Latest sightings
FIBO'S 2024 SEASON
Another season comes to a close here at FIBO, as our team begin to wend their way home after seven months of census, fieldwork and ringing.
Alex Penn returned as Acting Warden, joined by Luke Marriner and Jonnie Fisk as his Assistant Wardens. After getting to know the ropes, beginning on trap repairs, and a wayward Blue Tit, the spring soon made itself known as we settled into May, with an incredible arrival event from the 2nd. Icterine Warblers, Wood Warblers, Red-backed Shrikes and more poured into the island in a classic 'arfternoon arrival'. Over the next few weeks, warblers, chats, flycatchers, shrikes and Wrynecks made landfall, day after day. No sooner had one wave of arrivals tailed off, it seemed like another would arrive, each swell subtly different in its species migrant make-up, but most notably featuring unprecedented numbers of Icterine Warblers, Red-backed Shrikes and Marsh Warblers. It was a season of spring falls made from the fabric of Fair Isle legend!
Male Collared Flycatcher at Gunnawark (Jonnie Fisk)
One of the many Bluethroats this spring (Jonnie Fisk)
It was a fairly demoralising summer on the seabird front, with large scale losses across the auks, Kittiwakes, Shags, terns and more, as a wet summer season made life challenging for these hardy travellers. For some, like the Guillemot, their breeding season's fate was perhaps sealed from the start, with many birds arriving back to the colonies in poor condition after a difficult winter at sea - if they arrived at all. This observation was mirrored across numerous colonies on the British east coast. Gaps in the usually bustling breeding ledges made it easier for avian predators to predate eggs and chicks, further contributing to the dismal numbers of young fledged. Arctic Skuas had a blank year for productivity, with just a handful of pairs attempting to nest, and only one brood hatching before they, too, were predated. Pairs of breeding Great Skua continued to climb in number from the tragic losses to HPAI in 2021-2022, however productivity was low, with many chicks seemingly starving to death at later stages of development, with some classic intraspecific predation occurring too. It was not all doom and gloom, with a brood of Dunlin hatching in the north of the Isle - only the eighth time this has been recorded on Fair Isle. Waders also did well across the parks and crofts, and passerines such as Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and Wheatears seemed to have a good season. Seabird tagging continued, with GLS tags deployed on breeding Razorbills and Guillemots, and some tags from previous years retrieved off Puffins across the north of the Isle. The Obs' team contributed to a Great Skua GLS-tagging project with the capture of a few birds.
One of the Dunlin brood raised on the Isle this summer (Alex Penn)
Fair Isle's fourth Green Warbler this June (Alex Penn)
With the pods of Northern Isles Orca passing Fair Isle during their hunting commutes, it was no surprise that we had some excellent encounters with these behemoths this season. A sighting of a handful of animals on the team's first day in March was rather jammy, though brief, though there would be plenty of time to catch up with them during some prolonged spells around the island, not least in late May when some 10+ animals patrolled South Light and South Harbour. Perhaps the most serendipitous encounter occured while the team were doing puffin work on Greenholm as the two bachelor bulls Hulk and Nótt paid South Light a visit, squeezing themselves inbetween the holms and coming within feet of the Obs' boat moored up, the team watching all of this from above with mouths agape! Brief appearances also came from spring, summer and late autumn, with the last on 5th November off Buness.
A bachelor bull Orca passing South Light (Alex Penn)
Fair Isle is synonymous with rarities, and this year was no different with several highlights to choose from. An island first came in the form of a MARMORA'S WARBLER at the end of May, providing a barnstorming finale to possibly the most incredible spring period in living memory. Other spring rares included COLLARED FLYCATCHER, GREEN WARBLER, TAWNY PIPIT, a Red-flanked Bluetail, Fair Isle's 10th Bee-eater, a Subalpine Warbler sp., RUSTIC BUNTING, as well as the aforementioned avalanche of Bluethroat, Icterine Warbler and other fine spring scarcities. The first Fair Isle 'megas' of the autumn came early, with a Balearic Shearwater (Shetland's first record from land) sailing past South Light in August, followed shortly by a Kingfisher found by visiting Swiss birders. This was not only the second for the Isle, but the first 'twitchable' - everyone needed this - and soon garnered a large admiring crowd (for Fair Isle standards), featuring many family members visiting for the summer. More autumn highlights included the Isle's 2nd Great White Egret and 4th Little Egret, BLACK-HEADED BUNTING, DAURIAN SHRIKE, two BROWN SHRIKE, Coues's Arctic Redpoll, SIBERIAN STONECHAT, a few Arctic Warbler, TENNESSEE WARBLER, two LANCEOLATED WARBLER, our first PECHORA PIPIT since 2019, an EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL, a Hoopoe, a BRÜNNICH'S GUILLEMOT, and we jammed in the phenomenal Shetland seawatching this autumn, with records of Great Shearwater (the first land based record since 1986) and a Cory's Shearwater from the Good Shepherd IV. Some Yellow-browed Warbler arrivals (including 35 on one day) allowed us to affix colour rings to several birds as part of a new nationwide project.
While it was no vintage mid-late autumn, with mild weather across Eurasia and a stubborn lack of easterlies denying us any large scale arrivals of Robins, Goldcrests etc. throughout October, multiple falls of thrushes provided compensation and exciting birding all round, with our highest day count of Redwings this century, and some lovely busy days in the traps, enjoying the multifariousness of Blackbirds.
One of this year's showstoppers - a TENNESSEE WARBLER
The first Marmora's Warbler to be recorded in Fair Isle (Alex Penn)
A Fair Isle speciality - one of two Lanceolated Warblers this autumn (Steve Arlow)
But perhaps the highlight of the season for the FIBO team was being part of this magical island community, and being privileged enough to be welcomed into the social and working side of Fair Isle life; hill caas, birthday drinks, shearing sheep, beach bonfires, BBQs, baling hay, guiding cruise ship passengers, providing ringing demonstrations, hosting parties and generally having the time of our lives. We all hope to be back in the shadow of Sheep Rock in some capacity soon, and - apologies to the long-suffering islanders - we're not going to be strangers!
Goodbye from the 2024 FIBO Team! (Dan Gornall)
So it just leaves us to say thank you to all those who helped us as we navigated another season, and to you for following along with our updates. We wish you all the best for the rest of the year.
Warm regards, Jonnie, Alex & Luke
FIBO 2024 Team
________________________________________________________________________________________________
1st - 5th November 2024
Weather: Largely overcast, with some drizzly rain.
A mixed bag of sightings to kick off November, though officially the FIBO seasonal census has ended. The team split on the 4th, while AW Jonnie Fisk and Acting Warden Alex Penn linger until the 6th, AW Luke Marriner departing for a winter split between his home county of Oxfordshire and his beloved Lundy in Devon.
A colour-ringed first calendar-year male Sparrowhawk in the Vaadal Heligoland on the 1st was an unexpected delight: it was ringed at Modesty near West Burrafirth in Shetland. A family party of Whooper Swans passing low over the Puffinn on the same day also included a bird sporting a darvic, allowing us to later learn that it was ringed as an adult last year in north-east Iceland. After a very lively end-of-season Halloween party at the Haa, a few brave souls went into the field on the 2nd, though perhaps sighting of the day was an unseasonable pale phase Arctic Skua at South Light, remaining for a day or two. A Fieldfare arrival on 4th was supplemented further by a large pulse of thrushes, with flocks of hundreds of mixed birds, and large chacking squadrons Fieldfares more noticeable still. As with the end of October, the dykes hosted lurking Blackbirds, which burst out of Plantation in flocks, while almost everywhere else Song Thrushes and Redwings buzzed about. After a late Garden Warbler was ringed in Plantation, David Parnaby came across an Olive-backed Pipit at the Vaadal reservoir while out on his Island water treatment rounds, which the remaining FIBO team enjoyed during a brief break from packing away the South Light flat and ammassed fieldwork equipment. This is only the second Olive-backed Pipit of the autumn, but perhaps absence does make the heart grow fonder, and Alex and Jonnie both shared wide smiles as they watched it swagger up the dyke along Ringing Hut Marsh, with the aural fuzz of migrant thrushes all around us. Elsewhere on the Isle a few Goldeneye were in the north, Woodcock were new in and a bull Orca was spotted off Buness, though no Great Shearwaters (still present in the north Atlantic in incredible numbers) could be mined from the waves.
The FIBO Team's last scarcity in the final throes of the 2024 season: an Olive-backed Pipit on the 5th (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Olive-backed Pipit: One at Vaadal .
A Shetland-ringed Sparrowhawk caught here on the 1st - part of a colour-ringing scheme to allow for resightings in the field (Alex Penn)
A colour-ringed Whooper Swan passing over the south of the Isle on the 1st (Alex Penn)
Year list: 211
________________________________________________________________________________________________
31st October 2024
Weather: On/off rain and gale force winds. F8 W.
October ended not with a bang but a whimper, as wild westerlies blew with them stinging rain showers and largely challenging conditons for a census, or much coverage at all. A mild October in general, including across the near continent and into Scandinavia, meant that we received no real push of migrants from the north, as previously discussed in these updates. Our autumn as a whole, however, was extremely enjoyable, with some excellent days of arrivals, and sea-watching - not something that is guaranteed in a Fair Isle year! Despite another year with no Observatory building, the various guesthouses across the Isle allowed for visiting birders to add to the overall groove, and we have many of them to thank for excellent birds found, contributions to the log, and general laughs, merriment and support! We hope to see you back in the Obs' in 2025.
Sightings of note: 1 Woodpigeon, 2 Water Rail, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin, 1 Black-headed Gull, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Merlin, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling
Year list: 211
________________________________________________________________________________________________
30th October 2024
Weather: Overcast, with some light rain in the afternoon and into the evening, with an increasing wind. F4-6 SW.
Thrush numbers were much depleted from yesterday's arrival - not surprising given how many birds were observed leaving off the south of the Isle the previous night. A drier, settled day still saw a couple of hundred Redwing and Blackbird each, with modest numbers of Brambling, 70 Snow Bunting and a few Long-tailed Duck among the ornithological points of interest for the day. As the team begin to plan for their departure, sights turn to end-of-season meetings and debriefings, the last of the data entry and collating descriptions. It's been a funny 'end' to our autumn, with the feeling that a cooling on the continent should see the expected arrival of Robins, 'crests, owls etc. which we would have already recorded by now in previous years, but likely to be an event we miss out on during this autumn season.
Brambling have been daily fixtures recently, though we are yet to record 'big' finch passage (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 205 Greylag Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 10 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 8 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Woodpigeon, 4 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen, 5 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 33 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 116 Turnstone, 1 Woodcock, 43 Snipe, 27 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 3 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 76 Skylark, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 1 Blackcap, 219 Blackbird, 7 Fieldfare, 227 Redwing, 19 Song Thrush, 7 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 71 Meadow Pipit, 43 Rock Pipit, 13 Brambling, 44 Twite, 3 'Northwestern Redpoll', 1 Siskin, 70 Snow Bunting
Year list: 211
________________________________________________________________________________________________
29th October 2024
Weather: A drizzly morning, with sunny spells by the afternoon. F6-4 SE-SW.
Overnight south-easterlies switched by daybreak, providing us with probably the final fall conditions of the 2024 autumn season. The morning's trap rounds were extended considerably by a carpet of Blackbird, as a wholesale arrival across the island saw groups of hundreds of these usually sneaky, secretive shadow-dwelling thrushes huddling along dykes and creeping through the parks. Finnequoy held 200 birds first thing; 100 more were in Plantation; some 50 birds burst from the rosa at Setter, with similar numbers erupting from the skeletal nettles of Pund. Above this black magic, thousands of Redwing were swirling, as we enjoyed another arrival of this gregarious, noisy species too. Some 200+ Fieldfare joined the fray, and 37 Woodcock were logged. Numbers of thrushes remained impressive all day, culminating in fantastic display by the late afternoon, as the sky went through its colourful motions as the sun set, and thousands of thrushes gradually took to the skies and headed south. As one tracked their bins' on each flock overhead, a slight readjustment of the focus wheel would reveal further flocks of Blackbird, or mixed Redwing and Fieldfare, even higher and more distant, and more behind them still, as specks migrating south.
HIGHLIGHTS
Bluethroat: One at Upper Stoneybrek and another at Quoy.
A happy AW working his way through a glut of Blackbirds to ring (Jonnie Fisk)
One of the more striking-looking first calendar-year male Blackbirds ringed today (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 138 Greylag Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 12 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 8 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Woodpigeon, 4 Water Rail, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 24 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 120 Turnstone, 37 Woodcock, 2 Jack Snipe, 75 Snipe, 28 Redshank, 2 Kittiwake, 1 Common Gull, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 41 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 2 Blackcap, 1 Ring Ouzel, 4638 Blackbird, 212 Fieldfare, 4333 Redwing, 65 Song Thrush, 16 Robin, 81 Meadow Pipit, 44 Rock Pipit, 4 Chaffinch, 18 Brambling, 3 Twite, 3 'Northwestern Redpoll', 1 Lapland Bunting, 52 Snow Bunting
A calm evening around Skadan, watching thousands of thrushes stream south off the Isle (Alex Penn)
Year list: 211
________________________________________________________________________________________________
28th October 2024
Weather: A calm start became a mizzly day of passing rain. F3-4 NE-SE.
A slightly damp squib of a day, as a largely settled day of forecasted clear weather turned dreich with rolling bands of drizzle. Autumn thrushes continue to linger around the clifftops and grazed parks, with over 1000 Redwing still present. More Snow Bunting were new in, with two Barnacle Geese fresh in with the massed Greylags. A whole-island Eider count was undertaken, allowing for some timely revisits to areas not typically explored on daily census before the season ends and the team go their separate ways!
A Redwing with a very fetching case of partial leucism/schizochrosim, an abberation more usually seen in Blackbird and Ring Ouzel (Alex Penn)
This Yellowhammer has settled on the Isle for a the last few days, here perched at Barkland (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 2 Barnacle Goose, 180 Greylag Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 8 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 81 Northern Eider, 5 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Moorhen, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 27 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 102 Turnstone, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 7 Woodcock, 93 Snipe, 57 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 1 Guillemot, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 3 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Carrion Crow, 87 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 1 Blackcap, 358 Blackbird, 10 Fieldfare, 1218 Redwing, 27 Song Thrush, 10 Robin, 1 Grey Wagtail, 95 Meadow Pipit, 36 Rock Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 24 Brambling, 39 Twite, 1 Redpoll sp., 1 Siskin, 67 Snow Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer
A juvenile Long-tailed Duck remains on Easter Lother Water - not the most inspiring location for this species... (Luke Marriner)
Year list: 211
________________________________________________________________________________________________
27th October 2024
Weather:Rain on/off through most of the day, with some heavy showers in the afternoon. Intermittent sunny spells. F7-4 W-SW.
An overnight departure of thrushes was evident, with numbers much depleted after yesterday's fantastic day of arrivals. 2000+ Redwing and a few hundred Blackbird were still present, with some geos continuing to be unexpected hotspots for the latter species, with decent-sized groups scattering from the cliff sides, out of rabbit holes and underneath overhangs with characteristically 'long ruddered' silhouettes. A Brent Goose was new and only the third for the year, while a seawatch from South Light recorded a late Bonxie, a 'blue' Fulmar and three Great Northern Diver, with an additional moulting adult in the Haven. An enjoyable afternoon was spent ringing thrushes after some squally showers, with a decent proportion of heavy adult birds caught, and by today's early evening dusk, calls of departing birds could be heard across the south of the Isle as they head onwards, their internal compasses guiding them to Ireland, France, Spain, or maybe even further...
HIGHLIGHTS
Bluethroat: One still present at Chalet.
Yellow Wagtail: One at Field.
Purple Sandpiper in their winter dress seem settled for the winter (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 1 Brent Goose, 166 Greylag Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 9 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Woodpigeon, 5 Water Rail, 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 29 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 127 Turnstone, 9 Purple Sandpiper, 4 Woodcock, 3 Jack Snipe, 39 Snipe, 34 Redshank, 47 Kittiwake, 14 Black-headed Gull, 40 Common Gull, 1 Great Skua, 4 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill, 4 Great Northern Diver, 1 'blue' Fulmar, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, 4 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 1 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Ring Ouzel, 628 Blackbird, 18 Fieldfare, 2263 Redwing, 23 Song Thrush, 9 Robin, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Chaffinch, 18 Brambling, 1 Redpoll sp., 3 Siskin, 12 Snow Bunting
Year list: 211
________________________________________________________________________________________________
26th October 2024
Weather: Rain showers through the morning then largely bright and sunny, clouding over by mid-afteroon and rain later on. F7-5 SW-W.
An exceptional day for thrushes, most notably Redwings, with thousands upon thousands of birds lifting across the south of the Isle, swirling around the Hill Dyke and carpeting the parks and crofts in a moving avian carpet. The clifftops seemed to crumble as you walked near, only for the debris to utter chacking calls and spiral away in flocks along the coastline. Down the geos, Redwings would materialise from nowhere against the cliff sides in bursts, usually with a Blackbird sentry shrieking nearby, and small brown shapes scrabbled against the wave-licked bases of the stacks and bluffs - exhausted birds presumably newly arrived. It was a flavour of autumn island birding at its most spectacular. Some 20,000+ Redwing were recorded across census, with care taken to try not to double count the 'megaflocks' at Setter, Meadow Burn etc., though for those who have been blessed with big 'thrush days' in the past will attest, you are almost certainly left with a massive undercount on your hands. Today's count is the largest since 1991, when a similar October day saw 25,000+ birds logged. In what seems like a very late autumn for thrush movement, it was encouraging to finally record decent numbers of Blackbird (800+) and Fieldfare (150+), with some parts of the island recording 100s of the former, as these typcially shy species of northern forests flock together on their annual passage south-west. A Hawfinch over Utra was an expected record alongside a Redwing arrival, and two Bluethroat remain in the south of the Isle, with a Rosefinch still at the Quoy crop strip. What is that old birding adage about the rare coming after the fall...?
Redwing were firmly bird of the day (Alex Penn)
A day of busy trap rounds, dominated by thrushes (Jonnie Fisk)
HIGHLIGHTS
Bluethroat: Both birds from recent days still present at Quoy and Chalet/Barkland.
Hawfinch: One over Utra mid-morning.
Common Rosefinch: One at Quoy.
Over 800 Blackbirds were logged today, many of them chunky adult males from the continent (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 101 Greylag Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Whooper Swan, 3 Wigeon, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Woodpigeon, 3 Water Rail, 5 Oystercatcher, 1 Golden Plover, 26 Curlew, 127 Turnstone, 12 Woodcock, 12 Jack Snipe, 37 Snipe, 35 Redshank, 3 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 91 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 4 Carrion Crow, 120 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 2 Ring Ouzel, 818 Blackbird, 155 Fieldfare, 20,239 Redwing, 74 Song Thrush, 11 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 122 Meadow Pipit, 61 Rock Pipit, 5 Chaffinch, 16 Brambling, 43 Twite, 2 Siskin, 20 Snow Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer
Year list: 211
________________________________________________________________________________________________
25th October 2024
Weather: Calm, sunny and mild. F1-2 SW.
A much welcomed day of settled skies and sun, becoming pretty warm by the middle of the day. A small arrival of birds was evident in the north, with an increase in Blackcap there, and a new Yellow-browed Warbler at Wirvie. Four Black Redstart were also new, with two Barnacle Geese among the passing wildfowl, with 16 Long-tailed Duck now sheltering around the Isle, mostly in Furse, alongside one Common Scoter. A roost ringing session at the Obs' resulted in a few Redwing, Blackbird, Blackcap, Robin and a 'Siberian Chiffchaff' being caught, one of four on the island.
The Walli Burn remains popular with Jack Snipe, with four there today (Jonnie Fisk)
An altercation between female Grey Seals in Gorsens Geo (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Yellow-browed Warbler: One at Wirvie.
Bluethroat: One still at Barkland.
Common Rosefinch: One at Quoy.
Surely the smartest plumage a Blackbird can attain? (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 2 Barnacle Goose, 140 Greylag Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Whooper Swan, 11 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 1 Common Scoter, 16 Long-tailed Duck, 7 Water Rail, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Golden Plover, 27 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 88 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 6 Woodcock, 7 Jack Snipe, 59 Snipe, 54 Redshank, 7 Kittiwake, 8 Black-headed Gull, 22 Common Gull, 3 Great Northern Diver, 1 'blue' Fulmar, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 115 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 8 Chiffchaff, 4 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 17 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 46 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 505 Redwing, 38 Song Thrush, 18 Robin, 4 Black Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 1 Tree Sparrow, 157 Meadow Pipit, 84 Rock Pipit, 7 Chaffinch, 6 Brambling, 95 Twite, 2 'Northwestern Redpoll', 7 Siskin, 8 Snow Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer
Year list: 211
________________________________________________________________________________________________
24th October 2024
Weather: Mostly sunny, with blustery winds. F7-4 S.
Another rather quiet day, though pleasant in the sun. Winds died down through the afternoon, but still remained sketchy for birding the clifftops in the north, while a F7 S was blowing. Redwings remain the most notable passerines, though their numbers are dwindling, with nary a warbler or finch to be found. At Barkland the smart, and obliging, Bluetroat was kicking about, with the Rosefinch and Bluethroat at Quoy once again. A party of Whooper Swan passed over the south of the Isle. As many as six Merlin continue to make life dangerous if you are a pipit or Skylark, while the number of Grey Seal pups at the bottom of Gunnawark is slowly building. A calmer day tomorrow, after a long stretch of eye-watering winds, is appreciated, and with many finches, thrushes, Woodcocks etc. to arrive, we are looking forward to some conducive winds and busier days as we reach the end of the FIBO autumn season.
A rather surprising arrival yesterday was this Bluethroat at Quoy (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Bluethroat: Two: singles at Quoy and Barkland.
Common Rosefinch: One at Quoy.
Sightings of note: 131 Greylag Goose, 4 Pink-footed Goose, 6 Whooper Swan, 10 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Woodpigeon, 3 Water Rail, 6 Oystercatcher, 9 Lapwing, 34 Curlew, 196 Turnstone, 3 Woodcock, 6 Jack Snipe, 26 Snipe, 25 Redshank, 30 Kittiwake, 25 Black-headed Gull, 113 Common Gull, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 6 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 1 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 30 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 204 Redwing, 11 Song Thrush, 8 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 2 Goldfinch, 13 Siskin, 9 Snow Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer
Year list: 211
________________________________________________________________________________________________
23rd October 2024
Weather: Largely overcast with some sunny spells. F6 W.
A blustery day resulted in little change on the migrant front, though a Bluethroat was new at Quoy, joining the brightly-gorgetted bird at Barkland. Quoy was also the site for the continuing Rosefinch, making the most of the well-endowed heads of fodder radish etc. in the sacrificial crop strip. A few hundred Redwing still swirl around calmer areas and shorter-turfed parks, with a handful of Song Thrush and Blackbird also present. Seven Long-tailed Duck remain around the coast while the seas are broiling and two plucky Swallows at Skadan are still mustering the strength to move south.
Whooper Swans staging here on the Isle (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Bluethroat: One at Barkland with a new bird at Quoy.
