (the second pup of the year was found in Gorsons Geo), 3 Red Admiral

Grey Seal pup, Gorsons Geo (David Parnaby)

Year List: 204
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Tuesday 11th October

Summary:
One of those lovely mornings where thrushes are zipping around calling, the nets and traps were busy - 'surely there'd be something good today', we thought... and there was!

Weather:
E1/2, 3 at times, cloudy at first then cleared to another sunny day before a few clouds that even brought a light shower (the first since 1st October!) thickened

HIGHLIGHTS:
PINE BUNTING: a female first seen in flight over Hunds Heelor was then seen for a short while at Barkland before relocating to Quoy where it showed very well in the afternoon before going to roost at Schoolton. The 10th Fair Isle record and the first since 2007 of this increasingly rare vagrant to the British Isles (and our first Birdguides !!! of the autumn other than the Swinhoe's Petrel!).
PECHORA PIPIT: again present at Lower Stoneybrek, although elusive at times, it could also be rather showy on occasion
RED-THROATED PIPIT: an elusive bird was seen in flight over Boini Mire then heard over Shirva later
Olive-backed Pipit: still present on Lerness
Little Bunting: 4; at least three still in the south, with one at Skinners Glig that was presumably a new arrival
Yellow-browed Warbler: 12, again mostly on the North cliffs
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 7

Pine Bunting, Barkland (David Parnaby)

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
68 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Barnacle Goose, 82 Wigeon, 3 Teal, Tufted Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Grey Heron, Peregrine, 3 Water Rail, 52 Golden Plover, 14 Jack Snipe, 9 Woodpigeon, 3 Short-eared Owl, 145 Goldcrest, 2 Swallow, 42 Chiffchaff, 12 Blackcap, 70 Blackbird, 14 Fieldfare, 58 Song Thrush, 372 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher, 32 Robin, 3 Whinchat, 12 Wheatear, 2 flava Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 446 Meadow Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 30 Brambling, 2 Goldfinch, Lesser Redpoll, 7 'Mealy Redpoll', 12 Snow Bunting, 14 Lapland Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting.

Rock Doves, Brecks (David Parnaby)

Other wildlife:
Rissos's Dolphin (six off South Light), 2 Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Silver Y

Year List: 203
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Monday 10th October

Summary:
The team keeps slogging away, and there are still a few more birds coming in, but we're still lacking that one major bird. The incredible run of weather continues though and the birding is still very enjoyable. A technical problem with the plane meant that those leaving for Shetland today had a nervous wait to see whether they'd arrive in time to see the Siberian Accentor, and in the end they did - with just ten minutes to spare before it went to roost!

Weather:
ESE2/3, light cloud at times, dray and bright mostly

HIGHLIGHTS:
PECHORA PIPIT: still present in the Lower Stoneybrek garden
RED-THROATED PIPIT: one in the Wirvie Burn showed well at times and was generally vocal
Olive-backed Pipit: one showy bird still on Lerness
Little Bunting: 4; three at the North Shirva thistles, with another at Lower Leogh. One in Gilsetter in the morning could have been a fifth bird, but may have been one of the others wandering
Yellow-browed Warbler: 8, with most on the north and west cliffs
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 1

Red-throated Pipit, Wirvie Burn (David Parnaby)

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
120 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Barnacle Goose, 91 Wigeon, 16 Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Grey Heron, 3 Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine, Water Rail, 46 Golden Plover, 7 Jack Snipe, 67 Snipe, Woodcock, 7 Woodpigeon, 3 Short-eared Owl, 18 Hooded Crow (a single flock in the north was presumably a group of migrants), 96 Goldcrest, 2 Swallow, 14 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 14 Blackcap, Reed Warbler (trapped at Burkle), 38 Blackbird, 13 Fieldfare, 94 Song Thrush, 456 Redwing, Spotted Flycatcher, 39 Robin, 3 Whinchat, 7 Wheatear, 2 Dunnock, 407 Meadow Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 22 Brambling, 3 Redpoll sp., 14 Snow Bunting, 11 Lapland Bunting, Reed Bunting.

Other wildlife:
Minke Whale (one off Buness in the morning), 4 Red Admiral, Painted Lady

Year List: 202
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Sunday 9th October

Summary:
A decent day, with the west cliffs rather busy for new birds and some obvious increases in some species. It really felt like we were going to get something good, and the Dunnock trapped at the Obs in the morning felt like it may have been a pointer - so the news from Shetland later in the day was a real kick in the Prunellas. Still, it is really quite early in the autumn, and it's been a really good few days of arrivals into the UK, so we're still confident of a really good bird on Fair Isle at some point soon (hopefully...please...).

Weather:
SE2/3, clear at first with a little cloud later

HIGHLIGHTS:
PECHORA PIPIT: still present and showing well at times at Lower Stoneybrek
Olive-backed Pipit: still present on Lerness
Little Bunting: 3 at North Shirva thistles
Bluethroat: one in Homisdale was thought to be the Setter bird relocating
Yellow-browed Warbler: 10
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 2

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
67 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Barnacle Goose, 92 Wigeon, 9 Teal, Shoveler, Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine, 2 Water Rail, 40 Golden Plover, 6 Jack Snipe, 64 Snipe, 3 Woodcock, 10 Woodpigeon, 4 Short-eared Owl, 3 Carrion Crow, 166 Goldcrest, Swallow, 35 Chiffchaff (including 'Siberian' birds), Willow Warbler, 13 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 90 Blackbird, 12 Fieldfare, 92 Song Thrush, 195 Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher (one in Troila was a very late record), 50 Robin, Redstart, 3Whinchat, 11 Wheatear, 3 Dunnock, flava Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 470 Meadow Pipit, 6 Chaffinch, 43 Brambling, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Leeser Redpoll, 2 'Mealy Redpoll', 10 Snow Bunting, 9 Lapland Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting.

Other wildlife:
3 Red Admiral, Painted Lady, 4 Silver Y

Year List: 202
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Saturday 8th October

Summary:
Generally fairly quiet in terms of new birds, although still a nice selection around. With the winds dropping away, a calm day forecast for tomorrow could well see a little bit of drifty movement, which could prove interesting given everything that has arrived in western Europe in recent days..

Weather:
ESE 4 decreasing 2 later, largely sunny and bright

HIGHLIGHTS:
PECHORA PIPIT: still present and showing well in the Lower Stoneybrek garden at times
Olive-backed Pipit: one still around Lerness
Little Bunting: 2 in the south of the island
Bluethroat: one at Setter
Yellow-browed Warbler: 12
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 2

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
86 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Greylag Goose, 50 Barnacle Goose, 72 Wigeon, 16 Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 3 Kestrel, Merlin, Water Rail, 65 Golden Plover, 7 Jack Snipe, 74 Snipe, Glaucous Gull (a juvenile flew down the Wirvie Burn and was later seen over the Obs - the first of the autumn), 8 Woodpigeon, 5 Short-eared Owl, 2 Carrion Crow, 114 Goldcrest, 66 Skylark, 9 Swallow, 20 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler (Setter), 61 Blackbird, 5 Fieldfare, 124 Song Thrush, 298 Redwing, 19 Robin, Black Redstart (the elusive ringed bird still at Ditfield), 2 Whinchat, 10 Wheatear, flava Wagtail (one at Kenaby), 424 Meadow Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 43 Brambling, 5 Goldfinch, 188 Twite, Redpoll sp., 5 Snow Bunting, 14 Lapland Bunting, 5 Reed Bunting.

Other wildlife:
2 Red Admiral, Painted Lady, 2 Silver Y

Year List: 202
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Friday 7th October

Summary:
More of the same, with similar birds, although increased numbers of several species and one or two new highlights. The seemingly endless easterlies are still bringing new birds to the country and, as the wind starts to ease even more from tomorrow night, the chances of a drifty rare have got to be good.

Weather:
ESE 3 later, generally bright and sunny.

HIGHLIGHTS:
RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL: still present in Gunnawark (so only the fourth Bluetail on Fair Isle to linger more than a day)
PECHORA PIPIT: still present and showing well in the Lower Stoneybrek garden, where it is frequenting the vegetable patch and occasionally entering the fruit cage!
Little Bunting: 3; singles at Schoolton and Shirva, with at the Kirn o'Skroo
Olive-backed Pipit: 2; one at Shirva briefly in the morning and sightings in the afternoon at Loangie (Dronger), Lerness and Guidicum
Yellow-browed Warbler: 15
Marsh Harrier: a juvenile seen heading south over the school just after lunch was still present in the evening (just the 11th autumn record from an island total of 48 birds)
Short-toed Lark: seen again by the Sheep Cru
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 1

Olive-backed Pipit, Lerness (David Parnaby)

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
84 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Greylag Goose, 2 Barnacle Goose, 72 Wigeon, 10 Teal, Pintail, Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe, Sparrowhawk (the first of the month), 2 Kestrel, Merlin, Water Rail, 26 Jack Snipe, 97 Snipe, 11 Woodcock, 2 Woodpigeon, 9 Short-eared Owl, Long-eared Owl (one at Brecks was the first of the autumn), 213 Goldcrest, 8 Swallow, House Martin, 22 Chiffchaff, 25 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Ring Ouzel, 56 Blackbird, 14 Fieldfare, 149 Song Thrush, 154 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 30 Robin, Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 18 Wheatear, flava Wagtail (one at Tor o' da Ward Hill may have been the same as one in Gilsetter later), 2 Grey Wagtail, 614 Meadow Pipit, 5 Chaffinch, 53 Brambling, Siskin, 2 Linnet, 2 'Mealy Redpoll' (plus one other Redpoll sp? flying over), 10 Snow Bunting, 17 Lapland Bunting, 5 Reed Bunting.

Flava wagtail, Tor o' da Ward Hill (David Parnaby)

Other wildlife:
2 Red Admiral, 2 Painted Lady, 4 Silver Y

Year List: 202
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Thursday 6th October

Summary:
A very rare feeling day, and some great highlights, although without any megas. There's no doubt that the feeling of promise is one of the best things about birding on a day like today, but hopefully there'll be something even better tomorrow - Fair Isle is sharing the whole east coast's anticipation about what else this current batch of easterlies could bring...

Weather:
ESE4/5 decreasing 3 later, generally bright and sunny

HIGHLIGHTS:
RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL: one found in the evening at the top of Gunnawark (at the end of the Hill Dyke) only showed for a short while. It appeared to be a different bird from that seen on 2nd in Dog Geo, with a far less vividly blue tail, so is potentially the 14th Fair Isle record
PECHORA PIPIT: at Lower Stoneybrek
RED-THROATED PIPIT: one in the Meadow Burn could possibly have been the bird seen on 2nd (and it may also have been heard on 4th)
Blyth's Reed Warbler: one seen in the Obs garden was later trapped and ringed; the third of the autumn
Little Bunting: 4; at least two roaming in the south and two at Roskillie
Olive-backed Pipit: one seen briefly at South Raeva before flying to Shirva
Wryneck: one at Shirva was a late record
Richard's Pipit: one still at Lower Leogh
Yellow-browed Warbler: 5
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 6

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
77 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Greylag Goose, 146 Barnacle Goose, 86 Wigeon, 32 Teal, Pintail, Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Cormorant, 9 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe, Kestrel, 2 Merlin, Peregrine, Water Rail, 28 Jack Snipe, 90 Snipe, 12 Woodcock, 2 Woodpigeon, 6 Short-eared Owl, 129 Goldcrest, 4 Swallow, 23 Chiffchaff (including tristis birds), Willow Warbler, 39 Blackcap (including a Belgian-ringed bird, an interesting contrast to the Norwegian-ringed bird recorded on 4th), Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Ring Ouzel, 46 Blackbird, 18 Fieldfare, 141 Song Thrush, 458 Redwing, Mistle Thrush, 26 Robin, 2 Whinchat, 12 Wheatear, Dunnock, 621 Meadow Pipit, 6 Chaffinch, 38 Brambling, 9 Snow Bunting, 22 Lapland Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting.

Blackcaps in the Obs garden (David Parnaby)

Other wildlife:
Painted Lady, 4 Silver Y

Year List: 202
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Wednesday 5th October

Summary:
A little bit too windy, with birds seemingly keeping their heads down, but looking serioulsy good over the next few days

Weather:
SE6-7, but generally bright

HIGHLIGHTS:
PECHORA PIPIT: still present, where it spent some time foraging on the cliff between Hjukni and Kroga geos
Great Grey Shrike: seen again, initially at Da Water then at the Obs, where it roosted
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one in Guidicum then flew north
Little Bunting: one still at North Shirva
Richard's Pipit: still present at Lower Leogh
Yellow-browed Warbler: 5
Short-toed Lark: still around the Sheep Cru
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 2

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
83 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Greylag Goose, 310 Barnacle Goose, 98 Wigeon, 8 Teal, mallard (one coming in off the sea at North Light showed that this often overlooked species is also a migrant!), 2 Pintail, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe, 2 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, Peregrine (a pale juvenile male), Water Rail (one at Setter was later trapped in the Plantation), 13 Jack Snipe, 54 Snipe, 2 Woodcock, 169 Turnstone, 3 Woodpigeon, 3 Short-eared Owl, 53 Goldcrest, 3 Swallow, 11 Chiffchaff (including tristis birds), Willow Warbler, 20 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Ring Ouzel, 35 Blackbird, Fieldfare, 169 Song Thrush, 107 Redwing, Mistle Thrush, 23 Robin, Whinchat, 25 Wheatear, Pied Flycatcher, 520 Meadow Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 16 Brambling, 7 Goldfinch, Linnet, 9 Snow Bunting, 17 Lapland Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting.

Barnacle Geese over the Skadan (David Parnaby)

Other wildlife:
3 Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Rush Veneer (at the Obs), Silver Y

Year List: 202
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Tuesday 4th October

Summary:
Strong winds, but more birds, mostly on the west and north cliffs. It felt very much like there was something big to be found, which didn't happen (although it was still a very good day's birding), but surely it's only a matter of time. A number of light migrants were caught late in the day, which suggested possibly more birds arriving later on. It's exciting times.

Weather:
SE 5/6, cloudy spells but dry throughout.

HIGHLIGHTS:
PECHORA PIPIT: still present, although very elusive and generally difficult to see
LANCEOLATED WARBLER: still present at Midway
Olive-backed Pipit: one in Field Ditch
Great Grey Shrike: one on the Hill Dyke killed 2 Meadow Pipits and a Blackcap, the latter of which turned out to have been ringed in Norway!
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one at Easter Lother
Little Bunting: 2; one still in the south and another on Ward Hill
Bluethroat: one at Loangie (on Dronger) was presumably a new arrival
Richard's Pipit: one touring the south of the island
Yellow-browed Warbler: 10; most on the north and west cliffs, suggesting new arrivals
Short-toed Lark: still present and showing well at the Sheep Cru
'Siberian Chiffchaff': one trapped in the Plantation

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
67 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Greylag Goose, 1,275 Barncle Goose (a fantastic day of passage, comfortably breaking the previous Fair Isle record), 72 Wigeon, Gadwall, 24 Teal, Pintail, Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 12 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe, Kestrel, 3 Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 3 Water Rail (including one that landed in the sea off North Haven before coming ashore!), 42 Golden Plover, 14 Jack Snipe, 90 Snipe, 120 Common Gull, 2 Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl (first of the autumn), 4 Carrion Crow, 102 Goldcrest (mostly on the north cliffs), 117 Skylark, 5 Swallow, 8 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 12 Blackcap, Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler (a late bird at Midway showed that not all autumn locustellas are rarities, although as it was the fifth of the autumn and there has been just one more Gropper than Lancie this autumn, the odds are still pretty good!), 3 Ring Ouzel, 17 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, 94 Song Thrush, 126 Redwing, 14 Robin, 2 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 17 Wheatear, 3 Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit, 647 Meadow Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 22 Brambling, 7 Goldfinch, 159 Twite, 4 Snow Bunting, 9 Lapland Bunting, Reed Bunting.

Other wildlife:
Despite the strong winds, a small arrival of lepidoptera was noted, mostly on the sheltered west coast, with 5 Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Silver Y, Diamond-back Moth and Brick all recorded.

Year List: 202
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Monday 3rd October

Summary:
A clear out as predicted (with probably the biggest clear-out of Yellow-browed Warblers ever recorded on Fair Isle in one night! We wish them well on their journey and it would be nice to think that some of the 16 ringed yesterday may appear in a mist net near you soon...). There were a few new birds in as well, and plenty of promise that there'll be another biggy very soon.

Weather:
SE4/5 increasing later, largely cloudy, although dry with excellent visibility.

