Sightings archive: 2025
21st November – 4th December 2025
A relatively quiet period in the isle with autumn migration now all but over, and numbers of most passerines now dwindling. The most unexpected sighting came on 23rd November, when the second Black-faced Bunting reappeared at Barkland, having last been seen across the road at Chalet all the way back on 9th. Though the Barkland garden is not checked daily at this point in the year, the Chalet had been birded regularly, with the Water Rail flock providing some entertainment as they fed openly on the short grass. The bunting put in another appearance on 28th, though has not been seen since. Highlights otherwise have been of more typical winter fayre, with a scattering of white-winged gulls and some reasonable Little Auk passage rewarding chilly seawatching effort in early December.
The reappearance of the second Black-faced Bunting at Barkland mirrored the movements of the first, joining the same flock of sparrows under the feeder (Alex Penn)
One or two Long-eared Owl continue to pass through, with this bird seen roosting in the Obs garden over several days (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
BLACK-FACED BUNTING: the ringed bird first seen at the Walli Burn on 6th November reappeared at Barkland on 23rd and 28th November
Glaucous Gull: 1cy north through the Haven on 24th November, and an adult in the Parks on 28th November and 2nd December
Iceland Gull: one seen flying past Schoolton on 26th November
Little Auk: Irregular small numbers to the end of November, before growing passage in early December saw 78 logged past South Light on 4th
An hour’s concerted count at South Light on 4th December saw 56 Little Auk logged, with some birds passing very close off the rocks (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note (high counts): 3 Barnacle Goose, 181 Greylag Goose, 14 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Wigeon, 8 Mallard, 10 Teal, 5 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Woodpigeon, 8 Water Rail, 2 Moorhen, 9 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 205 Turnstone, 49 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Woodcock, 1 Jack Snipe, 7 Kittiwake, 2 Common Gull, 279 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Long-eared Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Merlin, 1 Carrion Crow, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 30 Blackbird, 20 Fieldfare, 60 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 10 Meadow Pipit, 4 Twite, 12 Snow Bunting
Year list: 196
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14th – 20th November 2025
A much quieter few days with a distinctly wintry feel for much of the week, as bitter northerlies brought regular snow and hail showers to the isle, disrupting transport and encouraging the few late migrants still on the move to continue southwards as fast as they could. Birding highlights were few, with passerine numbers continuing to drop away, though a late Mistle Thrush was at Ditfield on 15th, and some light goose movement has seen small groups of Barnacle and Pink-footed Goose stopping off to graze the isle's fields. Two bull Orca were seen off South Light on 18th, though sadly did not hang around, heading off westwards.
Chalet is currently hosting a ‘flock’ of Water Rail, with up to five present daily which are becoming increasingly bold (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note (high counts): 8 Barnacle Goose, 194 Greylag Goose, 14 Pink-footed Goose, 6 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Woodpigeon, 9 Water Rail, 2 Moorhen, 5 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 4 Woodcock, 1 Jack Snipe, 44 Redshank, 2 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 3 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Merlin, 1 Carrion Crow, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 5 Twite, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Northwestern Redpoll, 15 Snow Bunting
Other wildlife: 2 Orca on 18th
Year list: 196
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8th – 13th November 2025
A few days that felt like the closing chapter of the autumn, with winds now turning northerly and cold for the foreseeable future. The continued light easterly airflow brought some further late migration however, with a superb Pallas’s Warbler at Schoolton the highlight, where it shared the garden with the Dusky Warbler and a Yellow-browed Warbler, often all in the same view at once. A late Little Bunting also put in a brief appearance at Barkland, a Firecrest visited the Haa garden, and there was some owl movement at last, with a handful of Long-eared Owl seen around the isle.
