Fair Isle Bird Observatory

14th April 2026
Weather: Overcast and cool. F4-5 SE
A light but chilly SE breeze brought increases in warblers, with a light scattering of Phylloscs throughout the isle and several Blackcap along the SW cliffs. Also newly-arrived was an immature male Marsh Harrier, which spent much of the morning dodging the attention of gulls along the west coast. A Woodlark at Springfield is probably best treated as the same as the bird last seen on 9th, though given the weather conditions and this bird’s jumpy and vocal nature, we’d not be surprised if it was a new individual. The drop in the wind also finally encouraged large numbers of Puffin back to the isle, with thousands rafting offshore through the day, and birds coming ashore en masse in the early evening.


Woodlark in the fields below Springfield (Alex Penn)

HIGHLIGHTS
Greenland White-fronted Goose: one still
Marsh Harrier: an immature male picked up first over Hoini, before lingering predominantly along the west coast for much of the morning
Woodlark: one at Springfield, presumed to be the same bird as on 9th

Sightings of note: 2 Barnacle Goose, 108 Greylag Goose, 30 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Whooper Swan, 1 Wigeon, 16 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Scoter, 3 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Stock Dove, 17 Woodpigeon, 1 Water Rail, 71 Oystercatcher, 34 Lapwing, 3 Golden Plover, 48 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 24 Curlew, 80 Turnstone, 7 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Woodcock, 31 Snipe, 27 Redshank, 15 Kittiwake, 4 Black-headed Gull, 30 Common Gull, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10 Great Skua, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin, 2 Rook, 3 Carrion Crow, 233 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 9 Willow Warbler, 16 Chiffchaff, 11 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 8 Blackbird, 138 Fieldfare, 24 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Stonechat, 63 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 17 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 294 Meadow Pipit, 48 Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 16 Twite, 2 Linnet, 1 Redpoll, 3 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin, 1 Snow Bunting

Year list: 109
________________________________________________________________________________________________

13th April 2026
Weather: Sunny and breezy. F4-7 SSW
A bright and breezy day, with a handful of new arrivals to be found, the best of which was the first Whimbrel of the year. Heard first, as they so often are, it was later seen settled at Boini Mire. A young Glaucous Gull was with the gull flock at South Green, and there were small increases in numbers of thrushes and Blackcaps. The afternoon was put to good use with the whole team out on trap repairs, a more pleasant task when the sun is shining. With Double Dyke having taken a battering over the winter, this is the priority at the moment, alongside a re-model of the Gully end section after a partial collapse last year.


The smart drake Shoveler remained for a second day at Da Water (Luke Marriner)

HIGHLIGHTS
Greenland White-fronted Goose: one still
Glaucous Gull: a 2cy at South Green


A domestic Mallard on the beach at Wirvie was somewhat of a surprise (Alex Penn)

Sightings of note: 2 Barnacle Goose, 79 Greylag Goose, 2 Whooper Swan, 1 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon, 18 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Stock Dove, 9 Woodpigeon, 1 Water Rail, 46 Oystercatcher, 28 Lapwing, 4 Golden Plover, 66 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 17 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 161 Turnstone, 1 Woodcock, 22 Snipe, 46 Redshank, 2 Kittiwake, 3 Black-headed Gull, 43 Common Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 11 Great Skua, 62 Puffin, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 222 Skylark, 6 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 8 Blackbird, 124 Fieldfare, 59 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Robin, 2 Stonechat, 37 Wheatear, 2 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 17 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 249 Meadow Pipit, 56 Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 6 Brambling, 26 Twite, 2 Linnet, 2 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting

Year list: 108
________________________________________________________________________________________________

11th to 12th April 2026
Weather: Strong winds, with rain throughout 11th and mostly sunny on 12th. F6-11 SSE
Wild weather dominated the weekend, with 11th in particular testing the strength of the new Obs building in a severe SE gale, accompanied by lashing rain. The following day remained very windy, but was dry enough for the team to get out and about, whilst carefully avoiding the cliffs! A drake Shoveler was new for the year, with the assemblage of birds in the isle otherwise generally unchanged, though a count of nine House Martin sheltering up the NE coast was notable.