HIGHLIGHTS:
GREAT SNIPE: one flushed from the crop strip at Bull's Park flew to South Park but could not be relocated
PECHORA PIPIT: present again, although wide-ranging and generally elusive
LANCEOLATED WARBLER: still present around Midway, showing well occasionally
Richard's Pipit: 2; singles at Lower Leogh and over the Mast
Yellow-browed Warbler: 9
Little Bunting: one at North Shirva thistles
Common Rosefinch: 2; one trapped at the Obs in the morning, with another in the south of the island
Bluethroat: the lingering bird was at Quoy again
Short-toed Lark: still present and showing well in the Sheep Cru

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
70 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Greylag Goose, 17 Wigeon, Gadwall, 3 Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Red-throated Diver, 15 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe, Kestrel, 3 Merlin, Peregrine, Water Rail (Setter), 55 Golden Plover, 3 Lapwing, Knot, 3 Sanderling, 4 Dunlin, 22 Jack Snipe, 74 Snipe, 109 Common Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, 3 Carrion Crow, 24 Goldcrest, 94 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 4 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler (North Shirva), Reed Warbler (trapped at the Obs), 16 Blackbird, 7 Fieldfare, 12 Song Thrush, 173 Redwing, 6 Robin, Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 25 Wheatear, Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit, 638 Meadow Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 10 Brambling, 8 Goldfinch, 122 Twite, 10 Snow Bunting, 16 Lapland Bunting, Reed Bunting (one at Lower Leogh; first of the autumn).

Other wildlife:
Dolphin sp?: a small group off South Light

Year List: 202
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Sunday 2nd October

Summary:
Where to start? Nevermind this bit - just look at the highlights list. And all in sunny, mild conditions. Many Fair Isle regulars declared it their best day on the isle, whilst several people rated it highly in their 'best ever day birding' list. Crikey. It's a clear night tonight, so maybe there'll be a bit of a clear out, but as those south-easterlies increase, there is surely the chance of a few more highlights in the next day or two...

Weather:
ESE2, occasional light cloudy patches, mnild, sunny, not very autumnal feeling.

HIGHLIGHTS:
PECHORA PIPIT: one at Shirva showed well at times, but was sometimes flighty; the 44th Fair Isle record (although with the most recent records falling in 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2012, this one was arguably a year late!)
RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL: one in Dog Geo was the 13th Fair Isle record and showed well all afternoon on the dramatic cliffs
LANCEOLATED WARBLER: the fourth Fair Isle record of the year was found near Shirva before moving to Midway
Radde's Warbler: one at Burkle proved mobile, but most people caught up with it
ARCTIC WARBLER: one briefly at Shirva was seen later in Meadow Burn
RED-THROATED PIPIT: one flew in calling before landing at Shirva, where it was seen briefly on the ground before heading off again
Blyth's Reed Warbler: one in the Havens was later trapped when it moved to the Obs, although it then moved back to the South Haven where it fed on the beach for the afternoon
Yellow-browed Warbler: 72; marginally short of the Fair Isle record day count of 76 (set last year), but still an impressive sight
Red-breasted Flycatcher: 4; singles at Lower Stoneybrek and South Raeva and two on Malcolm's Head
Barred Warbler: 3; two at Stackhoull and a single at Burkle was an interesting late arrival
Little Bunting: one in Meadow Burn in the morning
Common Rosefinch: 3; one ringed in the morning at the Obs, with two unringed birds later at Burkle
Bluethroat: 2; one still around Shirva and a new bird at Barkland
Short-toed Lark: still present, although favouring the Sheep Cru
Siberian Chiffchaff: 7; including one trapped and ringed

Pechora Pipit at Shirva (Lee Gregory)

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
85 Pink-footed Goose, 8 Greylag Goose, 45 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, Grey Heron, 5 Slavonian Grebe (in the Havens), Merlin, Peregrine, Water Rail, 84 Golden Plover, 2 Lapwing, Knot, 2 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, 22 Jack Snipe, 65 Snipe, Woodpigeon, 2 Carrion Crow, 29 Goldcrest, 81 Skylark, 19 Swallow, 19 Chiffchaff (including 'Siberian' birds), 9 Willow Warbler, 20 Blackcap, 5 Garden Warbler, 13 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 3 Blackbird, 6 Song Thrush, 133 Redwing, 6 Robin, Redstart, 4 Whinchat, Stonechat (first of the autumn), 39 Wheatear, 3 Pied Flycatcher, flava wagtail, 4 Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit, 581 Meadow Pipit, 118 Rock Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 6 Brambling, 10 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet, 213 Twite, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 16 Lapland Bunting.

Other wildlife:
Minke Whale - one off the east coast moved north

Year List: 202
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Saturday 1st October

Weather:
NNE 1 or 2, 50% cloud, with some bright spells, although heavy convectional showers for a while around midday. Good visibility.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Little Bunting: one in the Walli Burn that flew to South Harbour may have been a new arrival
Barred Warbler: an unringed bird at Stackhoull
Short-toed Lark: still present around the water tanks area
Bluethroat: one still around North Shirva
Yellow-browed Warbler: 4

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
66 Pink-footed Goose, 14 Greylag Goose, 44 Wigeon, Gadwall, 6 Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Long-tailed Duck, 2 Red-throated Diver, 3 Slavonian Grebe (one in North Haven and 2 off Ditfield), Kestrel, 2 Merlin, Peregrine, 2 Water Rail, 56 Golden Plover, Grey Plover (a mobile bird around Buness and Vaasetter), 2 Lapwing, 2 Knot, 4 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 5 Jack Snipe, 70 Snipe, Woodcock, 2 Carrion Crow, 3 Goldcrest, 135 Skylark, 17 Swallow, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, 2 Song Thrush, Redwing, 2 Robin, Black Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 44 Wheatear, 14 White Wagtail (along with 7 Pied and 4 alba wagtails), 3 Grey Wagtail, 726 Meadow Pipit, 149 Rock Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, Siskin, 212 Twite, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 11 Snow Bunting, 14 Lapland Bunting.

Other wildlife:
Rush Veneer (Buness)

Year List: 198
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Wednesday 28th September

Weather: W4 at first, decreasing to very calm for a whlie then freshening from the SE, eventually rising to 7/8, heavy rain from 1500hrs

HIGHLIGHTS:
PADDYFIELD WARBLER: found in the Walli Burn where it eventually showed well
Little Bunting: still present in the Havens
Barred Warbler: one trapped in the Plantation in the morning was at Chalet later in the day
Short-toed Lark: present again at the water tanks
Bluethroat: present again and showing well at North Shirva
Yellow-browed Warbler: 10
Common Rosefinch: one near the School

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
6 Whooper Swan (2 adults and 4 juveniles flew south down the island; first of the autumn), 203 Pink-footed Goose, 39 Greylag Goose (the first migration of the autumn, although there have been a few single figure counts), 101 Wigeon, Gadwall, 21 Teal, 2 Pintail, 3 Tufted Duck, Great Northern Diver (first of the autumn), 5 Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, Peregrine (juvenile male), 75 Golden Plover, Grey Plover (one over Easter Lother then Vaasetter), 7 Lapwing, 2 Knot, 4 Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper, 27 Dunlin, 3 Jack Snipe, 61 Snipe, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Curlew, 58 Redshank, 154 Turnstone, 11 Black-headed Gull, Rook, 3 Carrion Crow, 9 Goldcrest, 149 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 7 Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 2 Blackbird, Fieldfare, 9 Song Thrush, Redwing, 2 Robin, Black Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 134 Wheatear (a noticeable increase, mostly of 'Greenland' birds, 19 White Wagtail (along with 11 Pied and 2 alba wagtails, the highest count for several days), 2 Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit, 964 Meadow Pipit, 154 Rock Pipit, 4 Chaffinch, Siskin, Linnet, 7 Snow Bunting, 25 Lapland Bunting.

Other wildlife:
3 dolphins off the north of the island were probably White-beaked
Red Admiral

Year List: 198
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Tuesday 27th September

Weather: SE 5/6 at first becoming SW 7/8 later. Heavy rain from late morning until the afternoon

HIGHLIGHTS:
GREAT SNIPE: flushed from near Busta in the morning then in the afternoon from Da Water
Little Bunting: one found by the Obs scrape in the evening
Bluethroat: still in the Shirva area
Yellow-browed Warbler: just 4 recorded in very poor conditions
Common Rosefinch: one again in the Schoolton area

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
170 Pink-footed Goose, 81 Wigeon, Gadwall, 17 Teal, Tufted Duck, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine, 52 Golden Plover, 6 Sanderling, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 11 Dunlin, 8 Jack Snipe, 91 Snipe, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 168 Turnstone, 2 Carrion Crow, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, Whitethroat, Blackbird, 5 Song Thrush, Robin, Black Redstart, Redstart, Whinchat, 51 Wheatear, Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit, 384 Meadow Pipit (a weather affected count), 2 Chaffinch, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, 3 Snow Bunting, 9 Lapland Bunting.

Year List: 197
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Monday 26th September

Summary:
A few bits moving early in the morning hinted at some potential for the day, but things seemed to have gone a bit quiet until a flurry of excitement from one field late in the afternoon!

Weather:
SSW3/5 with cloudy patches but sunny spells

HIGHLIGHTS:
LANCEOLATED WARBLER: one trapped in Kirki Mire having intially been found whilst the Obs staff and guests searched for the Great Snipe. The third of the autumn it was, as have all other Fair Isle records that have been aged, a juvenile and weighed a very reasonable 12.4 grams, suggesting it was either not newly arrived or perhaps had only made a short journey to get here
GREAT SNIPE: one flushed from near Busta disappeared into Kirki Mire and could not be refound, although searching for it did result in finding the Lancie and then the Spotted Crake! It was presumed to be the same individual seen earlier in the month given that bird's extremely elusive nature, although in theory it could have been a new bird
Spotted Crake: one seen by a few people in flight in Boini Mire
Long-tailed Skua: a juvenile photographed over Hill Dyke before drifting south
Short-toed Lark: still present and showing very well at Tarryfields
Bluethroat: still in the Shirva area
Yellow-browed Warbler: 19 (plus a dead bird)
Common Rosefinch: one again in the Schoolton area

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
27 Pink-footed Goose, 81 Wigeon, Gadwall, 15 Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, Cormorant, 2 Kestrel, Merlin, Water Rail (Wirvie Burn), 24 Golden Plover, Knot, 4 Sanderling, 8 Purple Sandpiper, 27 Dunlin, 4 Jack Snipe, 54 Snipe, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 54 Redshank, Rook, 4 Carrion Crow, 14 Hooded Crow (in a single flock - possibly migrant birds), 2 Goldcrest, 230 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 5 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackbird, Fieldfare, 4 Song Thrush, 3 Robin, Redstart, 4 Whinchat, flava wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit, 607 Meadow Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 11 Siskin, 4 Linnet, Mealy Redpoll (first of the autumn), Snow Bunting, 31 Lapland Bunting.

Other wildlife:
Bat sp?: one outside the Obs in the early hours of the morning was thought to be larger than a pipistrelle
3 Painted Lady

Year List: 197
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Sunday 25th September

Summary:
A calmer day, although still a bit blustery around the cliffs. Higher counts of some common migrants and a new scarcity showed that there's still potential for things to turn up, even a calm day now could provide some good birds.

Weather:
SW 5/6, raining at first, but mostly dry with a few sunny spells later

HIGHLIGHTS:
Richard's Pipit: one at Utra, the first of the autumn
Short-toed Lark: still by the water tanks
Bluethroat: still present in the Shirva area
Yellow-browed Warbler: 12
Common Rosefinch: one around Quoy and Schoolton

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
31 Pink-footed Goose, 86 Wigeon, Gadwall, 14 Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Diver, 2 Kestrel, 27 Golden Plover, Knot, 6 Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper, 24 Dunlin, 2 Jack Snipe, 68 Snipe, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 56 Redshank, 182 Turnstone, [Wryneck: remains of one were found in an old Bonxie pellet on Suka Mire], Rook, Carrion Crow, 3 Goldcrest, 180 Skylark, 5 Swallow, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler (the first time Chiffchaff has overtaken Willow Warbler - a sure sign of advancing autumn), 11 Blackcap, Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, unstreaked acrocephalus warbler (one in Easter Lother), Blackbird, Fieldfare (first of the month), 8 Song Thrush, Redwing, 2 Robin, Black Redstart (a ringed bird at Dirfield was presumably the bird caught in Double Dyke on 17th Sep.), 3 Whinchat, Dunnock, flava wagtail (one at Quoy), Tree Pipit, 629 Meadow Pipit (highest count since 16th), 3 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 5 Linnet, 230 Twite, 2 Snow Bunting, 39 Lapland Bunting.

Year List: 196
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Saturday 24th September

Summary:
A day domintaed by poor weather produced predictably few sightings of note, although it was a chance to catch up on paperwork etc.

Weather:
S6/7, gusting stronger, although easing later in the day. Heavy rain at first giving way to lighter rain and more showery conditions later

HIGHLIGHTS:
Short-toed Lark: still showing well by the water tanks
Bluethroat: one still around Shirva
Yellow-browed Warbler: 15

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
20 Pink-footed Goose, 72 Wigeon, Gadwall, 16 Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Kestrel, 24 Golden Plover, 3 Sanderling, 14 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Jack Snipe, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 132 Turnstone, 2 Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, 3 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler (one in Boini Mire), Blackbird, 6 Song Thrush, Redwing, 2 Robin, 3 Whinchat, Dunnock, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 4 Linnet, Snow Bunting, 21 Lapland Bunting.

Year List: 196
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Friday 23rd September

Summary:
A couple of new scarcities (including one that still feels like a rarity) showed that birds were arriving despite the weather, but 'bird of the day' was probably actually a cetacean..

Weather:
SW 4 increasing 6/7, light to moderate cloud cover with heavy rain arriving late evening.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Olive-backed Pipit: one in the Obs garden at 0645hrs was watched for a couple of minutes before flying south and not being relocated
Little Bunting: one at Field was probably responsible for sightings near Shirva as well. Photographs showed it to be different from the Bull's Park individual and therefore the third of the year
Short-toed Lark: still at Tarryfields
Bluethroat: 3; a male trapped in the Vaadal, where a female was also present, and the lingering bird in the south
Barred Warbler: one still at the Obs
Common Rosefinch: one still present
Yellow-browed Warbler: 21

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
20 Pink-footed Goose, 69 Wigeon, Gadwall, 19 Teal, Red-breasted Merganser (first of the month), Cormorant, 2 Kestrel, Merlin, Water Rail (the first of the year was seen being caught and eaten by a Kestrel in Kirki Mire), Moorhen, 19 Golden Plover, Knot, 5 Sanderling, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 30 Dunlin, 4 Jack Snipe, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 60 Common Gull, 3 Carrion Crow, 2 Goldcrest, 146 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 11 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackbird, 8 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, Redstart, 5 Whinchat, 54 Wheatear, Pied Flycatcher, 7 White Wagtail (also 6 Pied and 6 alba as numbers start to drop away considerably), Grey Wagtail, 3 Chaffinch, Brambling, 2 Linnet, 233 Twite, 2 Snow Bunting (the first of the month), 36 Lapland Bunting

Other wildlife:
HUMPBACK WHALE: one seen to blow and then surface once amongst a throng of feeding Gannets off South Light was thought to have moved up the west coast, but unfortunately wasn't seen again in difficult choppy conditions. Just the third record for Fair Isle (the most recent being two that spent a couple of hours off South Light in October 2014)
2 Red Admiral

Year List: 196
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Thursday 22nd September

Summary:
A pleasant day in the end after a very poor start to the day, with a few new birds in, but nothing major. It looks like a run of westerlies coming up, which isn't that promising, but there has been some rather tasty American birds coming in recently, so one of them would go down well...

Weather:
Heavy rain in the morning gave way to calm and dry conditions, with SW force 2 winds.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one in Kroga
Little Bunting: one lingering in Bull's Park
Short-toed Lark: still present at Tarryfields
Bluethroat: 2; one roaming around the Quoy to Shirva area, with another in the rubble at the top of Ward Hill
Barred Warbler: still at the Obs
Common Rosefinch: one at the Obs and another in the south
Yellow-browed Warbler: 31
Corncrake: one flushed from between Kenaby and Swarzie

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
20 Pink-footed Goose, 47 Wigeon, Gadwall, 20 Teal, 2 Red-throated Diver, Sooty Shearwater (from the Good Shepherd), Cormorant, Slavonian Grebe (one off Brecks), 4 Kestrel, 18 Golden Plover, 8 Sanderling, 18 Dunlin, Ruff, 2 Jack Snipe, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, Swift, 3 Carrion Crow, 6 Goldcrest, 4 Swallow, 8 Chiffchaff, 16 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 4 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackbird, 14 Song Thrush, 4 Robin, 2 Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 92 Wheatear, Pied Flycatcher, flava Wagtail, Tree Pipit, 478 Meadow Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, Brambling, 4 Linnet, 255 Twite, 45 Lapland Bunting.