The second Pallas’s Warbler of the autumn makes this the first year with multiple records since 2005 (Alex Penn)
Up to four Long-eared Owl have been present in recent days, with two around Chapel and Burkle (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
BLACK-FACED BUNTING: one still, moved to Chalet where it remained until 9th, often showing well in the garden and irises
Little Auk: one freshly dead at Skadan on 8th, with another seen landing on the sea off South Light on 12th
Yellow-browed Warbler: up to three birds present, dropping to one lingering at the Obs to 12th
Pallas’s Warbler: one at Schoolton on 8th and 9th
Dusky Warbler: one now at Schoolton, where it stayed to 12th
Firecrest: one at the Haa on 10th, an unprecedented fourth record of the year
Bullfinch: male at Gully on 8th and 9th
Little Bunting: one at Barkland on 12th
Good numbers of Water Rail remain around the isle, now noisily setting up wintering territories (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note (high counts): 7 Barnacle Goose, 6 Pink-footed Goose, 9 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 4 Goldeneye, 1 Woodpigeon, 8 Water Rail, 2 Moorhen, 6 Oystercatcher, 18 Lapwing, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 11 Woodcock, 1 Jack Snipe, 21 Kittiwake, 3 Black-headed Gull, 4 Guillemot, 1 Puffin, 2 Red-throated Diver, 3 Great Northern Diver, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 5 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Long-eared Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Carrion Crow, 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Siberian Chiffchaff, 12 Blackcap, 1 Siberian Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Goldcrest, 4 Robin, 3 Black Redstart, 1 Stonechat, 1 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 2 Twite, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Lapland Bunting, 38 Snow Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 196
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3rd – 7th November 2025
With the departure of the seasonal Ornithology team on 3rd, coverage of the isle has dropped in the last few days, but the birds have kept coming! The calm and drifty conditions with a hint of SE in the breeze across the North Sea have seen migrants continue to filter through the isle, and though numbers have remained relatively low, there has been some top quality amongst it. The undisputed highlight was a second Black-faced Bunting, with a 1cy female discovered in the fog at the Walli Burn on 6th. A more heavily-marked bird than the previous, it remained faithful to the iris beds there for the rest of the day, and was trapped and ringed in the late afternoon. The next day, a skulking Dusky Warbler was found in the stream between Plantation and Vaadal, and caught in the Plantation trap shortly after. Though the isle has been blanketed in fog for much of the last two days, birds still seem to be getting through, so with conditions continuing to be settled for the next few days, there may be more to come from this autumn yet.
A heavily-streaked 1cy female, the Black-faced Bunting looked suitably ultra-rare as it moved through the iris beds of the Walli Burn (Alex Penn)
Dusky Warbler is rather scarce this far north, with this the first for five years (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
BLACK-FACED BUNTING: a new individual discovered at Walli Burn on 6th, then at the Obs on 7th (3rd isle record)
Little Gull: 1cy in the Haven on 3rd, then South Harbour on 6th
Little Auk: one off South Light on 5th
Yellow-browed Warbler: up to two birds daily throughout
Dusky Warbler: one trapped in Plantation on 7th (23rd isle record, first since 2020)
Bullfinch: two still to 5th
Sightings of note (high counts): 151 Greylag Goose, 4 Whooper Swan, 2 Shelduck, 5 Wigeon, 14 Teal, 4 Long-tailed Duck, 7 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen, 8 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 16 Golden Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 10 Purple Sandpiper, 10 Woodcock, 2 Jack Snipe, 1 Kittiwake, 5 Black-headed Gull, 2 Guillemot, 2 Red-throated Diver, 5 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Carrion Crow, 2 Swallow, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 14 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Siberian Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Goldcrest, 4 Robin, 1 Stonechat, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Chaffinch, 5 Brambling, 5 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Crossbill, 1 Goldfinch, 22 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral on 5th
Year list: 196
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2nd November 2025
Weather: Partly sunny, becoming grey and rainy through the afternoon. F6-9 SSW
The last full day on the isle for most of the seasonal team today, and the morning was pleasant enough to get out and about before heavy rain dominated the afternoon. A stranded Little Auk was found at Setter shortly after breakfast, given a quick check over and released at the Haven, where it paddled off happily enough. Releasing the auk brought about the discovery of a Little Gull in the Haven, which showed brilliantly as it picked food from behind the crashing waves just metres away. The Black-faced Bunting remained in the Barkland area all day, joining the sparrow and redpoll flock around the garden and cru. Brilliantly confiding, it fed happily a few feet away from some very content observers.
