Fair Isle Bird Observatory & Guesthouse

Bird Observatory & Guesthouse

Welcome to the Fair Isle Bird Observatory and Guesthouse. We are proud of our long tradition of welcoming visitors to Fair Isle and of our continuous scientific research into seabirds and bird migration since 1948. The Observatory, built in 2010, offers 3-star accommodation for visitors to the island from April to October and houses a team of wardens, a Ranger (funded by SNH) and other staff. More ...

obs — The Observatory with its garden of willows and *Rosa* bushes against the distinctive backdrop of Sheep Rock, 2015. © James Gentles

Latest sightings

During the spring and autumn migration seasons, birds are censused daily and news is disseminated as promptly as possible. Updates on birds and the Observatory are regularly posted on the Warden's diary, Facebook and Twitter and on our Latest Sightings page. More ...

Fair Isle is, quite simply, one of the most exciting places to observe migrant birds whether common or rare, such as this White's Thrush from September 2013. © Steve Arlow

Activities

Visitors come to Fair Isle for diverse reasons - birdings, walking, photography, archaeology, history, genealogy to name but a few. Many come back time after time. Best known for its bird migration studies and vagrant species from all points of the compass, the Observatory also offers the assistance of a resident Ranger to help you make the most of your visit. More ...

Ringing birds (such as this autumn Long-eared Owl) has been a key tool in the Observatory's study of bird migration since its inception in 1948. In the event of some of the birds being recovered, vital information on migration routes, wintering/breeding areas and survival rates can be obtained. Trapping birds also provides an opportunity to examine the birds close-up and, in most species, provide additional information on the bird's age, sex and health. Visitors are welcome to watch, or, with the necessary permits and experience, assist the staff. © FIBO

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New Publication
- The Fair Isle Migration Project is a collaboration between the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust and the University of Aberdeen. As part of their analysis of the 60 years of Fair Isle migration data, Dr Will Miles (above) and his co-authors have found that not only are some early migrating birds arriving in the UK earlier each year but, unexpectedly, late migrating individuals are getting much later. Research published on 27th September in the leading international science journal, Global Change Biology, also shows that the process of arrival and departure is taking much longer so that instead of quickly disappearing at the end of the summer some birds can be seen leaving over the course of several weeks.
Latest sightings

The endemic subspecies of Wren, the Fair Isle Wren, is unique to the island. It is intermediate in size and colour between the Shetland Wren and the race found on the mainland; the song is also distinct. © David Parnaby