Common Rosefinch: One at Quoy.
The adult male Merlin continues to enertain as it tours vast swathes of the Isle (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 128 Greylag Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 11 Whooper Swan, 2 Wigeon, 7 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Woodpigeon, 2 Water Rail, 4 Oystercatcher, 19 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 36 Curlew, 254 Turnstone, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Woodcock, 9 Jack Snipe, 76 Snipe, 65 Redshank, 7 Kittiwake, 21 Black-headed Gull, 83 Common Gull, 1 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 6 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 2 Swallow, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 1 Blackcap, 23 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 306 Redwing, 21 Song Thrush, 8 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 3 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 2 'Northwestern Redpoll', 2 Goldfinch, 15 Siskin, 1 Lapland Bunting, 23 Snow Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer
Year list: 211
________________________________________________________________________________________________
22nd October 2024
Weather: Rain and hail across the morning, with sunny spells in between, and a largely sunny afternoon. F8-6 W.
A mixed day of weather saw us cover our census areas as best we could, with a fierce westerly wind preventing close contact with some clifftops. As yesterday, a few Long-tailed Ducks sought shelter in the island's bays, while other wildfowl passage concerned a skein of Pink-footed Geese and five Whooper Swans. With conditions unconducive for moving on, we retain our Bluethroat, Rosefinch and Yellow Wagtails of recent days (or weeks!). Our first Mistle Thrush of the autumn was new in, with an increase in numbers of Black-headed Gulls riding the waves of South Harbour and joining the massed Turnstones in scavenging among the tonnes of seaweed washed ashore. A couple of Lapland Bunting remain in the south-east and, across the north, Snow Bunting numbers reach some 47 birds.
Passing Barkland presents a wonderful opportunity to get up close and personal with a Bluethroat (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Bluethroat: Still present at Barkland.
Yellow Wagtail: Two present again today.
Common Rosefinch: One at Quoy.
The first Mistle Thrush of the autumn (Luke Marriner)
A changeable day with showers of rain and hail passing the Isle, sometimes colliding with land and dumping their contents on us (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 109 Greylag Goose, 11 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Whooper Swan, 26 Wigeon, 22 Long-tailed Duck, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Water Rail, 3 Oystercatcher, 5 Lapwing, 32 Curlew, 179 Turnstone, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Jack Snipe, 59 Snipe, 32 Redshank, 76 Kittiwake, 13 Black-headed Gull, 51 Common Gull, 1 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 3 Great Northern Diver, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Carrion Crow, 2 Swallow, 2 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 1 Blackcap, 17 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 359 Redwing, 19 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 5 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 2 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin, 2 Lapland Bunting, 47 Snow Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting
Year list: 211
________________________________________________________________________________________________
21st October 2024
Weather: Largely sunny, a couple of short showers through the late morning, and high winds of the first named storm of the autumn. F6-7 SW.
A largely dry day was made challening still by high winds, though sunny spells among the odd quick shower meant it was still pleasant to be out and about on the Isle, with the prospect of an American landbird out there somewhere! Storm Ashley brought a few diminutive Long-tailed Ducks to the sheltered bays in the island's north, plus more were logged past South Light during the morning's seawatch. A Black Redstart and the Barkland Bluethroat remain, with the Rosefinch still around Quoy. While some of the north-west cliffs proved too treacherous to attempt to peer down thanks to gale force winds, thrushes continue to shelter in calm spots and thermal imaging monoculars have been invaluable in spotting birds perched, statue-like, within geos, as well as detecting Woodcocks and Water Rails crouched among vegetation. In ringing recovery news, we received feedback that a Fair Isle-ringed Razorbill had been found freshly dead in West Flanders on the Belgian coast, some 31 years after it was ringed here. While still a long way off the BTO's Razorbill longevity record of 41 years and 11 months, it still made this bird older than all of this year's Obs' team at the time of writing!
The juvenile Yellow Wagtail present since late September continues to grace census (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Yellow-browed Warbler: One at Houll.
Bluethroat: Still present at Barkland.
Yellow Wagtail: A juvenile present at Field.
Common Rosefinch: One at Burkle again.
Barkland's resident Bluethroat (Luke Marriner)
It is getting to the 'finchy' part of autumn, and we're still waiting for more passage Bramblings, redpolls and Siskins, like this male (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 135 Greylag Goose, 14 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 10 Teal, 1 Common Scoter, 18 Long-tailed Duck, 3 Water Rail, 4 Oystercatcher, 14 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 37 Curlew, 201 Turnstone, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Woodcock, 2 Jack Snipe, 36 Snipe, 56 Redshank, 3 Kittiwake, 3 Black-headed Gull, 70 Common Gull, 1 Guillemot, 4 Razorbill, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 2 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Ring Ouzel, 17 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 148 Redwing, 33 Song Thrush, 6 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 2 Linnet, 3 'Northwestern Redpoll', 2 Goldfinch, 8 Siskin, 7 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 211
________________________________________________________________________________________________
19th & 20th October 2024
Weather: Sunny spells and mild on 19th. Overnight gale force winds continued into the 20th, with heavy driving rain from late morning. F5-8 SSE.
A birdy day on the 19th made up for a total windy washout on the 20th. Thrush numbers were once again good, with Redwings seemingly feeding on all available land. The Red-necked Grebe remained in the Haven, though appears fatigued. A Richard's Pipit at Setter was new and an addition to the Fair Isle yearlist to boot, with a new Hawfinch at Barkland, where the obliging Bluethroat also lingered. A gorgeous blue male Merlin was in the north and a Hen Harrier toured the Isle, with two Yellow Wagtails, a Rosefinch at Burkle again and two Yellow-browed Warblers were logged. Other new birds included a few Short-eared Owls and a Goldeneye, while two large groups of Snow Buntings roamed the west cliffs and the South Light Purple Sandpiper flock swelled in number. A Scarce Umber moth on the top of Malcom's Head was the first record for Fair Isle, with a second found resting on an illuminated window at the Community Hall during a communal curry and quiz night! This typically woodland moth is a big rarity in Shetland, with just six previous individuals recorded, the last in 2020!
Red-necked Grebe in the Haven (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Red-necked Grebe: Present in the Haven on 19th.
Yellow-browed Warbler: Singles at Setter and Gully on 19th.
Bluethroat: One trundling around at Barkland on 19th.
Yellow Wagtail: Two birds again on 19th - the 'raspy' juvenile present since the end of Sept, and a 'classically' calling bird.
Richard's Pipit: One flushed around Setter c.12:00hrs on 19th.
Hawfinch: One south over Barkland on 19th.
Common Rosefinch: One at Burkle again on 19th.
Seldom seen, but only adding to their prestige: a blue tiercel Merlin (Alex Penn)
Song Thrushes compliment the large numbers of Redwing present at the minute (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 16 Barnacle Goose, 126 Greylag Goose, 2 Pink-footed Geese, 41 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Woodpigeon, 4 Water Rail, 2 Oystercatcher, 10 Lapwing, 4 Golden Plover, 33 Curlew, 111 Turnstone, 44 Purple Sandpiper, 11 Woodcock, 4 Jack Snipe, 63 Snipe, 76 Redshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 13 Common Gull, 8 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hen Harrier, 5 Short-eared Owl, 3 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 79 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 5 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 6 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Goldcrest, 2 Ring Ouzel, 73 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 1536 Redwing, 150 Song Thrush, 19 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 4 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 141 Meadow Pipit, 77 Rock Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 37 Brambling, 125 Twite, 3 'Northwestern Redpoll', 1 Mealy Redpoll, 20 Siskin, 1 Lapland Bunting, 78 Snow Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer, 3 Reed Bunting
Year list: 211
________________________________________________________________________________________________
18th October 2024
Weather: Sunny, growing overcast by late afternoon. A growing wind become gale force by the evening. F6-8 SSE.
Somewhat of a clearout was evident, with fewer thrushes on the ground, though a wind of increasing ferocity made birding from clifftops difficult. A Bluethroat was new in around Barkland, where the first Moorhen since the spring was also present. The juvenile Red-necked Grebe relocated to the Haven, where it afforded close views as it snoozed on and off near the tideline. Two Yellow Wagtail remain in residence; the 'raspy' calling juvenile present since 30th September, as well as a more standard-sounding 'Western' Yellow Wagtail. A Rosefinch was in the cover crop at Burkle with the Twite again and a 'Russian White-fronted Goose' was within passage Greylag Geese over the sea from South Light. After noting a few carcasses of pups, this week we've begin to note our first live Grey Seal pups on the beaches at the bottom of the precipitous geos of the west coast. These lumps of white fur and liquid eyes will quickly gain mass as they feed on their mothers' fatty milk, ready to brave the wild seas and chill winds of a Shetland late autumn and winter.
Red-necked Grebe in the Haven during a brief break from its slumber (Dan Gornall)
HIGHLIGHTS
'Russian White-fronted Goose': One passed South Light in a skein of Greylags.
Red-necked Grebe: Present for its third day, now in the Haven.
Yellow-browed Warbler: Singles at the Obs', Furse and Barkland.
Bluethroat: One at Barkland.
Yellow Wagtail: Two birds - the 'raspy' juvenile present since the end of Sept, and a 'classically' calling bird.
Common Rosefinch: One at Burkle.
New life on the west coast geos (Alex Penn)
Greylag Geese continue to be on the move (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 299 Greylag Goose, 2 Pink-footed Geese, 31 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Woodpigeon, 5 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen, 4 Oystercatcher, 10 Lapwing, 33 Curlew, 140 Turnstone, 3 Dunlin, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 6 Woodcock, 3 Jack Snipe, 39 Snipe, 67 Redshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 13 Common Gull, 19 Guillemot, 2 Great Northern Diver, 10 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Manx Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin, 4 Carrion Crow, 100 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 6 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Ring Ouzel, 78 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 442 Redwing, 99 Song Thrush, 24 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 5 Grey Wagtail, 1 alba Wagtail, 125 Meadow Pipit, 43 Rock Pipit, 8 Chaffinch, 13 Brambling, 71 Twite, 2 'Northwestern Redpoll', 1 Redpoll sp., 6 Siskin, 2 Lapland Bunting, 29 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 210
________________________________________________________________________________________________
17th October 2024
Weather: Rain in the morning, clearing to a largely overcast day with some sunny spells and low cloud in the north. F5-3 SW.
A wet start, and overnight rain saw repeated flooding across the island, with the burns fording the roads and swelled streams flowing once again through the Heligoland traps at Gully, Plantation and Vaadal. The rain abated by late morning and the team headed out into census, where more thrushes greeted us. Redwings were still in the majority, with a few hundred across the crofts and the west cliffs with overall numbers bolstered by a flock of some 1700 around the water treatment works. Numbers of both Blackbird and Song Thrush increased compared to yesterday's totals (though perhaps yesterday's difficult conditions had something to do with that), with more Robins, Blackcaps and Goldcrests recorded too. We recorded our first Long-eared Owl, Yellowhammer and Stonechat of the Fair Isle autumn, and after yesterday's blank day, six Yellow-browed Warblers were recorded. Yesterday's Red-necked Grebe flew from South Harbour over to the sea off the Raevas, though continued to elude the island list for one visiting FIBO alumnus. A Rosefinch was at Burkle and our third Arctic Warbler of the autumn was in the garden of Barkland and then Upper Stoneybrek the afternoon, found by Neil Thomson - a name which will be familiar to those with a connection to the Isle, or who may have booked themselves onto the Good Shepherd IV in recent years. As well as a purveyor of scarce phylloscopus warblers, Neil is also a talented musician, cartoonist and all round nice fella - many thanks for the find, Neil!
Arctic Warbler at Upper Stoneybrek (Dan Gornall)
One of four Black Redstarts logged today (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Red-necked Grebe: Yesterday's bird was present at first in South Harbour, before flying 'overland' and pitching offshore from the Raevas.
Yellow-browed Warbler: Six logged today.
Arctic Warbler: One at Barkland and Upper Stoneybrek.
Yellow Wagtail: One present around the south was separate to the 'raspy' bird of recent days.
Common Rosefinch: One at Burkle.
Over 100 Blackbird were recorded across the Isle (Dan Gornall)
The Vaadal Heligoland trap once again bearing the brunt of some wet weather (Jonnie Fisk)
This Rusty Dot Pearl at Shirva is a very rare migrant moth for Fair Isle (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 178 Greylag Goose, 2 Pink-footed Geese, 45 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Water Rail, 4 Oystercatcher, 18 Lapwing, 11 Golden Plover, 31 Curlew, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 163 Turnstone, 34 Woodcock, 5 Jack Snipe, 59 Snipe, 43 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull, 2 Guillemot, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Long-eared Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 103 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 14 Chiffchaff, 35 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 'Siberian Lesser Whitethroat', 13 Goldcrest, 6 Ring Ouzel, 106 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 3564 Redwing, 133 Song Thrush, 34 Robin, 4 Black Redstart, 1 Common Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 4 Wheatear, 1 Stonechat, 1 Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 alba Wagtail, 113 Meadow Pipit, 54 Rock Pipit, 9 Chaffinch, 28 Brambling, 78 Twite, 1 Linnet, 2 'Northwestern Redpoll', 1 Siskin, 3 Lapland Bunting, 34 Snow Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 210
________________________________________________________________________________________________
16th October 2024
Weather: Driving rain and winds for most of the day. F7-5 SE.
A grim weather forecast was realised, with winds whistling through the windows of South Light all night not abating by the morning, and joined by heavy rain for most of the day. Numbers of Redwing continued to be concentrated on the west coast, bursting forth from peat slacks and under the crests of clifftops, often accompanied by Woodcock and lesser numbers of Blackbird. Intrepid AW Luke came across a juvenile Red-necked Grebe on the sea below Steesi and Linni Geos, which was just the 26th record (of 28 birds), with just five of these being since the turn of the century. Despite this dizzying high, the weather continued to be challenging, with rain quickly seeping through waterproof layers and the F7 south-easterlies making peering down the cliffs of the west coast rather treacherous, though still exciting with flocks of Redwing and other thrushes dashing about. We recorded our first blank day for Yellow-browed Warblers since 16th September, but a Hen Harrier, a Garden Warbler and a modest number of Brambling were new in. Two Common Redstart on the west coast were notable, with a Black Redstart in Hjukni Geo, and a few Ring Ouzels providing a silvery aesthetic to the rain-lashed cliffs of red sandstone. After a few days going incognito, the 'raspy' Yellow Wagtail ssp. was back around Utra. With south-easterlies continuing overnight, we await the morning with excitement.
Red-necked Grebe are not easy to catch up with in Fair Isle (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Red-necked Grebe: One offshore around Steensi and Linni Geos was the 26th Isle record (of 28 individuals).
Yellow Wagtail: The juv. Yellow Wagtail spp. first seen on 30th September was still present
Rather soggy perch from which to view the sea between Steensi and Linni Geos (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 67 Greylag Goose, 2 Pink-footed Geese, 21 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Water Rail, 2 Oystercatcher, 16 Lapwing, 32 Curlew, 92 Turnstone, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 31 Woodcock, 2 Jack Snipe, 1 Guillemot, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Hen Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owl, 1 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 7 Goldcrest, 5 Ring Ouzel, 71 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 1406 Redwing, 40 Song Thrush, 15 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Common Redstart, 2 Wheatear, 27 Brambling, 72 Twite, 25 Snow Bunting
Year list: 210
________________________________________________________________________________________________
15th October 2024
Weather: Sunny, becoming overcast by late afternoon. Breezy, increasing as the day wore on. F6-7 SSE.
A day dominated by Redwing, particularly in the south-west where the winds concentrated them along the parks, crofts and cliffs, and they gathered in moving carpets or burst from underfoot while watchers steadied themselves at the tops of geos in a ripping wind. A morning seawatch in blustery, sunny conditions became very memorable when, about half an hour in, a BRÜNNICH'S GUILLEMOT flew east, with a helpfully demonstrative Common Guillemot trailing in its wake. The encounter was brief, as the two birds moved east, gained distance and disappeared around Da Skerry, with a Sooty Shearwater and flocks of Redwing departing the Isle rounding off a good session for AW Jonnie, who is not a natural seawatcher! By the end of the day, some 2500 Redwing were logged, with a Black Redstart and Hawfinch new in, as well as a few more of those mid-to-late autumn speciality migrants such as Jack Snipe, Woodcock and Short-eared Owl. Numbers of Snow Bunting continued to build, with 43 recorded across the Isle, as well as a lingering Yellow-browed Warbler in the garden of Utra.
More encounters of the Jack Snipe kind in the ditches and burns of Fair Isle (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
BRÜNNICH'S GUILLEMOT: One flew east past South Light with a Guillemot at 09:26hrs. Second record for Fair Isle.
Yellow-browed Warbler: One in the garden of Utra.
Hawfinch: One at Gunnawark.
This morning's seawatch setup. Niceness! (Jonnie Fisk)
A winnowing spiral of Redwing around the Mast, part of a large arrival today (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 117 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Geese, 16 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Water Rail, 2 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 18 Golden Plover, 42 Curlew, 185 Turnstone, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Woodcock, 12 Jack Snipe, 34 Snipe, 51 Redshank, 8 Kittiwake, 13 Common Gull, 24 Guillemot, 20 Razorbill, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Merlin, 1 Carrion Crow, 83 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 6 Chiffchaff, 3 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 8 Blackcap, 21 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 2539 Redwing, 30 Song Thrush, 12 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 105 Meadow Pipit, 48 Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 7 Brambling, 72 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 'Northwestern Redpoll', 1 Siskin, 43 Snow Bunting
Year list: 209
________________________________________________________________________________________________
14th October 2024
Weather: Overcast all day. Prolonged rain showers from midday until mid-afternoon. F5-4 SSW.
A pulse of new Redwings (plus a few Song Thrushes) kept us occupied in the south, while smaller numbers of Greylag Geese were again on the move. Protracted chilly rain from midday made for a wet end to census, with the lingering Coues's Arctic Redpoll featuring in the north, plus two Yellow-browed Warbler, nine Jack Snipe and 23 Snow Bunting were among the day's highlights.
A textbook desaturated 'Siberian Chiffchaff', one of three today (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL: One still around North Light and Kiln 'o Skroo.
Yellow-browed Warbler: Singles in the Obs' garden and Utra.
The smart, maybe even cute, Coues's Arctic Redpoll was once again in Kiln 'o Skroo (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 164 Greylag Goose, 12 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Woodpigeon, 2 Water Rail, 3 Oystercatcher, 10 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 29 Curlew, 103 Turnstone, 9 Jack Snipe, 63 Snipe, 34 Redshank, 6 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 8 Common Gull, 10 Guillemot, 1 Great Northern Diver, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 3 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 86 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 2 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 14 Blackbird, 355 Redwing, 13 Song Thrush, 15 Robin, 3 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 2 alba Wagtail, 116 Meadow Pipit, 42 Rock Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 78 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 'Northwestern Redpoll', 2 Redpoll sp., 1 Lapland Bunting, 23 Snow Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Shetland Bee.
Year list: 208
________________________________________________________________________________________________
13th October 2024
Weather: Cold rain and sleet during the morning, brightening into a sunny afternoon. F5-2 NW.
A bit of a Baltic start, with cold winds and driving rain and a short burst of sleet, with more Greylag Geese filling the skies with their skeins. A Ring Ouzel was trapped in Plantation early doors and two Sooty Shearwaters passed South Light on a morning sea-watch. The first Shorelark of the year was on South Green, while the Bluethroat in Klinger's Geo reappeared, dashing about in the burn to the tittilation of nearby watchers. A single Yellow-browed Warbler remains, in the Observatory garden, and the juvenile 'raspy' Yellow Wagtail was once again around the south of the Isle. Snow Buntings numbered 21 birds, including a flock of 13 at North Light, and over 180 Redwing were present across the Isle in small flocks. Part of the afternoon was taken up with the annual Fair Isle harvest festival, where the team happily spent their spare cash on the raffle, cakes, bakes and games. Some £1240 was raised for the Goodwill Children’s Village in India & Care International’s Gaza & Lebanon Crisis Appeal
This Bluethroat has been present for a few days around Klinger's Geo (Alex Penn)
South Green was a typical location for this less than annual species (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Shorelark: One on South Green.
Yellow-browed Warbler: One in the Obs' garden.
Bluethroat: One around Klinger's Geo again.
Yellow Wagtail: The juv. Yellow Wagtail spp. first seen on 30th September was still present
A young male Ring Ouzel from this morning's chilly trap rounds (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 627 Greylag Goose, 11 Pink-footed Goose, 34 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Woodpigeon, 4 Water Rail, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Lapwing, 22 Golden Plover, 17 Curlew, 98 Turnstone, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 7 Jack Snipe, 44 Snipe, 50 Redshank, 2 Kittiwake, 1 Common Gull, 1 Bonxie, 1 Guillemot, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 75 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 2 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 10 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 188 Redwing, 11 Song Thrush, 14 Robin, 2 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 3 Pied Wagtail, 3 alba Wagtail, 109 Meadow Pipit, 53 Rock Pipit, 2 Brambling, 4 Linnet, 59 Twite, 1 Lapland Bunting, 21 Snow Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Shetland Bee.
Year list: 208
________________________________________________________________________________________________
12th October 2024
Weather: Heavy rain showers, overcast all day. F5-2 SW-NW.
A largely uneventful day, with prolonged driving rain curtailing a full census. The main areas were covered, resulting in four Yellow-browed Warblers, and a new Red-breasted Flycatcher around the school. Three Jack Snipe were in the north, with a freshly dead Woodcock providing more evidence of waders on the move. However, perhaps bird of the day were the Greylag Geese, which passed through the Isle in large numbers and proved hard to tally as skeins U-turned or split and regrouped. At one point, some 670 birds were in the air at once to the north of two of the team watching from the School - quite a racket!
A brief Red-breasted Flycatcher around the Fire Station (Dan Gornall)
HIGHLIGHTS
Yellow-browed Warbler: Singles at the Haa, Haven beach, Quoy and the Obs'.
Red-breasted Flycatcher: One around the Fire Station.
Of the various crop strips across the Isle, a few are providing decent feeding sites for granivores like this Twite (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 913 Greylag Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 10 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Woodpigeon, 3 Water Rail, 8 Lapwing, 16 Golden Plover, 99 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 1 Woodcock, 3 Jack Snipe, 3 Kittiwake, 2 Common Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 5 Swallow, 6 Chiffchaff, 3 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 6 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Goldcrest, 6 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 86 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, 8 Robin, 3 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 alba Wagtail, 4 Chaffinch, 10 Brambling, 4 Linnet, 2 'Northwestern Redpoll', 24 Snow Bunting
Year list: 207
________________________________________________________________________________________________
11th October 2024
Weather: Cold, with showers and sunny spells, largely settled and fine late afternoon until the evening. F5-2 N.
A wintery feel to the day, with chilly winds and stinging sleety rain at times, but all interspersed with sunny spells and some pleasant passage of wildfowl. The Coues's Arctic Redpoll was available at North Light for any remaining admirers, the Bluethroat was back in Klinger's Geo and a Yellow-browed Warbler apiece were in Kirki Geo and at the Haa. A few Water Rail were scattered around the Isle, with a dozen Jack Snipe crouching in the ditches and mires. A clearout of visiting birders on today's planes is to the detriment to the evening log - thank you to all those who added their sightings and input and for all your efforts in the field!