Other wildlife: Red Admiral

Year List: 195
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Wednesday 21st September

Summary:
Another good day, not so many new arrivals perhaps, but a super-showy rarity kept everyone happy, whilst a Fair Isle rarity was seen only by one lucky observer (although is presumably still out there somewhere!). Tomorrow morning looks wet, but with calmer conditions forecast, it will be interesting to see whether much else was brought in on this evening's gusty conditions...

Weather:
SE 4/5 increasing in strength later in the afternoon. Low cloud at times (especially over the hills), which brought a few light showers.

HIGHLIGHTS:
LANCEOLATED WARBLER: one discovered in the roadside ditch at Dumlins Sink (just north of the Obs) showed incredibly well all day, sometimes to within a few inches of those present. The second record of the year and (subject to acceptance), the 93rd Lancie for Fair Isle.

Lanceolated Warbler at roadside next to Dumlins Sink - showing well! (Lee Gregory)

Lanceolated Warbler creeping along ditch just north of the Obs (by David Parnaby)

Spotted Crake: the 49th record for the island involved a bird flushed at Da Water, which was (unsurprisingly given the species skulking behaviour) not seen again. The first record since two were seen in spring 2012.
Red-breasted Flycatcher: 2; one trapped in the Gully in the morning, with another (unringed) bird later at Easter Lother; the first records of the autumn
Little Bunting: still present at Bull's Park where it showed very well in the crop strip
Short-toed Lark: still near the water tanks, although later moving to Johnny Arcus Park
Bluethroat: one still at Quoy
Barred Warbler: still present at the Obs
Common Rosefinch: one at the Obs
Yellow-browed Warbler: 27; a typical reduction in numbers following the first wave pushing through

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
20 Pink-footed Goose, 39 Wigeon, 23 Teal, Cormorant, 2 Kestrel, Moorhen (juvenile still on Da Water), 23 Golden Plover, 3 Lapwing, 3 Knot, 11 Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper, 16 Dunlin, Ruff, 4 Jack Snipe, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 103 Turnstone, 62 Common Gull, Rook, 2 Carrion Crow, 7 Goldcrest, 111 Skylark, 5 Swallow, 4 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 7 Blackcap, Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Ring Ouzel (the first of the autumn was flushed from Hunds Heelor), 2 Blackbird, 12 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 66 Wheatear, 5 Pied Flycatcher, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit, 601 Meadow Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, Linnet, 239 Twite, 15 Lapland Bunting.

Year List: 195
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Tuesday 20th September

Summary:
The wind had just a breath more east in it than forecast and, although the day started fairly quietly, a noticeable arrival occurred in the afternoon. By the end of the day it was starting to feel really rather rare, with hopes still high for tomorrow...

Weather:
SSE 3/4, slightly fresher in the afternoon than the morning. Cloudy at first, but brightening later.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Yellow-browed Warbler: after a relatively quiet start to the day, the early afternoon saw a deluge of Yellow-browed Warblers arrive, with the total by the evening having reached 54, the third highest ever count for Fair Isle, with only two arrivals in 2015 producing higher totals
Little Bunting: one at Bull's Park crop strip was presumably yesterday's bird relocating
Bluethroat: 2; singles at Walli Burn and Quoy in the afternoon
Short-toed Lark: still on Tarryfields
Barred Warbler: one still at the Obs
Common Rosefinch: one briefly at the Obs

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
21 Pink-footed Goose, 37 Wigeon, Gadwall, 28 Teal, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Merlin, 23 Golden Plover, Knot, 7 Sanderling, 26 Purple Sandpiper, 43 Dunlin, 4 Jack Snipe, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 108 Turnstone, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Rook, 3 Carrion Crow, 6 Goldcrest, 135 Skylark, 7 Swallow, House Martin, 5 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, 11 Blackcap, Garden Warbler, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, 5 Song Thrush, Redwing, 3 Robin, 3 Whinchat, 5 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit, 613 Meadow Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 4 Linnet, 208 Twite, Redpoll sp?, 47 Lapland Bunting.

Year List: 194
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Monday 19th September

Summary:
A fairly quiet day, with an organised flush through Da Water and surrounding areas before breakfast producing the highest Jack Snipe count so far of the autumn, but not its hoped for much larger cousin. A few new birds were drifting through, but there seemed to have been a bit of a clear out of migrants, including a few of the scarcities. Still, it's always good to get a clear out before the next batch of decent weather, with Wednesday maybe looking a bit promising (I recall a Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler on here in similar circumstances a few years ago...).

Weather:
WSW 2-3 decreasing to 1/2 later, a cloudy start to the day after a drizzly, mizzly start cleared before breakfast.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Little Bunting: one found just before dusk at Taing
Barred Warbler: one remaining at the Obs
Common Rosefinch: one still present
Yellow-browed Warbler: 2

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
166 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Greylag Goose, 23 Wigeon, Gadwall, 44 Teal, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, Merlin, Moorhen, 8 Golden Plover, Knot, 9 Sanderling, 9 Purple Sandpiper, 43 Dunlin, Ruff, 4 Jack Snipe, Woodcock (Wirve Burn), 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Puffin, Swift, Rook, 3 Carrion Crow, 3 Goldcrest, Sand Martin, 6 Swallow, House Martin, 6 Chiffchaff, 12 Willow Warbler, 11 Blackcap, Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, 2 Blackbird, 4 Song Thrush, Redwing, Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Robin, Redstart, 7 Whinchat, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Tree Pipit, 441 Meadow Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 261 Twite, 49 Lapland Bunting.

Other wildlife:
Risso's Dolphin - 8, including a calf, moved slowly south round Sheep Rock having first been seen off Buness in the evening, allowing an Obs full of people who had just finished dinner to run (or saunter at least, given Orlando's portion sizes!) out the Obs drive and see them.
Minke Whale - one briefly off the east coast in the evening

Year List: 194
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Sunday 18th September

Summary:
Not too many new birds, but one new rarity and the confirmation of a rarity that had been teasing us for almost a week, so a good day in the end.

Weather:
S or SSE 3-4, freshening slightly during late morning but calming by evening. Largely sunny, although a few low clouds lingered around the hills.

HIGHLIGHTS:
GREAT SNIPE: Finally! A large snipe flushed on 13th from Da Water flew towards Stackhoull and was not relocated, the following day it flew from the stream running off Da Water towards Klingers Geo, but (despite a mobilisation of Obs guests, staff and some islanders) could not be relocated. The brief views were highly suggestive of Great Snipe, but there was nowhere near enough detail to submit a description. Amazingly, after a three day absence, it was again flushed from Da Water today, then again from Kirki Mire, with photos obtained that clinched the identification. Sadly, a sweep of the area by everyone failed to relocate the bird, but it was seen again in Kirki Mire just before dusk, so perhaps tomorrow it will give itself up for the masses. It's the first record since 2011 (when there were three), with none prior to that since 2001. If accepted, it will become the 42nd record for Fair Isle.
RED-THROATED PIPIT: one discovered late in the afternoon in the Walli Burn was successfuly twitched despite being somewhat flighty. The third record of the year following two in the spring (including one in more or less the same place)
Short-toed Lark: still by the water tanks
Barred Warbler: one still at the Obs
Common Rosefinch: one trapped and ringed in the Plantation was rather thin and presumably a newly arrived migrant
Ortolan Bunting: still in the Quoy area
Yellow-browed Warbler: 4
Brent Goose: the four pale-bellied birds still at Muckle Uri Geo

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Greylag Goose, 40 Wigeon, Gadwall, 30 Teal, Sooty Shearwater (South Light), Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 136 Ringed Plover, 15 Golden Plover, 2 Knot, 16 Sanderling, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 48 Dunlin, 2 Ruff, 2 Jack Snipe, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Goldcrest, Swallow, 4 Chiffchaff, 13 Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, 2 Blackbird (including a male at Skinners Glig), 4 Song Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Robin, Redstart, 10 Whinchat, 2 Pied Flycatcher, Tree Pipit, 484 Meadow Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 25 Lapland Bunting.

Other wildlife: Painted Lady

Year List: 194
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Saturday 17th September

Summary:
A day that started promisingly, with a good scatter of migrants in the garden and traps and a few new scarcities, although it did sort of drift away slightly without the rarity that it felt like it was going to deliver. A lovely day to be out and about though (and an impressive cast list still), and that autumn feeling of promise remains, so we'll be up and about early tomorrow hoping for the best again.

Weather:
Light westerly winds became more southerly and freshened as the day went on. Largely dry and bright and still quite mild.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Bluethroat: one at Shirva was the first of the autumn (and possibly the first of the autumn for the UK?)
Wryneck: one at Field Ditch was probably also responsible for later sightings at Midway and Leogh
Barred Warbler: one trapped and ringed at the Obs may have been the bird seen briefly at Chalet in the evening
Yellow-browed Warbler: 2; singles at Furse and Millens Houllen
Common Rosefinch: one ringed at the Observatory in the morning was at Skadan crop strip later
Short-toed Lark: still around the water tanks
Ortolan Bunting: moving between Quoy allotment and Schoolton crop strip
Brent Goose: four pale-bellied birds still at Muckle Uri Geo

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Greylag Goose, 26 Wigeon, Gadwall, 27 Teal, Storm Petrel (one from Good Shepherd), 11 Cormorant (flew south over Buness in a single flock), 3 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 118 Ringed Plover, 9 Golden Plover, Knot, 7 Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper, 57 Dunlin, 2 Ruff, Jack Snipe, 59 Snipe, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, Rook, 3 Carrion Crow, 5 Goldcrest, 104 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin (first of the month), 5 Swallow, 5 Chiffchaff, 20 Willow Warbler, 15 Blackcap, 6 Garden Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Redwing, 8 Song Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Robin, Black Redstart (trapped at Double Dyke), 5 Whinchat, 117 Wheatear, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 421 Meadow Pipit, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 51 Lapland Bunting.

Other wildlife: Red Admiral, Painted Lady

Year List: 193
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Friday 16th September

Summary:
Not very much doing, but another addition to the year list. Hopefully now that we have clearer conditions and light winds forecast, we might have a few drifty treats tomorrow.

Weather:
A mixed day, the morning seeing fog, then heavy rain for a few hours before the afternoon gave way to drier conditions and eventually sunshine. A NW wind was a wee bit breezy at first, but was mostly fairly light.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Honey-buzzard: a juvenile came in low over North Light at 1500hrs before circling and heading out to the south-east; the 60th Honey-buzzard to be seen on Fair Isle and the first autumn record since 2010

Honey-Buzzard over North Light (David Parnaby)

Short-toed Lark: still present at the water tanks at Tarryfield
Ortolan Bunting: still around the Quoy area, although flighty and elusive
Yellow-browed Warbler: one still around the Obs in the morning at leaste
Brent Goose: four 'Pale-bellied' birds still around South Light

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Greylag Goose, 26 Wigeon, Gadwall (Da Water), 18 Teal, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 2 Moorhen (juveniles in Plantation and Da Water), 109 Ringed Plover, 20 Golden Plover, Knot, 10 Sanderling, 6 Purple Sandpiper, 41 Dunlin, Ruff, Jack Snipe, 104 Snipe, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, Swift, Rook, 2 Goldcrest, 100 Skylark, 5 Chiffchaff, 15 Willow Warbler, 12 Blackcap, 5 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Blackbird (the lingering bird), 3 Song Thrush, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, 6 Whinchat, 133 Wheatear, Pied Flycatcher, 745 Meadow Pipit, Lesser Redpoll (the same juvenile in the south), 35 Lapland Bunting.

Fledged Bonxie chick on Eas Brecks (David Parnaby). There are still a few dozen Bonxies around the island, although all the chicks have fledged and numbers are now dwindling.

Year List: 193
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Thursday 15th September

Summary:
A frustrating day, with the fog having the forecasted effect of hiding us from most of the migrants, although a few new birds were found (including a classic autumn migrant making its first appearance of the year) and a few of the scarcities lingered. No planes, but the Good Shepherd sailed. Who knows what the next few days will bring as easterlies across the North Sea compete with westerlies off the Atlantic, but there's sure to be something, especially if the fog clears...

Weather:
Fog (with a drizzly effect early on), with a brief spell of sunshine in the south of the island in the afternoon (when it was very warm), before more fog. Winds were a promising quite light south-easterly, freshening for a little while in the afternoon.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Yellow-browed Warbler: one in the Gully was the first of the year
Short-toed Lark: still present near the water tanks on Tarryfield
Ortolan Bunting: still around the Quoy area
Common Rosefinch: one again in the Oysterplant enclosure at Muckle Uri Geo
Corncrake: one flushed from Kirki Mire

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Cormorant, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 41 Golden Plover, 3 Grey Plover (over Kenaby), 89 Snipe, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, 18 Willow Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Song Thrush, 3 Robin, Black Redstart (Ditfield), 7 Whinchat, Tree Pipit, Lesser Redpoll, 47 Lapland Bunting.

Year List: 192
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Wednesday 14th September

Summary:
Not a bad day in the end, with a decent variety of species coming in, although nothing in particularly large numbers. The winds tomorrow look perfect, but with the forecast still suggesting we'll be stuck in fog, it might not be the ideal conditions we are hoping for. Still, surely we'll manage at least one new decent bird...

Weather:
Northerly 2 becoming ENE 4 later. Light rain in the morning and again in the evening, with cloudy spells throughout.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Short-toed Lark: one by the water tanks on Tarryfield; the first of the autumn
Barred Warbler: one in Meadow Burn was a new arrival in the evening
Ortolan Bunting: a wandering individual seen around the Quoy/Houll area was presumably the lingering bird
Common Rosefinch: 2; singles at Muckle Uri Geo and Lower Stoneybrek
Brent Goose: four pale-bellied birds that were first seen off South Light before landing briefly on Da Water then heading to South Harbour were only the third record of this species since 2010

'Pale-bellied Brent Geese' in South Harbour David Parnaby

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
15 Pink-footed Goose (flocks of 10 and 5 were the first of the autumn), 2 Greylag Goose, 27 Wigeon, Gadwall (on Golden Water), 18 Teal, 2 Manx Shearwater (from the Good Shepherd), 6 Cormorant, 3 Kestrel, Merlin, Moorhen (juvenile on Da Water, presumably the bird seen on 9th), 135 Ringed Plover, 20 Golden Plover Grey Plover (one over the Plantation in the morning was the first of the year on a typical arrival date), 4 Lapwing (the first migrants for a while), Knot, 12 Sanderling, 49 Dunlin, 2 Ruff, 52 Snipe, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, 3 Woodpigeon (first of the month), Swift, 5 Goldcrest, 105 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff (including a juvenile caught at the Plantation), 23 Willow Warbler (highest count since 5th), 6 Blackcap (highest count of the autumn), 7 Garden Warbler (highest count of the autumn), Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Redwing, 2 Song Thrush (first of the autumn), Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Robin, Black Redstart (Obs), 5 Whinchat, 232 Wheatear (highest count of the month), 2 Pied Flycatcher, 42 White Wagtail (along with 8 Pied and 7 alba wagtails), 866 Meadow Pipit, 213 Twite, Lesser Redpoll (juvenile), 42 Lapland Bunting.

Top: Kestrel at Houll and bottom: Pink-footed Geese over Homisdale (David Parnaby)

Other wildlife: Silver Y

Year List: 191
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Tuesday 13th September

Summary:
A brilliant day, with birds from start to finish, including three additions to the year list. The visiting Aberdeen RSPB members group stepped off the Good Shepherd (there were no planes today due to low cloud at Fair Isle initially then Tingwall later), to be taken straight to the quintessential Fair Isle rarity - a good start to their trip! Tomorrow could also be decent, whilst the winds on Thursday look very nice indeed, but the forecast for fog is less good.

Weather:
SE 2/3 veering N 3-4 for a time then calming later. Low cloud over the hills for most of the first part of the day, dropping over the rest of the island at times, but clearing up later, although cloud later on brought a few light showers.

HIGHLIGHTS:
LANCEOLATED WARBLER: one in Field Ditch showed very well at times, the 92nd record for Fair Isle (subject to acceptance)

Lanceolated Warbler at Field Ditch (Lee Gregory)

Citrine Wagtail: a flighty bird found at Meadow Burn roamed the south of the island
Little Bunting: one at the Obs in the morning
Ortolan Bunting: one at Springfield, presumably the bird lingering from last week
Common Rosefinch: one at Dronger was thought to possibly be the same bird seen briefly at the Obs later
Corncrake: one on School Brae

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Greylag Goose, 19 Wigeon, Gadwall (one roosting on the old slip in the North Haven in the evening was just the second of the year), 33 Teal, Tufted Duck (female in Furse), Red-throated Diver (South Harbour), 2 Sooty Shearwater (from Good Shepherd), Manx Shearwater (from Good Shepherd), Storm Petrel (from Good Shepherd), Cormorant, 10 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, Peregrine, 118 Ringed Plover, 13 Golden Plover, 5 Knot, 10 Sanderling, 6 Purple Sandpiper, 36 Dunlin, 3 Ruff, Jack Snipe, 64 Snipe (highest count of the autumn), 8 Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, Puffin (from Good Shepherd), Swift, Carrion Crown, 10 Goldcrest, 3 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff (all adults), 8 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackbird, Redwing, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Robin (including a newly ringed bird), 2 Redstart, 5 Whinchat, 151 Wheatear, Pied Flycatcher, 28 White Wagtail (also 7 Pied Wagtail and 5 alba wagtails), Tree Pipit, 944 Meadow Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 74 Lapland Bunting.