No apologies made for more Black-faced Bunting photos when it shows as well as this! (Alex Penn)
The pristine Little Gull was finding plenty to eat in the surf (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
BLACK-FACED BUNTING: one still at Barkland
Little Gull: a 1cy in the Haven, the third record this year
Little Auk: one picked up at Setter, and released at the Haven
Yellow-browed Warbler: one at the cru
Bullfinch: five
Little Auk before release at the Haven (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 4 Wigeon, 1 Woodpigeon, 3 Water Rail, 6 Oystercatcher, 40 Golden Plover, 7 Purple Sandpiper, 5 Woodcock, 3 Jack Snipe, 1 Kittiwake, 2 Black-headed Gull, 27 Common Gull, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Chiffchaff, 16 Blackcap, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 3 Robin, 1 Stonechat, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Chaffinch, 6 Brambling, 4 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Snow Bunting
Year list: 195
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1st November 2025
Weather: Mostly cloudy, with heavy rain for much of the afternoon. F5-7 SW
No census today, and for many the morning was spent recovering from the end-of-season Halloween party at the Obs the previous night! Any remaining bleary heads were brought into sharp focus early afternoon however, when a message came through reporting a Black-faced Bunting at Shirva! The bird hadn’t stuck around, and after an anxious search, the bird was later relocated at Barkland, where the masses managed to catch up with it despite the awful conditions. Just the second isle record, and one we’d been hoping for given the unprecedented pulse of records nationally in the last year.
Once tracked down, the Black-faced Bunting gave good views at Barkland (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
BLACK-FACED BUNTING: one at Shirva then moved to Barkland (14th for Britain and second isle record, with the previous in October 2001)
Yellow-browed Warbler: one at Meadow Burn
Bullfinch: one at the Obs
A new bird for all the Obs team! (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 4 Whooper Swan, 8 Wigeon, 4 Water Rail, 10 Woodcock, 1 Black-headed Gull, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Merlin, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Brambling, 4 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Goldfinch
Year list: 195
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31st October 2025
Weather: Mostly cloudy. F6-10 SSE
The final census of the year was a breezy one, with strong southeasterly gusts making birding the gardens tricky. There was clearly a small arrival of birds though, with increases in thrushes and Blackcaps, and a late Barred Warbler new in at the Obs garden.
It’s been a quiet autumn for owl passage, so this cliff-dwelling Long-eared Owl was a treat (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Barred Warbler: one at the Obs
Bullfinch: five
Sightings of note: 89 Greylag Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Water Rail, 2 Oystercatcher, 17 Lapwing, 26 Golden Plover, 9 Curlew, 196 Turnstone, 11 Purple Sandpiper, 14 Woodcock, 2 Jack Snipe, 55 Snipe, 18 Redshank, 2 Kittiwake, 32 Common Gull, 1 Guillemot, 1 Puffin, 2 Great Northern Diver, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Long-eared Owl, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 24 Skylark, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 32 Blackcap, 10 Goldcrest, 264 Blackbird, 199 Fieldfare, 188 Redwing, 14 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 14 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 64 Meadow Pipit, 46 Rock Pipit, 11 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 2 Greenfinch, 26 Twite, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Snow Bunting
Year list: 194
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29th – 30th October 2025
A couple of cold and mostly dry days, with no great changes to report in the birds moving through the isle. The Firecrest reappeared up the road at Barkland on 29th, and Bullfinches continue to pass through, with new unringed birds showing turnover is still ongoing. The final census of the year awaits tomorrow, with one more shot at uncovering the ‘biggie’ before the seasonal team head homewards.