A view from the north (Alex Penn)
The afternoon's focus was once again on finding Jack Snipe (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL: One around North Light again.
Yellow-browed Warbler: One at the Haa and one in Kirki Geo.
Bluethroat: One present again in Klinger's Geo.
Yellow Wagtail: The 'raspy' juv. first seen on 30th September was in the south of the Isle again.
A few groups of Whooper Swans passed the isle today, including a couple of family flocks with this year's youngsters (Alex Penn)
More close encounters with the Coues's Arctic Redpoll at North Light (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 64 Greylag Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 16 Whooper Swan, 12 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 3 Water Rail, 3 Oystercatcher, 8 Lapwing, 16 Golden Plover, 17 Curlew, 87 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 12 Jack Snipe, 51 Snipe, 23 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 6 Common Gull, 4 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Merlin, 4 Carrion Crow, 68 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 9 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Goldcrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 8 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 162 Redwing, 14 Song Thrush, 12 Robin, 2 Whinchat, 5 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 alba Wagtail, 109 Meadow Pipit, 50 Rock Pipit, 5 Brambling, 24 Twite, 3 Linnet, 1 'Northwestern Redpoll', 1 Siskin, 2 Lapland Bunting, 13 Snow Bunting
Year list: 207
________________________________________________________________________________________________
10th October 2024
Weather: Sunny spells. F5 NW.
A day of more departures as the wind swung to a bitter north-westerly and numbers of Redwing on the Isle dropped dramatically. A few Snow Bunting were new in, with a count of 38 for the day, and Greylag Geese continued to move through. The Hoopoe continues its tenancy around South Light and a single Yellow-browed Warbler remains, flycatching in Kirki Geo. Four 'Siberian Chiffchaff' were about and a surprise find was a freshly dead Grasshopper Warbler at the base of a dyke near the Haa. High solar flare activity this evening resulted in a glowing sky of pink, visible to the naked eye, and stretching across the sky to the east, before the curtain call of cloud rolled in.
Some colours over the south of the Isle this evening (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Hoopoe: Present at South Light.
Yellow-browed Warbler: One in Kirki Geo.
Yellow Wagtail: The 'raspy' juv. first seen on 30th September was in the south of the Isle again.
Sightings of note: 144 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 11 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 2 Water Rail, 3 Oystercatcher, 8 Lapwing, 24 Golden Plover, 24 Curlew, 69 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 9 Jack Snipe, 36 Snipe, 10 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 Guillemot, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 3 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Goldcrest, 4 Ring Ouzel, 5 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 262 Redwing, 38 Song Thrush, 8 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 4 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 2 Chaffinch, 5 Brambling, 27 Twite, 1 'Northwestern Redpoll', 1 Lapland Bunting, 38 Snow Bunting
Year list: 207
________________________________________________________________________________________________
9th October 2024
Weather: Largely overcast, with the odd sunny spell. Rain in the evening. F8 NE.
Ripping winds from the north made for a chilly census, with a much reduced total of thrushes, though Redwings were still present in the high hundreds. A new Bluethroat being combative with Robins at the bottom of Klinger's Geo joined the Quoy bird still present today. The lingering Coues's Arctic Redpoll was still around South Light, with a flock of Snow Buntings there now numbering 10 birds. Some seawatching from the shelter of South Light yielded two Sooty Shearwaters, a 'blue' Fulmar and a Common Scoter. Greylag Geese were seemingly arriving all day, with skeins constantly circling the Isle, and the two curious Yellow Wagtails of our autumn were both present. A social evening in the Community Hall marked a fond farewell to the Maxwell family, who are moving from the Isle for pastures new in mainland Shetland. Tom and Gillian have been at the heart of island life, working on the Good Shepherd IV and as Fair Isle Primary's headteacher, respectively, and have also been excellent friends to many of the Obs' staff both past and present. We wish them all the best on their next adventure!
One of two Bluethroats present today (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL: One around North Light again today.
Hoopoe: Present around South Light.
Yellow-browed Warbler: Three.
Bluethroat: Singles at Quoy and in Klinger's Geo.
Yellow Wagtail: The adult bird of unspecified ssp. was seen flying south off South Light. The 'raspy' juv. was present around the Haa.
Another angle on a Bluethroat, at the bottom of Klinger's Geo (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 111 Greylag Goose, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 16 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 1 Common Scoter, 3 Water Rail, 1 Oystercatcher, 6 Lapwing, 27 Golden Plover, 46 Curlew, 173 Turnstone, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 6 Jack Snipe, 40 Snipe, 44 Redshank, 3 Kittwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 10 Common Gull, 1 'blue' Fulmar, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 3 Blackcap, 23 Goldcrest, 3 Ring Ouzel, 7 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, 720 Redwing, 41 Song Thrush, 12 Robin, 3 Whinchat, 7 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 alba Wagtail, 2 Chaffinch, 9 Brambling, 26 Twite, 1 'Northwestern Redpoll', 16 Snow Bunting
Year list: 207
________________________________________________________________________________________________
8th October 2024
Weather: Gloomy all day, with drizzly showers and a chilly northern wind. F6-7 NE.
It was still thrush-heavy out there today, though we had lost about half the number of Redwing from yesterday, and far, far fewer Song Thrush were present. However, Ring Ouzels continued to put in a good showing and numbers of Jack Snipes bumped up to 16, with one ringed on Suka Mire. A Bluethroat was new in the crop strip at Quoy and a Barred Warbler was at Burkle. Some Greylag Goose passage in the afternoon included a 'Russian White-fronted Goose' concealed in a flock. Much attention and interest was garnered, especially among keen visiting birders, with an adult Yellow Wagtail present around Barkland and South Light, among other locations. With an odd, and often buzzy, spate of call notes heard, some effort went into sound recording and photographing this bird, particularly with the fun and games we have had with both an Eastern Yellow Wagtail and a long-staying first calendar-year 'flava ssp.' this month. Around the thick reed grass and rosa of the Haa's 'back garden', the Lanceolated Warbler was still prowling around for the best part of a week now. With weather so far removed from any semblance of Mediterranean, the Hoopoe around South Light could be excused from looking less than thrilled about its situation. With the winds forecast to become more savage from tomorrow, it may not get any happier...
Decent numbers of Jack Snipe were to be had today (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
LANCEOLATED WARBLER: Present around the Haa again today.
'Russian White-fronted Goose': One with a skein of Greylags.
Hoopoe: One around South Light again.
Yellow-browed Warbler: Six logged.
Barred Warbler: One at Burkle.
Bluethroat: One at Quoy.
Yellow Wagtail: An adult bird of unspecified ssp. was tracked from Neder Taft to Barkland and then around South Light by the evening.
This Yellow Wagtail sp./ssp. was present around the Isle, including around Utra in the evening, when this image was taken (Alex Penn)
Plenty of Jack Snipe were present on Suka Mire, including this bird which was caught and ringed (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note:177 Barnacle Goose, 80 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 1 'Russian White-fronted Goose', 19 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Water Rail, 1 Oystercatcher, 8 Lapwing, 21 Golden Plover, 18 Curlew, 129 Turnstone, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 17 Jack Snipe, 63 Snipe, 30 Redshank, 7 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Great Skua, 1 Razorbill, 1 Puffin, 1 'blue Fulmar', 3 Grey Heron, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 125 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 1 Reed Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 42 Goldcrest, 15 Ring Ouzel, 16 Blackbird, 6 Fieldfare, 1299 Redwing, 63 Song Thrush, 20 Robin, 5 Whinchat, 4 Wheatear, 2 Dunnock, 2 Pied Wagtail, 5 alba Wagtail, 203 Meadow Pipit, 53 Rock Pipit, 4 Chaffinch, 18 Brambling, 60 Twite, 2 'Northwestern Redpoll', 4 Siskin, 10 Snow Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting
Plenty of Redwings still about (Alex Penn)
Year list: 207
________________________________________________________________________________________________
7th October 2024
Weather: Overcast all day, and quite gloomy and dark at times, with a threat of sun early afternoon. Rain from mid-afternoon. F4-5 E.
The day began with skies full of Redwings swirling around South Light (and above the lingering Hoopoe). Census was thrush-heavy, especially in the north and on the west cliffs, as to be expected, with congregations of Redwings hundreds-strong on Busta Brecks and the Rippack too. But before real counts could get underway, Warden Alex and FIBO alum. Georgia got onto a vocal flyover PECHORA PIPIT over Utra Scrape, mustering all birders-in-the-field into action. Some 20 minutes later the bird was calling over Taft and headed towards South Green, and despite thorough hunting of likely areas of rank grassland it was not relocated. This is the 46th record of this Siberian species for the Isle, and the first since 2019. Another pipit encounter was had in the north, with a flighty Olive-backed Pipit, our first of the autumn, around Naaversgill. A Little Bunting remained in the thistles at Field, meanwhile on the west cliffs, decent numbers of Song Thrushes were being mined, and 10 Ring Ouzel were present. The Lanceolated Warbler at the Haa was seen again intermittently for its fifth day, and, after no sign for three days, the Coues's Arctic Redpoll was around North Light once more. Snow Buntings numbered 25 across various sites, a few flocks of Barnacle Geese flew south, and the first Brent Geese of the year - two 'Pale-bellied' birds - flew north up the east coast in the late afternoon.
North Light's tenant Arctic Redpoll (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
PECHORA PIPIT: One flew over Utra Scrape, then was relocated over Taft and appeared to drop in at South Green, but was not refound. The 46th Fair Isle record.
LANCEOLATED WARBLER:One around the Haa again.
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL: One at North Light, after a few day's absence.
Hoopoe: One around South Light for its seventh day.
Yellow-browed Warbler: Seven.
Olive-backed Pipit: One at Naaversgill.
Little Bunting: One still at Field.
A perfect silvery autumn Ring Ouzel on the west cliffs, one of 10 logged today (Dan Gornall)
Goldcrests and friend (a Yellow-browed Warbler) in Troila Geo (Dan Gornall)
Sightings of note: 2 'Pale-bellied Brent Goose' (first of the year), 177 Barnacle Goose, 3 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 23 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Water Rail, 4 Oystercatcher, 11 Lapwing, 17 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 16 Curlew, 108 Turnstone, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Woodcock, 6 Jack Snipe, 52 Snipe, 32 Redshank, 3 Kittiwake, 3 Black-headed Gull, 791 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Great Skua, 2 Great Nothern Diver, 1 Storm-petrel, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 4 Carrion Crow, 119 Skylark, 8 Swallow, 3 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 4 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 1 Reed Warbler, 29 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 24 Goldcrest, 10 Ring Ouzel, 16 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 2627 Redwing, 452 Song Thrush, 33 Robin, 5 Whinchat, 4 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 7 alba Wagtail, 279 Meadow Pipit, 38 Rock Pipit, 8 Chaffinch, 5 Brambling, 60 Twite, 1 'Northwestern Redpoll', 25 Snow Bunting
One of autumn's finest colour schemes, being worn so well by a Brambling here (Steve Arlow)
Year list: 207
________________________________________________________________________________________________
6th October 2024
Weather: Overcast all day with a moderate wind and some spots of rain. Heavy rain in the evening. F6-4 SSE.
Numbers of passage passerines dropped off slightly, with fewer Blackcaps most noticeably. The 'rasping' Yellow Wagtail ssp. was resighted after a couple of days without a report, three 'Siberian Chiffchaffs' were present and the north of the Isle contained 11 Snow Buntings. A Pied Flycatcher was new in at Dog Geo and the Brambling flock at Barkland increased by one. A new Yellow-browed Warbler was colour-ringed, with 11 birds logged across the Isle. The Skadan crop strip and the thistles at Field both continued to host a Little Bunting each and the Lanceolated Warbler around the Haa was once again pinned down, even flying into the leg of the house's proprietor at one point!
The South Light Hoopoe, though often rather soggy, can show well at times (Steve Arlow)
HIGHLIGHTS
LANCEOLATED WARBLER:One around the Haa again.
Hoopoe: One around South Light for its sixth day.
Yellow-browed Warbler: 11 logged.
Little Bunting: Birds still at Field and the Skadan crop strip again.
Yellow Wagtail: The flava wagtail last seen three days ago was around the south of the Isle.
The first few Short-eared Owls of autumn have begun to arrive (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 2 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 18 Wigeon, 11 Teal, 1 Water Rail, 3 Oystercatcher, 9 Lapwing, 9 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 19 Curlew, 107 Turnstone, 10 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Jack Snipe, 44 Snipe, 59 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 Great Skua, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 65 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 1 Reed Warbler, 11 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Goldcrest, 8 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 15 Redwing, 24 Song Thrush, 17 Robin, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 6 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtail, 3 alba Wagtail, 323 Meadow Pipit, 61 Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 5 Brambling, 82 Twite, 1 'Northwestern Redpoll', 11 Snow Bunting
Year list: 204
________________________________________________________________________________________________
5th October 2024
Weather: Largely overcast, with some weak sun in the late afternoon. Light rain on and off throughout the day. F4-3 S.
A changeover of visiting birders saw us happy that a few of the standout birds of recent days remained, with the Hoopoe at Skadan, two Little Buntings, and the Lanceolated Warbler at the Haa still present. We recorded our first Woodcock of the autumn and a few Yellow-browed Warblers were new in, three of them now sporting colour rings, as we rapidly run out of combinations we can use on them! Blackcaps jumped in number and nine Snow Buntings were at Buness. With birds to the north and south of us so far this autumn, our attentions turn to Pallas's Grasshopper Warblers and another afternoon was spent prowling the reed grass, tufty verges and sedge-y mires and parks to no avail...
The lingering Lanceolated Warbler would spend time ensconced in the grassy turning circle outside the Skerryholm garage (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
LANCEOLATED WARBLER:One present around Skerryholm and the Haa for the third day.
Hoopoe: One around South Light for its fifth day.
Yellow-browed Warbler: 18 birds present.
Little Bunting: Yesterday's birds at Field and the Skadan crop strip again.
Another addition to the 2024 school of colour-ringed 'Yellow-brows' (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 2 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 19 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 2 Water Rail, 4 Oystercatcher, 8 Lapwing, 11 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 22 Curlew, 65 Turnstone, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Woodcock, 3 Jack Snipe, 75 Snipe, 42 Redshank, 10 Common Gull, 2 Great Skua, 1 Razorbill, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 122 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 1 Reed Warbler, 46 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 20 Goldcrest, 10 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 32 Redwing, 31 Song Thrush, 24 Robin, 6 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtail, 5 alba Wagtail, 366 Meadow Pipit, 77 Rock Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 70 Twite, 1 'Northwestern Redpoll', 9 Snow Bunting
Year list: 204
________________________________________________________________________________________________
4th October 2024
Weather: Largely overcast, with a short shower around midday and rain in the evening. F6-4 S.
A slightly quieter day then the previous, though a few Yellow-browed Warblers and three Little Bunting were new in - the latter pleasantly distributed with one in each census area. The Lanceolated Warbler found yesterday afternoon around the Haa was still present, showing for those who put in the time languidly leaning against the dyke, though becoming a lot showier when it leapt across the road to the back of Fair Isle's 'petrol station' at Skerryholm. A Slavonian Grebe flew east past South Light on the morning sea-watch, while nearby the Hoopoe was still present for its fourth day. With FIBOT alumnus, and Yellow-browed Warbler colour-ringing project coordinator, Dan Gornall on-Isle for a few weeks, the team are hoping to catch more 6g nuggets of Siberian magic to contribute to this ongoing national scheme.
One of three Little Buntings recorded today, this one at Field ditch (Jonnie Fisk)
HIGHLIGHTS
LANCEOLATED WARBLER:Yesterday's bird still present in the 'back garden' of the Haa, taking a short trip across the road to the back of Skerryholm.
Slavonian Grebe: One east past South Light c.09:15hrs.
Glaucous Gull: Two first calendar-year birds with c.500 Great Black-backed Gulls on Swey.
Hoopoe: One around the Puffinn again.
Yellow-browed Warbler: 11 logged.
Little Bunting: Singles at Field, Yellow Head and the Skadan crop strip.
Searching for meaning...and migrants...on the south-west cliffs (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 5 Barnacle Goose, 3 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 15 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 2 Woodpigeon, 4 Oystercatcher, 8 Lapwing, 12 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 22 Curlew, 79 Turnstone, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Jack Snipe, 36 Snipe, 42 Redshank, 3 Common Gull, 8 Great Skua, 1 Guillemot, 13 Razorbill, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 105 Skylark, 6 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 3 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 1 Reed Warbler, 30 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 'Siberian Lesser Whitethroat', 21 Goldcrest, 9 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 23 Redwing, 23 Song Thrush, 20 Robin, 5 Whinchat, 6 Wheatear, 3 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 6 alba Wagtail, 279 Meadow Pipit, 47 Rock Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 29 Twite, 1 Redpoll sp., 7 Siskin
Yesterday's 'Lancy' was still present (Dave Read)
Year list: 204
________________________________________________________________________________________________
3rd October 2024
Weather: Sunny once again, with growing cloud cover. F4 S.
Census was delayed until the afternoon for the extended Obs' team while we participated in the third Hill Caa of the year, and a pleasant one at that in the balmy conditions, with a decent number of sheep rounded up in order for this year's lambs to be 'taken off the hill'. The day's birds included more of the same theme of recent days, with Robins, Blackcaps and Goldcrests on the west cliffs and in the crofts, though numbers of thrushes dropped off as they made the most of the high pressure here to continue their migration south. Five more Whooper Swans passed south over the Isle, with a new Barred Warbler at Shirva and the Hoopoe, the 'raspy' Yellow Wagtail and Siberian Stonechat still present (the latter now for it's 16th day). Our second Lanceolated Warbler of the autumn, pacing along the sheep cru adjacent to the Haa, was an unexpected afternoon delight and soon provided token 'Lancy' fare as it slithered its way through the reed-grass and rosa of the Haa back garden, sometimes in the company of one of the two Water Rails present on the island. Finally, a Coues's Arctic Redpoll was a fine wintery sight betwixt two Snow Buntings around the base of North Light in the late afternoon sun.
An afternoon rendevouz with a 'Lancy' at the Haa (Danny Gornall)
HIGHLIGHTS
LANCEOLATED WARBLER:One traipsing in the cru at the Haa, then moving to the cover of the 'back' garden.
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: Present around Boini Mire.
'COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL': One at North Light with two Snow Bunting.
Hoopoe: On Skadan again.
Yellow-browed Warbler: 12 logged.
Barred Warbler: One at Shirva.
Yellow Wagtail: The flava wagtail ssp. was in Meoness.
The Isle's second Lanceolated Warbler of the autumn (Steve Arlow)
A chunky Redpoll at North Light, of a form we used to call Coues's Arctic Redpoll... (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Whooper Swan, 12 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 3 Woodpigeon, 2 Water Rail, 3 Oystercatcher, 7 Lapwing, 9 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 41 Curlew, 24 Turnstone, 71 Snipe, 26 Redshank, 1 Great Skua, 1 Razorbill, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 74 Skylark, 6 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 1 Reed Warbler, 40 Blackcap, 2 'Siberian Lesser Whitethroat', 24 Goldcrest, 15 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 32 Redwing, 30 Song Thrush, 28 Robin, 1 Common Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 2 Dunnock, 6 alba Wagtail, 200 Meadow Pipit, 21 Rock Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 34 Twite, 1 'Northwestern' Redpoll, 2 Siskin, 2 Snow Bunting
The Hoopoe, present for its third day, spent time grubjuggling on Skadan (Alex Penn)
Other wildlife: 1 Shetland Bee
Year list: 204
________________________________________________________________________________________________
2nd October 2024
Weather: Gloriously sunny and warm, with barely a breath of wind. F1 N-NE.
A still, clear night precipitated a clearout of migrants, evidenced within the first few hours of census with a lack of shrikes, and no further sign of yesterday's Black-headed Bunting, Arctic Warbler, Eastern Yellow Wagtail or 'Coues's Arctic Redpoll'. However, the warmth and sun made for a very pleasant day in the field with plenty to tally and catch up with. Robins, Blackcaps and thrushes were once again present in good numbers, with a couple more 'Siberian Chiffchaffs' and the Hoopoe still probing its way around the crofts of the south. The first Whooper Swans of the autumn passed the Isle, a few Bramblings were new in and a Red-breasted Flycatcher was found on the cliffs at Hoini, before being relocated further south in the dark depths of Kroga Geo, where it evoked the wrath of migrant Robins. An interesting development, thanks to visiting FIBO alum Danny Gornall, was the news that a satellite-tracked Whooper Swan was heading south past Shetland and on a course with Fair Isle's airspace. No sooner had Danny landed on the Isle for an extended autumn visit, than a wedge of eight swans flew south, one of them bearing a Waterbird Colour Marking neck-collar! In similar resightng excitement, a Norwegian-ringed Yellow-browed Warbler was trapped in the garden of Burkle.
A Red-breasted Flycatcher on the precipice of South Geo o' Hoini (Jonnie Fisk)
HIGHLIGHTS
Slavonian Grebe: One in the Haven again.
Hoopoe: One still present in the south.
Yellow-browed Warbler: 14 present today.
Red-breasted Flycatcher: One at South Geo o' Hoini and then later at Kroga Geo.
Yellow Wagtail: A flava wagtail ssp. was in Kirki Geo.
Blackcaps continued to be the flavour of the day, with small clusters of them feeding in the Rosa rugosa (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 4 Barnacle Goose, 8 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 10 Whooper Swan, 13 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Water Rail, 2 Oystercatcher, 7 Lapwing, 24 Curlew, 35 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 2 Jack Snipe, 49 Snipe, 10 Redshank, 4 Great Skua, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 98 Skylark, 9 Swallow, 5 Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 7 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 1 Reed Warbler, 37 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 'Siberian Lesser Whitethroat', 27 Goldcrest, 16 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 138 Redwing, 57 Song Thrush, 39 Robin, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Common Redstart, 16 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 6 alba Wagtail, 249 Meadow Pipit, 40 Rock Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 63 Twite, 1 Linnet, 3 'Northwestern' Redpoll, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Redpoll sp., 2 Siskin, 9 Snow Bunting
Sunset from North Light at the end of another day of crazy October warmth (Alex Penn)
Other wildlife: 1 Painted Lady, 3 Silver Y
Year list: 204
________________________________________________________________________________________________
1st October 2024
Weather: An overcast start, with some drizzle before becoming warm and sunny. F3-2 ENE.