HIGHLIGHTS
Greenland White-fronted Goose: one still

Sightings of note: 1 Barnacle Goose, 72 Greylag Goose, 29 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Whooper Swan, 1 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Stock Dove, 3 Woodpigeon, 2 Water Rail, 59 Oystercatcher, 20 Lapwing, 10 Golden Plover, 56 Ringed Plover, 8 Curlew, 113 Turnstone, 29 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 13 Common Gull, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 15 Great Skua, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Carrion Crow, 2 Swallow, 9 House Martin, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Blackbird, 45 Fieldfare, 24 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Stonechat, 10 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 8 Pied Wagtail, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 9 Twite, 1 Linnet, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin

Year list: 107
________________________________________________________________________________________________

10th April 2026
Weather: Sunny and breezy, dropping through the afternoon. F4-7 NW
An enjoyable day in the isle with blazing sun throughout, though a sharp hail shower in the late morning was a reminder that summer is some way off just yet. The undoubted highlight of census was a fine White-billed Diver found floating around in the Wick o’ Hesswalls, where it drifted in and out as far as the end of Sheep Rock. The species has seen a remarkable change in status here, with just four records to 1979, after which there were no occurrences at all until 2021, with this now the fifth bird in five years in a recent surge of sightings. A Lapland Bunting at the Mast was another welcome addition to the yearlist, with an increase in Wheatear numbers the only other notable change on yesterday.


No mistaking that banana bill! (Alex Penn)

HIGHLIGHTS
Greenland White-fronted Goose: one still
Gadwall: two again at Da Water
White-billed Diver: one in Hesswalls remained there through the day (9th isle record, first since 2022)


The strong NW wind of this morning halted Pink-footed Goose movement, with an increase in grounded birds today (Luke Marriner)

Sightings of note: 75 Greylag Goose, 30 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Whooper Swan, 3 Wigeon, 17 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Stock Dove, 16 Woodpigeon, 4 Water Rail, 53 Oystercatcher, 29 Lapwing, 4 Golden Plover, 63 Ringed Plover, 20 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 130 Turnstone, 30 Snipe, 47 Redshank, 13 Kittiwake, 2 Black-headed Gull, 24 Common Gull, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Great Skua, 11 Puffin, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin, 4 Carrion Crow, 288 Skylark, 3 Sand Martin, 5 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 3 Willow Warbler, 22 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 6 Goldcrest, 17 Blackbird, 152 Fieldfare, 22 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Robin, 5 Stonechat, 40 Wheatear, 3 Dunnock, 12 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 158 Meadow Pipit, 52 Rock Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 14 Brambling, 10 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 3 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin, 1 Lapland Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting

Year list: 106
________________________________________________________________________________________________

9th April 2026
Weather: Overcast all day, with low cloud and rain for much of the morning. F3-5 W
A damp census was rewarded with a reasonable arrival of birds today, with new birds also popping up throughout the afternoon. The best of these was a Woodlark, flushed from the Skerryholm veg patch and flying off towards Utra just before tea. Another good isle bird came in the form of a pair of Gadwall, initially seen on the sea in South Haven, before heading south to Da Water. The first Willow Warblers of the spring made landfall today, with three around the isle in the company of increased numbers of Chiffchaff and Goldcrest. A small arrival of Brambling and a lone Black-tailed Godwit made up the remainder of today’s five yearlist additions, in another good day of early spring movement.


The pair of Gadwall after relocating to Da Water (Luke Marriner)

HIGHLIGHTS
Greenland White-fronted Goose: one still
Gadwall: two initially in South Haven, before touring the isle and settling at Da Water
Woodlark: one flushed from the Skerryholm veg patch in the early evening


Despite the dreich conditions, the first Puffins were seen ashore up the NE coast today, with many more wheeling around and rafting inshore (Alex Penn)

Sightings of note: 102 Greylag Goose, 4 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Whooper Swan, 10 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Stock Dove, 8 Woodpigeon, 4 Water Rail, 93 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 13 Golden Plover, 85 Ringed Plover, 21 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 103 Turnstone, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Woodcock, 23 Snipe, 76 Redshank, 5 Black-headed Gull, 46 Common Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Great Skua, 525 Puffin, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 4 Carrion Crow, 272 Skylark, 3 Sand Martin, 5 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 3 Willow Warbler, 21 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 17 Goldcrest, 25 Blackbird, 64 Fieldfare, 81 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, 6 Robin, 14 Wheatear, 3 Dunnock, 11 Pied Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 351 Meadow Pipit, 78 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 18 Brambling, 8 Twite, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 3 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin, 1 Snow Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting

Year list: 104
________________________________________________________________________________________________

8th April 2026
Weather: Overcast and calm, with low cloud at points. F3-6 SW
A break in the wind with muggy, overcast conditions saw the first major push of spring migrants through the isle today, and whilst numbers of birds remained low, the species diversity was good, with no fewer than seven additions to the yearlist. These began with a Blackcap in the Obs garden, followed by Siskin, Greenfinch and Dunnock in the croft gardens, a Sanderling around South Light, and some hirundine passage bringing our first few Sand Martin and House Martin before the morning was out.