This fabulously frosty Siberian Chiffchaff has been enjoying the Shirva garden (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Firecrest: one at Barkland on 29th
Bullfinch: five on 29th, nine on 30th
A brilliant end to a Setter party, with the Aurora dancing away above our heads, though Bill the dog was more interested in the prospect of a stick being thrown (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note (high counts): 196 Greylag Goose, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 6 Whooper Swan, 8 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Woodpigeon, 11 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 6 Oystercatcher, 19 Lapwing, 18 Golden Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 24 Curlew, 143 Turnstone, 8 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Woodcock, 2 Jack Snipe, 53 Snipe, 28 Redshank, 2 Kittiwake, 12 Common Gull, 6 Guillemot, 3 Great Northern Diver, 1 Blue Fulmar, 3 Grey Heron, 3 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 67 Skylark, 1 Willow Warbler, 15 Chiffchaff, 2 Siberian Chiffchaff, 18 Blackcap, 12 Goldcrest, 84 Blackbird, 148 Fieldfare, 190 Redwing, 20 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 11 Robin, 1 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 97 Meadow Pipit, 59 Rock Pipit, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 3 Greenfinch, 19 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Northwestern Redpoll, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 6 Goldfinch, 8 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 194
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28th October 2025
Weather: Calm, cold and mostly sunny. F3-4 NE
A beautiful day in the isle, with a wintry chill still in the air. Yesterday’s ticking Bunting sp. gave itself up at Chalet, revealing itself to be a Little Bunting – probably not the option we’d have hoped for, but a welcome arrival nonetheless, and the first record in what has been a very quiet year for this species. Two new Bullfinch were trapped in Vaadal, and a Black Redstart was in Wirvie Geo, but otherwise new arrivals were in short supply.
Small numbers of Woodcock are still to be found hiding on the cliffs, with this bird in North Restensgeo (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Bullfinch: at least five; two females still at Gully, and a new pair trapped in Vaadal alongside a ringed male
Little Bunting: one at Chalet
Sightings of note: 176 Greylag Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 52 Eider, 4 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 56 Rock Dove, 10 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 5 Oystercatcher, 12 Lapwing, 18 Golden Plover, 11 Curlew, 71 Turnstone, 7 Purple Sandpiper, 7 Woodcock, 8 Jack Snipe, 43 Snipe, 16 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 16 Common Gull, 5 Guillemot, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Merlin, 1 Jackdaw, 2 Carrion Crow, 34 Skylark, 11 Chiffchaff, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 12 Blackcap, 9 Goldcrest, 74 Blackbird, 80 Fieldfare, 147 Redwing, 7 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 9 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Wheatear, 88 House Sparrow, 1 Pied Wagtail, 79 Meadow Pipit, 62 Rock Pipit, 7 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 3 Greenfinch, 12 Twite, 2 Northwestern Redpoll, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Goldfinch, 6 Snow Bunting
Year list: 194
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27th October 2025
Weather: Chilly, with occasional wintry showers. F6-7 NW
A cold but pleasant day in the isle, with some generally short-lived showers containing the first hailstones of winter. Birds were thin on the ground, but there was some light movement, including the third Firecrest of the autumn at Vaila’s Trees. Prior to 2025, there had been no years with multiple occurrences, and though the species is on the increase here, this remains a remarkable run of records. A ‘ticking’ Bunting at Barkland frustratingly disappeared before proper views could be had – hopefully it can be relocated tomorrow. A welcome addition to the yearlist came in the form of a Grey Plover at South Green, and at least three Bullfinch remain.
Firecrest adding a splash of colour to Vaila’s Trees this morning (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Firecrest: one at Vaila’s Trees (14th isle record, third of the year)
Bullfinch: three; two females at Gully and male at Obs
Grey Plover is barely annual on Fair Isle (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 264 Greylag Goose, 16 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Whooper Swan, 20 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Woodpigeon, 9 Water Rail, 2 Moorhen, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 3 Oystercatcher, 9 Lapwing, 23 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 6 Curlew, 168 Turnstone, 6 Purple Sandpiper, 8 Woodcock, 12 Jack Snipe, 59 Snipe, 13 Redshank, 3 Black-headed Gull, 28 Common Gull, 467 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Guillemot, 1 Great Northern Diver, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Merlin, 1 Carrion Crow, 63 Skylark, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 13 Blackcap, 6 Goldcrest, 59 Blackbird, 59 Fieldfare, 84 Redwing, 26 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 5 Robin, 1 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 101 Meadow Pipit, 44 Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 1 Greenfinch, 53 Twite, 2 Northwestern Redpoll, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Goldfinch, 5 Snow Bunting
Year list: 193
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25th – 26th October 2025
Weather: A wild day on 25th, with 26th much calmer.