Every birder's most anticipated month of the year kicked off with a weapons-grade bang on the Isle, with birds arriving throughout the day, the rollcall of rarities getting longer as our sunburn got worse! An overcast, drizzly morning began with more Barnacle Geese, and then a Brown Shrike at Raeva! The bird, our second of the autumn, then did a bunk before dropping into the garden of Schoolton, while a Black-headed Bunting was a surprise find down the road at Burkle, while everywhere dripped in Blackcaps, and Robins, Redwings and the first Fieldfare of autumn put in a good showing. The bunting, the Isle's first since 2017, then pinged over to the Chapel brae before heading south, not to be seen again today. The day became fine and sunny, growing warmer and warmer as the easterly wind waned. The garden of Shirva turned up a Hoopoe, which then performed a victory tour of the crofts. Out on north census, AW Luke stoically suppressed his heavy head cold, with a buzzy Eastern Yellow Wagtail at North Naaversgill as a reward. The wagtail soon relocated behind Chalet, where it could be compared alongside the (Western) Yellow Wagtail (which itself calls akin to a M.f.feldegg/'Black-headed Wagtail') for good measure, while a flock of 100+ Barnacle Geese passed noisily down the east coast. In the mid-afternoon a Coues's Arctic Redpoll was in the Plantation, with the news of a Daurian Shrike in the garden of Utra breaking some 15 minutes later. This confiding first calendar-year posed for a modest crowd, and then killed and ate a Fair Isle Wren - providing a spectacle you literally could only witness here on 'the Rock'...! To add to the novelty, the Hoopoe spent some time tempting fate in the shrike's same square footage. An Arctic Warbler was a final flourish from the garden of Setter, and the long-staying Siberian Stonechat must have felt quite upstaged as it barely got a second glance! While the Yellow-browed Warbler total may have been slightly lower than anticipated given the conditions (we're not complaining, honest!), our 20th colour-ringed bird was processed. With 60+ Robins, 78 Blackcaps, some 5 'Siberian Chiffchaffs' among the varied and exciting spate of arrivals, today was a hearty tonic of migration magic. We're hoping for another big swig tomorrow!
A brief Black-headed Bunting at Burkle (Steve Arlow)
The Isle's second Brown Shrike of the year...so far (Kev Kelly)
HIGHLIGHTS
DAURIAN SHRIKE: A first calendar-year at Utra from mid-afternoon.
BROWN SHRIKE: At Raeva late morning, then in the garden of Schoolton but elusive.
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: Present around Quoy.
EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL: One at North Naaversgill relocated to parks behind Chalet/Upper Stoneybrek.
'COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL': One at Plantation then north.
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING: Fem./imm. in the garden of Burkle late morning then flew south.
Slavonian Grebe: One in the Haven again.
Hoopoe: One Shirva, then Houll and Utra.
Yellow-browed Warbler: 18 logged.
Arctic Warbler: One at Setter.
Yellow Wagtail: Yesterday's flava wagtail ssp. was at various sites.
The garden of Utra contained this Daurian Shrike, alongside a Hoopoe later in the day (Steve Arlow)
Arctic Warbler in the garden of Setter (Steve Arlow)
Sightings of note: 135 Barnacle Goose, 32 Greylag Goose, 19 Pink-footed Goose, 19 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Water Rail, 1 Oystercatcher, 13 Lapwing, 18 Golden Plover, 16 Curlew, 57 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Jack Snipe, 64 Snipe, 26 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 2 Common Gull, 5 Great Skua, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 'blue' Fulmar, 1 Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 147 Skylark, 20 Swallow, 7 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 1 Reed Warbler, 78 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 'Siberian Lesser Whitethroat', 1 Common Whitethroat, 17 Goldcrest, 16 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 34 Redwing, 34 Song Thrush, 61 Robin, 2 Common Redstart, 7 Whinchat, 5 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 3 Grey Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 5 alba Wagtail, 420 Meadow Pipit, 43 Rock Pipit, 5 Chaffinch, 72 Twite, 1 Linnet, 2 'Northwestern' Redpoll, 2 Siskin, 2 Lapland Bunting, 9 Snow Bunting
A Hoopoe toured various croft gardens, and was renamed 'Houll-poe' by the proprietor while it fed on her driveway (Steve Arlow)
Coues's Arctic Redpoll performed in Plantation for a single observer (Brendan Doe)
Other wildlife: 1 Silver Y, 1 Shetland Bee
Year list: 204
________________________________________________________________________________________________
30th September 2024
Weather: Largely overcast. F4 SSE-SE.
With a switch in the wind direction from the previous evening, we bound out into census with renewed optomism for arrivals. The long-staying Siberian Stonechat saw us well on our way as it continues into its 13th day, and the Yellow-browed Warbler total bumped back into double figures, with a couple of the colour-ringed birds of the last week or so still around. Some light Barnacle Goose passage provided a nice backdrop overhead, and a Slavonian Grebe was keeping a Red-breasted Merganser company in the Haven. A Bluethroat was a welcome surprise on north census as it scuttled in and out of collapsed peat cuts at the base of Ward Hill, with seven Snow Buntings not far away. A Barred Warbler was trapped in Gully and a vocal Yellow Wagtail was first seen at Burkle, then flushed from behind Linni Geo and settled around the Meadow Burn, ready to be scrutinised for the possibility of its rarer Eastern counterpart. However, the brown tone to the upperparts, the rather weak face pattern, a short hind claw and a call atypical with Eastern Yellow Wagtail all point to this being 'just' a Yellow Wagtail, albeit one from a south-eastern population perhaps... Blackbirds and Robins were new in, with another 'Siberian Chiffchaff' at the Haa supplementing the bird around Lower Stoneybrek. Our Gannet productivity plots continue to be monitored, though most colonies now boast more empty nests than occupied ones.
A nice encounter with a Bluethroat on the way up Ward Hill (Jonnie Fisk)
HIGHLIGHTS
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: Present around Lower Leogh for another day.
Slavonian Grebe: One in the Haven.
Yellow-browed Warbler: 14 present.
Barred Warbler: One trapped and ringed in Gully
Bluethroat: One at the base of Ward Hill.
Yellow Wagtail: A flava wagtail ssp. was around the Meadow Burn.
A late Yellow Wagtail kept us entertained (Alex Penn)
Sonogram from a recording taken of the Yellow Wagtail's flight call this afternoon (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 28 Barnacle Goose, 2 Greylag Goose, 4 Pink-footed Goose, 13 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Water Rail, 2 Oystercatcher, 12 Lapwing, 14 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 6 Curlew, 76 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Jack Snipe, 45 Snipe, 26 Redshank, 7 Great Skua, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Merlin, 4 Carrion Crow, 83 Skylark, 12 Swallow, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 18 Blackcap, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Whitethroat, 5 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 3 Robin, 4 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 7 alba Wagtail, 213 Meadow Pipit, 35 Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 64 Twite, 1 Siskin, 1 Lapland Bunting, 7 Snow Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting
The second Slavonian Grebe of the autumn in the Haven (Jonnie Fisk)
Year list: 200
________________________________________________________________________________________________
29th September 2024
Weather: Heavy rain and horizontal showers. F6-4 NW-S.
A very wet morning dragged on into a very wet early afternoon, as each heavy shower eased off with promise of more birdable conditions quelled as the next squall rolled in. Birding among the rain was supplemented by more time in the field once the sun arrived and beckoned in a very pleasant Sunday afternoon. A young Glaucous Gull was hanging around on the turf of South Green - our first 'white-winger' of the season. Just four Yellow-browed Warblers were logged, though it is almost certain that many had gone to ground and became impossible to detect. The Siberian Stonechat lingers and a couple of Pink-footed Geese add to the wintery feel. Thankfully the winds swung round to the south by the evening, and we enjoyed a bonfire in the Haven with a mix of islanders and FIBO building site tradesmen, with a decent display of 'mareel' (bioluminescence) sparkling in the wave tops to the south.
HIGHLIGHTS
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: Present around Lower Leogh again.
Glauous Gull: First calendar-year on South Green.
Yellow-browed Warbler: Four birds present.
First calendar-year Glaucous Gull loafing with Great Black-backed Gulls on South Green (Steve Arlow)
Sightings of note: 2 Greylag Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 12 Lapwing, 16 Golden Plover, 62 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 3 Jack Snipe, 4 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 6 Whinchat, 1 Chaffinch, 11 Siskin
Year list: 200
________________________________________________________________________________________________
28th September 2024
Weather: Sunny spells until the afternoon, with some showers and then largely overcast. F6-4 NW.
Little change in terms of migrants new in, though a Lapland Bunting and two Snow Bunting were arrivals. The Siberian Stonechat remains around Lower Leogh for its 12th day, a smart 'Siberian Chiffchaff' was again in the gardens of Upper and Lower Stoneybrek and a handful of Yellow-browed Warblers remain. Our Great Skua total dropped to single figures as they slowly depart the Isle for their oceanic wintering quarters. While north-westerlies may feel 'blocking' at this point in the autumn, they can still turn up species such as Pechora Pipits, and it was with this stripy denzien of bushy tundra and taiga swamps in mind that we stomped around likely ground after census. The winds are due to switch after the weekend, and we anticipate some arrivals...
HIGHLIGHTS
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: Present around Lower Leogh again.
Yellow-browed Warbler: Five birds present between Gully and Midway.
Snow Bunting at North Light (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 3 Pink-footed Goose, 16 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Oystercatcher, 12 Lapwing, 15 Golden Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 24 Curlew, 120 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 46 Snipe, 24 Redshank, 6 Great Skua, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 144 Skylark, 6 Swallow, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 9 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 'Siberian Lesser Whitethroat', 1 Common Whitethroat, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 3 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 5 alba Wagtail, 246 Meadow Pipit, 48 Rock Pipit, 4 Chaffinch, 44 Twite, 2 Linnet, 2 Redpoll sp., 11 Siskin, 1 Lapland Bunting, 2 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
A regular feature of recent days with the persistent showers and sun (Luke Marriner)
Year list: 200
________________________________________________________________________________________________
27th September 2024
Weather: Sunny spells again, and cold, stinging showers. F6-7 NNW.
With an increasing north-westerly wind, census has became a bit quieter, and it was bracing to be out in the sun and chilly winds, with frequent showers to boot. The first Short-eared Owl of the autumn was at the school brae and the long-staying Siberian Stonechat is still present around Lower Leogh. After much discussion with the North Ronaldsay Bird Obs' team as well as respected birders across Shetland and beyond, it is clear that the Red-backed Shrike reported from Shirva and Midway on 25th September was in fact a Brown Shrike (it has since been present and identified on North Ronaldsay on both 26th & 27th). More can be read on the sightings update for the 25th below.
HIGHLIGHTS
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: Present around Lower Leogh again.
Yellow-browed Warbler: 11 birds today.
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 10 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Oystercatcher, 12 Lapwing, 15 Golden Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 11 Curlew, 42 Turnstone, 4 Sanderling, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Jack Snipe, 31 Snipe, 26 Redshank, 1 Common Gull, 17 Great Skua, 1 Guillemot, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 129 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Whitethroat, 2 Goldcrest, 6 Song Thrush, 3 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 7 alba Wagtail, 244 Meadow Pipit, 39 Rock Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 127 Twite, 6 Linnet, 9 Siskin, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 200
________________________________________________________________________________________________
26th September 2024
Weather: Squally showers all day, but largely sunny. F5 N.
Quite a quiet day, with low numbers of migrants under the continuing northerly winds. Chilly rain clouds dumped their contents over the Isle despite the sun, with quite impressive views to be had from the north, with columns of rain descending into the sea and into the distance, a rainbow passing through many of them. Our totals of Yellow-browed Warblers are dropping, with a couple of the colour-ringed birds still about, and the ringers here ready to affix more with these markers once the next batch of easterlies blow. A Jack Snipe was around Da Water, a Ruff was new in and the first Reed Bunting of autumn was present. A 'Siberian Chiffchaff' was at Burkle, with three 'Siberian Lesser Whitethroats' (blythi) logged.
HIGHLIGHTS
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: Present around Lower Leogh again.
Yellow-browed Warbler: 11 birds today.
Common Rosefinch: One at Lower Stoneybrek.
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 12 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 3 Oystercatcher, 9 Lapwing, 26 Golden Plover, 10 Ringed Plover, 6 Curlew, 31 Turnstone, 1 Ruff, 2 Sanderling, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Jack Snipe, 44 Snipe, 9 Redshank, 2 Common Gull, 28 Great Skua, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 123 Skylark, 10 Swallow, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 4 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 'Siberian Lesser Whitethroat', 1 Common Whitethroat, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Blackbird, 8 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 6 Whinchat, 5 Wheatear, 2 Pied Wagtail, 8 alba Wagtail, 274 Meadow Pipit, 17 Rock Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 69 Twite, 1 Linnet, 22 Siskin, 1 Reed Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral
Year list: 200
________________________________________________________________________________________________
25th September 2024
Weather: Full sun all day, and warm when out of the wind. F3-5 N.
Another sparklingly sunny day, with a few of the lingering migrants making for an enjoyable census, if a little quiet in the north. Yellow-browed Warblers cntinue to entertain from most of the typical crofts and geos, the Siberian Stonechat was once again in residence around Lower Leogh, with a couple of Whinchats for company. A shrike found in the garden of Shirva gained interest throughout the day pertaining to its identification, with some photos appearing to show Brown Shrike features. After some prolonged effort relocating it as it swung between Shirva and Midway, the Obs' team came away thinking on balance that it was more likely to be a Red-backed Shrike, as was the original ID, though some features still seemed a bit odd. The following day (26th Sept) North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory (some 45km to the south-west of us) reported the presence of a Brown Shrike via their social media, and it was evident from the attached photographs that this was the same bird. Much discussion ensued, with opinions sought from experienced field birders across Shetland and further afield, while the full suite of photographs obtained during its one-day appearance were studied. It seems easy to say with hindsight, but several photographs do clearly show the bird to be 'pro'-Brown Shrike, and it is thanks to the North Ron Bird Obs' team, as well as those who contributed their thoughts on this bird that we have reached this point. This is the fifth record of Brown Shrike for Fair Isle, with the last being in November 2023.
This Brown Shrike proved a difficult ID in the field, see more information above... (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
BROWN SHRIKE: A flighty first calendar-year bird at Shirva and ranging to Midway. Fifth record for Fair Isle.
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: Present around Lower Leogh for its ninth day.
Yellow-browed Warbler: 22 in total.
Common Rosefinch: One at Utra.
The Siberian Stonechat continues to find the rough grassland and rosa around Upper & Lower Leogh to its liking (Steve Arlow)
Sightings of note: 2 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 20 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Water Rail, 2 Oystercatcher, 11 Lapwing, 19 Golden Plover, 9 Ringed Plover, 18 Curlew, 27 Turnstone, 4 Sanderling, 8 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 41 Snipe, 18 Redshank, 7 Common Gull, 12 Great Skua, 4 Grey Heron, 3 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Carrion Crow, 146 Skylark, 8 Swallow, 6 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Common Whitethroat, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Redwing, 8 Song Thrush, 8 Whinchat, 6 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 9 alba Wagtail, 422 Meadow Pipit, 52 Rock Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 74 Twite, 2 Linnet, 2 'Northwestern' Redpoll, 6 Siskin
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral, 1 Shetland Bee
Year list: 200
________________________________________________________________________________________________
24th September 2024
Weather: Cold showers and overcast, breaking into sun from mid-afternoon and into the evening. F5 N.
A morning of dodging chilly showers in a northerly wind, while it felt mighty birdy out there. The Walli Burn was alive with Yellow-browed Warblers and the Little Bunting was once again around Hegri Burn, before a Corncrake was trapped in the Vaadal by AW Luke. This, the 200th bird on the Fair Isle 2024 yearlist, was shown to a few visiting birders and promptly released. Corncrakes once featured in Fair Isle's breeding avifauna, but stopped nesting regularly by the 1960s. Their wholesale decline is all too apparent here, with the last suspected breeding in 2002 and even passage migrants dwindling from regularly expected occurances each year to being barely annual. A first calendar-year Turtle Dove was a surprise sight in the depths of Kirn o' Skroo and a Barred Warbler at the Vaadal reservoir was then trapped in Plantation. A Jack Snipe was new in at the Walli Burn, a 'Siberian Chiffchaff' was at Midway and the Siberian Stonechat continues its residency at Upper Leogh, perhaps it is just keeping our Chairman company?
A Corncrake, en route from Scandinavia to Africa, which becomes our 200th bird on the yearlist (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: Present around Lower Leogh for another day.
Turtle Dove: Juv. in Kirn o' Skroo.
Corncrake: One trapped and ringed in the Vaadal.
Yellow-browed Warbler: 23 in total (again!).
Barred Warbler: One ringed in Plantation.
Little Bunting: One still at Utra Scrape.
Rallids are famed for their feats of migration, thought it can be hard to believe from such a chicken-like creature (Jonnie Fisk)
A Turtle Dove poking about down Kirn o' Skroo (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 23 Greylag Goose, 23 Pink-footed Goose, 27 Wigeon, 21 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Woodpigeon, 3 Oystercatcher, 11 Lapwing, 11 Golden Plover, 9 Ringed Plover, 5 Curlew, 23 Turnstone, 4 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Jack Snipe, 69 Snipe, 27 Redshank, 4 Common Gull, 26 Great Skua, 7 Grey Heron, 3 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 164 Skylark, 5 Swallow, 11 Willow Warbler, 1 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 8 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 'Siberian Lesser Whitethroat', 4 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 14 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Common Redstart, 7 Whinchat, 14 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 11 alba Wagtail, 598 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 49 Rock Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 101 Twite, 1 Linnet, 2 'Northwestern' Redpoll, 15 Siskin, 3 Lapland Bunting, 5 Snow Bunting
Year list: 199
________________________________________________________________________________________________
23rd September 2024
Weather: Overcast and cooler than recent days. F3-4 NE.
Another still, overcast day full of autumn promise. Once again it was bouncing with Yellow-browed Warblers, though it was clear many had moved on since yesterday. The Siberian Stonechat was glimpsed again, now present for its sixth day, and the Little Bunting was around Utra Scrape/Hegri Burn, all nice highlights for the changover of visiting birders today. As we were coming to the end of census, AW Luke came across a Lanceolated Warbler in the Skadan crop strip (alongside a Yellow-browed Warbler)! Our first of the autumn, and a hotly anticipated and desired bird for many visitors and newly-minted Obs' staff members alike. It soon ensconced itself within a rolled up spool of stock fencing thick with grass and provided entertaining, and often amusing, scenes for the nine or so birders gathered as it climbed the rungs of its new high-rise home, with the odd dash out into the surrounding grass. This is the Isle's 102nd record of Lanceolated Warbler. We passed our 100-bird mark last year, meaning we're in the rather daft position of being able to quite quickly work out the exchange rate of 'Lancies' to other Fair Isle rarities - for example there are 51 Lancies for each Kingfisher record, 10 for each Red Kite record, 6 for each Blue Tit and Garganey...etc.!
Some rather atypical views of the Lanceolated Warbler when first flushed from the Skadan Crop strip (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: Present around Lower Leogh for another day.
LANCEOLATED WARBLER: One in the Skadan crop strip from the mid-afternoon.
Yellow-browed Warbler: 23 in total.
Common Rosefinch: One in Kirki Geo.
Little Bunting: One at Utra Scrape.
As always, 'Lancies' are captivating to watch as they cosplay as mice (Alex Penn)
Lanceolated Warbler surveying the scene from its spool of fencing wire, with the Warden's welly providing a backdrop (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 13 Pink-footed Goose, 191 Wigeon, 41 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Water Rail, 1 Oystercatcher, 9 Lapwing, 7 Golden Plover, 22 Ringed Plover, 15 Curlew, 13 Turnstone, 8 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 31 Snipe, 16 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 18 Common Gull, 20 Great Skua, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 18 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 74 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 7 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 11 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Whitethroat, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 9 Song Thrush, 1 Common Redstart, 8 Whinchat, 12 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 3 Pied Wagtail, 7 alba Wagtail, 282 Meadow Pipit, 55 Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 137 Twite, 3 Linnet, 2 'Northwestern' Redpoll, 16 Siskin, 2 Lapland Bunting
Year list: 198
________________________________________________________________________________________________
22nd September 2024
Weather: Overcast all day, and still. F2 E.
A very calm, but lively day in the field where it was hard to escape from Yellow-browed Warblers...not that anyone would want to! After much merriment for Warden Alex's 29th birthday the night before, it was a fragile Obs' team who headed out into census, kicked off by the news from Deryk Shaw of a Black Kite high over Burkle, while a Marsh Harrier was also in Fair Isle airspace! The Black Kite was lost to the clouds, pursued by Ravens and the harrier headed north, to be seen around the Mast later on. A 'green' Golden Oriole was new in the garden of the Haa, quickly taking in a few other crofts as it flopped about, with an extended pause along the Meadow Burn. This is the 55th record for Fair Isle but ony the 9th in autumn, showing the clear spring bias for this usually 'overshooting' migrant. The first Redwing of the autumn was at Wirvie Burn and the Siberian Stonechat was around Lower Leogh again. A Barred Warbler was in nettles at Pund and Yellow-browed Warblers were buzzing along the fencelines, thickets of thistles, willow plantations, or simply hopping about on the grass, with 10 caught and colour-ringed for the current nationwide project during perfect still conditions until the early evening.
A Yellow-browed Warbler takes in the scenery of Fair Isle's west cliffs (Jonnie Fisk)
HIGHLIGHTS
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: Present around Lower Leogh for another day.
Black Kite: One east high over Burkle c.11:15 then lost to view c.11:25.
Marsh Harrier: Cream-crown flew north over Shirva and around the mast later on.
Yellow-browed Warbler: 35; largely around the crofts.
Barred Warbler: One at Pund.
Golden Oriole: A first calendar-year in the Haa and then various sites around the crofts.
The Golden Oriole resting for long enough to manage a photograph (Jonnie Fisk)
Yellow-browed Warbler in the Wali Burn (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 13 Pink-footed Goose, 29 Wigeon, 17 Teal, 2 Water Rail, 3 Oystercatcher, 10 Lapwing, 6 Golden Plover, 5 Ringed Plover, 8 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Turnstone, 40 Snipe, 6 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 28 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Guillemot, 28 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 7 Swallow, 8 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 10 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 'Siberian' Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Whitethroat, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 7 Song Thrush, 3 Robin, 8 Whinchat, 11 Wheatear, 2 Tree Sparrow, 3 Pied Wagtail, 12 alba Wagtail, 1 Brambling, 264 Twite, 3 Linnet, 2 'Northwestern' Redpoll, 5 Siskin, 3 Lapland Bunting
Other wildlife: 2 Shetland Bee
Year list: 197
________________________________________________________________________________________________
21st September 2024
Weather: Thick fog, lifting slightly by mid-afternoon. Still. F2-3 E.
Another day of poor visibility still presented the opportunity for a wide spate of birds to be seen, with the continuation of the Siberian Stonechat, Pectoral Sandpiper, Little Bunting and a handful of Yellow-browed Warblers about the place. A Sparrowhawk caught in the Vaadal bore a British ring, presumaby a bird from Shetland. The two Lapland Buntings were still around the cru on Meoness, while below them a Rosefinch was on the beach at South Harbour. This year has been our Acting Warden Alex Penn's fifth season on the Isle, and today we'd like to wish him a very happy 29th birthday!
HIGHLIGHTS
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: Present around Lower Leogh for another day.
Pectoral Sandpiper: Back in its favoured puddle by Field.
Yellow-browed Warbler: Seven today.
Common Rosefinch: One around Lower Leogh.
Little Bunting: Still present around Plantation.
Happy 29th Birthday, Alex!