Lapland Bunting trapped in the Gully (Ciaran Hatsell)

Other wildlife: a good catch of moths at Schoolton overnight included two Convolvulous Hawkmoths, also 2 Painted Ladys were seen (the first of the month)

Convolvulous Hawkmoth at Schoolton (Ciaran Hatsell)

Year List: 190
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Monday 12th September

Summary:
A windy day with very little showing, although one or two signs that there may have been birds coming in.

Weather:
SSE 6-8, decreasing later in the evening, cloudy patches with good visibility.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Icterine Warbler: one still at the Obs
Corncrake: one running down the road below the school then flew to Da Water

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Greylag Goose, Wigeon, 20 Teal, Tufted Duck (juvenile on Da Water still), Red-throated Diver (off South Light), 2 Sooty Shearwater (off South Light), 2 Cormorant, Kestrel, 2 Knot, 8 Sanderling, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 20 Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Greenshank, 50 Common Gull, 5 Arctic Tern, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Willow Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler (one in the Meadow Burn in the evening was the first of the month), 2 Whinchat, Dunnock, Chaffinch, 12 Lapland Bunting.

Year List: 187
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Sunday 11th September

Summary:
An unexpected arrival of birds given the winds blowing straight in from the Atlantic, a taste of things to come perhaps as, after tomorrow's conditions that are likely to see near gale-force winds making birding difficult, there are some promising conditions appearing on the forecast...

Weather:
SW 4-6, backing SE later, sunny at first, with rain from late afternoon as winds increased overnight.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Ortolan Bunting: one at Field was presumably the Gilsetter bird from earlier in the week relocating
Icterine Warbler: a newly arrived migrant was at the Obs all day, where it was trapped and ringed in the afternoon
Common Rosefinch: one at Muckle Uri Geo was another new bird to make it in depsite the conditions
Osprey: one was over the Obs just after lunch before drifting south

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Greylag Goose, 16 Wigeon, 8 Teal, Tufted Duck, 5 Cormorant, Sparrowhawk (male), 3 Kestrel, Merlin, 127 Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, 4 Knot , 10 Sanderling, 14 Purple Sandpiper, 65 Dunlin, Ruff, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, 3 Puffin, Collared Dove (the first since 21st July), Swift, Rook (first of the month), 13 Goldcrest , 101 Skylark (highest count of the month), 5 Swallow, House Martin, Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat (highest count of the month so far), Robin, 3 Whinchat, Pied Flycatcher, Dunnock, 31 White Wagtail (along with 7 Pied and 13 alba wagtails), 200 Twite (highest count of the month), 51 Lapland Bunting.

Year List: 187
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Saturday 10th September

Weather:
Southerly Force 4-6 wind, dry and mostly sunny, notably warm for the time of year.

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Greylag Goose, 16 Wigeon, 6 Teal, Red-throated Diver (one past South Light), 4 Sooty Shearwater (off South Light), Manx Shearwater (South Light), Cormorant, Grey Heron, Kestrel, 13 Golden Plover, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 45 Dunlin, 2 Ruff, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, 65 Redshank, 117 Turnstone, Arctic Tern, 2 Goldcrest, 9 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff (all lingering adults), 7 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap (both males at the Obs), Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Robin, 2 Whinchat, Dunnock, 38 White Wagtail (along with 7 Pied and 11 alba wagtails), flava wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit, 53 Lapland Bunting.

Year List: 187
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Friday 9th September

Summary:
A rather familiar feel to the birds, with just one or two new arrivals in somewhat unpromising conditions.

Weather:
SSE3/5, increasing later on, with cloud throughout, low over the hills at times, showers in the morning with heavy rain late in the evening.

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Greylag Goose, 17 Wigeon, 27 Teal, Tufted Duck (juvenile on Da Water, the first of the autumn), Red-throated Diver, 2 Sooty Shearwater (2 from Good Shepherd), 4 Cormorant, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, Moorhen (juvenile on Da Water, the first of the autumn), 105 Ringed Plover, 3 Knot, 5 Sanderling, 45 Dunlin, Ruff, Greenshank, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Carrion Crow, 3 Goldcrest, House Martin, Chiffchaff, 13 Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackbird, Redwing, 2 Whinchat, Dunnock, flava Wagtail, Tree Pipit, Snow Bunting, 39 Lapland Bunting.

Year List: 187
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Thursday 8th September

Summary:
A horror of a day in terms of the weather, with fog, near-gale force winds and heavy rain taking turns to make conditions very difficult. Just a couple of new birds were noted, but it will be interesting to see whether much appears if the sun comes out tomorrow.

Weather:
SE or SSE 5-7, decreasing later. Mist in the morning cleared for a while, but heavy rain closed in from mid-afternoon, before the late evening brightened up slightly.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Ortolan Bunting: one in Gilsetter was the first of the autumn but the third of the year, making it the best year for this species on Fair Isle since 2006

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Greylag Goose, 20 Wigeon, 7 Teal, Red-throated Diver, 3 Grey Heron, Kestrel, Knot, 5 Sanderling, 11 Purple Sandpiper, 49 Dunlin, Ruff, 2 Jack Snipe, 28 Black-tailed Godwit (including a flock of 20 that flew high south), Greenshank, Puffin (one off South Light was the first sighting of the month), Swift, 2 Carrion Crow, 4 Goldcrest, House Martin, 8 Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Blackbird, Redwing, 2 Whinchat, flava Wagtail, Chaffinch, Snow Bunting (one on Meoness was the first of the autumn), 11 Lapland Bunting.

Year List: 187
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Wednesday 7th September

Summary:
The winds swithced to a SE overnight, so there was some anticipation as a fairly calm day felt nice and drifty and as if it should have delivered some birds, although, despite common species clearly being on the move, the variety was somewhat limited.

Weather:
SE 2/3 increasing 3/4 later. Cloudy throughout with low cloud and drizzle arriving from late afternoon.

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Greylag Goose, 17 Wigeon, 24 Teal, 3 Red-throated Diver (highest count of the year, as the lingering bird was added to by two moving south off Buness), Sparrowhawk (female; first of the autumn), 2 Kestrel, 86 Ringed Plover, 11 Golden Plover, 2 Knot, 5 Sanderling, 41 Dunlin, 3 Ruff, Jack Snipe (Field pond), 10 Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Swift, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 21 Willow Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, Blackbird, Redwing (one at the Obs - this and yesterday's coudl be the summering birds wandering, or perhaps the first autumn migrants), 3 Whinchat, 169 Wheatear, Dunnock, 73 White Wagtail (also 8 Pied and 38 alba wagtails), flava Wagtail, Tree Pipit, 935 Meadow Pipit, 43 Lapland Bunting.

Other wildlife: Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell (the second of the year), Diamond-back Moth

Year List: 187
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Tuesday 6th September

Summary:
With a strong westerly wind, new arrivals were always likely to be limited, and so it proved.

Weather:
SW4-6, occasionally gusting higher, light, patchy cloud with sunny spells, warm with good visibility.

HIGHLIGHTS:
BOOTED WARBLER: again in Meadow Burn
Wryneck: still present near Chalet

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
Greylag Goose, 13 Wigeon, 5 Teal, Red-throated Diver, Sooty Shearwater (South Light), 3 Cormorant, 5 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, Merlin, 124 Ringed Plover, 10 Golden Plover, 4 Knot, 8 Sanderling,4 Purple Sandpiper, 31 Dunlin, Jack Snipe (one in Meadow Burn was the first of the autumn), 70 Skylark (a notable increase), 2 Swallow, Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Redwing (one at Field), Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, Redstart, Whinchat, 117 Wheatear, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 37 White Wagtail (also 9 Pied and 9 alba wagtails), Tree Pipit, 701 Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, 8 Lapland Bunting.

Breeding birds:
There were no Arctic Terns of Arctic Skuas recorded for the first time this autumn as the last vestiges of summer continue to dwindle away.

Other wildlife: Red Admiral

Year List: 187
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Monday 5th September

Summary:
A windy day that saw a lot of birds probably keeping their heads down, although a few new bits had made it in. Westerly winds tomorrow (so maybe a Pec Sand, Buff-breasted Sand or better...), then a calmer day on Wednesday that is likely to see some more movement.

Weather:
ESE 4-6, mostly cloudy, with the occasional light shower and good visibility.

HIGHLIGHTS:
BOOTED WARBLER: present again at Lower Leogh
Greenish Warbler: one at Haa then moved to Lower Leogh (alongside the Booted Warbler). Based on plumage (in particular the strong wing bar and broad supercilium) it was thought to be a different individual to the bird in Tineside yesterday

Greenish Warbler (with a 'northern'-type Willow Warbler) in the Walli Burn (David Parnaby)

Wryneck: one flightly individual ranged around Upper Stoneybrek to Field
Icterine Warbler: one at Setter
Barred Warbler: one at Schoolton was presumably the same bird seen later at the Chapel plantation and Burkle

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
Greylag Goose, 15 Wigeon, 14 Teal, Long-tailed Duck (back in the North Haven), Red-throated Diver, 20 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, 90 Ringed Plover, 12 Golden Plover, 9 Knot, 6 Sanderling, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 31 Dunlin, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, 141 Common Gull, Swift, 2 Carrion Crow, 2 Chiffchaff, 35 Willow Warbler, Blackcap, 4 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Redstart, 135 Wheatear, 11 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Dunnock, 43 White Wagtail (10 Pied Wagtail, 6 alba wagtail), 6 Tree Pipit, 885 Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch (first of the autumn), 9 Lapland Bunting.

Part of the flock of 18 Grey Heron that were in South Harbour (David Parnaby)

Year List: 187
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Sunday 4th September

Summary:
Sure enough, the easterlies delivered, with a good selection of new migrants, and more birds seemingly arriving later in the afternoon, all in lovely weather. The west cliffs in particular seemed to provide the best conditions for the arriving migrants, which seems likely to be the case tomorrow as well as the south-easterlies are set to continue...

Weather:
SE becoming E, calm at first but rising to 3/4 later. Early cloud later clearing to leave a fine, sunny day, warm.

HIGHLIGHTS:
BOOTED WARBLER: rediscovered in the Meadow Burn
Greenish Warbler: one at South Naaversgill then moved to Tineside
Icterine Warbler: 2; birds at Hill Dyke and Copper Geo
Barred Warbler: 3; lingering birds at the Obs and Quoy, with a new bird at Copper Geo
Common Rosefinch: one briefly at the Obs in the morning

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
Greylag Goose, 6 Wigeon, 8 Teal, Long-tailed Duck (the lingering bird walked from the North Haven to the Obs scrape, where it spent the late afternoon!), Red-throated Diver, 6 Cormorant, 5 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, Peregrine, 145 Ringed Plover, 28 Golden Plover, 4 Knot, 8 Sanderling, 29 Dunlin, 5 Ruff, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Greenshank, 5 Swift, 3 Carrion Crow, 5 Swallow, Wood Warbler (South Raeva), 3 Chiffchaff, 63 Willow Warbler, 5 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Redwing, Robin, Black Redstart, 2 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 199 Wheatear, 10 Pied Flycatcher, Dunnock (at the Obs in the evening), 92 White Wagtail (5 Pied Wagtail, 13 alba wagtail), 3 Tree Pipit, 1061 Meadow Pipit, 13 Lapland Bunting.

Other wildlife: Red Admiral

Year List: 187
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Saturday 3rd September

Summary:
A generally quiet day, but with lots of pipits on the move and the wind switching to the south-east later on, there is real hope for tomorrow...

Weather:
SW 2/3 becoming SE later, just a little cloud.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Common Rosefinch: one at the Obs
Barred Warbler: one still at the Obs

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Greylag Goose, 4 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 5 Long-tailed Duck (the long-staying bird and four off Buness in the evening), 7 Sooty Shearwater (from the Good Shepherd), Grey Heron, Kestrel, Peregrine, 28 Golden Plover, 5 Knot, 7 Sanderling, 30 Dunlin, 7 Ruff, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Whimbrel, Greenshank, 5 Swift, 2 Carrion Crow, 6 Swallow, 3 House Martin, Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warbler, Blackcap, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Blackbird, Redwing, Robin, Whinchat, 201 Wheatear, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 70 White Wagtail (5 Pied Wagtail, 13 alba wagtail), Grey Wagtail, 3 Tree Pipit, 1112 Meadow Pipit, 8 Lapland Bunting.

Other wildlife: Red Admiral

Year List: 187
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Friday 2nd September

Summary:
Another quiet day with the westerly winds dominating, although the forecasts are still suggesting a switch to SE from tomorrow evening, which will surely shake things up a bit. The day ended with quite a decent display of aurora, with a strong glow and several impressive spotlights, along with a little bit of dancing. As usual, my poor attempts at photography will do nothing to convince people how nice it was, but I guess you just had to be there!

The Aurora borealis and the Plough (David Parnaby)

Weather:
WSW3-4, cloudy early on but then decreasing. Some heavy showers early morning.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Rose-coloured Starling: the juvenile remained around the Obs all day, showing well in the gardens
Barred Warbler: 2; one still at the Obs and another at Quoy that was presumably the one seen there earlier in the week

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
4 Wigeon, 4 Teal, Long-tailed Duck, Grey Heron, Kestrel, 52 Golden Plover, 3 Knot, 8 Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper, 37 Dunlin, 12 Ruff, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Swift, 2 Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, 6 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 2 Chiffchaff, 23 Willow Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, 2 Blackbird (the female still around the Gully and a male again on Ward Hill), Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Robin, 2 Whinchat, 227 Wheatear (a big increase on yesterday's count of 65), Pied Flycatcher, 59 White Wagtail (7 Pied and 13 alba wagtails also), Tree Pipit, 822 Meadow Pipit.

Other wildlife: Red Admiral

Year List: 187
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Thursday 1st September

Summary:
What can be the most magical month on Fair Isle opened fairly quietly, although a few new birds arrived.

Weather:
WSW 5-6, cloudy with showers

HIGHLIGHTS:
BOOTED WARBLER: relocated at Upper Leogh, where it was often quite elusive in the garden
Rose-coloured Starling: the juvenile remained around the Obs all day, showing well in the gardens
Barred Warbler: one lingering at the Obs

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Wigeon, 9 Teal, Long-tailed Duck, Manx Shearwater, Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, 35 Golden Plover, 4 Knot, 5 Sanderling, 32 Dunlin, 8 Ruff, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, 112 Turnstone, 34 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Swift, Goldcrest, 5 Swallow, House Martin, Chiffchaff, 17 Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler (including a new bird trapped in the Vaadal), Blackbird, Redwing, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Robin, 2 Whinchat, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 33 White Wagtail (8 Pied and 21 alba wagtails also), 3 Tree Pipit, 752 Meadow Pipit (including large numbers coming in off the sea at South Light in the evening), 6 Lapland Bunting (2 each at the Parks and Golden Water, with singles at South Naaversgill and Meoness. A typical early autumn arrival in westerly winds, with birds presumably coming from Greenland. Our colleagues at Utsira Fuglestasjon tell us they have not had any Lapland Buntings through yet, which would add a little bit more weight to the theory of their westerly origin).

Year List: 187
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Wednesday 31st August

Summary:
A day that seemed destined to go into the 'forgetable' file for new arrivals until a decent eastern scarcity popped up a couple of metres from the lounge window! Other than that, some seawatching was attempted and there were a few more waders - with this latter family perhaps the most likely option for a good bird in the next few days. The forecasts are seeming to suggest that there are possbly some easterlies on the way during the latter part of the weekend - it's still a way off, but there's a bit more promise there at least...

Weather:
SW4-6, cloudy spells, but brighter at times.

HIGHLIGHTS:
BOOTED WARBLER: still present and showing well as it ranged from North Shirva to Midway
Rose-coloured Starling: a juvenile at the Obs feeders was a pleasant surprise

Juvenile Rose-coloured Starling at the Obs (Lee Gregory)

Barred Warbler: one still at the Obs

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
8 Wigeon, 6 Teal, Long-tailed Duck, Red-throated Diver, 5 Sooty Shearwater, 3 Manx Shearwater, Grey Heron, 3 Kestrel, 126 Ringed Plover, 47 Golden Plover, 2 Knot, 4 Sanderling, 56 Dunlin, 13 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Guillemot, 4 Razorbill, Puffin (all the auks were recorded from seawatching off South Light), 5 Swift, 2 Sand Martin, 12 Swallow, 2 House Martin, Chiffchaff, 31 Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackbird, 2 Redwing, Spotted Flycatcher, Robin (a first-winter trapped in the Gully), 3 Whinchat, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 58 White Wagtail (8 Pied and 18 alba wagtails also), 2 Tree Pipit, 553 Meadow Pipit.

Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral

Year List: 187
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Tuesday 30th August

Summary:
A similar spread of birds, although in decent conditions it was a nice day for enjoying the birds that were still present.

Weather:
WSW 5/6 decreasing 2/3, with cloud at first clearing to sunnier conditions and a generally pleasant calm afternoon.

HIGHLIGHTS:
BOOTED WARBLER: refound early afternoon at North Shirva then showed well around Meadow Burn and Midway
Marsh Warbler: one still at Schoolton, showing well at times
Barred Warbler: 2; birds still showing well at Quoy and the Obs (the latter of which was trapped and ringed)
Common Rosefinch: one in the Gully

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
6 Wigeon, 2 Teal, Long-tailed Duck, Red-throated Diver, 4 Sooty Shearwater (from Good Shepherd), 2 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, Peregrine (a juvenile female was the first since 25th May), 13 Golden Plover, Knot, 4 Sanderling, 25 Purple Sandpiper, 41 Dunlin, 2 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, 4 Common Sandpiper, 51 Redshank, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull (all adults, the first since 24th August), 3 Carrion Crow, 16 Swallow, House Martin (at Obs in evening, the first of the month), 2 Chiffchaff, 63 Willow Warbler, 3 Garden Warbler, 6 Lesser Whitethroat (highest count of the autumn so far), Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, Blackbird (long-staying female still present), Spotted Flycatcher, Robin (at Lower Leogh), Redstart (Busta), 2 Whinchat, 176 Wheatear, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 106 White Wagtail (along with 20 Pied and 25 alba wagtails, in a day of heavy passage), 4 Tree Pipit, 684 Meadow Pipit, 180 Twite.

Year List: 186
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Monday 29th August

Summary:
A clear out of birds as expected, although one or two new birds did drop in (or were found at least), the forecast looks a little bit ominous now in terms of the wind direction, with a run of westerlies coming up, although this is Fair Isle and we're rapidly approaching September, so anything is still possible...

Weather:
SW3 increasing later, cloudy throughout, mostly dry in the morning but heavy rain from early evening.

HIGHLIGHTS:
BOOTED WARBLER: generally elusive but seen at Meadow Burn later in the day
Marsh Warbler: one at Schoolton was the first of the autumn
Barred Warbler: 2; singles remaining at the Obs and Quoy
Common Rosefinch: 2; singles at Obs and Setter

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Wigeon, 8 Teal, Long-tailed Duck, Kestrel, Merlin, 114 Ringed Plover, 7 Golden Plover, 4 Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper, 40 Dunlin, 13 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 44 Redshank, 6 Swift, Rook, 2 Carrion Crow, 38 Skylark, 8 Swallow, Chiffchaff, 61 Willow Warbler, 3 Garden Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackbird (including a male on top of Ward Hill that was the first autumn migrant), 2 Redwing, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Robin (the lingering Obs bird and a newly arrived migrant near Utra), Black Redstart (Hill Dyke), 4 Whinchat, 82 Wheatear, 7 Pied Flycatcher, 53 White Wagtail (with 12 Pied and 25 alba wagtails), flava wagtail (over Pund), 5 Tree Pipit, 702 Meadow Pipit.

Breeding birds:.
A lot of species have now cleared out, with, for example, just a couple Kittiwakes and 3 Arctic Skuas seen today. The last of the Shag nests have finished, so it's just the Gannets that are left to finish their breeding season.

Year List: 186
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Sunday 28th August

Summary:
A fantastic day and what birding is all about. There are not too many birders on the island at the moment, but those that were enjoyed a wonderful day of migrants flitting about all over, scarcities abounding and a superb showy rarity. With petrel-ringing sessions at both ends of the day, there were a few weary legs and heavy eyes by the time we finished, but the calm winds forecast for tomorrow morning will hopefully be good for continuing to sift through the arrivals for more good birds before some westerly winds set in and possibly slow things down a bit for a while.

Weather:
E becoming NE 2/3, low cloud and rain at first giving way to a lovely sunny day.

HIGHLIGHTS:
BOOTED WARBLER: one found at Brecks (just before lunch; see yesterday's comment!), which showed very well along the roadside and later at Kenaby was the 15th for Fair Isle (subject to acceptance). Interestingly, it is the fourth consecutive record to arrive in August, which is now level with September as the best month to find the species on Fair Isle.

Booted Warbler at Brecks (Lee Gregory). Three of the last four Booted Warblers have either been found on, or spent a lot of their time foraging on, roads!

Blyth's Reed Warbler: one at Mid Geo commuted between there and the Skadan crop strip. The first of the year, it was (subject to acceptance) the 43rd for Fair Isle but just the third for August (with the first two August records both occurring in 2014).

Blyth's Reed Warbler at Mid Geo (David Parnaby). Showing the classic cold tones, short, plain wings and 'banana posture'.

Greenish Warbler: one on the cliffs at Hunds Heelor was the third of the autumn and 52nd Fair Isle record (subject to acceptance).

Greenish Warbler at Hunds Heelor (David Parnaby)

Barred Warbler: 4; singles at Lower Leogh, Schoolton, North Restengeo and the Obs
Icterine Warbler: 4; one still at the Obs and new birds at Buness, Guidicum and Burkle
Wryneck: one at Lower Leogh

Wryneck at Lower Leogh (David Parnaby)

CommonRosefinch: 2; a minimum count considering the mobile nature of this species, with sightings dotted across several sites in the south of the island.

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
7 Wigeon, 8 Teal, Long-tailed Duck, 133 Storm Petrel (100, including 85 new birds, trapped overnight on 27th-28th and 33, with 30 new birds, trapped from 2220-0000 on 28th), 5 Grey Heron, Hen Harrier, 4 Kestrel, 6 Golden Plover, 3 Knot, 6 Sanderling, 36 Dunlin, 12 Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Whimbrel (a single flock heading south), 6 Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, Woodpigeon, Swift, 55 Skylark (the highest count of the autumn so far), 2 Swallow, 3 Wood Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 183 Willow Warbler (a large fall, probably the highest count since 1997), 5 Garden Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler (in the Vaadal stream), 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, Blackbird, 2 Redwing (probably both summering birds), Redstart, 9 Whinchat, 186 Wheatear (highest count since 18th), 18 Pied Flycatcher, 37 White Wagtail (along with 11 Pied and 28 unidentified alba wagtails), flava wagtail, 10 Tree Pipit, 644 Meadow Pipit (highest count of the autumn so far, more than doubling the previous peak), 4 Brambling, 2 Linnet, 192 Twite.

Other wildlife: Red Admiral

Year List: 186
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Saturday 27th August

Summary:
A slightly longer census than uusal as an Eider count saw the Wardening team sticking to the coast (of which Fair Isle has a lot!). A few signs of movement as well, and with very calm conditions, the night was good for heading out for a petrel ringing session (results of that tomorrow). The wind switching back to the east brought more promise of a rarity this weekend (it's been a while since Sunday lunch was delayed for a good bird...).

Weather:
WSW becoming SE, generally light, with little cloud.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Icterine Warbler: one still at the Obs

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
6 Greylag Goose, 6 Wigeon, 12 Teal, Long-tailed Duck, Red-throated Diver, 8 Cormorant (first record of the autumn), 2 Grey Heron, Hen Harrier, 4 Kestrel, Merlin, 96 Ringed Plover, 8 Knot, 7 Sanderling, Little Stint, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 38 Dunlin, 17 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, 4 Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, 52 Redshank, 2 Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, 3 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 44 Willow Warbler, Blackcap, 5 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, 8 Whinchat, 155 Wheatear, 10 Pied Flycatcher, 19 White Wagtail (along with 10 Pied and 24 alba wagtails), Grey Wagtail (first of the autumn), 6 Tree Pipit, 283 Meadow Pipit (highest autumn count so far).

Breeding birds:.
A whole-island Eider count revealed 129 birds, including 22 juveniles.

Other wildlife:
4 Minke Whale (from Good Shepherd in Fair Isle waters), 7 Harbour Porpoise (Ditfield):
Red Admiral, Painted Lady, 3 Silver Y

Year List: 184
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Friday 26th August

Summary:
A morning that started ok, but rapidly deteriorated to a horrendous rainy census (my notebook sadly is no more, and I had to phone in my sightings for the last section!), before clearing to a lovely sunny afternoon, although not good enough to get any planes, in what has been an unusually disturbed spell for transport. Some new birds in, and the better weather later on also gave the impression of more around in the afternoon, with a couple of new scarcities and increases in some common migrants, so hopefully more to come (although we didn't get any of the rarities predicted yesterday!). The third consecutive evening of staking out the Hen Harrier's roost finally paid off, with Lee capturing an excellent photo that shows the details of the darvic, so there'll be more to post on that when we find out a bit about it's history.

Weather:
A light easterly breeze veered SW during the day. After a clear start, rain set in from mid-morning until early afternoon and was heavy at times, before clearing to sunshine later, with poor visibility improving.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Icterine Warbler: 2; singles at Pietron and the Obs, both new arrivals
Red-backed Shrike: still present in the Schoolton aread
Grey-headed Wagtail: one at Easter Lother, with 2 flava wagtails also recorded

Icterine Warbler at Pietron (David Parnaby)

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
14 Wigeon, 29 Teal, Long-tailed Duck (North Haven, first of the year and an early returning migrant), Red-throated Diver, 4 Grey Heron, Hen Harrier, 2 Kestrel, Merlin, 81 Ringed Plover, 20 Golden Plover, 4 Knot, 4 Sanderling, Little Stint, 38 Dunlin (highest count of the autumn), 19 Ruff (highest count of the autumn), 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, 3 Swift, Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 52 Willow Warbler, Blackcap (the first youngster of the autumn, after an adult was recorded in July), Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Redwing, Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, 9 Whinchat, 19 Pied Flycatcher (highest count of the autumn), 7 Tree Pipit.

Pied Flycatcher at the Obs (David Parnaby); one of a decent arrival today

Other wildlife:
Silver Y

Year List: 184
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Thursday 25th August

Summary:
A glorious day of weather, although birds were, by and large, fairly thin on the ground at first. A few highlights later and a fresh easterly wind gave some promise though, with a discussion at Log deciding that Arctic Warbler and Citrine Wagtail were the top two most likely rarities for tomorrow, with an outside chance of Yellow-breasted Bunting...

Weather:
E 2/3, cloudy at first (although the threatened fog thankfully didn't appear, so transport all went according to plan) but sun breaking through and a warm and pleasant day followed. Amongst the sightings, the total lack of any Puffins bring recorded was noticeable, a sure sign that the end of the summer is upon us.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Wryneck: 2; singles at Hesti and Houll
Common Rosefinch: sightings at Plantation, Chalet, Skadan and Gilsetter may all have referred to the same roaming bird. Views were generally brief, so it could be the individual that was ringed a couple of days ago, although a new arrival seems almost as likely
Red-backed Shrike: the juvenile roaming from Schoolton to Kenaby

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
8 Teal, Red-throated Diver, 136 Storm Petrel (trapped overnight, with 119 new birds and a Norwegian-ringed bird amongst the others), 2 Grey Heron, Hen Harrier (a similar story to yesterday, with the bird roosting at Boini, but no more details visible on the ring), Kestrel, Merlin (one on Meoness was the first of the autumn), Golden Plover, 6 Knot, 13 Sanderling, 2 Little Stint, 20 Dunlin, 8 Ruff, 4 Common Sandpiper, Greenshank (Utra scrape), 3 Swift, 2 Carrion Crow, Goldcrest (one at Field then Chalet was the first of the autumn. An early bird; August records are not annual), 2 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 25 Willow Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, 7 Whinchat, 5 Pied Flycatcher, 22 White Wagtail (along with 6 PIed and 20 unidentified alba wagtails), Tree Pipit, 194 Meadow Pipit (the highest census count so far this autumn).

Other wildlife:
Silver Y

Year List: 183
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Wednesday 24th August

Summary:
Another afternoon census to make the best of the weather, with no planes making it in during the day, although by the evening it was somewhat improved and a petrel-ringing session beckoned as night fell.

Weather:
W2-3, foggy at first, lifting at times from the south later, although generally lingering around the hills, with occasional drizzle.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile still at Schoolton

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
Wigeon, 7 Teal, Tufted Duck, Red-throated Diver, 3 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (presumably the same moulting adult that had been seen on 19th was off Hesswalls), Hen Harrier (the darvic-ringed ringtail roosted at Boini, but avoided the stake-out team's attempts at reading the ring details), 82 Ringed Plover, 12 Golden Plover, 3 Knot, 5 Sanderling, 2 Little Stint, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 21 Dunlin, 12 Ruff, 3 Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 81 Turnstone, Long-eared Owl (the oiled bird at the Obs), 3 Swift, 2 Carrion Crow, Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 40 Willow Warbler, 3 Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Redwing, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Whinchat, 3 Pied Flycatcher, flava wagtail (Brecks), 7 Tree Pipit, Linnet.

Year List: 183
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Tuesday 23rd August

Summary:
The first planes since Friday made it in during a weather window in the afternoon, but otherwise there was still some fog lingering. Birding was much better though, with the south of the island in particular clearing and allowing new birds to be found. A reasonably productive petrel ringing session in the early hours of the morning set the tone for a good day, with a couple of quality scarcities arriving, but the bird of the day came from an unexpected quarter.

Weather:
Very calm at first, with an easterly breeze picking up during the day to force 2/3. A dull start (with low cloud over the hills) brightened a touch later, but low cloud then returned and brought drizzle by the evening.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Ring-necked Duck: an adult drake emerging from eclipse plumage was found in South Harbour just before dinner time, where it sat on the sea looking like it needed a rest after a long Atlantic crossing! It represents just the second record for Fair Isle, following a first-winter drake that lingered on Golden Water from 9th-19th October 1978 (although a possible Ring-necked Duck x Tufted Duck hybrid was recorded in November 1996). It appears to be the first August record for Shetland (which has around 30 records), with most arrivals occuring either during spring passage or October/November, with a few in September.

Ring-necked Duck in South Harbour (Lee Gregory)

SWINHOE'S PETREL: heard during a petrel ringing session from around 0045hrs onwards, although it was not seen around the nets
Greenish Warbler: the second of the autumn was an unringed bird at Midway
Common Rosefinch: a first-winter seen and heard as it flew north over Shirva was trapped as it came in to roost at the Obs
Wryneck: 3 (two trapped in the Gully, with another seen at the same time in Gillsetter)
Red-backed Shrike: the juvenile remained around Schoolton and Quoy
Icterine Warbler: the ringed bird was still in the Meadow Burn

Wrynecks (Ciaran Hatsell)

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Wigeon, 8 Teal, Tufted Duck (female), Red-throated Diver (what is presumably the same lingering first-summer bird that was first seen flightless in Hesti Geo on 15th July, was again flying around the island calling), 77 Storm Petrel (trapped in an overnight session, including 64 new birds), 7 Grey Heron, Hen Harrier (the ringtail still present, it was photographed in Boini Mire and seen to be wearing a blue darvic on its left leg, although the details aren't visible - looks like the wardening team will be on a stake out at Boini tonight!), 2 Kestrel, 8 Golden Plover, 4 Knot, 8 Sanderling, Little Stint, 30 Dunlin, 15 Ruff, 6 Common Sandpiper, 103 Common Gull, 2 Swift, 2 Carrion Crow, Sand Martin (first of the month), 3 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 57 Willow Warbler, 7 Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler (first of the autumn), Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, Redwing, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, 9 Whinchat, 6 Pied Flycatcher, 8 Tree Pipit, Linnet (the first of the autumn coincided with an increase in Twite, and may have travelled south from Shetland with that species), 188 Twite (highest count of the month).

Other wildlife:
Risso's Dolphin - at least 6, including a calf, spent some time in the afternoon feeding off the back of Tor a da Ward Hill

Year List: 183
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Monday 22nd August

Summary:
Another day of fog, which seems like quite enough of that, so hopefully tomorrow's forecast for clearer weather will come to pass. Census was delayed until the afternoon in the hope that the weather might improve, but it was not to be. Despite the poor visibility, the crofts were pretty alive with migrants, with several species recorded in larger numbers, although there were no new scarcities. It will be interesting to see whether the calm start promised for tomorrow will see a clear our, or whether there will be more to find if the fog lifts...