Much of the 25th was a write-off, with gale force winds and rain. The 26th was much more pleasant, with winds dropping away to a dry, overcast and chilly day. There was a general clear-out of birds, with numbers of common migrants much reduced, though wildfowl movement continued with large numbers of Greylag passing through the isle. A neck-collared bird was amongst them on 26th, believed to have been ringed in Iceland over this summer.
A handful of Bullfinch remain, with these two females trapped in the Gully on 26th (Alex Penn)
The Olive-backed Pipit continues to give good views on occasion (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Little Auk: one off South Light on 25th
Waxwing: two still at the Obs on 25th
Olive-backed Pipit: one still at Utra throughout
Bullfinch: four still on 26th
In some better weather on 26th, two Jack Snipe were caught with a thermal and handnet (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note (high counts): 407 Greylag Goose, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Whooper Swan, 18 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 14 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Woodpigeon, 11 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 7 Oystercatcher, 13 Lapwing, 18 Golden Plover, 19 Curlew, 242 Turnstone, 1 Ruff, 20 Purple Sandpiper, 8 Woodcock, 16 Jack Snipe, 65 Snipe, 20 Redshank, 32 Kittiwake, 3 Black-headed Gull, 32 Common Gull, 9 Guillemot, 3 Great Northern Diver, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kestrel, 4 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Jackdaw, 3 Carrion Crow, 49 Skylark, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 17 Blackcap, 13 Goldcrest, 82 Blackbird, 45 Fieldfare, 118 Redwing, 10 Song Thrush, 9 Robin, 2 Wheatear, 3 Grey Wagtail, 70 Meadow Pipit, 45 Rock Pipit, 6 Chaffinch, 13 Brambling, 3 Greenfinch, 19 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Northwestern Redpoll, 3 Redpoll sp, 3 Goldfinch, 12 Snow Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting
Year list: 192
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24th October 2025
Weather: Overcast and cool with regular prolonged showers. F7-9 NNE
The weather took a turn for the worse today, with the calm of yesterday replaced by northerly gales and regular bouts of rain. Appropriately with the wintry feel, the first Waxwing of the year was seen flying over Da Water, later joined by a second bird. They went on to spend much of the afternoon working their way through apples at the Obs, much to the delight of the few hardy souls still here. Also new in was a Little Auk in South Harbour – the first of the autumn, though there’s likely more to come in the next few days. The Isabelline Wheatear was still at Steensi Geo, though wasn’t looking to be coping too well with the challenging weather, and several Bullfinch remained around the isle including a new male trapped in Plantation, along with a Shetland-ringed Sparrowhawk.
A treat to watch the two Waxwing gorging on apples from the warmth of the Obs lounge (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR: still at Steensi Geo
Little Auk: one in South Harbour
Waxwing: two touring the isle, then together at the Obs
Yellow-browed Warbler: one at the Obs
Olive-backed Pipit: one still at Utra
Bullfinch: seven; four birds around the traps, a ringed male at the Obs, one at Vaila’s Trees and one at the Haa
Common Rosefinch: one at Quoy
Little Auk making the most of the sheltered waters in South Harbour (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 1 Barnacle Goose, 224 Greylag Goose, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Whooper Swan, 56 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Water Rail, 3 Oystercatcher, 13 Lapwing, 3 Golden Plover, 10 Curlew, 181 Turnstone, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 12 Woodcock, 4 Jack Snipe, 43 Snipe, 7 Redshank, 3 Kittiwake, 32 Common Gull, 9 Guillemot, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 1 Jackdaw, 2 Carrion Crow, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 38 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 17 Goldcrest, 96 Blackbird, 117 Fieldfare, 244 Redwing, 12 Song Thrush, 5 Robin, 3 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 8 Chaffinch, 15 Brambling, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Linnet, 7 Goldfinch, 26 Snow Bunting
Year list: 192
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23rd October 2025
Weather: Calm and mostly cloudy. F3-4 SE
The ‘magic 23rd’ lived up to its reputation today, with a fine list of highlights logged by the close of play on what was a very enjoyable day out in the field. Some productive early netting at the Obs included the reappearance of the Bluethroat ringed on 19th, swiftly followed by an unringed bird. Census started well, with a late Paddyfield Warbler found along the walls at Setter, though sadly it then flew strongly south and was not refound. After a day’s absence, the Isabelline Wheatear was relocated at Steensi Geo, and both the Pallas’s Warbler and Firecrest reappeared at Skinners Glig. A male Bullfinch at Quoy just before midday preceded a small arrival of these handsome finches, with a total of five on the isle, three of which were trapped and ringed. There was an increase in common migrants too, with numbers made up by Blackcap and Goldcrest, and along the west cliffs in particular it was hard to find a spot where this duo couldn’t be seen.