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 13 Pink-footed Goose, 29 Wigeon, 23 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Golden Plover, 34 Ringed Plover, 21 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 57 Turnstone, 5 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 1 Jack Snipe, 94 Snipe, 13 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 64 Common Gull, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 3 Swallow, 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 'Siberian Chiffchaff', 6 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Song Thrush, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Robin, 7 Whinchat, 2 Tree Sparrow, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Brambling, 213 Twite, 3 Linnet, 2 'Northwestern' Redpoll, 2 Redpoll sp., 1 Siskin, 2 Lapland Bunting
Year list: 196
________________________________________________________________________________________________
20th September 2024
Weather: Foggy and overcast, with periods of poor visibility. F3 SE.
Well, it wasn't t-shirt weather, and low fog in, particularly in the north, affected visibility. We appear to have seen a departure of a few birds, with no sign of the Tennessee Warbler, neither the Ortolan Bunting or yesterday's Wryneck, Bluethroat or Barred Warbler. The Siberian Stonechat was present for its third day and continued to both linger around Lower Leogh and evade trapping efforts! Yellow-browed Warblers were the commonest warbler by a long chalk, with 15 across the Isle, from the cliffs of the north to South Light, and five were colour ringed as part of the ongoing nationwide project. The Little Bunting first seen yesterday in Plantation was present around Chalet and a single Rosefinch was around South Harbour, where the two Lapland Buntings continue to hang out. The Twite have been flocking in decent numbers recently, with 213 recorded today, mostly around Barkland and decimating the local seedheads...
Five Yellow-browed Warblers were colour ringed today in the hopes that their movements can teach us more about migration trajectory, site fidelity and their wintering grounds (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: Present around Lower Leogh for another day.
Pectoral Sandpiper: Reappeared around Field.
Yellow-browed Warbler: 15; including three together at Setter, two at the Obs' and two at Chalet.
Red-breasted Flycatcher: One at Easter Lother.
Common Rosefinch: One around the southern end of the Isle.
Little Bunting: Yesterday's ringed bird around Chalet.
The Pectoral Sandpiper remained faithful to the pond by the roadside at Field (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 13 Pink-footed Goose, 27 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Water Rail, 4 Oystercatcher, 10 Lapwing, 6 Golden Plover, 33 Ringed Plover, 10 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 73 Turnstone, 1 Ruff, 4 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 42 Snipe, 16 Redshank, 3 Black-headed Gull, 45 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Razorbill, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 6 Swallow, 6 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Common Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 9 Whinchat, 2 Tree Sparrow, 1 Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 13 alba Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit, 213 Twite, 3 Linnet, 2 'Northwestern' Redpoll, 4 Redpoll sp., 1 Siskin, 2 Lapland Bunting, 4 Snow Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Shetland Bee, 1 Silver Y, 4 Risso's Dolphins
Year list: 196
________________________________________________________________________________________________
19th September 2024
Weather: Sunny start, warm again until c.midday when cloud descended, becoming a foggy late afternoon and evening. F4 S-SE.
Another fine day of birding, with more September sun before a thick haa rolled in. Nevertheless, a fair few birds were new in, with a Little Bunting ringed in the morning trap round alongside a Barred Warbler, a Wryneck and Red-breasted Flycatcher among the crofts and a Bluethroat along the Walli Burn in the late afternoon. Yellow-browed Warblers were scattered across the Isle, from the comforting cover of Vaila's Trees to the grassy slopes of Dronger. The Siberian Stonechat first found yesterday was still present and spent most of the day around Lower Leogh, while the Tennessee Warbler was once again in attendance, and even twitched by a few day visitors...who became overnight visitors as the visibility deteriorated by the afternoon and flights off-Isle were cancelled. A single Rosefinch remains from our flock of recent days, while a few Grey Herons, two Tree Sparrows and a Grasshopper Warbler were also among the arrivals.
A Little Bunting was a nice surprise in the Plantation Heligoland alongside a Barred Warbler (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: Present for its second day, mostly around Lower Leogh.
TENNESSEE WARBLER: Present for its sixth day.
Wryneck: One at Pund, then moved south through various crofts.
Yellow-browed Warbler: 11.
Barred Warbler: One ringed in Plantation.
Bluethroat: One in the Walli Burn.
Red-breasted Flycatcher: One at Quoy.
Common Rosefinch: One at Lower Leogh.
Ortolan Bunting: One at Single Dyke flew to Byerwalls.
Little Bunting: One ringed in Plantation.
Our first day of double-figure Yellow-browed Warblers this autumn (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 9 Pink-footed Goose, 14 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 8 Oystercatcher, 11 Lapwing, 13 Golden Plover, 16 Ringed Plover, 13 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 56 Turnstone, 4 Ruff, 3 Sanderling, 8 Dunlin, 63 Snipe, 18 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Kittiwake, 8 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 23 Great Skua, 1 Razorbill, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Cormorant, 6 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 113 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 8 Swallow, 11 Willow Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 20 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Common Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 11 Whinchat, 25 Wheatear, 2 Tree Sparrow, 1 Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 13 alba Wagtail, 379 Meadow Pipit, 57 Rock Pipit, 115 Twite, 3 Linnet, 2 Lapland Bunting, 3 Snow Bunting
Our New World star can still be seen feeding on angelica in the croft gardens (Phil Woollen)
Other wildlife: 1 Painted Lady, 1 Silver Y
Year list: 196
________________________________________________________________________________________________
18th September 2024
Weather: Full sunshine and cloudless skies for most of the day. Warm. F4-5 SSE.
Our second Shetland summer continues, with another day of clement weather and relentless sunshine. It seemingly allowed a few migrant passerines to move on, though bringing with it a few others, including the first Dunnock of the autumn, another Yellow-browed Warbler, at least one Barred Warbler and then a fine Siberian Stonechat found (once again by Rob Hughes and Nina O'Hanlon) at Field Ditch in the mid-afternoon. The Tennessee Warbler stuck for its fourth day - seen intermittently around Chalet and Upper Stoneybrek, with yesterday's four Rosefinches all in attendance and the Pectoral Sandpiper of recent days still about, swapping its Chatham's Land puddle for the comparative sea of Da Water.
This Siberian Stonechat was found near field this afternoon (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: One showing features of maurus was at Field ditch mid-afternoon.
TENNESSEE WARBLER: Present for its fourth day, though harder to find.
Pectoral Sandpiper: Present on Da Water.
Yellow-browed Warbler: One at Vaila's Trees.
Barred Warbler: Two at Burkle.
Common Rosefinch: Four at the Obs' in the morning.
Siberian Stonechat (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 10 Pink-footed Goose, 7 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 2 Oystercatcher, 13 Lapwing, 11 Golden Plover, 26 Ringed Plover, 24 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 33 Turnstone, 4 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 98 Snipe, 24 Redshank, 4 Common Gull, 29 Great Skua, 5 Razorbill, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 184 Skylark, 12 Swallow, 7 Willow Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Whitethroat, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Robin, 5 Pied Flycatcher, 7 Whinchat, 8 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 17 alba Wagtail, 543 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 77 Rock Pipit, 119 Twite, 2 Redpoll sp., 1 Lapland Bunting, 21 Snow Bunting
This flighty Lapland Bunting has been hanging around the cru on Meoness and the Walli Burn in recent days (Luke Marriner)
Other wildlife: 1 Painted Lady, 1 Silver Y, 2 Shetland Bee
Year list: 196
________________________________________________________________________________________________
17th September 2024
Weather: Mostly overcast, but mild. F3-2 SW.
A calm, overcast day, with some new scarce arrivals to keep us occupied. The Tennessee Warbler was present around Upper Stoneybrek again for its third day and seen intermittently by the Obs' team and visiting birders. At Chatham's Land the Pectoral Sandpiper was still catching leatherjackets in its puddle, while the Ortolan Bunting around Gilsetter and Byerwalls was still present and eventually trapped and ringed in Plantation. A juvenile Turtle Dove dropped in nearby shortly afterwards before continuing south and seen later on the Rippack. By midday an Arctic Warbler was in the Observatory garden, to be promptly caught and ringed there, showing it to be a first calendar-year bird in fine fettle. Visting birders Rob and Nina then continued their best efforts at upstaging the Obs' team by discovering the first Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn in the Plantation and then a flock of three Common Rosefinches down the road at Chalet. A separate Rosefinch was then in the Obs' garden, while the three birds were caught and ringed at various points throughout the afternoon, as was the Yellow-browed Warbler, which became the first here to be included in a new country-wide colour-ringing scheme for this species. A 'blue' Fulmar logged from the Good Shepherd IV, the first Grey Wagtail of the autumn new in and the Lapland Bunting total rising to four were among today's other highlights.
The first Fair Isle record of Ortolan since 2019 has been a pleasant addition to census in recent days (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
TENNESSEE WARBLER: Present for its third day, once again mostly around Upper Stoneybrek.
Turtle Dove: A juv. dropped into Byerwalls, then toured areas in the south of the Isle.
Pectoral Sandpiper: The juv. was still at Chatham's Land for most of the day.
Yellow-browed Warbler: The first of the autumn at Plantation, then trapped and ringed.
Arctic Warbler: One at the Observatory garden, later trapped and ringed.
Common Rosefinch: Four; a flock of three dropped into Chalet, with another mobile bird elsewhere. Three birds were then ringed.
Ortolan Bunting: One still present at Gilsetter, then trapped and ringed.
The Tennessee Warbler remains, though it needs to linger a bit longer to break the two-week streak of the first record for Fair Isle (and Britain!) (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 5 Greylag Goose, 9 Pink-footed Goose, 17 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 3 Oystercatcher, 12 Lapwing, 8 Golden Plover, 25 Ringed Plover, 15 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 71 Turnstone, 4 Ruff, 3 Sanderling, 7 Dunlin, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 72 Snipe, 84 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 2 Black-headed Gull, 30 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 39 Great Skua, 7 Razorbill, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 'blue' Fulmar, 2 Storm Petrel, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 4 Carrion Crow, 162 Skylark, 16 Swallow, 3 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Whitethroat, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 10 Whinchat, 13 Wheatear, 1 White Wagtail, 15 alba Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 479 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 73 Rock Pipit, 164 Twite, 1 'Northwestern' Redpoll, 2 Redpoll sp., 4 Lapland Bunting
Just a couple of Rosefinches in a bush (Alex Penn)
Other wildlife: 1 Shetland Bee
Year list: 195
________________________________________________________________________________________________
16th September 2024
Weather: Largely sunny, and warm in sheltered spots. F4-2 SSW.
A chilly morning's trap rounds saw us wondering if yesterday's star bird, Fair Isle's third Tennessee Warbler, was still present after no sign in its favourite croft garden. But once the sun warmed the firmament it was back and actively feeding in the angelicas alongside Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and a Lesser Whitethroat. It would occasionally do the odd circuit up and down the road, but never so active that those who had travelled from Shetland for the day could miss it. An arrival of visiting birders from the mainland resulted in the discovery of a fresh juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper at Chatham's Land, feeding contentedly in a puddle. A Barred Warbler was in the south of the Isle and the Ortolan Bunting from yesterday was still present towards the north side of Gilsetter, while just offshore in Ditfield a Slavonian Grebe and Great Northern Diver were cutting shapes among the Tysties.
The Isle's third Tennessee Warbler showed well for a few happy day trippers and birders arriving for a week's stay (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
TENNESSEE WARBLER: Present for its second day, staying faithful to the croft gardens between Stackhoull and Field, with a quick trip down to Shirva. Trapped and ringed later in the day.
Slavonian Grebe: A moulting adult was in Ditfield.
Pectoral Sandpiper: A confiding juv. was found mid-afternoon at Chatham's Land.
Barred Warbler: One at the Haa was then seen at Schoolton.
Ortolan Bunting: One present at Gilsetter again.
In-the-hand study allowed us to age and sex the Tennessee Warbler as a first calendar-year female (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 2 Greylag Goose, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 9 Wigeon, 11 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Woodpigeon, 6 Oystercatcher, 13 Lapwing, 5 Golden Plover, 9 Ringed Plover, 13 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 74 Turnstone, 4 Ruff, 8 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 54 Snipe, 42 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 6 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 36 Great Skua, 3 Great Northern Diver, 1 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 148 Skylark, 15 Swallow, 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 9 Whinchat, 14 Wheatear, 1 Pied Wagtail, 16 alba Wagtail, 338 Meadow Pipit, 29 Rock Pipit, 101 Twite, 1 'Northwestern' Redpoll, 2 Lapland Bunting, 7 Snow Bunting
A Pec' Sand on Chatham's Land, typically approachable and confiding (Luke Marriner)
Other wildlife: 7 Shetland Bee
Year list: 193
________________________________________________________________________________________________
15th September 2024
Weather: Sunny spells, with short showers in the mid-/late afternoon. F4 SSW-SW.
Milder winds with a southerly bent and cool autumnal light made for an exciting census, which began for one member of the team with a couple of Sooty Shearwaters past South Light, while another had the regular Rosefinch at Burkle. A few common migrants and a decent-sized skein of Pink-footed Geese were new in, but all was interrupted by a message on the birder's grapevine by previous FIBO staff members Rob Hughes and Nina O'Hanlon: TENNESSEE WARBLER at Upper Stoneybrek! Within minutes almost all the Isle's resident birders were stood watching this vibrantly saturated New World warbler hanging off the angelicas in the front garden of the croft. In recent days's we'd allowed ourselves some quiet comments about birding being a bit slow... Had the Tennessee whisky sampled the night before at the Haa by one member of the Obs' team been a premonition?! Could that same AW's fancy dress choice of Tennessee icon Dolly Parton for a party earlier in the season have been foreshadowing?! All silliness aside, it was a timely top up of our excitement tanks and enthusiasm guages, as this bright green-and-yellow Nearctic vagrant buzzed out a few laps around the assembled crowd, then took off down the road and into Vaila's Trees, but not before a glancing blow into the back of a stationary van (the bird was unscathed, dear readers)! After pulling a short bunk, lucky AW Luke bumped into it at Field as he continued his interrupted census, before finding a vocal, but brief Ortolan Bunting near Gilsetter. The first Tennessee Warbler for Britain was found here on 6th September 1975, remaining present for a full two weeks and was even trapped and ringed. Incredibly, just four days after the first bird departed the second for Britain was found in the north of the Isle! Some 49 years later, today's Tennessee Warbler is the third record for Fair Isle, coming after a good run in the last two years for this largely September specialist of North America's boreal forest.
Some rain-washed afternoon sun saw the team out scoffing second and third helpings of the Tennessee Warbler back in the garden of Upper Stoneybrek. The bird was often in the company of a Willow Warbler and could even be seen taking a little break on Brodie (Fair Isle's youngest resident)'s trampoline and swing set. A return to Gilsetter, via a confiding rostrata Redpoll, allowed us to enjoy the reappearance of the juvenile Ortolan, merrily calling away as it sallied from dyke to ditch. We finished the day checking out the mixed wader flock around Pund for rarer visitors, while reflecting on a day featuring seabirds which began life in a burrow on the Falklands, a warbler which had crossed the entire Atlantic from a boggy, buggy forest in Canada, and a spate of other migrants from the far north-west and far north-east. Magic!
Fair Isle's third Tennessee Warbler, but the first since the 70s! (Alex Penn)
Putting on a delightful display in the late afternoon warmth around the garden of Upper Stoneybrek (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
TENNESSEE WARBLER: Fair Isle's third record was found late morning at Upper Stoneybrek, and took in neighbouring crofts during the day.
Common Rosefinch: One at Burkle then flew to the Busta crop strip.
Ortolan Bunting: One vocal juvenile around Gilsetter.
After a brief encounter in the morning, this Ortolan was more obliging in the light of 'golden hour' (Alex Penn)
A welcome island tick for Warden Alex Penn, after a few years with no records (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 60 Pink-footed Goose, 11 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 2 Woodpigeon, 5 Oystercatcher, 13 Lapwing, 18 Golden Plover, 8 Ringed Plover, 13 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 146 Turnstone, 4 Ruff, 8 Sanderling, 4 Dunlin, 164 Snipe, 56 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Razorbill, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 172 Skylark, 13 Swallow, 7 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 11 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Spotted Flycacther, 2 Robin, 1 Common Redstart, 8 Whinchat, 19 Wheatear, 20 alba Wagtail, 525 Meadow Pipit, 164 Rock Pipit, 137 Twite, 6 'Northwestern' Redpoll, 1 Lapland Bunting, 3 Snow Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Shetland Bee, 2 Dolphin sp.
Year list: 192
________________________________________________________________________________________________
14th September 2024
Weather: Rain bookending the day, largely overcast with sunny spells in the early evening. F6 S.
A bit of a quieter day, with rain in the morning delaying census, and not too much to report when we were out in the field, though a classic autumn milestone was hit with the first Goldcrest of the season tumbling away in the Obs' garden. A trio of Pink-footed Geese were still touring the Isle, with the Water Rail and a Lapland Bunting also present. Last night the second Delicate (a regular immigrant moth to Britain) for Fair Isle was trapped at Shirva. A seawatch off South Light produced a Sooty Shearwater and five Razorbills, a species which has been hard to come by since they departed their breeding ledges and boulderfields.
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 21 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Water Rail, 9 Oystercatcher, 11 Lapwing, 26 Golden Plover, 19 Ringed Plover, 15 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 97 Turnstone, 4 Ruff, 2 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 47 Snipe, 75 Redshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Razorbill, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 147 Skylark, 7 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Common Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 17 Wheatear, 3 Pied Wagtail, 21 alba Wagtail, 562 Meadow Pipit, 53 Rock Pipit, 149 Twite, 2 'Northwestern' Redpoll, 6 Redpoll sp., 1 Lapland Bunting
Year list: 190
________________________________________________________________________________________________
13th September 2024
Weather: Largely sunny with a shower or two in the PM. F4 WSW.
A warmer day with the wind swinging from more northerly to southerly, and plenty of sun, which prompted some Pink-footed Goose passage, as well as our first Lapland Buntings of the year - two on Meoness. Our flirtation with autumn redpolls on the backs of the recent north-westerlies reached new heights with a mixed flock of subspecies, numbering at least 13 and containing four larger, streaky 'Northwestern' birds, around the crofts. A Barred Warbler was at Schoolton and the Rosefinch of recent days was still present, and later caught when the nets at Chapel Plantation were opened. With the arrival of a few birders, and more due in coming days, we're looking forward to what our coverage reveals.
HIGHLIGHTS
Barred Warbler: One at Schoolton.
Common Rosefinch: One first at Lower Stoneybrek, later trapped and ringed at Chapel Plantation.
With the stress of another breeding season out of the way, the Fair Isle Starlings are back to the business of mimicking passage waders, Snow Buntings and the like, often from a mobile perch (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 20 Pink-footed Goose, 7 Wigeon, 18 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 69 Rock Dove, 1 Woodpigeon, 6 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 26 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 15 Ringed Plover, 16 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 85 Turnstone, 2 Knot, 4 Ruff, 3 Sanderling, 11 Dunlin, 47 Snipe, 39 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 4 Carrion Crow, 138 Skylark, 7 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 15 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 8 Whinchat, 20 Wheatear, 76 House Sparrow, 1 White Wagtail, 18 alba Wagtail, 504 Meadow Pipit, 62 Rock Pipit, 131 Twite, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 4 'Northwestern' Redpoll, 6 Redpoll sp., 2 Lapland Bunting, 1 Snow Bunting
Year list: 190
________________________________________________________________________________________________
12th September 2024
Weather: Sunny spells and showers in the afternoon. F6-7 NW.
A similar day to yesterday, with birding far from easy in the strong winds, but enjoyable nonetheless to work our away around a still-soggy Isle. The ringed Barred Warbler appeared again, with another bird a short distance away at Burkle, where the shelter of the garden's shrubs and copse also attracted six Blackcaps and a Rosefinch, which was seen in the south-west of the Isle later in the afternoon. A few Whinchat were still present and a Wryneck was by the Chapel.
HIGHLIGHTS
Wryneck: One at Chapel brae.
Barred Warbler: One at Burkle and the ringed bird in Chapel Plantation.
Common Rosefinch: One first at Burkle and Quoy was seen at Lower Stoneybrek later this afternoon.
Wryneck on the wall along Chapel brae (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Shelduck, 18 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Woodpigeon, 4 Oystercatcher, 19 Golden Plover, 20 Ringed Plover, 6 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 120 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 11 Dunlin, 67 Snipe, 68 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 17 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Carrion Crow, 3 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 11 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Whinchat, 1 Redpoll sp., 1 Snow Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Shetland Bee
Year list: 189
________________________________________________________________________________________________
11th September 2024
Weather: Rain in the morning and scattered light showers through the mid-afternoon and heavier again in the evening, with sunny spells. F7 NW.
Yesterday's deluge drained quickly from the Isle, and once a blustery census had been completed we were again able to access the traps to carry out some repairs where the floodwaters had ripped apart wire mesh or displaced wooden beams. The Gully trap is particularly impressive due to how many layers of vegetation, deposited and accumulated over the years, have been simply stripped away to reveal bare rock once again. The Vaadal bridge had shifted and so was reaffixed and some of the stones on the mill at Finnequoy have been shifted by the torrent that seems to have subsided as soon as it arrived. The Barred Warbler was at Burkle again, and more 'Northwestern' Redpolls were recorded, alongside a Pink-footed Goose and three Snow Buntings; more visitors from the north-west. A Rosefinch in the cover crop at Quoy was a surprise, and a Water Rail found by one of the Isle's canine birders was new in.
HIGHLIGHTS
Barred Warbler: One still at Burkle.
Common Rosefinch: One flew out of the Quoy cover crop and took cover in Schoolton.
Repairs taking place within the Gully trap (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 1 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Shelduck, 9 Wigeon, 11 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Water Rail, 4 Oystercatcher, 11 Lapwing, 11 Golden Plover, 27 Ringed Plover, 10 Curlew, 68 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 2 Ruff, 7 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 49 Snipe, 52 Redshank, 11 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 6 Carrion Crow, 3 Swallow, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Whinchat, 3 'Northwestern' Redpoll, 1 Redpoll sp., 3 Snow Bunting
Two Red-throated Divers passing over dramatic seas at South Light (Luke Marriner)
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral
Year list: 189
________________________________________________________________________________________________
10th September 2024
Weather: Rain from dawn, mostly very heavy, with a wind increasing to gale force by the afternoon. Some 58mm of rain fell in 24hrs (up to 18.00). F8-10 NW!
Heavy rain from dawn combined with powerful winds by the afternoon to make for a very unbirdy day without a census. An incredible amount of water was pouring off the island, with 'new' waterfalls in numerous geos discolouring parts of the sea pink with the runoff, while the narrow roads were frequently forded and modest burns burst their banks in raging brown torrents. Gilsetter became a small lake, its waters escaping through the Finnequoy burn and through the Gully trap, creating some damage for the team to repair once the weather subsides. Similarly, the Vaadal trap, which usually has a small burn flowing through it, was inaccessible as the reservoir above overtopped and gushed down to Gilsetter. On the airfield a few of the Isle's Bonxies took refuge and stood in soggy unison, pointing their bills to the skies in the direction of the rain, as birds often do during heavy showers. A rather sorry Sparrowhawk and a Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser in the Haven were probably the most notable birds logged during our adventures around the flooded Isle. Wellies definitely needed for census tomorrow...