Arriving a day later than in 2025, the first few Sand Martin of the year were logged around the isle today (Alex Penn)

HIGHLIGHTS
Greenland White-fronted Goose: one still


A smart White Wagtail feeding around the sheep at Setter (Alex Penn)

Sightings of note: 124 Greylag Goose, 2 Whooper Swan, 2 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 6 Woodpigeon, 4 Water Rail, 60 Oystercatcher, 39 Lapwing, 8 Golden Plover, 56 Ringed Plover, 15 Curlew, 100 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 38 Snipe, 35 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 14 Common Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Bonxie, 86 Puffin, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Carrion Crow, 330 Skylark, 3 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 11 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 6 Goldcrest, 7 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 9 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 7 Robin, 3 Black Redstart, 2 Wheatear, 3 Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 13 Pied Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 173 Meadow Pipit, 61 Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 11 Twite, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 1 Reed Bunting

Year list: 99
________________________________________________________________________________________________

7th April 2026
Weather: Sunny and breezy all day. F5-7 SSE
A pleasant census today, with the south-easterly breeze bringing a scattering of new birds, though numbers of migrants remained low. Black Redstarts at Double Dyke and Upper Leogh were the pick of the bunch, alongside a handful of Goldcrest and Wheatear. Some afternoon repairs of the Double Dyke catching box kicked off trap repairs for the spring, with plenty to keep the team occupied over the next few weeks.


The welcome sight of a handful of newly-returned Puffins on the sea off Hesswalls (Alex Penn)

HIGHLIGHTS
Greenland White-fronted Goose: one still


Lapwing are in full display mode currently over the isle’s mires (Alex Penn)

Sightings of note: 125 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Whooper Swan, 1 Wigeon, 16 Teal, 4 Woodpigeon, 3 Water Rail, 45 Oystercatcher, 29 Lapwing, 7 Golden Plover, 58 Ringed Plover, 17 Curlew, 160 Turnstone, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 22 Snipe, 32 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 18 Common Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Puffin, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 4 Carrion Crow, 298 Skylark, 4 Goldcrest, 9 Blackbird, 8 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, 6 Robin, 2 Black Redstart, 8 Wheatear, 12 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 145 Meadow Pipit, 34 Rock Pipit, 7 Twite, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting

Year list: 92
________________________________________________________________________________________________

5th to 6th April 2026
Storm Dave brought strong winds and rain on 5th, clearing to a calm and sunny day on 6th, though new birds were still frustratingly hard to find. A Grey Wagtail at Gilsetter was the only addition to the yearlist, and slight increases in Robin and Rock Pipit were noted, along with the first drumming of Snipe heard. The afternoon of 6th was spent transplanting iris to the Obs burn, bolstering the cover there ready for Bluethroats and Locustellas to enjoy later in the year.


The returning Ornithology team of Carla, Tom and Luke hard at work planting iris around the Obs scrape (Tracey Coffey)

HIGHLIGHTS
Greenland White-fronted Goose: one still on 6th

Sightings of note (high counts): 123 Greylag Goose, 4 Whooper Swan, 2 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 1 Stock Dove, 4 Water Rail, 73 Oystercatcher, 13 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 66 Ringed Plover, 14 Curlew, 114 Turnstone, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Woodcock, 23 Snipe, 34 Redshank, 2 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 29 Common Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Great Skua, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 414 Skylark, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 8 Robin, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Pied Wagtail, 169 Meadow Pipit, 40 Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Twite, 1 Goldfinch, 2 Snow Bunting

Year list: 92
________________________________________________________________________________________________

3rd to 4th April 2026
A breezy couple of days that brought a flurry of new species for the year on 3rd, with Rook, Bonxie, Goldfinch and Collared Dove all putting in their first appearances of the spring. Bitterly cold winds and hail showers on 4th maintained a more wintry feel however, though Rock Pipit and Skylark song cut through the breeze as a promise of warmer days coming.