A quality birthday bird find for Jonnie, with this Paddyfield Warbler early on the south-west census route at Setter (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
PADDYFIELD WARBLER: one at Setter (27th isle record, first since 2022)
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR: now at Steensi Geo
Yellow-browed Warbler: five
Pallas’s Warbler: one again between Skinners Glig and Guidicum
Firecrest: one again at Skinners Glig
Bluethroat: two at the Obs
Olive-backed Pipit: one still at Utra
Bullfinch: at least five; a pair ringed at the Obs, female trapped in the Vaadal, male at Quoy and flyover bird at Raeva
Blackcaps lined the cliffs today, with this group joining the Isabelline Wheatear at Steensi (Alex Penn)
Today’s arrival of Bullfinch were classic ‘Northern’ birds, being extra-large and ‘loose-feathered’, and with at least one heard giving ‘trumpeting’ calls (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 223 Greylag Goose, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Whooper Swan, 20 Wigeon, 14 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 11 Water Rail, 3 Moorhen, 7 Oystercatcher, 4 Lapwing, 26 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 19 Curlew, 82 Turnstone, 6 Purple Sandpiper, 30 Woodcock, 14 Jack Snipe, 98 Snipe, 20 Redshank, 2 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 22 Common Gull, 5 Guillemot, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Jackdaw, 2 Carrion Crow, 54 Skylark, 3 Willow Warbler, 22 Chiffchaff, 3 Siberian Chiffchaff, 128 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 133 Goldcrest, 149 Blackbird, 265 Fieldfare, 398 Redwing, 39 Song Thrush, 14 Robin, 1 Stonechat, 4 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 4 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 104 Meadow Pipit, 64 Rock Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 30 Brambling, 2 Greenfinch, 54 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Northwestern Redpoll, 3 Redpoll sp, 4 Goldfinch, 1 Lapland Bunting, 9 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 191
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22nd October 2025
Weather: Breezier today, and partly sunny. F5-7 SW
A swing in the wind saw an increase in thrushes today, with flocks in many of the open fields around the isle, often joined by Blackcaps in the grass, pushed up off the west cliffs by the change in wind direction. Numbers of new birds were relatively low, but a new Richard's Pipit (the fourth of the year) was enjoyed as it scuttled around in Boini Mire, giving observers the run-around for a few hours before being pinned down. The Olive-backed Pipit remained at Utra and the first Mistle Thrush of the autumn was around the Raevas. Woodcock and Jack Snipe on the beaches added to the wintry feel of today, with one of the former roosting next to a shoe in Steensi Geo! Eyes turn to the forecast tomorrow with high hopes, as another light easterly system swings through…
Now on its third day, the Olive-backed Pipit can occasionally show well at Utra (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Yellow-browed Warbler: one at Setter
Richard’s Pipit: one around Boini Mire
Olive-backed Pipit: one still at Utra
Sightings of note: 67 Greylag Goose, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Whooper Swan, 26 Wigeon, 26 Teal, 3 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 5 Water Rail, 2 Moorhen, 1 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 26 Golden Plover, 14 Curlew, 188 Turnstone, 12 Purple Sandpiper, 23 Woodcock, 9 Jack Snipe, 60 Snipe, 21 Redshank, 5 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 10 Common Gull, 4 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 5 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 3 Merlin, 1 Jackdaw, 3 Carrion Crow, 36 Skylark, 1 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 46 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 13 Goldcrest, 151 Blackbird, 518 Fieldfare, 602 Redwing, 28 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 10 Robin, 2 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 79 Meadow Pipit, 47 Rock Pipit, 7 Chaffinch, 9 Brambling, 2 Greenfinch, 15 Twite, 1 Northwestern Redpoll, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Goldfinch, 1 Lapland Bunting, 11 Snow Bunting, 4 Reed Bunting
Year list: 189
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21st October 2025
Weather: Mostly cloudy and calm. F4-5 SE
What a day!! Finally, a brilliantly exciting day of late autumn movement through the isle, with birds to be found everywhere you looked. Blackcap, Goldcrest, Woodcock and thrushes made up the bulk of the numbers, with small groups of each in the geos and gardens. Quality came with the quantity, with the rarest find of the day a superb Isabelline Wheatear at Barkland, which later relocated to Homisdale. Fair Isle tends not to do brilliantly for rare wheatears, and this is just the second isle record, with the first being in 1998. Elsewhere in the isle, a gorgeous showy Pallas’s Warbler was on the cliffs of Guidicum, with a Firecrest found nearby at Skinners Glig in the afternoon being the rarer of the two in Fair Isle terms! A late Barred Warbler was new at Gully, the second Little Gull of the year was in South Harbour, and the Olive-backed Pipit remained at Utra.