Additional info from Dave Wheeler at Field "Looking back through my records Tuesday’s 24-hour rainfall total is the wettest September day in a record stretching back to 1974, easily surpassing the previous highest of 35.7mm of 25 September 2007. The wettest September day in half a century and the third wettest day I have recorded here on Fair Isle. However, it falls well short of the two wetter days: 101.2mm on 10th August 2008 and the wettest 132.6mm on the 9th August 2014"
Wet wet wet! The burn draining through Gilsetter into Finnequoy (past Fair Isle's ancient mill) becomes white water rapids (Jonnie Fisk)
The Vaadal reservoir overtopping and pouring through the Vaadal Heligoland trap (Jonnie Fisk)
The Gully trap becoming a caged burn as Gilsetter drained through it (Jonnie Fisk)
Another angle of the Gully Heligoland, which will need some repairs now in order to be catching birds through the rest of the autumn... (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 1 Wigeon, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Sanderling, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Carrion Crow
Year list: 189
________________________________________________________________________________________________
9th September 2024
Weather: Sunny spells and very light showers in the late morning, becoming sunny in the afternoon and through the evening. F5 WNW.
A mixed day of sun and blustery winds, though it was easy to find warm calm spots on the Isle within which to find birds. A handful of migrants were evident, with a few Barred Warblers and a Red-backed Shrike still clinging on. Story of the day was probably an arrival of Snipe with over 80 recorded on census, almost certainly coming from Iceland, like the Pink-footed Geese today which were our first of the autumn. With the seabird season fully coming to a close, with just young Fulmars foolishly flailing about in unlikely locations, and juvenile Black Guillemots in the bays and sounds, it was time to bring both Obs' boats into storage after safely getting us to and from the Holms and allowing us, and visiting seabird fieldworkers, to explore those parts of the Isle only accessible by sea (unless you are a particularly nimble sheep). With an ...interesting...forecast for tomorrow, it felt like the calm before the storm, and perhaps the two 'Northwestern' Redpolls recorded today mark the vanguard of an arrival of their kind given the wind direction we are predicted...
A streaky 'rostrata' Redpoll around the Haa, with another at Wirvie Burn, were evidence of arrivals from the north-west (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Red-backed Shrike: One still at Boini Mire.
Barred Warbler: Three; singles at Setter, Burkle and Vaila's Trees.
Reed Warblers continue to test our fieldcraft skills (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 4 Pink-footed Geese, 15 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Woodpigeon, 4 Oystercatcher, 12 Golden Plover, 25 Ringed Plover, 12 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 69 Turnstone, 3 Knot, 10 Sanderling, 23 Dunlin, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 83 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 30 Redshank, 2 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 4 Carrion Crow, 34 Skylark, 5 Swallow, 7 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Whinchat, 32 Wheatear, 16 alba Wagtail, 488 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 67 Rock Pipit, 52 Twite, 2 'Northwestern' Redpoll
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady
Year list: 189
________________________________________________________________________________________________
8th September 2024
Weather: Thick fog until the afternoon, remaining murky and overcast. F4 NW.
Those who know what life is like on islands in the north will not be surprised to hear that after a few days of sustained sun and warmth, today was a fog-out, with poor visibility until the afternoon. As a result, no census was undertaken and today's counts are a token offering from the day's birding. The Red-backed Shrike was still favouring the Stackhoull area, where a Barred Warbler also remained. A Wryneck was seemingly new at Shirva, and migrant ducks still linger on and around the Isle's waters, with a Goldeneye and a Red-breasted Merganser still in the north and a flock of Wigeon mostly to be found on Da Water, with a couple of herons too, though, like their Little Egret friend of recent days, they also seem unable to avoid the infamous Fulmar's brew...
Yesterday's ringed Barred Warbler at Burkle - ringed in Shetland? Or further afield...? (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Wryneck: One at Shirva.
Red-backed Shrike: One at Boini Mire.
Barred Warbler: One at Vaila's Trees.
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 17 Wigeon, 11 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Oystercatcher, 6 Golden Plover, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 100 Turnstone, 4 Knot, 6 Sanderling, 7 Dunlin, 1 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Common Tern, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 5 Swallow, 10 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Robin, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 5 Whinchat, 1 Tree Pipit
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral
Year list: 189
________________________________________________________________________________________________
7th September 2024
Weather: Another scorcher, by Fair Isle standards, with relentless sun and a hazy horizon. F4 SE.
It seems to be a second coming of summer in Shetland, with another day of t-shirt weather and a pleasant south-easterly breeze, though it seems as if any substantial arrival of migrants riding the airflow may have passed us by. A Red-breasted Flycatcher bothering the Wheatears in Smirri Geo was presumably the bird seen at Raeva yesterday, and the three Barred Warblers seen yesterday were all still in attendace, with another scooting around the nettles at Pund with a few Blackcaps and a Song Trush. A Rosefinch was at the Observatory, determinedly pursuing a Lesser Whitethroat. A rise in common migrant numbers kepy us busy, and morale was buoyed by the reports of other birds turning up along the east coast and Northern Isles.
A juv. Merlin sat on the trap at Plantation, note the ring, which we presume it gained in Shetland! (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Barred Warbler: Four; birds at Burkle (ringed), Pund, the Setter potato rig and Vaila's Trees/Stoneybrek.
Red-breasted Flycatcher: One in Smirri Geo, presumaby yesterday's bird.
Common Rosefinch One at the Obs'.
A Red-breasted Flycatcher in Smirri Geo, presumably yesterday's bird on a wander (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 16 Wigeon, 11 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Oystercatcher, 14 Lapwing, 12 Golden Plover, 30 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 10 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 17 Turnstone, 3 Knot, 4 Ruff, 19 Sanderling, 28 Dunlin, 34 Snipe, 3 Common Sandpiper, 18 Redshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 27 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 99 Skylark, 14 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 18 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 10 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Robin, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Redstart, 12 Whinchat, 57 Wheatear, 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 29 alba Wagtail, 488 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 108 Rock Pipit, 74 Twite
A Painted Lady among a modest total of Red Admirals recorded today (Jonnie Fisk)
Other wildlife: 22 Red Admiral, 3 Painted Lady, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 16 Silver Y, 1 Plutella xylostella, 5 Shetland Bee
Year list: 189
________________________________________________________________________________________________
6th September 2024
Weather: A morning of thick sea fret, burning off by late morning into a warm day of blazing sunshine. F3 SE.
Another hot day in the Fair Isle bubble, after thick fog burnt off by late morning to become a storming day of sun. Many of our recent stand-out birds were still present, with a new Barred Warbler in the rosas at Skettyholm and a charming Red-breasted Flycatcher flicking around in the cavern of North Raeva. Elsewhere a handful of Robins signalled the oncoming 'autumn proper' and the Isle's fourth Little Egret was still present, though bears all the hallmarks of one who has bumped into one too many Fulmars. Closer to the ground, a few Rush Veneer moths were evidence of migration occurring on a smaller scale, with plenty of Silver Ys featuring in log too, and news of migrant species such as Dark Sword Grass, Setaceous Hebrew Character, Plutella xylostella etc. featuring in the moth traps dotted around the crofts. Possibly biggest news of the day, however, was a female darter (Sympetrum) species on Buness which narrowly escaped being eaten by a Meadow Pipit before it was identified as being an odonata species by the observer. It moved quickly off towards the east side of Buness and could not be relocated. All species of dragonfly are extremely rare on Fair Isle, and this is the second record of a Sympetrum of any kind, though similar to the first record in 2001, it sadly wasn't identified to species.
A lovely find at Raeva, and our first of the year: a Red-breasted Flycatcher (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Little Egret: Rather sorry looking individual on Golden Water.
Red-backed Shrike: One at Vaila's Trees again.
Barred Warbler: Three; one at Skerryholm, and at Setter potato rig and Vaila's Trees.
Red-breasted Flycatcher: One in North Raeva.
Common Rosefinch One still in the Skadan crop strip.
Fog rolling over Vaasetter as it quickly vanished from the skies late morning (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 12 Wigeon, 11 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 3 Oystercatcher, 16 Lapwing, 8 Golden Plover, 39 Ringed Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 14 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 33 Turnstone, 2 Knot, 4 Ruff, 18 Sanderling, 15 Dunlin, 19 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 43 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 2 Carrion Crow, 10 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 15 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 5 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Robin, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Redstart, 8 Whinchat
Other wildlife: 12 Red Admiral, 2 Peacock, 15 Silver Y, 5 Shetland Bee
Year list: 189
________________________________________________________________________________________________
5th September 2024
Weather: A snap back to reality after yesterday's warmth. Cool and overcast. F5 NE.
Yesterday's blazing early autumn warmth clearly inspired some birds to move on, as census was quieter than recent days. There was still plenty to catch up with, though, including the two Barred Warblers, a Red-backed Shrike and Rosefinch of recent days still in attendance. A Nightjar, first seen yesterday evening around Midway, was rediscovered roosting on a fenceline at Vaila's Trees, often to be seen alongside a Red-backed Shrike or Barred Warbler. A Wryneck at the Haven was new, if quite brief, and a Painted Lady and handful of Convolvulus Hawkmoths caught in moth traps operated by various islanders were evidence of insect migration taking place.
Yesterday's Nightjar was found day-roosting on the fenceline at Vaila's Trees, where it received some admirers, not least this Willow Warbler (Alex Penn)
Lifting his bins' to a Barred Warbler in the bushes, AW Luke was treated to views like this of our fourth Nightjar of the year (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Little Egret: One touring the Isle's burns.
Wryneck: One on the beach at South Haven.
Nightjar: One sat on a fenceline at Vaila's Trees.
Red-backed Shrike: One at Vaila's Trees.
Barred Warbler: Singles at Setter potato rig and Vaila's Trees.
Common Rosefinch One still in the Skadan crop strip.
The Isle's Black Guillemots are pretty much the only auks left now, milling about offshore in various states of salt-and-pepper-iness as they moult from their black summer to largely white winter plumage (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 13 Wigeon, 19 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 13 Oystercatcher, 16 Lapwing, 15 Golden Plover, 38 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 15 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 37 Turnstone, 6 Ruff, 9 Sanderling, 29 Dunlin, 43 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 25 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 8 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Carrion Crow, 75 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 13 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Reed Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 4 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Robin, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstart, 8 Whinchat, 60 Wheatear, 21 alba Wagtail, 406 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 53 Rock Pipit, 87 Twite
Other wildlife: 3 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 6 Silver Y, 5 Shetland Bee
Year list: 188
________________________________________________________________________________________________
4th September 2024
Weather: Cloudy start, with a light bit of drizzle then became a glorious sunny day, with the wind dropping right off. F3-1 NE.
A long, heady day of sun, warmth and birds! A slightly drizzly morning saw the Little Egret back around South Light before being relocated on the burn in Finnequoy. Census brought with it a similar story to the last few days of easterlies, with nice numbers of classic passage passeries, before loud chorus of Ravens heralded the arrival of an adult White-tailed Eagle which flew down the Isle, blogged about, and returned north along the west cliffs. This is our third encounter with this species on the Isle so far this year, after two birds in the spring. A group of Risso's Dolphins pranced about offshore mid-afternoon, as seen from Meoness, with a Minke passing the Isle at the same time. Three Barred Warblers were about again, the Red-backed Shrike continued to stalk the shrubs at Vaila's Trees, a Rosefinch was still in the Skadan Crop strip and the angelicas around Shriva and Midway were once again the haunt of an enchanting Greenish Warbler. Later this evening a roosting Nightjar was found on the same ground, and the Citrine Wagtail put in an appearance as it called over Utra Scrape shortly before sunset, and the day was seen out by some distant White-beaked Dolphins past Malcolm's Head.
A Nightjar was a surprise find at Midway. Here it is sat on the bridge at Meadow Burn (Alex Penn)
As they always do, this eagle agitated the Isle's Bonxie population, allowing us to count 110 birds in the air at once (Jonnie Fisk)
HIGHLIGHTS
White-tailed Eagle: An adult toured the Isle with a Bonxie entourage throughout the afternoon.
Little Egret: One around South Light.
Nightjar: One flushed from the dyke bordering Houll/Midway.
Red-backed Shrike: One at Vaila's Trees again.
Greenish Warbler: One around Shirva and Midway.
Barred Warbler: Three; singles at Setter potato rig, Shirva and Busta.
Citrine Wagtail: Mobile over Utra Scrape this evening.
Common Rosefinch One still in the Skadan crop strip.
The Skadan crop is still keeping this Rosefinch topped up with seed (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 1 Greylag Goose, 15 Wigeon, 27 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Swift, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 16 Oystercatcher, 16 Lapwing, 16 Golden Plover, 46 Ringed Plover, 16 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 27 Turnstone, 6 Knot, 9 Ruff, 17 Sanderling, 34 Dunlin, 23 Snipe, 5 Common Sandpiper, 35 Redshank, 2 Kittiwake, 2 Black-headed Gull, 10 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 110 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 2 Puffin, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 82 Skylark, 22 Swallow, 30 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Sedge Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 16 Blackcap, 6 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Common Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Robin, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Redstart, 8 Whinchat, 84 Wheatear, 4 White Wagtail, 45 alba Wagtail, 716 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 76 Rock Pipit, 79 Twite
Other wildlife: 29 Red Admiral, 2 Peacock, 13 Silver Y, 5 Shetland Bee, 1 Minke Whale, 3 Risso's Dolphin, 5 White-beaked Dolphin
Year list: 188
________________________________________________________________________________________________
3rd September 2024
Weather: A sunny start became largely overcast with the threat of rain, becoming realised mid-afternoon with some light precipitation. F4-2 SSE.
Another exciting day to be in the field, with plenty of lingering scarcities and the feeling in the air that something new and exciting could be in the next stand of rosa or down the next cliff. Yesterday's brief Greenish Warbler was relocated at Schoolton, before bouncing around the angelicas at Midway, and was able to be fully appreciated by the team. The Isle's fourth Little Egret was present again, though seems slightly shopsoiled, suggesting it has had an unfortunate encounter with a Fulmar. A few Barred Warblers remained, the Red-backed Shrike was around Shirva still and the Citrine Wagtail was back on Da Water for a while. A couple of Sparrowhawks are making a dent in the local Wheatear population, with some passage Kestrels bothering the birds too. A second Goldeneye joins the continuing bird in the north, a September Swift was logged and 10 Red Admiral were recorded across the census routes.
Silky tones of our first Greenish Warbler of the year (Alex Penn)
Much to enjoy as it tumbled through the angelica at Midway (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Little Egret: One around South Light.
Red-backed Shrike: One at Shirva again.
Greenish Warbler: One around Schoolton and Midway.
Barred Warbler: Three; singles at Setter potato rig/Pund, Vaila's Trees and Chapel plantation.
Citrine Wagtail: One at Da Water.
Common Rosefinch One still in the Skadan crop strip.
The Rosefinch enjoying the cover and cuisine of the Skadan crop strip (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 1 Shelduck, 7 Wigeon, 19 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Swift, 2 Woodpigeon, 20 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 14 Golden Plover, 34 Ringed Plover, 19 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 51 Turnstone, 4 Knot, 9 Ruff, 21 Sanderling, 13 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 35 Snipe, 4 Common Sandpiper, 54 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 37 Common Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 77 Skylark, 13 Swallow, 27 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 6 Garden Warbler, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Common Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 12 Pied Flycatcher, 6 Redstart, 13 Whinchat, 90 Wheatear, 3 Pied Wagtail, 57 alba Wagtail, 649 Meadow Pipit, 2 Tree Pipit, 57 Rock Pipit, 114 Twite
Other wildlife: 10 Red Admiral, 4 Shetland Bee
Year list: 188
________________________________________________________________________________________________
2nd September 2024
Weather: Overcast, very light rain c.midday then showers from late afternoon. F5 SE.
A great day to be out in the field, and probably the most exciting birding of our autumn so far. After yesterday's Great White Egret 'excitement', the arrival of a Little Egret, fishing in the waters around Shalstane, carried the momentum, and becomes only the fourth to be recorded for the Isle. In slightly more predictable south-easterly fare, our first Wryneck of the autumn was unearthed, with a few new Barred Warbler too, joining the birds still present from yesterday and taking the total to five. One the cliffs, Pied Flycatchers, Redstarts, Willow Warblers and Whinchats continued to entertain, with a Red-backed Shrike at Shirva, a Turtle Dove flushed from the ringing hut marsh, a Wood Warbler at Lericum and a couple of Rosefinches keeping the local grapevine busy. As two of the team were undertaking afternoon trap rounds after a very pleasant census each, the Isle's 70th record of Thrush Nightingale was caught at Burkle, and ringed by the third member of the Obs' crew, making for a very happy AW. A slighty soggier re-thrashing of the Isle in the PM brought more results on the cliffs of the south west, with a beachbound Barred Warbler in Steensi Geo and the first Greenish Warbler of the year flitting briefly above Kroga Geo. Good stuff!
Another day where the 'bird of the moment' is an...egret! (Alex Penn)
The first Thrush Nightingale of the year from the nets at Burkle (Deryk Shaw)
HIGHLIGHTS
THRUSH NIGHTINGALE: One ringed at Burkle.
Turtle Dove: Juvenile at Ringing Hut Marsh.
Little Egret: One on Shalstane and around the rocks of South Light.
Wryneck: One along the Hill Dyke.
Red-backed Shrike: One at Shirva.
Wood Warbler: One on the cliffs at Lericum.
Greenish Warbler: One at Kroga Geo, our first of the year.
Barred Warbler: Five; singles at Schoolton, the Setter potato rig, Pund, Vaila's Trees and on the beach at Steensi Geo.
Common Rosefinch Two; at North Naaversgill and in the Skadan crop strip.
Wood Warbler on the cliffs at Lericum (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 6 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Woodpigeon, 13 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 76 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 10 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 46 Turnstone, 5 Knot, 1 Ruff, 9 Sanderling, 17 Dunlin, 38 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 21 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 52 Common Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 4 Carrion Crow, 95 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 28 Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 9 Garden Warbler, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Common Whitethroat, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 21 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Redstart, 7 Whinchat, 98 Wheatear, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 33 alba Wagtail, 657 Meadow Pipit, 3 Tree Pipit, 65 Rock Pipit, 81 Twite
Other wildlife: 7 Red Admiral, 3 Shetland Bee
Year list: 188
________________________________________________________________________________________________
1st September 2024
Weather: Largely overcast and cooler than of late. F5 SE.
An immediately 'birdy' feeling as we set out on census was realised with an arrival of passage passerines on the back of these easterly winds. A less subtle surprise was a Great White Egret plonked on Utra Scrape with a Grey Heron mid-morning, which took to the skies and, after some harassment from a few Bonxies, went north up the east coast and appeared to leave the Isle. By mid-afternoon it was back, with its heron entourage now numbering four, and they headed south off Skadan and out to sea. This was the second record of Great White Egret for the Isle after a bird in May 2015, but it will shock no one when we say with some confidence that surely records are set to increase given the changing status of the species in the UK (the first breeding record for Scotland came earlier this year). The cliffs of the north and the crofts of the south put in a great showing of migrants, with Willow Warblers in abundance at certain sites and a surprise jump in numbers of Blackcap and Chiffchaff, given the time of year. Two new Barred Warblers - one ringed in Plantation and one at the Observatory - joined the two lingering birds at Burkle and Vaila's Trees, the 'regular' Citrine Wagtail was in the vicinity of Da Water and a juvenile Little Stint visited Muckle Uri Geo in the afternoon.
A Pied Fly on the cliffs of the Isle's north (Alex Penn)
A Great White Egret recieves a Bonxie welcome (Jonnie Fisk)
HIGHLIGHTS
Little Stint: A juvenile at Muckle Uri Geo.
Great White Egret: One on Utra Scrape, which then tracked north along the east coast and returned off the south of the Isle. The second record for Fair Isle.
Barred Warbler: Four; at Chapel/Burkle, Vaila's Trees, Observatory & Plantation.
Citrine Wagtail: Still present and mobile around the south of the island.
The first Barred Warbler to be ringed this autumn (Alex Penn)
Lovely to be birding an island full of lemon-yellow Willow Warblers making their first attempt at a Sub-Saharan migration (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 8 Wigeon, 18 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 9 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 9 Golden Plover, 46 Ringed Plover, 8 Curlew, 34 Turnstone, 2 Knot, 3 Ruff, 15 Sanderling, 14 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 19 Snipe, 17 Redshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 142 Common Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Grey Heron, 3 Carrion Crow, 133 Skylark, 11 Swallow, 42 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, 5 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 4 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackbird, 18 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 8 Whinchat, 143 Wheatear, 2 White Wagtail, 36 alba Wagtail, 841 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 90 Rock Pipit, 31 Twite
Year list: 184
________________________________________________________________________________________________
31st August 2024
Weather: Largely cloudless and sunny. F5 SE.
Not much in the way of change, though the winds and weather still brings us promise of a good arrival. The Barred Warblers around Burkle and Vaila's Trees were still present, as was the Citrine Wagtail at Da Water, with a Red-backed Shrike right at the north of the Isle, perched atop the famous foghorn. A Manx Shearwater passed offshore, though yet to master the delicate act between air and sea are this year's Fulmar fledgelings, which can often be found flailing in unlikely locations as their new-found powers of flight fail them and they become grounded, often far from a convenient cliff from which to attempt another take off. The team do their best during these moments, catching, ringing and releasing these casualties back onto the sea to continue what may end up being their long, long lives.
A Barred Warbler showing unusually well at Vaila's Trees (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Red-backed Shrike: First calendar-year on the foghorn at North Light.
Barred Warbler: Two - around Burkle/Chapel Plantation, and in the Vaila's Trees.
Citrine Wagtail: Still present around Da Water.
As well as passage passerine migrants, you are just as likely to come across grounded Fulmar fledgelings while censusing at this time of year (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 3 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 14 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 43 Ringed Plover, 21 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 55 Turnstone, 7 Knot, 1 Ruff, 15 Sanderling, 24 Dunlin, 22 Snipe, 15 Redshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 10 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Arctic Skua, 1 Puffin, 1 Manx Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 5 Carrion Crow, 98 Skylark, 3 Sand Martin, 10 Swallow, 6 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 7 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whinchat, 126 Wheatear, 1 White Wagtail, 29 alba Wagtail, 834 Meadow Pipit, 76 Rock Pipit, 37 Twite
Other wildlife: 1 Peacock, 4 Shetland Bee
Year list: 182
________________________________________________________________________________________________
30th August 2024
Weather: Rain overnight, but a bright and sunny day - warm out of the wind. Light rain shower early evening. .
A night's dazzling session included a Black-tailed Godwit, three Common Gulls, eight Snipe, nine Dunlin and a Shelduck ringed, amongst others. The Shelduck becomes only the 6th member of its species to be ringed here, last in 1997, and the Black-tailed Godwit similarly only the fifth! A warm, sunny day followed once dawn broke, with two Barred Warblers in the crofts and further inspection of the Citrine Wagtail still present on Da Water proved it to be a different bird to the one earlier in the month. It performed well, buzzing away vocally from a prominent perch. A few more Whinchat were in evidence though the cliffs were rather bare of migrants, suggesting the fair weather meant birds could hop straight to the cover of the crofts. Evening roost ringing at the Obs' produced a male White Wagtail and a control Swallow with a Czech ring...we look forward to finding out where this bird has come from.