Weather:
Fog again throughout the day, although by the late evening it had become a bit more clear, before drizzle set in for a while. A light Force 2/3 ESE wind.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Red-backed Shrike: the juvenile remained around Quoy and Schoolton
Icterine Warbler: the ringed bird still at the Meadow Burn
Grey-headed Wagtail: female around South Harbour (with an unidentified flava wagtail at Lerness)

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Wigeon, 22 Teal, 47 Storm Petrel (trapped overnight, including 44 new birds), 5 Grey Heron, Hen Harrier, Kestrel, 5 Knot, 6 Sanderling, 2 Little Stint (juveniles at Chalet and Skadan), 20 Dunlin, 14 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Common Sandpiper, Long-eared Owl (one on North Restengeo), 2 Swift, 3 Swallow, 62 Willow Warbler (highest count of the autumn so far), 6 Garden Warbler (highest count of the autumn so far), Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler (first of the autumn), 5 Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, 10 Whinchat (highest count of the autumn so far), 5 Pied Flycatcher, 6 Tree Pipit.

Other wildlife:
Silver Y

Year List: 181
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Sunday 21st August

Summary:
A largely fog-dominated day, so although some new birds were in, it was again slightly frustrating as large parts of the island were difficult to census. A surprising drop in the wind on Saturday night allowed a short Storm Petrel session to take place (and with the wind low again on Sunday night, another session seems likely overnight) making for another full day for the team.

Weather:
Fog, an ENE 2-3 breeze throughout the day, with light rain in the afternoon.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Barred Warbler: one found in the afternoon in the North Haven was the first of the year
Red-backed Shrike: a juvenile around Schoolton was the first of the autumn
Icterine Warbler: the ringed bird still present around Meadow Burn

Barred Warbler in the Good Shepherd noost (Lee Gregory)

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
2 Wigeon, 20 Teal, Tufted Duck, Red-throated Diver, 57 Storm Petrel (trapped in the Havens between 2250 on the 20th and 0100 on the 21st, including 50 new birds), 4 Grey Heron, Hen Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 122 Ringed Plover, 19 Golden Plover, 3 Knot, 3 Sanderling, 2 Little Stint, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 14 Dunlin, 15 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Greenshank, Swift (the first since 23rd July), 2 Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 49 Willow Warbler, 3 Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, Blackbird, Redwing, Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, 7 Whinchat, 3 Pied Flycatcher, flava wagtail, 4 Tree Pipit.

Other wildlife:
3 Red Admiral, Painted Lady

Year List: 181
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Saturday 20th August

Summary:
With heavy rain then drizzle then fog, the conditions were challenging at times, but there were birds in and everyone had a good day in the end. Hopefully some clearer weather could be on our way and there should be more to see - conditions on teh cliffs in particular meant that many birds would have been missed today.

Weather:
E4/6 easing to 2/3 later. Heavy rain set in from around 0800hrs and persisted until late morning, with the rest of the day dominated by fog, with spells of drizzle.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Wryneck: 3; singles in the Gully (trapped), at Hesti Geo and photographed on the North Light road by visitors
Icterine Warbler: 2; the ringed bird remaining at Lower Leogh and a new individual at Pund then Shirva
Grey-headed Wagtail: female at South Light

Icterine Warbler at Pund (Lee Gregory)

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
4 Wigeon, 36 Teal, Tufted Duck (first of the autumn), Red-throated Diver, 9 Grey Heron, Hen Harrier, 3 Kestrel, 116 Ringed Plover, 35 Golden Plover, 4 Knot, Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper, 14 Dunlin, 13 Ruff, 11 Curlew, 3 Common Sandpiper, 59 Redshank, 3 Carrion Crow, Swallow, Wood Warbler (Copper Geo), 3 Chiffchaff, 60 Willow Warbler, 3 Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat (one at the Obs was the first of the autumn), 5 Whitethroat, 5 Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Spotted Flycatcher (South Raeva; first of the autumn), Robin, 2 Redstart (first of the autumn), 3 Whinchat, 11 Pied Flycatcher, 8 Tree Pipit.

Top to bottom:
Whinchat in the fog (David Parnaby), a typical view of many of the days migrants, Willow Warbler (Lee Gregory), Pied Flycatcher (DP) and the Wood Warbler adding a splash of colour to the cliffs of Copper Geo.

Breeding birds:
A fledged Gannet was seen off Dronger

Gannets at Lericum (David Parnaby), although the first fledged chick was seen today, others still have a while to go

Year List: 180
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Friday 19th August

Summary:
Getting better and better. Migrants appeared in larger numbers, with more arriving throughout the day and topped up with a few decent scarcities. The forecast for tomorrow looks like unbirdable conditions in the morning, but once the rain clears and the wind drops, there will surely be more to see..

Weather:
SE2 increasing 4/5, mostly sunny with good visibility.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Greenish Warbler: one trapped at the Obs (having not been seen until it appeared in the mistnet) was the 50th record for Fair Isle (and the 27th to be ringed here)

First-winter Greenish Warbler at the Obs (Ciaran Hatsell)

Wryneck: 2; one trapped in the Vaadal then lingered around the Obs, with another at Barkland

Wryneck at the Obs (Ciaran Hatsell)

Icterine Warbler: the ringed bird was at Utra then Lower Leogh

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
Wigeon, 13 Teal, Red-throated Diver, 5 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (a moulting adult in Furse; the first of the autumn), Hen Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 92 Ringed Plover, 25 Golden Plover, 4 Lapwing, 3 Knot, 6 Sanderling, Little Stint (one flushed from the Skadan that flew north was probably the bird with Ringed Plovers near Barkland later), 9 Dunlin, 11 Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, 42 Redshank, Carrion Crow, 5 Chiffchaff (including the first juvenile of the autumn), 56 Willow Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Whitethroat (first of the month), Fieldfare, Redwing, Redwing, Robin, 2 Whinchat (first of the autumn), 4 Pied Flycatcher, 20 White Wagtail (along with 12 Pied and 21 alba wagtails), 2 Tree Pipit, .

Other wildlife:
2 Red Admiral (the first butterflies on the island since 2nd July!), Silver Y

Year List: 180
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Thursday 18th August

Summary:
It's coming... A gradual build-up in the migrants has been noticeable, it's all still small numbers yet and not much in the way of outstanding highlights, but the forecast looks decent again tomorrow and pretty impressive on Saturday, so that could be when things start to get really interesting. Today saw a calm and bright start, but the fog rolled in and held up census (and the planes) until it cleared in the early afternoon, by which point it was clear that there were a few more birds about (although the traps remained strangely quiet - hopefuly that will be put right in the morning!).

Weather:
SE 2-3, 100% cloud (and fog) early on, but clearing to a sunny afternoon and clear night.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Grey-headed Wagtail: a female between North Light and Easter Lother was the first flava wag of the autumn

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
8 Greylag, 2 Wigeon, 24 Teal, Red-throated Diver, 8 Grey Heron, Hen Harrier, 100 Ringed Plover, 18 Golden Plover, 3 Knot, Sanderling, Little Stint (a juvenile feeding on Utra scrape - so well done to the volunteers who started digging it over during the summer - that's hopefully the first of your rewards that we'll reap this autumn!), Purple Sandpiper, 15 Dunlin, 10 Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel, Green Sandpiper (Gully), Swallow, Wood Warbler (Haa), 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare (first of the autumn), Redwing, Robin, Pied Flycatcher, 25 White Wagtail, Tree Pipit (South Raeva: first of the autumn).

Breeding birds:
A fledged Fulmar in Easter Lother was the first of the year

Other wildlife:
Silver Y

Year List: 179
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Wednesday 17th August

Weather:
Sunny and rather pleasant, although a fresh force 3-4 SE breeze was slightly cooling (albeit very rare)

HIGHLIGHTS:
Icterine Warbler: still present in the Obs garden

MIGRANTS (notable species or changes in numbers etc):
8 Greylag Goose, 19 Teal, Red-throated Diver, 11 Grey Heron, Hen Harrier (lingering ringtail still present), 89 Oystercatcher, 53 Ringed Plover, 27 Golden Plover, 4 Lapwing, 4 Knot, 2 Sanderling, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 12 Dunlin, 5 Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, 41 Redshank, 95 Turnstone, 7 Black-headed Gull, 199 Common Gull, Woodpigeon (one on Dronger was the first of the autumn), Rook, Swallow, Wood Warbler (Burkle), 4 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Reed Warbler (one at Setter was the first of the autumn), Redwing, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 19 White Wagtail (along with 11 Pied and 15 alba).

Breeding birds:
Three recently fledged Arctic Tern chicks were present in the Buness colony, bringing to an end a moderately successful season for this species.
The last active Arctic Skua nest (at the Mast) fledged two chicks, bringing the total number of chicks fledged this year to 12. At 0.32 chicks per apparently occupied territory, this rates as the third best breeding season since 2000. Productivity in the last three years has risen to 0.35 chicks/AOT from 0.05 chicks/AOT in the seven years prior to that.

Juvenile Arctic Skua at the airstrip (David Parnaby)

Other wildlife:
3 Silver Y

Year List: 179
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Tuesday 16th August

Weather:
SE3/4 with just a very little cloud, very good visibility and sunshine

HIGHLIGHTS:
Pomarine Skua: a pale-phase adult from the Good Shepherd five miles out of Fair Isle was the first of the autumn

MIGRANTS (a complete list of census counts):
8 Greylag Goose, 7 Teal, 3 Sooty Shearwater (from the Good Shepherd), 10 Grey Heron, Hen Harrier (ringtail), 61 Oystercatcher, 45 Ringed Plover, 10 Golden Plover, 8 Lapwing, 2 Knot, 3 Sanderling (including one from the Good Shepherd a couple of miles offshore), 14 Dunlin, Ruff, 15 Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Curlew, Green Sandpiper (Buness), 3 Greenshank (the first of the month), 37 Redshank, 49 Turnstone, 2 Black-headed Gull, 92 Common Gull, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 67 Arctic Tern, 2 Guillemot (from Good Shepherd), 2 Carrion Crow, 34 Skylark, Wood Warbler (one on Dronger was the first of the autumn), 3 Chiffchaff (all adults and probably oversummering birds), 5 Willow Warbler, 3 Garden Warbler, Blackbird, Redwing, Robin, 253 Wheatear, Pied Flycatcher (Gunnawark, first of the autumn), 27 White Wagtail (along with 14 Pied Wagtail and 8 unidentified alba wagtails), 158 Meadow Pipit, 172 Rock Pipit, 166 Twite.

Other species present: Mallard, Eider, Fulmar, Gannet, Shag, Arctic Skua, Bonxie, Kittiwake, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Black Guillemot, Puffin, Rock Dove, Hooded Crow, Raven, House Sparrow.

Other wildlife: 2 Silver Y

Year List: 179
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Monday 15th August

NOTICE: When a Swinhoe's Petrel was regularly caught during 2013 and 2014, a protocol was introduced that limited the number of nights that petrel ringing sessions would take place. This was done by FIBO in consultation with the BTO to ensure that there was no unneccesary disturbance of the bird (which was acting in a way most unlike any other petrel that had been trapped on Fair Isle previously). Although the protocol does not apply to this individual, it is likely that we will introduce something similar if it continues to return regularly to the trapping area. As it happens, the weather forecast seems to suggest that we will get no further petrel ringing sessions in until at least Sunday anyway. Please keep an eye on the FIBO Facebook page for further updates.

Weather: very calm southerly at first freshening to SE 3-4, light cloud at times, but largely sunny and dry.

HIGHLIGHTS:
The SWINHOE'S PETREL was trapped again during an overnight petrelling session, with the bird heard calling at around 0345hrs and then caught shortly afterwards. There were also two new Leach's Petrels ringed and a whopping 312 Storm Petrels (one of the highest totals of birds ever caught in a single night on Fair Isle, with 273 'new' birds and a further 39 retraps or controls).

Swinhoe's Petrel (Lee Gregory)

Icterine Warbler: one trapped in the Plantation just after dinner was the first record this autumn in the UK

Icterine Warbler (Lee Gregory)

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Teal, 6 Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Swallow (the highest count since 6th June), 3 Willow Warbler (all juveniles), Garden Warbler (trapped in the Gully; the first of the autumn), Blackbird, Robin.

Willow Warbler (Lee Gregory)

Year List: 179
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Sunday 14th August

Weather:
W3/4 decreasing to 1 by late evening. Poor visibilty at first, improving through the day although low cloud lingered around the hills.

HIGHLIGHTS:
SWINHOE'S PETREL: trapped in the Havens at 0220hrs, it turned out to be the first bird that was trapped in 2013 (rather than the bird that returned regularly in 2013 and 2014), making only its second appearance on Fair Isle. Where it has been in the meantime is anybody's guess: if it has been wandering the North Sea with other immature petrels, surely it would have turned up in someone else's mistnets (a lot of people tried playing Swinhoe's in 2013 and 2014 at least!); if it had been returning to Fair Isle, it also seems likely we would have recaught it. Perhaps the warmer weather this year has again encouraged it to summer further north than it has in the past, or maybe it has now reached breeding age and is revisiting known colonies in the hope of finding a mate? It's all speculation of course, but it is something to wonder about. Interestingly, one of the Storm Petrels we trapped the same night was originally ringed five days after the Swinhoe's Petrel in 2013 and hasn't been recorded anywhere since either. Also of note is the fact that the bird came into a Leach's Petrel tape (only Storm and Leach's Petrel tapes have been used this year).
Leach's Petrel: one trapped overnight (the first of the year to be caught).

Swinhoe's Petrel (top: Susannah Parnaby, bottom: Lee Gregory)

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
8 Greylag Goose, 193 Storm Petrel (trapped overnight in Havens, including 155 'new' birds), Hen Harrier (ringtail still present), Kestrel, 21 Ringed Plover, 6 Golden Plover, Sanderling, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 6 Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Redshank, 38 Turnstone, 2 Chiffchaff (lingering birds), 30 alba wagtails (roosting at the Obs, probably mostly 'White Wagtails').

Other Wildlife:
Harbour Porpoise (off South Light).

Year List: 179
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Saturday 13th August

Weather:
W4/5 decreasing to 2 by evening. Cloudy throughout with poor visibilty and showers, although improving later.

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
8 Greylag Goose, Sooty Shearwater (from Good Shepherd), Storm Petrel (from Good Shepherd), Grey Heron, Kestrel, 30 Ringed Plover, 2 Golden Plover, Knot, Sanderling, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 13 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper (Parks), 7 Redshank, 49 Turnstone, Blackbird, Redwing, Robin, 80 Twite.

Year List: 178
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Tuesday 12th August

Weather:
SW 6/7, becoming more westerly, with heavy rain through the morning and low cloud for most of the day.

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
8 Greylag Goose, Teal, 2 Manx Shearwater (South Light), 2 Grey Heron, Hen Harrier (still present), 20 Ringed Plover, 3 Golden Plover, 4 Lapwing, 3 Knot, 2 Sanderling, 9 Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Redshank, 83 Turnstone, Chiffchaff.

Juvenile Kittiwake off South Light (by David Parnaby). Birds from elsewhere are passing now, but this could be a locally raised youngster in what has been a good breeding season for the species.

Year List: 178
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11th August

Weather:
SE becoming SW 3/6, with poor visibility, low cloud and frequent, heavy rain.

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
8 Greylag Goose, 63 Storm Petrels trapped overnight (including 56 'new' birds), Grey Heron (adult), 35 Ringed Plover, 9 Golden Plover, 7 Lapwing, Sanderling, 6 Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, 74 Turnstone.

Other Wildlife:
Dolphin sp?: 2 seen briefly off South Light were possibly Risso's.

Year List: 178
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10th August

Weather:
S becoming SE, 2/3 at first but increasing 4/5 later. Mostly bright, with a few cloudy patches and good visibility..

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Grey Heron (an oiled immature still present), Hen Harrier, 4 Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Chiffchaff (a ringed bird was presumably one of the summering adults), Blackbird, Redwing, Robin, Crossbill (one at Lower Stoneybrek).

Other Wildlife:
Harbour Porpoise: 5 (including a small calf) off Buness

Year List: 178
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9th August

Weather:
NW6-7, cloudy patches, but sunny spells with occasional showers.

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Grey Heron, Hen Harrier (still present), Ringed Plover (apparent migrants starting to build up, with a minimum of 20 counted), 10 Golden Plover, 2 Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper (Vaadal), 11 Turnstone, Blackbird, Redwing (still present), Robin.

Year List: 178
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8th August

Weather:
NW 8-9, cloudy throught with frequent heavy showers.

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Grey Heron, Hen Harrier (ringtail), 4 Golden Plover, 6 Lapwing, 9 Knot, 8 Sanderling, 6 Purple Sandpiper,7 Dunlin, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, 47 Turnstone.

Year List: 178
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7th August

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
17 Knot, Sanderling, 2 Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, 13 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Whimbrel, 32 Redshank, 54 Turnstone, Willow Warbler.

Year List: 178
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6th August

Weather:
Very calm at first, with a SW breeze picking up later. Sunny and pleasant although becoming cooler.