A confident Woodcock in the heather above the Obs (Tom Wright)

HIGHLIGHTS
Greenland White-fronted Goose: one still on 3rd

Sightings of note (high counts): 126 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Whooper Swan, 3 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 2 Water Rail, 70 Oystercatcher, 29 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 108 Ringed Plover, 25 Curlew, 187 Turnstone, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Woodcock, 21 Snipe, 37 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 23 Common Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Skua, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Rook, 1 Carrion Crow, 203 Skylark, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 12 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, 3 Robin, 2 Wheatear, 7 Pied Wagtail, 206 Meadow Pipit, 25 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 4 Twite, 1 Goldfinch, 7 Snow Bunting

Year list: 91
________________________________________________________________________________________________

30th March to 2nd April 2026
The first censuses of the year are now underway, with the team dodging the wind and rain that has dominated the last few days. Migrant numbers remain very low indeed, with thrush totals barely reaching double figures around the isle currently. A damp day on 1st did not deter the arrival of the first Wheatear of the year, though spring migrants otherwise have been hard to come by.


The returning Blue Fulmar first ringed in 2023 has returned to its ledge at Furse for another spring (Alex Penn)

HIGHLIGHTS
Greenland White-fronted Goose: one still

Sightings of note (high counts): 123 Greylag Goose, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Whooper Swan, 2 Wigeon, 34 Teal, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Stock Dove, 5 Woodpigeon, 4 Water Rail, 81 Oystercatcher, 34 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 103 Ringed Plover, 28 Curlew, 128 Turnstone, 20 Purple Sandpiper, 23 Snipe, 56 Redshank, 2 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 22 Common Gull, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 55 Guillemot, 222 Razorbill, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 559 Skylark, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Blackbird, 17 Redwing, 3 Robin, 1 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 5 Pied Wagtail, 278 Meadow Pipit, 19 Rock Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 6 Twite, 3 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting

Year list: 87
________________________________________________________________________________________________

24th to 29th March 2026
This week saw the return of the seasonal Ornithology team, and with them an increase in coverage, if not any significant increases in birds. A fine adult male Hen Harrier joined the wintering ringtail, and was watched taking Turnstone prey at Barkland. A lone Greenland White-fronted Goose joined the reduced Greylag flocks of the south, and a Snow Bunting feeding around sheep troughs was seen to be metal-ringed. Some careful coaxing by Luke later saw the bird caught, and the ring proved to be from Belgium – we look forward to receiving the details in due course.


Greenland Whitefronts are the rarer of the two subspecies to pass through the isle (Tom Wright)

HIGHLIGHTS
Greenland White-fronted Goose: one around Skerryholm from 26th
Coot: one still at Da Water throughout
Glaucous Gull: one opposite Lower Stoneybrek on 29th


The Belgian-ringed Snow Bunting enjoying the leftovers around the Utra sheep feeders (Luke Marriner)

Sightings of note (high counts): 63 Greylag Goose, 9 Whooper Swan, 3 Wigeon, 19 Teal, 1 Common Scoter, 3 Water Rail, 33 Lapwing, 4 Golden Plover, 62 Ringed Plover, 38 Curlew, 117 Turnstone, 48 Purple Sandpiper, 32 Redshank, 8 Black-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin, 1 Carrion Crow, 226 Skylark, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 43 Redwing, 1 Robin, 5 Pied Wagtail, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting

Year list: 86
________________________________________________________________________________________________

8th to 23rd March 2026
A quiet couple of weeks in the isle, though some nicer weather towards the end of this period saw a few early spring additions to the yearlist, including the isle’s earliest ever Swallow around the Walli Burn on 19th. With the previous earliest record being 31st March 2002, this individual is well ahead of the norm. A handful of Chiffchaff have also been a welcome sight in recent days, with the first appearing at the Obs on 18th. Reed Bunting and Linnet have also made their first appearances of the year, though for now the weather remains somewhat wintry. With the remainder of the seasonal team due back in the next few days, updates will be more regular soon and the migration taps should begin to open…


The long-staying Common Scoter remains at the Haven (Alex Penn)

HIGHLIGHTS
Coot: one still seen intermittently at Da Water throughout
Little Auk: one off Buness on 8th