The Citrine Wagtail at Da Water swinging in the breeze (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Barred Warbler: Two - at Chapel plantation, and in the gardens of Upper and Lower Stoneybrek.
Citrine Wagtail: First calendar-year at Da Water again today, with better views confirming it to be the second of the autumn.
A few Ruff have graced the island recently (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 1 Shelduck, 7 Wigeon, 14 Teal, 13 Oystercatcher, 4 Lapwing, 6 Golden Plover, 53 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 12 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 23 Turnstone, 8 Knot, 1 Ruff, 22 Sanderling, 20 Dunlin, 17 Snipe, 55 Redshank, 4 Black-headed Gull, 74 Common Gull, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Arctic Skua, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Carrion Crow, 160 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 11 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 5 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Ring Ouzel, 1 Blackbird, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 7 Whinchat, 141 Wheatear, 2 White Wagtail, 61 alba Wagtail, 738 Meadow Pipit, 68 Rock Pipit, 21 Twite
A passage Whinchat (Alex Penn)
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral, 1 Peacock, 2 Shetland Bee
Year list: 182
________________________________________________________________________________________________
29th August 2024
Weather: Sunny spells with light rain in early afternoon followed by heavier showers in the late afternoon and evening. F4-6 SW.
A handful of yesterday's migrant passerines were still present where we left them yesterday, plus a few new additions included some Whinchat, more Willow Warblers and our first Red-backed Shrike and Icterine Warbler of the autumn. A Sooty Shearwater was seen off the north of the Isle by birders departing on the Good Shepherd IV, a Water Rail flew over the Vaadal and in the early evening the first Gadwall of the year was joined by a Citrine Wagtail on Da Water while the heavens opened.
An Icterine Warbler of the year, finding refuge in the Plantation Heligoland stand (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Red-backed Shrike: First calendar-year bird at the Mast.
Icterine Warbler: Singles in the Plantation Heligoland and at Burkle
Citrine Wagtail: First calendar-year at Da Water late afternoon.
The first Red-backed Shrike of the autumn braving the altitude around the Mast (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 1 Shelduck, 1 Gadwall (first of the year), 3 Wigeon, 17 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Water Rail, 16 Oystercatcher, 5 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 85 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 18 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 62 Turnstone, 4 Knot, 14 Sanderling, 20 Dunlin, 7 Purple Sandpiper, 25 Snipe, 41 Redshank, 12 Black-headed Gull, 105 Common Gull, 15 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Arctic Skua, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Carrion Crow, 68 Skylark, 3 Sand Martin, 12 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 8 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whinchat, 149 Wheatear, 5 Pied Wagtail, 67 alba Wagtail, 818 Meadow Pipit, 78 Rock Pipit, 46 Twite
Other wildlife: 2 Shetland Bee
Year list: 182
________________________________________________________________________________________________
28th August 2024
Weather: A sunny start became a warm day, with the skies darkening with cloud by early evening as the wind increased in strength. F4-6 SE.
Hotly anticipated south-easterlies blew, and the team bounded into census full of optimism. A few new birds were in evidence, including two Pied Flycatchers, a Reed Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat and a brief brown Rosefinch in the garden at Burkle, as well as five bright yellow juv. Willow Warblers. We recorded no Arctic Skuas today, appearing to mark the close of a terrible breeding year for them, with just one pair hatching chicks which were promptly predated. It's now two years since Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza caused significant mortality in the Gannets here, but fortunately, the birds have bounced back, and breeding numbers in 2024 are at their highest ever! At those gannetries which are monitored for productivity studies the first of the spangled grey juveniles had left the nests, while a pair or two have just hatched chicks...they may come into trouble come the first proper westerly storm of the autumn!
HIGHLIGHTS
Common Rosefinch: A brown bird at Burkle c.09.30hrs.
It's now two years since HPAI caused significant mortality in the Isle's Gannts, but reminders are clear in the colonies, with lots of dark-eyed individuals present (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 10 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 15 Oystercatcher, 14 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 89 Ringed Plover, 5 Whimbrel, 20 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 96 Turnstone, 6 Knot, 3 Ruff, 38 Sanderling, 32 Dunlin, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 33 Snipe, 38 Redshank, 7 Black-headed Gull, 77 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Puffin, 1 Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Carrion Crow, 105 Skylark, 3 Sand Martin, 8 Swallow, 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 119 Wheatear, 3 White Wagtail, 62 alba Wagtail, 758 Meadow Pipit, 70 Rock Pipit, 76 Twite
Other wildlife: 3 Red Admiral, 1 Silver Y, 4 Shetland Bee
Year list: 181
________________________________________________________________________________________________
27th August 2024
Weather:A very wet and wild start, with the sun putting in an appearance from midday and the wind dropping off from mid-afternoon. F7-4 S.
Another showery start, with rain lashing the windows of South Light on the back of a strong southerly gale. A sunny census soon followed, with little to report once completed - the continuation of a Ring Ouzel in South Restensgeo, with a Goldeneye in Furse below, as well as the summering Lesser Whitethroat and a Sparrowhawk putting up the passing hirundines. Arctic Skuas have all but disappeared and Puffins are notable by their absence after a spring and summer of their kind coating the clifftops. Now only those still dilligently feeding young are seen, before they too head out for a winter on the waves.
Sightings of note: 8 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 13 Oystercatcher, 6 Lapwing, 5 Golden Plover, 35 Ringed Plover, 17 Curlew, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 98 Turnstone, 2 Knot, 30 Sanderling, 26 Dunlin, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 24 Snipe, 39 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 2 Kittiwake, 9 Black-headed Gull, 162 Common Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Skua, 2 Puffin, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Sand Martin, 12 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 White Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral, 9 Shetland Bee
Year list: 181
________________________________________________________________________________________________
26th August 2024
Weather: Heavy showers throughout the morning, clearing by midday and becoming hot and still. F5-2 SW.
A showery census soon became hot and still, with a few juv. Willow Warblers and the Ring Ouzel still present in the north, large groups of waders strolling on the grazed sward and a few misplaced young Fulmars sat incongruously in fields or 'inland' after a botched attept at sustaining flight. The first fledged Black Guillemot juvenile of the 'summer' was seen, and the three other auk species which share the Isle with them are becoming harder to find. A Barred Warbler was at Shriva in the mid afternoon, and the Citrine Wagtail from recent days reappeared while the AWs fiddled about with the Vaadal trap roof. A report of a Sabine's Gull 10 miles off Fair Isle from a boat-bound birder late morning continued the amazing run of sea-birding this summer.
HIGHLIGHTS
Sabine's Gull: A juv. from a vessel 10 miles east south-east of the Isle.
Barred Warbler: One at Shirva.
Citrine Wagtail: One around Vaadal reservoir.
Sightings of note: 4 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 1 Woodpigeon, 34 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 7 Golden Plover, 79 Ringed Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 17 Curlew, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 110 Turnstone, 11 Knot, 1 Ruff, 16 Sanderling, 25 Dunlin, 31 Snipe, 83 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Kittiwake, 15 Black-headed Gull, 77 Common Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Arctic Skua, 1 Storm Petrel, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Carrion Crow, 92 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 14 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 3 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Blackbird, 160 Wheatear, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 White Wagtail, 82 alba Wagtail, 503 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 82 Rock Pipit, 51 Twite
Twite are beginning to build in number, and can be found feeding on seedheads of plants like this Angelica (Jonnie Fisk)
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortiseshell (first of the year), 4 Shetland Bee
Year list: 181
________________________________________________________________________________________________
24th & 25th August 2024
Weather: Sunny spells and some showers.
The Citrine Wagtail had moved south down the island on the 24th, and was not seen at all on the 25th. A Grasshopper Warber was at Quoy on the 25th, and a modest group of Black-tailed Godwits continue to feed around the base of Malcom's Head, with six Ruff recorded on the 24th too. A good wader ringing session was had during the cloudy night, with Sanderling, Knot, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Turnstone and Redshank among the mix, plus three Storm Petrel retraps and a bonus Black-headed Gull.
HIGHLIGHTS
Citrine Wagtail: Present around Hill Dyke on 24th.
A selection of the waders ringed during an evening session in Muckle Uri Geo (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 2 Wigeon, 34 Teal, 19 Oystercatcher, 11 Lapwing, 5 Golden Plover, 77 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 19 Curlew, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 95 Turnstone, 10 Knot, 6 Ruff, 59 Sanderling, 25 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 27 Snipe, 67 Redshank, 11 Kittiwake, 11 Black-headed Gull, 154 Common Gull, 21 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Arctic Tern, 6 Arctic Skua, 1 Guillemot, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 3 Storm Petrel, 4 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Carrion Crow, 93 Skylark, 3 Sand Martin, 10 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 135 Wheatear, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 White Wagtail, 69 alba Wagtail, 495 Meadow Pipit, 72 Rock Pipit, 75 Twite
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 3 Silver Y, 4 Shetland Bee, 2 European Eel
Year list: 180
________________________________________________________________________________________________
23rd August 2024
Weather: Overcast start becoming fine and sunny. F3-5 SW.
A much more pleasant day to be out and about, with an autumnal feeling in the warm air. A Goldeneye, Marsh Harrier and Shelduck were new in, plus a few more passage passerines and a couple of Ruff picking about the short sward of the south. The Citrine Wagtail continues to delight those that visit it at Golden Water, and a surprise sighting in the north of the Isle was an adult Ring Ouzel in rather dramatic moult...where has that been hiding?
HIGHLIGHTS
Marsh Harrier: A cream-crown south over the island while mobbed by Ravens.
Citrine Wagtail: Still present on Golden Water.
One of 2024's Bonxie chicks, now a fully fledged juvenile, identifiable for years to come thanks to its white Darvic ring (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 2 Greylag Goose, 1 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 31 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 76 Oystercatcher, 28 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 72 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 16 Curlew, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 108 Turnstone, 6 Knot, 2 Ruff, 68 Sanderling, 31 Dunlin, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 24 Snipe, 59 Redshank, 2 Kittiwake, 11 Black-headed Gull, 66 Common Gull, 15 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 7 Arctic Tern, 7 Arctic Skua, 1 Guillemot, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Carrion Crow, 83 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 12 Swallow, 4 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Blackbird, 131 Wheatear, 4 Pied Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 29 alba Wagtail, 326 Meadow Pipit, 100 Rock Pipit, 52 Twite
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 3 Silver Y, 10 Shetland Bee
Year list: 180
________________________________________________________________________________________________
22nd August 2024
Weather: Rain in the morning, becoming sunny with gale force winds. F8 SW.
A day of difficult birding conditions with high winds ripping through all stands of cover and keeping birds low. The Citrine Wagtail was still present around Golden Water, but apart from a single group of Turnstone numbering 91, there was not too much else of note. Our Assistant Warden, Luke, was welcomed into his 20s with a kingfisher-themed cake and serendipitously gained a birthday ringing tick, with an immature Cormorant caught in Muckle Uri Geo in the evening.
HIGHLIGHTS
Citrine Wagtail: Still present on Golden Water.
A brief dinner guest at South Light before being sent on its way again (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 18 Greylag Goose, 3 Teal, 29 Oystercatcher, 1 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 101 Turnstone, 4 Knot, 49 Sanderling, 10 Dunlin, 3 Kittiwake, 8 Black-headed Gull, 112 Common Gull, 20 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 9 Arctic Tern, 1 Guillemot, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Carrion Crow, 3 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral, 4 Shetland Bee
Year list: 179
________________________________________________________________________________________________
21st August 2024
Weather: Sunny spells until mid afternoon, becoming overcast with some light rain, before heavy rain set in from late afternoon and continued until dark, with an increasing wind. F6-8 SSE.
A good night ringing Storm petrels was had, seeing the team into the wee small hours of the 21st under a dazzlingly bright moon. A slightly quieter census than yesterday, with just a handful of passage migrant passerines, but the first Greylag Goose flocks of the autumn, still good numbers of waders and the Citrine Wagtail still swaggering around on Golden Water. Arctic Terns and Kittiwakes have all but left us, and Guillemots and Razorbills have departed after a poor breeding season. Twite are flocking in decent sized groups and our first nest of Fair Isle-bred Swallows have departed their nest at Brecks, just as the first Fair Isle lambs left the island onboard the Good Shepherd IV, leaving the croft parks a little quieter than before.
HIGHLIGHTS
Citrine Wagtail: Present in the north of the Isle.
One of 126 Storm Petrels processed during the night 20th-21st August, with the bright moon as a backdrop (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 18 Greylag Goose, 1 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 38 Oystercatcher, 9 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 57 Ringed Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 28 Curlew, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 69 Turnstone, 13 Knot, 1 Ruff, 62 Sanderling, 29 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 23 Snipe, 56 Redshank, 8 Black-headed Gull, 29 Common Gull, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Arctic Tern, 20 Arctic Skua, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Carrion Crow, 83 Skylark, 13 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 193 Wheatear, 1 Pied Wagtail, 7 White Wagtail, 37 alba Wagtail, 319 Meadow Pipit, 60 Rock Pipit, 65 Twite
Other wildlife: 4 Red Admiral, 3 Silver Y, 5 Shetland Bee
Year list: 179
________________________________________________________________________________________________
20th August 2024
Weather: Sunny all day, with wind decreasing from midday. F5-2 SW.
The momentous first Barred Warbler of the autumn appeared in the well-watched cover of the Schoolton garden before buzzing over the road to Quoy - a fairly typical arrival date for this large eastern species. Waders put in a strong showing, including our highest day count of Sanderling ever (70), beating the previous record of 57 in 2017. The Citrine Wagtail has now been here a week and remains faithful to Golden Water, and was later heard calling over the Haven. More effort was put into seawatching, once again due to the ongoing Great Shearwater experience off Sumburgh head, but two Sooty Shearwaters remained the only prize for Fair Isle's watchers. A Garden Warbler was trapped in Gully, with a few passage warblers and chats logged, as well as mixed flocks of hirundines. Most of all, it was just pleasant to complete a full autumn census in the sun,
HIGHLIGHTS
Barred Warbler: One at Schoolton.
Citrine Wagtail: Present in the north of the Isle.
Passage Black-tailed Godwits (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 4 Wigeon, 35 Teal, 36 Oystercatcher, 3 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 127 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 16 Curlew, 29 Black-tailed Godwit, 96 Turnstone, 2 Knot, 70 Sanderling (new record count), 19 Dunlin, 14 Purple Sandpiper, 18 Snipe, 64 Redshank, 14 Black-headed Gull, 88 Common Gull, 30 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 15 Arctic Tern, 22 Arctic Skua, 1 Red-throated Diver, 126 Storm Petrel, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Carrion Crow, 81 Skylark, 5 Sand Martin, 14 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 175 Wheatear, 3 Pied Wagtail, 5 White Wagtail, 59 alba Wagtail, 271 Meadow Pipit, 70 Rock Pipit, 48 Twite
The fruiting seedheads of Angelica make for great springboard perches for passage warblers like this Sedge Warbler (Alex Penn)
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 2 Silver Y, 14 Shetland Bee
Year list: 179
________________________________________________________________________________________________
19th August 2024
Weather: Wet and windy, with frequent prolonged showers. F6 S-SW.
Morning news from south mainland Shetand's seawatchers of a run of large shearwaters spurred a South Light vigil across most of the day, with watches taken from other points of the island as the weather continued to be grim and stormy. The Good Shepherd IV's resident birder added Cory's Shearwater to the island yearlist with one past the boat 10 miles from the Isle, with a Basking Shark also seen from the vessel on the same crossing. By the end of the day, some 40 Great Shearwaters had passed Sumburgh, but our total here remained at zero, with four Sooty Shearwaters, three Manx Shearwater, 23 Storm Petrels and a 'blue' Fulmar the best of the action over the sea from land. Cory's Shearwater has only been previously recorded in three other years in Fair Isle history and the last record was in 2005. Incredibly, in 1965 some 88 birds were recorded during a spell of five days during what was a phenomenal shearwater autumn. The young Citrine Wagtail was once again picking around Golden Water and the handful of passage passerines were presumably similarly lingering birds from recent days.
HIGHLIGHTS
Cory's Shearwater: One past the Good Shepherd IV c.10 miles from Fair Isle late morning.
Citrine Wagtail: The bird from previous days was at Golden Water.
Sightings of note: 2 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 13 Lapwing, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 31 Turnstone, 7 Knot, 20 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 9 Black-headed Gull, 42 Common Gull, 18 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 13 Arctic Tern, 23 Storm Petrel, 1 'blue' Fulmar, 4 Sooty Shearwater, 3 Manx Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 2 Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Whinchat
Other wildlife: 1 Basking Shark
Year list: 179
________________________________________________________________________________________________
14th - 18th August 2024
A few days of breezy south-westerly winds dominating, with the team’s attention focused mostly on seawatching, checking the waters and sheltered bays and counting flocks of waders and gulls grounded by the weather. The standout birding highlight was the isle’s first land-based record of Great Shearwater since 1986, with one passing South Light at close range on 15th, amongst small numbers of Sooty and Manx Shearwaters. Another good early autumn bird came in the form of a smart Citrine Wagtail, found on 14th and remaining until 17th at least, and some moderate wader passage through the period included an isle record flock of 62 Black-tailed Godwit taking a break on Meoness on 16th. A reasonable display of bioluminescence ('mareel') in the Haven on the night of 17th also saw what appeared to be Mauve Stinger jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca) washing ashore.
A close encounter with a Great Shearwater past South Light on the 15th (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Great Shearwater: One flew east past South Light on 15th.
Citrine Wagtail: A mobile first calendar-year bird toured the south on 14th, before relocating to the northern waters on subsequent days.
Our first Citrine Wagtail of the year was first picked up in flight over the crofts on the 14th (Alex Penn)
After a Sparrowhawk managed to weasel out of the Vaadal trap, this Green Sandpiper lurking in the burn was a fantastic consolatory prize (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 1 Shelduck, 1 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Swift, 3 Golden Plover, 5 Whimbrel, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 62 Black-tailed Godwit, 37 Turnstone, 10 Knot, 16 Sanderling, 10 Dunlin, 9 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 32 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 8 Black-headed Gull, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Common Tern, 197 Arctic Tern, 1 Razorbill, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Storm Petrel, 11 Sooty Shearwater, 6 Manx Shearwater, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Carrion Crow, 2 Sand Martin, 14 Swallow, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Whinchat, 1 White Wagtail, 40 alba Wagtail
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 2 Peacock, 17 Shetland Bee
Year list: 178
________________________________________________________________________________________________
13th August 2024
Weather: A night of thick fog spilled into the day, with a strong sun burning it off by late morning. The wind picked up throughout the day, with a couple of short rain showers late afternoon. F 4-7 S/SW.
After the previous day's tempestual weather, the 13th began calm and foggy, becoming sunny and warm by late morning, prompting a few butterflies to take wing. The continued south-easterlies finally brought with them a few passage migrant passerines, with the first Whinchat and Sedge Warbler of the autumn, as well as a Pied Flycatcher on the north-west cliffs and a yellow juv. Willow Warbler in the Crofts. The modest seige of Grey Herons linger, with one rather sorry-looking oiled juvenile but there was no sign today of the Isle's celebrated Kingfisher.
Sightings of note: 4 Teal, 1 Swift, 2 Golden Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 16 Turnstone, 5 Knot, 8 Sanderling, 7 Dunlin, 9 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 4 Black-headed Gull, 345 Common Gull, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Grey Heron, 5 Carrion Crow, 3 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Whinchat
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 2 Peacock, 17 Shetland Bee
Year list: 177
________________________________________________________________________________________________
10th - 12th August 2024
Weather: Swinging between hot and humid, and the odd chilly shower of drizzle. 12th was stormy with heavy rain, thunder and lightening. F4-8 SE.
The discovery of the first 'twitchable' Kingfisher for Fair Isle dominated discussion during the following days, with many of the island having never seen one before in their lives, such is the bird's rarity in the Northern Isles. One character who is conversely very well-acquainted with Kingfishers, but for whom one on Fair Isle would launch any of the others he'd seen out of the park, was Acting Warden Alex Penn, who had been enjoying a summer break on the Western Isles and for whom travel plans back to Fair Isle had been disrupted due to the weather. A tense two days followed, but as he bobbed past the North Haven breakwater on the 11th, our small orange and blue bird was still present a corner of that same bay and surely becomes the new 'best bird' on his Good Shepherd IV list? There was little change elsewhere and despite some drifty feeling south-easterlies, we are without passage passerine migrants. A couple of colour-ringed waders among the changable flocks of Knot, Sanderling etc. have perked our interest, and the (mostly juvenile) Arctic Tern flock around South Light remains impressive, especially when supplemented with a backdrop of hundreds of Gannets diving into a crashing sea, as we saw on the 12th, with a Sooty Shearwater weaving its way through east for good measure. The next two days look settled and warm again, and we await the first Barred Warbler of autumn...
Fair Isle's sharpest shooter (with a lens, not a rifle) was lucky that the Haven Kingfisher lingered for his return (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Kingfisher: The second record for Fair Isle stayed faithful to the North Haven sea caves over the 10th & 11th.
The pleasing floral background of the Skadan Obs' cover crop strip, which we hope to be hotching with passerines later in the autumn (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 2 Teal, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Swift, 1 Whimbrel, 36 Turnstone, 14 Knot, 1 Ruff, 14 Sanderling, 7 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 10 Redshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 96 Common Gull, 31 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 278 Arctic Tern, 2 Storm Petrel, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral, 3 Shetland Bee
Year list: 176
________________________________________________________________________________________________
8th & 9th August 2024
Weather: Sunny and warm, with a cooler wind. F5-3 SW-SE.
The second Hill Caa of the summer was underway by late morning, as the islanders, returning family members and visiting guests took to the north and attempted to scoop up the wily sheep from Tor 'o da Ward Hill, Dronger, and other ovine haunts. Many of these animals have evaded capture for multiple years, and their fleeces were something to behold as they lolloped into the cru by the Plantation Heligoland after a few hours of herding. South Light and South Harbour are still good places to catch up with the lingering flock of Arctic Terns (with a couple of Common Terns) and tally passage waders. It was during this task that AW Luke turned his scope to the sea - on the promise that high winds and rough seas of recent days would produce some offshore movement. A Balearic Shearwater was not what he was expecting, and if accepted would constitute the first record for Shetland. Not to be outdone, some visiting Swiss birders reported a Kingfisher in the Haven the following day, which was duly relayed to the local birders and refound by diligent AW Luke as it fished under the cliffs and in the sea caves of the North Haven waters. With just one previous record -a little-observed bird off the south of the island in September 1999- it produced a sizeable twitch, everyone 'needed' this! Two BIG birds to start off our autumn, though maybe not the duo anyone would have predicted...
Fair Isle's second Kingfisher on the tideline cliffs at North Haven (Jonnie Fisk)
HIGHLIGHTS
Balearic Shearwater: One flew east past South Light 16.20hrs on the 8th.
