Seasonal hospitality staff
The closing date for applications for seasonal hospitality staff at the Obs has now passed.
New staff
Following upon receiving a record number of applicants for our permanent posts of Head of Ornithology and Hospitality Manager, we have now concluded the recruitment process.
We are delighted to announce that Alex Penn is our new Head of Ornithology and Jonnie Fisk is the new Hospitality Manager.
Alex has worked for FIBOT for the last 5 years in different ornithological roles , whilst Jonnie also worked for FIBOT last year as an Assistant Warden having previously been a key part of Spurn Bird Observatory for several years.
Both Alex and Jonnie will take up their posts in early spring and we look forward to working with them as the Observatory reopens.
Rebuild updates and bookings
The latest news on the rebuilding of the Observatory can be found here.
We are not yet taking bookings for 2025. When we are ready to do so, Friends of Fair Isle will be the first to be contacted, followed by a general announcement on this website and on our social media.
Latest sightings
17th February - 7th March 2025
We're back! Mid-February saw the return of Alex Penn and Jonnie Fisk to Fair Isle, into our respective new roles as Head of Ornithology and Hospitality Manager. Thanks to the generosity of Hollie and Deryk Shaw, we'll be based down the island at Burkle whilst the final stages of the Obs rebuild are carried out, allowing us to be on site and busy with preparations for seasonal staff arrivals and fitting out the new building as it nears completion.
The isle retains a wintry feel, with migration yet to properly kick into gear, though there have been signs of a trickle of movement beginning on some of the brighter days in late February and early March. The first Mistle Thrush, Black Redstart, Woodpigeon and Stonechat of the year have all been logged, along with other typical early movers including Siskin, Reed Bunting and Hen Harrier, bringing the yearlist up to 67.
Scarcities have included two Russian White-fronted Geese with the wintering Greylags, and intermittent sightings of at least one adult Iceland Gull.
One of the two Russian Whitefronts which were a welcome sight amongst the Greylags on our return (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Russian White-fronted Goose: Three birds arrived on 26th January, dropping to two by 4th February, which then lingered to 24th February.
Iceland Gull: Scattered sightings of an adult bird in South Harbour through late February, with another or the same bird at Stackhoull on 5th March.
Sightings of note: 171 Greylag Goose (including GPS and Darvic-collared birds from Iceland and Norway), 2 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Whooper Swan (27th), 14 Wigeon, 32 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Water Rail, 24 Oystercatcher, 38 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 95 Ringed Plover, 250 Turnstone, 34 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Woodcock, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hen Harrier (6th-7th), 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 80 Skylark, 18 Blackbird, 30 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush (24th), 2 Robin, 1 Black Redstart (26th), 2 Stonechat, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit, 4 Twite, 1 Siskin, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting (26th)
Year List: 67