Always a momentous point in the spring when the first Chiffchaff appears, with this one sporting a large ‘pollen horn’ gained from feeding in flowers from warmer climes (Alex Penn)

Year list: 86
________________________________________________________________________________________________

20th February to 7th March 2026
A period of little change in the isle, though signs of spring are gradually beginning to appear. A handful of further additions to the yearlist included Stock Dove and Peregrine on 20th, with Tufted Duck, Snow Bunting, Kestrel and Lesser Black-backed Gull also putting in their first appearance of the spring before the end of the month. Some calm and sunny weather in the first week of March encouraged things along, with the first Pied Wagtail and Goldcrest sightings of the year. This also seems to have prompted some wildfowl emigration, with no sign of our lingering Tundra Bean and White-fronted Goose groups in the last few days. The Scaup lingered to at least 2nd March, with the long-staying Common Scoter still in-situ at the Haven throughout, and a pair of Whooper Swan have taken a liking to Golden Water. Ringed Plover numbers are building, with birds back on several territories and the now-typical large flock of migrants at Barkland reaching 88 birds on 27th February. Other birds back on territory as the spring advances include scattered Oystercatcher and Curlew pairs, displaying Lapwing and singing Rock Pipit and Skylark, whilst Gannet return to their colony areas, starting their long nest-building process already.


A drake Pochard is a rare treat in the hand, with this just the fourth to be ringed here (Alex Penn)

HIGHLIGHTS
Tundra Bean Goose: five still to 2nd March
Russian White-fronted Goose: 18 birds still to 22nd February, after which numbers reduced to nine, last seen on 2nd March
Pochard: A female found dead at Utra Scrape on 20th was presumed to be the bird at Da Water on 16th. A lingering drake continued to be seen in various pools and ditches around the isle, and was caught and ringed on 28th
Coot: One still at Da Water throughout


Some early movement of Stonechat has seen up to six birds recorded in early March (Alex Penn)

Year list: 80
________________________________________________________________________________________________

1st January to 19th February 2026
After a well-earned rest and some time off, the first members of the FIBO team are back, and the building is up and running again for the 2026 season. Birding coverage will remain incomplete until the return of the seasonal Ornithology staff in a month or so, but keen eyes around the island have kept sightings coming in through a decidedly miserable first month of the year. With near-constant southeasterly gales and rain, it’s been a distinctly unpleasant start, but late January and early February has seen the yearlist get a good early boost, with some isle scarcities included in the mix. A respectable 31 species were logged on the first day of the year, with Black Redstart being the pick of the bunch, which climbed to 50 species by the end of the week. A duo of Puffin and Scaup were good early records on 9th January, with two of the latter in South Harbour. Later in the month, some wildfowl movement brought White-fronted and Tundra Bean Goose to the isle, as well as Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck and Common Scoter by the end of the month. A run of Pochard sightings in early February was a surprise with at least three individuals involved – the first isle records since 2021. Further additions to the yearlist have been typical late winter fare, with a Coot at Da Water on 10th February a more unexpected highlight. The beginnings of some passerine movement have been evident in the last week or so, with the first Stonechat and Mistle Thrush on 10th giving the first hints that spring is on its way. The yearlist is currently sitting at a healthy 72 species - a level not reached until 23rd March last year - a strong start to 2026, despite the relentless conditions!


Goose flocks around the isle have been bolstered by up to 20 Russian Whitefronts (Alex Penn)


A group of five Tundra Bean Goose are still to be found grazing the fields (Alex Penn)

HIGHLIGHTS
Tundra Bean Goose: five at Da Water on 22nd January increased to a maximum of 10 birds on 10th February, with five individuals still present
Russian White-fronted Goose: a single at Da Water on 21st January preceded a run of sporadic records, with a later pulse of birds reaching 20 on 10th February, and at least 18 still to 18th
Pochard: a drake at Da Water on 5th February was joined by a second on 7th, with a single last seen on 9th. A female was then at the same site on 16th, and the following day a drake was in the field below Midway
Coot: one at Da Water on 10th-11th February was seen again on 16th
Glaucous Gull: two on 3rd January were the first of the year, with single adults on 22nd January, 6th and 8th February


Pochard is an occasional visitor to the isle, with just eight records since 1999 (Alex Penn)

Year list: 72
________________________________________________________________________________________________