Kingfisher: A surprise bird on the cliffs at North Haven from mid-afternoon until the evening on the 9th. The second Fair Isle record.
A Dunlin ringed during a dazzling session, making the most of the return of dark nights! (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 7 Teal, 1 Swift, 3 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 38 Turnstone, 15 Knot, 15 Sanderling, 13 Dunlin, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 17 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 11 Black-headed Gull, 63 Common Gull, 64 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Common Tern, 130 Arctic Tern, 3 Manx Shearwater, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 1 Pied Flycatcher
Other wildlife: 8 Shetland Bee
Year list: 176
________________________________________________________________________________________________
5th - 7th August 2024
Weather: Mixed sun and showers, with some strong winds and high seas. F4-6 S-SSE.
A massive autumn milestone was reached with the first two Pied Flycatchers of the season, one at Smirri Geo and one on the Good Shepherd IV Noost on the 5th. With the seabird season ebbing away, despite still being thousands of birds present, our job list priority now goes to the ringing of Fulmar chicks, which are starting to resemble actual Fulmars - and not animated bags of vaccum cleaner fluff - by the day. This is not a particularly enviable job, as each chick seems able to pay respectable homage to that scene from the Exorcist, leaving us covered in evil-smellig oil, regurgitated fish, and sometimes live intestinal worms. Their name (a mashup of the Norse words 'ful' = foul, and 'mar' = gull) has never seemed more appropriate. After another day of pungent Fulmar 'fun' and a tour of the Isle's Bonxie terriroties to log fledged birds (and retireve rings of young which have died) a heavy rain shower dropped in decent numbers of waders. Some 67 Turnstone, a flock of adult Knot and a juvenile Spotted Redshank were among the totals, the latter being less than annual here. At a similar time in the evening, two Sooty Shearwater were observed in Fair Isle waters, following the Northlink ferry as it lurched through the waves. Despite autumn being in the air, our summering Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap remain, and the Isle's two pairs of nesting Swallows are yet to fledge their young.
HIGHLIGHTS
Spotted Redshank: Juvenile at Easter Lother Water, dropping in with the rain late evening.
A juvenile Spotted Redshank, our first of the year and not an easy bird to cacth up with in Fair Isle (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 6 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 3 Golden Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 67 Turnstone, 15 Knot, 21 Sanderling, 13 Dunlin, 7 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 27 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 5 Black-headed Gull, 654 Common Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 167 Arctic Tern, 2 Sooty Shearwater (first of the year), 2 Grey Heron, 4 Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Blackbird
Other wildlife: 1 Large White Butterfly, 1 Silver Y, 2 Shetland Bee
Year list: 176
________________________________________________________________________________________________
1st - 4th August 2024
Weather: Warm and sunny. F3 S-SE.
The third consecutive inshore fish survey was carried in the seas of the Fair Isle Marine Protected Area with the ship MFV Atlantia II and a survey team from University of the Highlands and Islands, Shetland able to repeat and expand the previous year's trawl survey coverage to 10 locations. Amazing footage of Flapper Skates was recorded, and trawl results included some John Dory - not a fish most would expect to record in the seas around Fair Isle! The Obs' team have been retrieving GLS tags from Puffins first deployed in 2021 around Buness and Roskillie, with another Storm Petrel ringing session on the night of the 1st, with 139 birds processed. An early autumn surprise on the Isle's water bodies was two young Goldeneye, one each on Golden Water and Da Water, which were present 2nd - 3rd. A Hobby was dashing around the Crofts and Malcolm's Head on 4th before relocating to the north cliffs where it chased around after Fulmars.
An impressive Flapper Skate being measured and tagged before returned to the waters (Photo via Katie Cubbin / FIMRO)
HIGHLIGHTS
Hobby: One over Utra on 4th, carrying north west along to the peak of Malcolm's Head and seen at Eastern Lother early evening.
Sightings of note: 2 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Scaup, 24 Turnstone, 4 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Redshank, 17 Black-headed Gull, 511 Common Gull, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 114 Arctic Tern, 139 Storm Petrels, 5 Grey Heron, 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat
Other wildlife: 5 White-beaked Dolphin, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Peacock, 1 Shetland Bee
Year list: 173
________________________________________________________________________________________________
29th - 31st July 2024
Weather: Warm and sunny. F3 S-SE.
More sunny days of silage baling, and mopping up the dregs of seabird monitoring in what has been a pretty poor year all over for the fortunes of the various species here. The Scaup continues to be seen on Da Water and the calmer, dry nights have allowed for more Storm Petrel ringing. Flotsam in South Harbour included a plastic crate and a buoy adorned with goose barnacles, rather fitting arrivals alongside the Marine Protected Area's inshore fish survey which is trawling, filming and sampling marine life across the Isle's coast, including targeting areas identified as Shag foraging zones during this spring's tagging project for the species - a great example of joined-up thinking and cooperative action within the MPA.
A Fulmar chick reaching peak fluff-blobbiness (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 2 Teal, 1 Scaup, 1 Swift, 10 Turnstone, 4 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 9 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 28 Black-headed Gull, 82 Common Gull, 23 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 74 Arctic Tern, 193 Storm Petrels, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 2 Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 1 Crossbill
Other wildlife: 2 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Magpie Moth, 4 Shetland Bee
Year list: 172
________________________________________________________________________________________________
26th - 28th July 2024
Weather: Largely sunny and mild, with scattered light showers. F4-2 SW.
While we may still be in a sunshine deficit for this summer, recent days have done their best to repay that meterological debt. The last of this year's class of Bonxie chicks were found and ringed, with a great disparity in their sizes. Some are still largely fluffy chicks, with others will be flying in less than a week. Sadly, as with almost all seabirds this year, a twinge of sadness is married to this monitoring, as more and more dead chicks are uncovered. The silage fields continue to be cut, providing fresh hunting ground for the growing numbers of gulls and waders passing through Fair Isle in their limbo between breeding and wintering. It provides a good chance to make some comprehensive Common Gull counts, and as decreed, a Ruff was found among them on the 28th - our first of the year, with hopefully more to follow. The Scaup was back on Da Water and A cloudy night called for more Storm Petrel ringing on the 28th, with some 40 birds caught to the backdrop of a peeping nocturnal Common Sandpiper. Being able to show a few visitors to the Isle these adventurous peerie seabirds in their own crepuscular realm was a delight during these times in which the Observatory is still being built.
Sightings of note: 1 Scaup, 2 Swift, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 34 Turnstone, 1 Ruff (first of the year), 5 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 6 Redshank, 25 Black-headed Gull, 170 Common Gull, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 180 Arctic Tern, 110 Storm Petrel, 1 Cormorant, 3 Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat
Busy baling (Jonnie Fisk)
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral, 2 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Shetland Bee
Year list: 172
________________________________________________________________________________________________
24th - 25th July 2024
Weather: .
More warm weather and calm seas on the 24th off the south allowed us to perform another Puffin productivity plot visit to Greenholm, the island's pink coating of thrift when we first ventured over in May now replaced by the white icing of mayweed flowers. It didn't take long of us to find many of our study species not far off fledging, while a lesser number are surprisingly fresh out the egg! A retrap of an adult Puffin was the first time this particlar female had been recorded since her first encounter with a ringer as a chick 13 years ago. The team trod around Vaasetter and the parks for more Bonxie chicks to ring, with just five found to furnish with Darvics, plus the now typical scenes of predated or starved chicks dotted across the heather. Dronger and Swey was the order of the day on the 25th, with some 20 more Bonxie chicks found acoss these classicly territory-dense northern swathe of the Isle. Stomping around and scanning the floor always turns up curios and among the old Eider nests, snipe skulls and flowering Bog Asphodel, a couple of old Bonxie rings were found, from birds ringed as chicks in 2010 and 2018. The freshly cut and baled fields of silege across the crofts are irresistable to waders and gulls, providing an opportunity to garner large counts of Common Gulls, including some smart, velvety juveniles. Wader passage continues apace, with a red adult Bar-tailed Godwit snoozing among massed Curlews and Oystercatchers, and more Sanderling, Knot and a Purple Sandpiper off the rocks at South Light. The tatty drake Scaup is still present, and even took a wander to Muckle Uri Geo.
At peace among the Puffins of Greenholm (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 1 Scaup, 6 Whimbrel, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 3 Sanderling, 7 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 11 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 14 Black-headed Gull, 361 Common Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 3 Swallow, 2 Lesser Whitethroat
A medium-sized Bonxie chick, with North Light as a backdrop (Jonnie Fisk)
Other wildlife: 1 Magpie Moth
Year list: 171
________________________________________________________________________________________________
20th - 23rd July 2024
Weather: Largely warm and sunny, with hot weather on 22nd and 23rd. Heavy rain overnight on 20th.
A busy few days in the Fair Isle bubble. The team has gradually been continuing to cover the Bonxie breeding areas to find and ring this year's young. A pleasant surprise on the 21st came with a Marsh Warbler in Plantation Heligoland, but slightly more significant was the discovery of a brood of two Dunlin chicks at Mire o' Vatnagaard. This spring saw Dunlins linger around this area of the north, with plenty of singing, but it is a credit to their secretive habits once their clutch is laid that they remained undetected until now. This is only the eighth breeding attempt of this species for Fair Isle, the last being in 2020 - so a real treat to witness! The 22nd was the first Hill Caa of the summer, where the community all pitch in, be it with dogs, quad bikes, crooks or just sheer naive enthusiasm (I think that covers our Assistant Wardens...) to round up the hill sheep; those animals of the hardy Shetland breed which graze and lamb in the hilly, cliffy, wild north of the island, almost entirely without assisstance. However, fleeces must be shorn, for the comfort and health of the stock if nothing else, and this year's lambs require a dose of medication, and the rams among them are castrated to prevent uncontrolled breeding which would present anothe challenge to these already plucky animals. As usual, the team took part in clipping, an acquired skill soon happily attempted after some guidance from a few sage locals. Fuelled on by good community vibes and some cake, a night of Storm Petrel ringing saw 78 birds processed including a bird ringed in Portugal in June 2023, and recaptured of Fair Isle birds from August 2019 and July 2021. Many of the parks have been left ungrazed over the summer, to be cut for silage, which began this week, and the team leant a hand with baling and wrapping across the various crofts in the south, all under blazing sunshine!
One of two Dunlin chicks in the north of the Isle - only the eigth time breeding has been recorded here (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Wood Sandpiper: Two at the Da Water on 20th and one on 21st.
Marsh Warbler: One trapped and ringed in plantation on 21st.
Summer is the time for us to be reacquainted with some of Fair Isle's most captivating nocturnal breeders (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 3 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Scaup, 5 Swift, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Whimbrel, 14 Turnstone, 8 Knot, 22 Sanderling, 4 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 16 Redshank, 17 Black-headed Gull, 259 Common Gull, 11 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Common Tern, 2 Great Northern Diver, 78 Storm Petrel, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Silver Y, 1 Shetland Bee, 2 Magpie Moth, 2 Harbour Porpoise
Year list: 171
________________________________________________________________________________________________
16th - 19th July 2024
Weather: An overcast start became increasingly foggier, with drizzle from late afternoon. F3 W.
The team were back on the water over recent days, with more auks in their sights for continued GLS tag deployment. While at sea level, the view from the geos to the north of Sheep Rock was not encouraging from a breeding productivity perspective, with chicks vanishing by the day. Our Guillemot study plot further north at Peitron is now so empty it is not worth monitoring. It seems the previous winter's mass die-off event of the species, twinned with a cold, wet summer so far has led to this sobering situation. A handful of warmer, sunny days allowed us to search out some more Arctic Tern chicks for ringing at Buness, and prolonged study in the sun of the rocks off South Light and around Smirri Geo is producing more migrant Sanderling, Knot and Purple Sandpiper. Our first, and hotly anticipated Storm Petrel ringing session at the Haven took place on the night 18th-19th, with 64 new birds ringed, a retrap bird (ringed here in July 2020), and a Norwegian-ringed control. Our final few cruise ships of the summer paid their fleeting visits to the Isle, mostly arriving in fog but departing with sun, and the Fair Isle community must be commended for its organisation and coordination which pulls together many different threads to be able to offer visitors an interactive, informative and insightful view into life on this island. We ended the week with something quite momentous: the first Great Skua chicks to be ringed here since the outbreak of HPAI three years ago. Our quest began at Homisdale, and by the early evening some 17 stompy blonde chicks can be now identified from afar thanks to their alpha numeric rings.
HIGHLIGHTS
Wood Sandpiper: Two at the Da Water on 19th.
The Arctic Tern cloud which descends on Buness when you stray too close to thier colony (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 1 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 7 Swift, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Whimbrel, 12 Turnstone, 4 Knot, 5 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 16 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 47 Common Gull, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Common Tern, 2 Great Northern Diver, 66 Storm Petrel, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Carrion Crow, 2 Swallow, 1 Lesser Whitethroat
A Guillemot from North Mila Hesslands which now sports a GLS tag, ready for retrieval next year (Jonnie Fisk)
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral, 2 Shetland Bee
Year list: 171
________________________________________________________________________________________________
14th & 15th July 2024
Weather:Largely foggy and damp. F4 W.
The team were back on Buness aiding with Puffin ringing and sampling with NTS's seabird scientist, as a westerly wind swirled the massed birds around us in impressive fashion. The first Arctic Tern chicks were ringed around South Light, with hopefully many more to come from the colony also at Buness. The damp weather was conducive to more wader passage, with an impressive count of 47 Purple Sandpiper on the rocks by Muckle Uri Geo on the 15th, all of them in variable summer plumage.
An Arctic Tern chick, getting its start to life among the rock strata off South Light (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 1 Teal, 2 Swift, 1 Whimbrel, 7 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 1 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 47 Purple Sandpiper, 41 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 8 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Carrion Crow, 3 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Garden Warbler
It'll never not feel novel to witness Purple Sandpipers in their various iterations of summer dress (Luke Marriner)
Other wildlife: 1 Shetland Bee
Year list: 171
________________________________________________________________________________________________
12th & 13th July 2024
Weather:.
With a murky few days, we were glad for the company of National Trust for Scotland's Ellie Owen, who was on the island with Puffin fieldwork. With weather once again hampering our plans to be out on the Obs' boat or ringing chicks, we were grateful to be kept busy with a task in hand as at least 50 birds were required for this study on avian influenza in the species. Buness, with its famed tame Puffins and slightly sheltered slopes in a north-westerly wind, was chosen for this venture, and proved quite fruitful, with a mix of breeding and non-breeding birds caught and processed.
Sightings of note: 1 Swift, 1 Turnstone, 18 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackbird
Other wildlife: 2 Shetland Bee
Year list: 171
________________________________________________________________________________________________
8th - 11th July 2024
Weather: Warm, with full sun on 8th & 9th. A rainy day on 10th and a wet start became a largely grey day with the odd sunny window on 11th.
A busy few days of seabird fieldwork. A sunny, warm 8th set us up for a 20+-hour Puffin feed watch at Roskillie, with 30+ burrows marked for monitoring. While the team's concentration was of course at all times focussed on the comings and goings of Puffins with billfulls of fish, the antics of hunting Bonxies, calling Great Northern Divers, a passing Flapper Skate(!!) in Furse, and the shapes of distant Orca steaming towards the Isle from Shetland (thanks to an early warning from a passenger on the Northlink via the Shetland Cetacean warning group!) all provided moments of entertaiment. A Common Tern flew over Roskillie during the Puffin watch, the first record of the year of this species which used to breed on the Isle. A Hawfinch was in Vaila's Trees and more Four-lined Polycera nudibranchs were unearthed during some quick pontoon dipping in the Haven, as well as what might be Eubranchus exiguus - another nudibranch - many of which were feeding on the hydroids attached to kelp. Another sunny, still day blessed us with the chance to spend the following morning catching Puffins at Tor 'o da Ward Hill for food sampling, followed by a island circumnavigation in the Obs' boat to complete a Gannet colony count and make the most of still seas. The afternoon was spent on Greenholm, sadly Orca-less this time, to once again monitor the productivity of the Puffins of the study plot, while dodging the pre-vomit spasms of the Fulmar chicks which have hatched since last we landed there. A glorious Puffiny sunset at South Green rounded off a fantastic 14-hour day in the field. For once we welcomed a rainy day, as the weather returned to this summer's fine form by the 10th. It was a chance to analyse and record the results of the previous day's Puffin food sampling; weighing each catch, identify the species, and measuring each fish caught. This year's catch of the day among the sample size included hundreds of small, glassy sandeels, rockling, smaller numbers of clupeids (forage fish like sprats and herrings), and a handful of juvenile flatfish species. One of our samples from a single bird totalled over 90 fish items! All data collected contributes to the UK Seabird Monitoring Programme's long-term database. On the 11th, a female Nightjar was flused during a push of the Gully trap, though after settling on the roadside at Homisdale it headed back towards the mouth of Finnequoy and wasn't seen again, and the first juvenile Wood Sandpiper of the autumn was mobile around Da Water.
Plodding down Tor 'o da Ward Hill on a calm morning, to set up a mist net for Puffin food sampling (Jonnie Fisk)
HIGHLIGHTS
Nightjar: A female flushed from the slopes of Gully on 11th.
Hawfinch: A female at Vaila's Trees on the morning of 8th.
Female Hawfinch at Vaila's Trees (Alex Penn)
Alex Penn at the helm of the Observatory's mighty vessel, rounding the east side of Sheep Rock (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 1 Teal, 6 Swift, 1 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 5 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 23 Redshank, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 5 Black-headed Gull, 12 Common Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Common Tern (first of the year), 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat
No finer way to end a busy Obs' day, than with the Isle's Puffins at sunset (Jonnie Fisk)
Other wildlife: 3 Silver Y, 6 Shetland Bee, 4 Orca, 2 Risso's Dolphin
Year list: 171
________________________________________________________________________________________________
6th - 7th July 2024
Weather: Overcast and cool on the 6th, with rain mid afternoon. Wet all day on 7th, with a cold wind. F4 NW.
Swelly seas kept us grounded during a drizzly couple of days, providing an opportunity to turn to the upkeep of the Plantation Heligoland, and preparing our Puffin feed watch site at Roskilie for an all-day vigil this coming week. A couple of Great Northern Divers remain around the Haven and Furse, with a Kestrel a new migrant in. A tideline corpse of a Great Black-backed Gull was checked (as all dead birds are here) for a ring and presto! It had sported one in life, and after inputting the ring number, we were surprised to discover this individual was not only ringed in 1994 as a chick - making it 30 years old, but also now held the longevity record for a Great Black-back according to the BTO!
Our recent cross-island Great Skua nest mapping has ended, with with many of the season's early chicks now sporting a 'blonde' cast to their down (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 27 Redshank, 13 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Kestrel, 1 Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff
Year list: 170
________________________________________________________________________________________________
4th - 5th July 2024
Weather: A bright day on the 4th broke into sunshine after midday. The 5th saw low cloud and drizzle over the north, with a cold wind. F4-3 NW.
As the summer rolls on, our seabirds are going through their annual motions, admittedly later and, for some, in much reduced number than we would hope ths season. Nevertheless, the first Kittiwake chicks of the year are here, as well as the first youngsters for our Arctic Tern colony, and Fulmars are beginning the be joined on their nests by impossibly fluffy chicks. Our (so far) sole nest of Arctic Skuas have hatched two young, while across the hillsides and parks of the Isle, a great deal more Bonxie chicks are in various states of growth, with many still on eggs during this protracted breeding season. A rather tatty moulting Marsh Warbler was a surprise find in the Gully on the 4th, just adding to the remarkable tally of Marsh Warblers we've encountered this spring (...or is this an 'autumn' record?). With settled seas off the east of the island, the team took to the North and South Ramnigeos for the new Obs' boat's maiden voyage, with a view to catching and ringing more auks. This year we have been equipped with GLS tags to deploy on breeding Guillemots and Razorbills and we were able to tag 13 Razorbills during a fine day on the water.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Marsh Warbler: Our 30th individual Marsh Warbler of the year was trapped and ringed in Gully on the 4th.
A Razorbill with Seatrack GLS tag, before being returned to its nesting crevice (Alex Penn)
Nosing the boat into South Ramnigeo towards the Razorbill colony on the boulder beach, and its cliffsides covered in Guillemots (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Turnstone, 4 Redshank, 8 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 2 Mealy Redpoll
Other wildlife: 2 Shetland Bee, 4 Risso's Dolphin
A Risso's Dolphin flinging itself around the waters off South Harbour (Alex Penn)
Year list: 170
________________________________________________________________________________________________
2nd - 3rd July 2024
Weather: The 2nd was sunny and warm out of the wind. Cloud descended late afternoon, followed by a drizzly end to the day. An overcast but humid start then became a day of showers on the 3rd. F4- W
More Gannet, Guillemot and Great Skua work took place during the sun on the 2nd, as well as a prolonged stop at Buness to build a large photographic log of Puffin portraits for a project on ageing (which can be done via the study of the birds' beaks). We are hopeful for calmer seas towards the end of the week, in order to take to the water in the new Obs' boat...
A Short-eared Owl at Wirvie, with an onlooker (Alex Penn)
A Wheatear of the year, with not much time left before it makes its first attempt at crossing the Sahara (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 1 Collared Dove, 1 Whimbrel, 5 Turnstone, 4 Redshank, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Great Northern Diver, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Carrion Crow, 2 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral
Year list: 170
________________________________________________________________________________________________
30th June & 1st July 2024
Weather: Prolonged periods of drizzle or rain. Sunny spells evening of 1st July. F4-7 WNW.
We continue to wait for suitably dry and warm days to be able to continue some of the more hands-on seabird monitoring. The Hurtigruten ship Maud brought over 400 passengers onto the island on the 30th; and despite some pretty wet weather many were able to enjoy the antics of the Buness Puffins as they brought in small fish to expectant chicks within their burrows. July arrived with low cloud and rain, and in the absence of reliable visibility for Gannet monitoring or dry conditions for Bonxie work, the team got the new Obs' boat in the water of the Haven, where it joined a lingering Great Northern Diver. Afterwards, in the shadow of the Good Shepherd, some casual study of the kelp and dulse attached to the Haven pontoon became more enthusiastic with the discovery of multiple juvenile Lumpsuckers and delicate Four-lined Polycera nudibranchs, a Montagu's Sea Snail (actually a fish species, with similar suction power to the Lumpsucker), Pleurobrachia pileus - the comb jellyfish known as the Sea Gooseberry, and what may be Placida dendritica - another 'sea slug' species, and the first record for Fair Isle. Worth getting wet for!
A Four-lined Polycera (Polycera quadrilineata) (Alex Penn)
Another polycera (left) and another 'sea slug' species (possibly Placida dendritica) (Alex Penn)
One of several juvenile Lumpsuckers found among kelp on the Haven pontoon - one was even pink (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 2 Wigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 6 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 13 Redshank, 4 Black-headed Gull, 44 Common Gull, 8 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Great Northern Diver, 4 Carrion Crow, 6 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird
A polycera hitching a ride on the largest Blue-rayed Limpit we'd ever seen (Alex Penn)
Year list: 170
________________________________________________________________________________________________