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
207 Storm Petrels (trapped overnight including 193 'new' birds), Grey Heron, Willow Warbler, Blackbird, Robin.

Year List: 178
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5th August

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
11 Greylag Goose, Red-throated Diver, Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Swallow, Willow Warbler (juvenile at the Obs - it's autumn!), Blackbird (female still present), 2 Robin.

Year List: 178
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4th August

Summary:
Cool and generally quiet for new birds. A couple of promisingly calm and pleasant days forecast should see a chance to finish off most of the outstanding seabird work and then it's migrants all the way for the next three months. Bring on the rares!

Weather:
NE 4/5 decreasing later, cloudy but with some brighter spells and feeling quite cool.

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
2 Greylag Goose, 2 Red-throated Diver, 56 Storm Petrel (trapped overnight in the Havens, including 52 'new' birds and 4 retrap/controls), 2 Grey Heron, 2 Dunlin, 2 Ruff, Green Sandpiper (Golden Water), Wood Sandpiper (Golden Water).

Wood Sandpiper (left) and Green Sandpiper, Golden Water (David Parnaby)

Year List: 178
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3rd August

Summary:
The first easterlies of the autumn were maybe just a touch too early for passerine migration, but did bring a nice little arrival of waders in what was quite an unpleasant day (high winds and low cloud saw planes cancelled).

Weather:
E5/6 decreasing 3, cloudy throughout with heavy rain persistent rain throughout most of the day, although clearing to a drizzly fog later, with poor visibility throughout.

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Teal, Red-throated Diver, Grey Heron, Lapwing, 2 Sanderling, 2 Little Stint (at North Light in the evening fog; the first of the year), 12 Dunlin, 2 Ruff, 2 Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper (Utra), Wood Sandpiper (the first of the autumn was on Golden Water, then Easter Lother later), 19 Redshank, 66 Turnstone, 7 Black-headed Gull, 106 Common Gull, 44 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Carrion Crow, Blackbird.

Wood Sandpiper in the fog at Easter Lother Water (David Parnaby)

Year List: 178
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1st August

Summary:
The start of autumn proper, and feeling rather autumnal in the cool breeze, although the wrong direction to encourage any early signs of migration.

Weather:
NW 4-6, cloudy throughout and cool with some showers

Full species list (as a treat for the first day of the month):
Mallard, Eider, Fulmar, Gannet, Shag, Grey Heron (1), Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing (4), Knot (1), Sanderling (4), Purple Sandpiper (1), Dunlin (8), Ruff (1), Snipe, Curlew, Common Sandpiper (1), Redshank (2), Turnstone (13), Arctic Skua, Great Skua, Kittiwake, Black-headed Gull (3), Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Arctic Tern, Common Tern (one in South Haven was just the second record of the year), Black Guillemot, Puffin, Rock Dove, Carrion Crow (2), Hooded Corw, Raven, Skylark, Fair Isle Wren, Starling, Wheatear, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Twite.

Year List: 177
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28th-31st July

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Shoveler (one still present on 28th-29th), Red-breasted Merganser (30th), Red-throated Diver (30th), Great Northern Diver (one off Buness on 29th), Sooty Shearwater (from Good Shepherd on 28th), 3 Storm Petrel (Good Shepherd, 28th), Grey Heron, Kestrel (28th), 5 Golden Plover (maximum), 3 Knot (maximum), 9 Sanderling (28th, with smaller numbers throughout), 6 Purple Sandpiper (maximum), 14 Dunlin (maximum count, with the first juvenile noted from 28th), Ruff (juvenile near Setter on 31st, a typical arrival date for the first of the year), Whimbrel (28th), Common Sandpiper (28th), Green Sandpiper (31st on Da Water), 9 Redshank (maximum), 103 Turnstone (maximum), 20 Black-headed Gull (maximum), 269 Common Gull (on 28th; peak count), 2 Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Redwing, 2 Robin, Black Redstart (at Obs on 31st), 2 Siskin (28th).

Breeding birds:
Kittiwakes look to be having their best breeding season for many years at Dog Geo and the Holms, with the monioring plots producing 44 nests (the highest number since 2011), which have fledged 40 chicks. Sadly, although this is a phenomenally productive rate for recent years on Fair Isle, other than a couple of nests still with smaller chicks at Bergaroo, all the other monitoring plots have failed to fledge any youngsters.
Although a small number of Guillemot chicks remain around the cliffs, it seems that virtually all the Razorbills have now left the island.

Other wildlife:
Harbour Porpoise: one off Buness on 30th and three off North Light on 31st in what has been a quiet year so far for this unassuming little cetacean

Year List: 177
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26th-27th July

HIGHLIGHTS:
Sandwich Tern: the first record since 2014 involved one passing east past South Light on 27th

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Shoveler (one on Da Water on 27th; first of the year), Storm Petrel (from Good Shepherd on 26th), 2 Grey Heron, 121 Oystercatcher, Knot, 7 Sanderling (peak on 27th), 30 Dunlin (peak on 27th), Bar-tailed Godiwt (the lingering bird was seen heading high south with Oystercatchers on 26th), Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper (27th), Green Sandpiper (26th), 50 Redshank (27th), 129 Turnstone (27th), 27 Black-headed Gull (26th), 237 Common Gull (peak count on 26th), 20 Lesser Black-backed Gull (peak on 27th, with a bird ringed as an adult in Gloucestershire in 2010 seen on 26th), 2 Carrion Crow, Sand Martin (26th), Blackcap (juvenile female still at Obs), Whitethroat (the first of the autumn was at the Obs on 27th), Blackbird, Redwing, 2 Robin.

Breeding birds:
Photographing rings on Buness produced records of a Bonxie ringed as a chick in 2010 and an Arctic Skua ringed as a chick in 2000, both from Fair Isle.

Other wildlife:
Magpie Moth: 27th

Year List: 176
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13th-25th July

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Wigeon (21st-25th), 3 Teal (24th), Red-breasted Merganser (24th), Red-throated Diver (a moulting bird often close inshore around South Harbour during 14th-23rd at least), Manx Shearwater (singles on 15th and 20th with 3 on 16th), Storm Petrel (195 new and 8 retraps/controls on 15th, 178/9 on 18th, 89/5 on 22nd, 120/9 on 23rd and 158/20 on 24th, also 3 from Good Shepherd on 18th and one from South Light on 22nd), Grey Heron (one throughout with a second bird on 25th), Kestrel (21st and 23rd), Oystercatcher (post-breeding flocks building up, with 73 by Walli Burn on 25th), Golden Plover (one or two throughout), Knot (recorded almost daily from 18th, peaking at 6 on 20th), Sanderling (recorded from 17th, with 4 on 21st), Purpe Sandpiper (generally counts in single figures, but 62 on 20th and 46 on 21st), Dunlin (recorded almost daily, with a peak of 11 on 20th), Bar-tailed Godwit (19th-25th), Whimbrel (peak of 3 on 20th), Greenshank (one north over the Havens on 24th), Redshank (passage birds building up including the first juveniles from 20th, with a peak of 31 on 21st), Turnstone (maximum of 82 on 20th), Black-headed Gull (moving through in reasonable numbers, with a peak of 38 on 21st, including a Norwegian-ringed adult that has been seen every summer in Norway since 2012 and has been seen once in winter in Fife), Common Gull (large numbers building up towards the end of the period, peaking at 167 on 23rd., mostly adults, but also a few juveniles on the move), Woodpigeon (15th), 2 Collared Dove, Long-eared Owl (one throughout, although it appeared badly Fulmar-oiled), Swift (8 from 18th-19th, with smaller numbers after), 2 Carrion Crow (the summering pair around South Light), Swallow (13th, 21st-24th), Chiffchaff (at least 3 still present), Blackcap (a juvenile female from 20th), Blackbird (the summering female around the traps, with a male at the Mast on 13th), 2 Redwing (summering birds still present), 2 Robin (summering at the Obs), Black Redstart (one at Utra then Lower Stoneybrek on 20th, with presumably the same bird on 22nd), White Wagtail (20th), Siskin (2 from 23rd), Lesser Redpoll (2 on 21st, one still on 23rd), Common Crossbill (recorded on four dates from 18th-23rd, with a maximum of 5).

Swallow at the Obs, 13th June (photo: David Parnaby)

Other wildlife:
Porpoise: 2 from South Light on 22nd, 2 from North Light on 23rd and one off Goorn on 25th.
Dolphin sp?: 4, possibly White-sided, from South Light on 23rd
Magpie Moth: an influx noted from 20th, with small numbers dotted around the island
Silver-Y: small numbers recorded

Breeding birds:
Arctic Skuas have had a decent season, with 37 territories occupied, and almost all of them reaching chick stage. Unfortunately, a lot of the chicks have been predated by Bonxies just before fledging, but 4 have taken to the wing so far, with the first fledging on 19th on Buness.
Bonxies have had a very productive season, with over 520 nests located and over 400 chicks ringed so far - both easily the highest ever totals for Fair Isle. The first chick fledged on 23rd.
118 pairs of Arctic Tern nested on the island (the highest total since 2012), and 18 chicks have fledged so far (the first on 19th), representing the third highest productivity since 2001 for this beleaguered breeding species.
Razorbills have enjoyed their best breeding season since 1998 on the Easter Lother monitoring plot, with 0.74 chicks fledged per egg laid, whilst Guillemots have almost all fledged now.

Fledged Pied Wagtail at the Obs (photo: David Parnaby): one of at least four pairs to have fledged young on the island this year so far

Year List: 174
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8th -12th July

Ciaran watching Killer Whales off Buness (photo: Lee Gregory)

HIGHLIGHTS:
Leach's Petrel: one heard and seen around the nets on the 11th

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Teal (10th), Pintail (an eclipse drake was seen on 9th over the Holms and 11th at Utra, an unusual summer record), 174 Storm Petrel (trapped in the early hours of the 11th; 163 new birds and 11 birds that had previoulsy ringed, including one Norwegian-ringed bird), Cormorant (11th), Gery Heron 9th-11th), 2 Golden Plover (11th, with on on 12th), 3 Purple Sandpiper (9th), Dunlin (10th, with 2 on 11th-12th), 2 Bar-tailed Godwit (south over the Obs on 11th), Whimbrel (peak of 4), Common Sandpiper (10th), Redshank (maximum of 12), 23 Turnstone (peak count), 16 Black-headed Gull (on 11th, including the first juvenile of the year), 2 Collared Dove, 7 Swift (on 9th, with a single on 11th-12th), 2 Carrion Crow, Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff (summering at Obs), Willow Warbler (lingering bird at Obs), Blackbird (female still present), Redwing (12th; an unringed bird trapped in Plantation, proving at least two are summering), 2 Robin (summering at Obs), White Wagtail (11th), 2 Lesser Redpoll, .

Other wildlife:
5 Killer Whales spent over an hour off Buness on 10th where they were seen to kill two Grey Seals. The pod were a group well known for their movements between Iceland and northern Scotland and had been observed off Moray Firth and Caithness in May this year with their new calf.

Killer Whales (Lee Gregory). Note the very young calf (middle image), which is the second youngster of 'Mousa' the female pictured in the first image with the notched fin. Many more pictures of this fantastic occurrence are available on the FIBO Facebook page.

Breeding birds:
The first fledged Common Gull and Herring Gull chicks were seen in flight at Goorn on 12th.

Year List: 174
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1st-7th July

HIGHLIGHTS:
Mediterranean Gull: Fair Isle's second Med Gull was a magnificent adult that was found behind the Haa on 2nd. It's arrival coincided with a notable movement of Black-headed Gulls, and it departed high to the south with them after a short while. The only previous record concerned a 2nd-winter bird seen in October 1995, although surely we'll not have to wait more than 20 years for the next one...
Leach's Petrel: one heard and seen around the nets on a petrel ringing session on 5th

Mediterranean Gull by Lee Gregory

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
4 Greylag Goose (2nd), Red-throated Diver (3rd), Storm Petrel (82 on 5th; 80 trapped in the early hours of the morning in the Havens and 2 seen from the Good Shepherd), Grey Heron (7th), Lapwing (a small post-breeding flock present around Da Water), Purple Sandpiper (7th; the first of the autumn), Bar-tailed Godwit (a magnificent breeding-plumaged bird at Quoy on 1st), Whimbrel (up to 2 on several dates), Curlew (a flock of 10, plus the breeding birds still present), Redshank (a maximum of 17), Turnstone (a maximum of 25), Black-headed Gull (generally one or two, although 35 were recorded on 2nd), Common Gull (some migrants moving through, with a maximum of 19 recorded on 2nd), Lesser Black-backed Gull (a maximum of 18 recorded away from the colonies), Arctic Tern (8 first-summers on 2nd), Woodpigeon (one throughtout and 2 on 7th), Collared Dove (one or two recorded daily, with 3 on 7th), Long-eared Owl (at the Obs on 4th), Swift (one found dead on Goorn on 4th), Carrion Crow (5th), 2 Sand Martin (7th), Swallow (singles on 1st-5th), Chiffchaff (at least 3 summering birds still present), Garden Warbler (one trapped in Plantation on 4th), Blackbird (a female throughout and male on 7th), Redwing (summering bird still present), 2 Robin (Obs),2 Siskin (1st-2nd), Lesser Redpoll (2 on 2nd, with one then lingering), Common Crossbill (female at Muckle Uri Geo 5th-6th; first of the year).

Other wildlife:
3 Porpoise and a Minke Whale from the Good Shepherd on 5th.
Red Admiral (2nd)

Breeding birds:
The final Fulmar count is in, with 32,061 apparently occupied sites counted across the island, an increase of 8.2% on the last whole-island count in 2011. The first Fulmar chicks of the year were seen on 6th in North and South Ramnegeos.
Razorbills and Guillemots are doing well, with many Raz chicks fledged and Guillemots also looking ready to go.
The gulls on Goorn appear to have done well, with a trip there on 4th resulting in 38 Herring, 7 Common, 4 Lesser Black-backed and one Great Black-backed nest being counted, and 44 Herring, 8 Common and 2 Lesser Black-backed chicks being ringed. There were also two Common Gull chicks ringed on Buness, where the Arctic Tern colony continues to be holding on.

Common Gull chick on Buness by Lee Gregory

Year List: 174
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29th-30th June

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
8 Greylag Geese (30th), 11 Storm Petrel (trapped in the Havens from 0030-0145hrs, despite it never really getting dark), 2 Golden Plover (29th), Whimbrel, Curlew (a flock of 12 was noted, with at least two pairs of breeding birds also still present), 4 Redshank, 20 Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull (a small build up of migrants was observed), Collared Dove, Turtle Dove (one at Setter on 29th was seen at Field on 30th), 2 Carrion Crow (with one hybrid still present), Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, Redwing (still present), Robin (at least one summering bird still present), Siskin (2 at Haa on 30th).

Breeding birds:
A Lesser Black-backed Gull chick was noted on Buness (the first breeding noted at this site for several years).
The Arctic Tern colony on Buness is doing quite well so far, with a number of recently hatched chicks observed.
A monitoring visit to Easter Lother produced many good-sized Razorbill chicks, whilst at least a couple had fledged.
Fulmar counts are now alomst complete, with the total population likely to show an increase on the 2011 count (the last whole-island census for the species) of 29,907 apparently occupied sites.
The whole-island Gannet count produced 3409 apparently occupied nests, an increase from the 3363 AON recorded in 2015.

Gannet (Ciaran Hatsell)

Year List: 171
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25th-28th June
At last, a calm enough day to get out in the boat on 26th meant that we were able to complete counts for several species and carry on with a big chunk of the Fulmar whole-island count (that's around 30,000 pairs!), before the weather deteriorated again shortly after. There was very little in the way of migrant arrivals (as would be expected) but it was nice to get the Storm Petrel nets out again.

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Greylag Goose (26th), 2 Red-breasted Merganser (26th, with one on 27th), Red-throated Diver (25th), Manx Shearwater (28th, from Good Shepherd), Storm Petrel (21 trapped in the early hours of 26th; 15 at Kirn o'Skroo and 6 at Wester Lother. The total included 9 'new' birds, 11 retraps from earlier years and a bird previously ringed elsewhere. Most of the Fair Isle birds were ringed in 2014, with a couple from last year, and singles from 2011 and 2006), Grey Heron (oiled bird still on 25th), Whimbrel (27th), Redshank (4 on 28th was the highest count of the month), Turnstone (up to 8), Collared Dove (one on 27th and 2 on 28th), Short-eared Owl (28th), Swallow (27th), 2 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler (trapped in Plantation on 28th, the first record since 10th), Lesser Whitethroat (Haa, 26th), Blackbird (female still present), Robin (at least one still summering at the Obs), Black Redstart (25th; South Raeva) .

Storm Petrel at Wester Lother (David Parnaby)

Breeding birds:
Kittiwake chicks were noted at Greenholm from 26th, with a monitoring visit on 28th showing that many nests had small youngsters. Now is a critical time for them, but it's a promising start at least.
A monitoring visit to Greenholm on 28th showed that a majority of Puffin chicks had hatched, so fingers crossed for a good season for them.
Shag population monitoring plots showed a decrease from 33 nests in 2015 to 26 nests this year.
The whole-island Gannet count showed a small increase to 3,409 apparently occupied nests (compared to 3,363 AON in 2015).

Kittiwake colony at Greenholm (David Parnaby)

Year List: 171
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20th-24th June

Sunset in the North Haven by Ciaran Hatsell

The longest day has been and gone so we're starting to look forward to the autumn... A night of strong south-easterlies and rain overnight on 19th/20th delivered a couple of late migrants, but surely that's about it for now?

HIGHLIGHTS:
Red-backed Shrike: a female at Chalet on 20th
Grey-headed Wagtail: a male at Kirn o'Skroo on 20th

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Greylag (maximum of 13 as small flocks moved through), Teal (male 20th), Tufted Duck (male in South Harbour 24th), 2 Red-throated Diver (21st, with one on 24th), Manx Shearwater (one from Good Shepherd on 21st), Storm Petrel (one from Good Shepherd on 22nd), Grey Heron (an oiled bird on 22nd-24th), Kestrel (20th-21st), Golden Plover (20th), Knot (South Harbour 22nd; the first of the month), Whimbrel (up to 2), Redshank (up to 3), Turnstone (maximum of 11), Black-headed Gull (up to 6), Woodpigeon (22nd), Collared Dove (2 on 21st had increased to 3 by 23rd), Short-eared Owl (28th), 6 Swift (22nd; highest count of the year so far), Rook (20th-21st), 2 Carrion Crow, Swallow (up to 3 daily), House Martin (23rd), Chiffchaff (at least 4, probably all summering birds includng one singing at Obs), Garden Warbler (22nd), Whitethroat (one lingering bird until 23rd was joined by a second on 22nd), Reed Warbler (2 on 22nd-23rd with at least one still on 24th, which was singing at the Obs), Blackbird (a lingering female), Redwing (one singing bird still present), 3 Robin (lingering at Obs), 2 Siskin (23rd), Redpoll sp (22nd and 23rd).

Breeding birds:
A brood of Mallard ducklings were on Da Water on 22nd
The first fledged Oystercatcher was seen at North Light on 22nd
The first Arctic Skua chicks hatched (on Buness) on 22nd
A small Arctic Tern colony on Shalstane contained 21 nests with clutches.

Razorbill chick almost ready to fledge from South Ramnigeo on 23rd June (Ciaran Hatsell)

Other wildlife:
Painted Lady (23rd and 2 on 24th), Red Admiral (24th)

Year List: 171
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16th-19th June

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
2 Greylag Goose (17th), Red-breasted Merganser (female on 16th-18th), Red-throated Diver (19th), Storm Petrel (one in a Bonxie pellet on 19th), Grey Heron (adult throughout), Purple Sandpiper (17th; first of the month), Dunlin (2 on Easter Lother on 18th), 3 Whimbrel (18th and 19th), Redshank (18th), Turnstone (maximum of 5), 9 Black-headed Gull (18th; maximum count for the month), Carrion Crow, Swallow (maximum of three), Chiffchaff (at least 3 summering birds still present), Garden Warbler (19th), Whitethroat (18th-19th), Blackbird (up to two, including a 'new' female on 19th), Redwing (singing bird still present), 3 Robin, White Wagtail (a male at South Light sporting a foreign-looking ring), Redpoll sp. (18th).

Breeding birds:
2 fledged Lapwings noted at Pund
3 large Great Black-backed Gulls noted on Greenholm
The first fledged Skylarks noted from 18th
The first fledged Wheatears seen on 19th
Fledged Pied Wagtails noted in North Haven and Hesti Geo from 18th (following the first fledging of the year on 11th of this scarce breeding species)
The first fledged Twite at the Obs from 18th

Year List: 171
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Wednesday 15th June
Weather: N or NE 5/6, grey and cloudy although visibility still decent, feeling cooler.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Golden Oriole: one found by Susannah at Stackhoull (as she was going to buy Tunnocks' Tea Cakes for the kitchen!) roamed as far as Shirva and showed well at times despite being flighty.

Golden Oriole at Stackhoull by David Parnaby

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Redshank, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, 2 Robin.

Year List: 171
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Tuesday 14th June
Weather: NE 3/4 becoming N 5 later. Sunny at first but clouding over by late afternoon and feeling cooler.

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Goldeneye (an immature male flew south over Gilsetter; this unseasonable occurrence represented the first record of the year), Golden Plover, Whimbrel, 6 Turnstone, Turtle Dove (one in Field Ditch was the second of the year), 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Carrion Crow, 3 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Robin, Grey Wagtail.

Turtle Dove at Field by Ciaran Hatsell

Breeding birds:
A monitoring visit to the Easter Lother Razorbill colony produced several recently hatched chicks.

Razorbill chick at Easter Lother by Ciaran Hatsell

Other wildlife:
Many thousands of Diamond-backed Moths were present across the island.

Year List: 170
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Monday 13th June
Weather: E 3-4, with light cloudy patches and good visibility.

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Dunlin, 9 Whimbrel, 7 Turnstone, 2 Carrion Crow (and one hybrid), 3 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler (Homisdale), Blackbird, Reding, Spotted Flycatcher (Obs), 3 Robin, Black Redstart (Busta), Grey Wagtail.

Breeding birds:
Fair Isle Wrens had fledged young at Shaldi Cliff

Other wildlife:
Thousands of Diamond-back Moths present across the island and 3 Silver Y were also recorded.

Year List: 169
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Sunday 12th June
Summary: Bonxies could be heading for a record year and plotting all their territories is taking quite some time, whilst forays around the rest of the island produced little in the way of movement.
Weather: E3-4 and continuing the very pleasant run of weather, with sunshine right up until the point when I put my washing outside in the evening, when some low cloud came in and delivered our first rain in ten days.

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
3 Greylag Goose, Red-throated Diver, Whimbrel, 10 Turnstone, Woodpigeon, 2 Carrion Crow, Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, Blackbird (a pair caught in the morning was an unusual late arrival for this species), 2 Robin, Black Redstart (female at Stackhoull), White Wagtail (Kirn o'Skroo), Grey Wagtail (male still around Gully).

Other wildlife:
10 Silver Y moths

Year List: 169
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Saturday 11th June
Summary: seabird work still dominates, although a census was tried today given the forecast, but very little was recorded in the way of new birds
Weather: NE3-4, sunny.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Osprey: one over Brecks just before lunch quickly headed south-east out to sea

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Golden Plover, 2 Dunlin, 3 Whimbrel, 14 Turnstone, 5 Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, Short-eared Owl, 5 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Song Thrush, Redwing (one still singing in the Plantation), 3 Robin, Black Redstart (a female at Burkle), White Wagtail (Kirn o'Skroo), Grey Wagtail (a singing male, missing several flight feathers from one wing, still present around the Gully), Siskin (male at Schoolton).

Breeding birds:
Eider chicks were seen for the first time, with the female who nested as the Mills taking her chicks on the perilous journey to the sea (which, wasn;t helped by her starting off the wrong way across Gilsetter!). A Lapwing chick fledged from Kirki Mire, a fledged Pied Wagtail was seen at North Light and Rock Pipits in the Gully had fledged their young.

Other wildlife:
A Longhorn Beetle Rhagium bifasciatum was found at the Obs. This migratory species, which occurs in Scandinavia, has only previously been recorded from Fair Isle in 2011 when three individuals were located at the Obs, with evidence suggested they had arrived as larvae in driftwood that had been brought up to the Obs garden. Whether this individual is a migrant or another that has emerged on the island isn't clear.

Longhorn Beetle at the Obs by David Parnaby

Year List: 169
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Friday 10th June
Summary: seabird work again took up most of the time, with Bonxies in particular keeping us busy. A couple of hints of migration from the morning trap round perhaps suggested that the forthcoming more easterly winds may deliver a few more birds...
Weather: NE becoming westerly or variable 2-3, cloudy at first but clearing to a sunny day.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Marsh Warbler: one at the Obs was trapped and found to have been ringed on North Ronaldsay on 4th June (and was present there until 6th June at least). There have only been two previous movements of ringed Marsh Warblers involving Fair Isle, with neither of them without a touch of 'interest'. One trapped on Fair Isle on 26th June 1987 had been ringed on Fetlar as a Reed Warbler on 28th April 1987. Birds of Shetland regards this record as unproven due to the discrepancy over the identification and the very early arrival date for a Marsh Warbler. Another that was caught on Fair Isle on 31st May 2007 had been ringed in Norway on 23rd July 2005 as a Reed Warbler. This record is a nice straight forward one of a spring migrant slowly continuing its way north.
Red-backed Shrike: a female trapped in the Hjon Dyke was seen later at Upper Stoneybrek

Marsh Warbler at the Obs by Ciaran Hatsell

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Greylag Goose (an apparently injured bird that seems likley to remain for the summer if it survives, so it'll get no more mentions here), 2 Teal (first of the month), 14 Lapwing (presumably including some failed breeders moving to the island), Dunlin, 2 Whimbrel, Collared Dove, Short-eared Owl (one still lingering at Pund), 2 Swallow, 8 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Redwing, 2 Robin.

Breeding birds:
The first fledged Meadow Pipits were noted (at Wirvie).

Other wildlife:
Painted Lady

Year List: 169
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Thursday 9th June

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Red-throated Diver, 2 Dunlin, Whimbrel, Common Tern (one at South Harbour was the first of the year), 7 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Redwing, 3 Robin, Grey Wagtail.

Breeding birds:
A count of breeding Arctic Terns produced a total of 93 active nests, with the majority on Buness. Lesser Black-backed Gulls were also discovered breeding on Buness, a site they have not occupied in recent years. A Swallow singing at the Mast raised hopes that last year's successful breeding may be repeated.

Other wildlife:
4 Painted Lady

Year List: 169
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Wednesday 8th June
Summary: Seabirds were the focus of the day, with monitoring work taking up most of the Wardening team's time and so there was no census, although there appeared to be very little moving anyway. More seabirds tomorrow then a last hope for a final spring biggy at the weekend as some potentially promising SE winds develop.
Weather: NE3, cloudy at first but brightening later.

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Greylag Goose, Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, 3 Dunlin, Whimbrel, Woodpigeon, 8 Swallow, Chiffchaff, 2 Redwing, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Robin

Breeding birds:
Bonxie: the first chicks were found during monitoring work. Although it is still early, there have already been more nests found than last summer, so it looks like a reasonable breeding season in terms of numbers at least.

Bonxie chick by Ciaran Hatsell

Other wildlife:
Diamond-back Moth: still many around

Year List: 168
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Tuesday 7th June
Summary: The planes were delayed (and by the time it became clear enough to fly, everyone was on the Good Shepherd instead). A fairly promising trap round proving to be the highlight in terms of new birds, with an 'end of spring' feel to the rest of the day.
Weather: NE2-4, with fog at first, clearing throughout the day

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, 2 Golden Plover, 5 Dunlin, Whimbrel, 2 Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl, 2 Carrion Crow, 8 Swallow, 6 Chiffchaff, Blackcap (female trapped in the Plantation), Garden Warbler (one caught in Gully), Lesser Whitethroat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail.

Breeding birds: the first Starling chicks fledged

Other wildlife:
Minke Whale: one from the Good Shepherd in Fair Isle waters
Diamond-back Moth: lots and lots

Year List: 168
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Monday 6th June
Summary: the Directors filtered away from the island after a busy weekend of meetings and planning for the year ahead and beyond, whilst the sun shone and a couple more birds arrived, giving hope that the 'late spring biggy' could still happen. An increasing amount of time is being taken up with seabird monitoring work, with the indications so far suggesting that it will be a mixed season.
Weather: E/NE 4 decreasing 2 later, small amounts of cloud drifted away to leave a bright, sunny day.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Bluethroat: a female on the Hill Dyke
Marsh Warbler: one at Utra

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
7 Greylag Goose, 3 Barnacle Goose (flew north with 5 Greylags), Red-throated Diver, Storm Petrel (the remains of a freshly predated bird were found in the Gully; first of the year), 10 Dunlin, 5 Whimbrel, 3 Woodpigeon, Cuckoo, 3 Short-eared Owl, 2 Swift, 2 Carrion Crow, 10 Swallow, House Martin, 4 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Ring Ouzel (Ditfield), Blackbird, Redwing, 3 Robin, Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit.

Breeding birds:
A Razorbill chick at Easter Lother was the first of the year.

Other wildlife:
Silver Y: one (first of the year)
Diamond-back Moth: still quite a lot around

Year List: 168
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Sunday 5th June
Summary: still a trickle of birds coming through, although just a bit too much north in the wind still to be bring much more.
Weather: NE3-5, cloudy at first but brightening later.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Richard's Pipit: the sometimes elusive large pipit was again roaming around the south-east of the island, with further views and photos pointing heavily towards Richard's as being the identification
Dotterel: an approachable female near Kenaby

Dotterel near Kenaby by Ciaran Hatsell

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
2 Greylag Goose, Kestrel, Golden Plover, 5 Dunlin, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Cuckoo, Swift, 3 Carrion Crow, 19 Swallow, House Martin, Chiffchaff (singing at the Obs), Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackbird, Redwing (singing in the Plantation), Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Robin, Tree Pipit, Reed Bunting.

Other wildlife:
Diamond-back Moth: still present in decent numbers

Year List: 167
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Saturday 4th June
Summary: although the weather didn't change much, there were birds in, with easing winds over the next couple of days, perhaps there could be more to come...
Weather: NE4-6, cloud with moderate visibility, brightening slightly later in the year.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Richard's Pipit: a large, pale-looking pipit discovered on the south of the Brecks o'Busta was intially thought to be a Tawny Pipit, but better views later on showed pale lores and a more-heavily streaked bird than was first realised. Although by no means a classic individual, it seemed most likely to be this species.

Richard's Pipit by Lee Gregory

Marsh Warbler: 2; singles at Springfield and Wirvie Burn
'Blue-headed Wagtail': male at Wirvie Burn

Marsh Warbler and Cuckoo at Springfield by Lee Gregory

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
2 Greylag Goose, Wigeon, Red-throated Diver, Golden Plover, 4 Dunlin, 2 Whimbrel, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo, 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Carrion Crow (and one hybrid), 15 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Robin, Grey Wagtail.

Breeding birds:
Arctic Terns were on eggs for the first time and Ravens have fledged young at Gunnawark.

Other wildlife:
Nathusius' Pipistrelle: the individual found on 29th was discovered dead at the Obs
Diamond-back Moth: although numbers had lingered throughout the last few days, a notable arrival took place today with several hundred seen in the north of the island
Painted Lady: one

Year List: 167
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Friday 3rd June
Summary: a breezy old day, but the planes made it in and took up the slack from yesterday, so all visitors were back on track. A few birds later on were a slightly positive sign and, although the northerly element is not ideal, anything from the east is still better than nothing.
Weather: NE4-6, cloudy at first but brighter spells later.

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
2 Greylag Goose, Wigeon, Red-throated Diver, Golden Plover, 9 Dunlin, 2 Whimbrel, Collared Dove, Cuckoo, Short-eared Owl, 2 Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, Blackbird, Redwing, 2 Robin, Grey-headed Wagtail (female still around South Light area), Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail.

Other wildlife:
Painted Lady: one (first of the year)

Year List: 165
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Thursday 2nd June
Summary: a poor day all round, with very unspringlike conditions that were no good for migrant arrivals. Planes were on hold until 5pm, when it cloud finally cleared just enough to allow at least some of today's travellers to get to where they were meant to be going. With several of the FIBOT Directors having arrived today, and most of the rest due tomorrow, surely something will get found over the weekend...
Weather: NNE4-6, cloudy, with rain until mid-afternoon and poor visibility and cloud clinging to the hills throughout.

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
2 Greylag Goose, Wigeon, Dunlin, 2 Whimbrel, Cuckoo (one at the Obs in the evening), Swallow, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Blackbird, Redwing, Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Robin, Grey Wagtail, Redpoll sp.

Year List: 166
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Wednesday 1st June
Summary: a windy and cool start to the month, with very little happening in the way of bird arrivals.
Weather: NNW4-6, cloudy and cool.

HIGHLIGHTS:
'Grey-headed Wagtail': female on Skadan

MIGRANTS (notable counts, increases etc):
2 Greylag Goose, Wigeon, Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Dunlin, 5 Whimbrel, Woodpigeon, 2 Short-eared Owl, 5 Carrion Crow, 3 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackbird, Redwing, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Robin, Grey Wagtail, Common Redpoll.

Year List: 166
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