Isabelline Wheatear giving good views as it fed in the heather of Homisdale (Alex Penn)
No words needed for this one – few birds can beat a Pallas’s Warbler (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR: one at Barkland, then Homisdale (2nd isle record, with the previous being September 1998)
Little Gull: a 2cy bird in South Harbour
Yellow-browed Warbler: three
Pallas’s Warbler: one at Guidicum
Barred Warbler: one in Gully
Firecrest: one at Skinners Glig
Olive-backed Pipit: one still at Utra
85 is the highest day count of Woodcock since 2014, with birds mainly concentrated along the west cliffs and moors (Tom Wright)
Sightings of note: 128 Greylag Goose, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Whooper Swan, 15 Wigeon, 19 Teal, 3 Goldeneye, 11 Water Rail, 3 Moorhen, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 15 Lapwing, 28 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 14 Curlew, 102 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 17 Purple Sandpiper, 85 Woodcock, 7 Jack Snipe, 82 Snipe, 24 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 93 Common Gull, 3 Guillemot, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Long-eared Owl, 4 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 53 Skylark, 1 Willow Warbler, 21 Chiffchaff, 3 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 163 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 81 Goldcrest, 2 Ring Ouzel, 297 Blackbird, 316 Fieldfare, 410 Redwing, 42 Song Thrush, 13 Robin, 3 Black Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 5 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 3 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 alba Wagtail, 109 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 70 Rock Pipit, 16 Chaffinch, 47 Brambling, 2 Greenfinch, 21 Twite, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 6 Goldfinch, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 189
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20th October 2025
Weather: A dreich morning, with rain easing in the afternoon. F7-9 SE
A miserable morning of wind and rain eased slightly by the afternoon, allowing some time to explore what the southeasterly gale had brought. The highlight was the autumn’s second Olive-backed Pipit, with a bird stalking the long grass at Utra. The Long-eared Owl had moved down the isle to the Walli Burn, and two unringed Yellow-browed Warbler were around the traps.
HIGHLIGHTS
Yellow-browed Warbler: two
Olive-backed Pipit: one at Utra
Sightings of note: 27 Greylag Goose, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Whooper Swan, 3 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Woodpigeon, 3 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen, 3 Oystercatcher, 12 Lapwing, 18 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 17 Curlew, 46 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 11 Woodcock, 3 Jack Snipe, 34 Snipe, 17 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 17 Common Gull, 5 Guillemot, 2 Great Northern Diver, 5 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Long-eared Owl, 4 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 3 Siberian Chiffchaff, 47 Blackcap, 18 Goldcrest, 96 Blackbird, 147 Fieldfare, 206 Redwing, 22 Song Thrush, 9 Robin, 4 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Chaffinch, 11 Brambling, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Redpoll sp, 3 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 2 Snow Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting
Year list: 187
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19th October 2025
Weather: Partly sunny, with a strengthening breeze. F6-8 SE
The breeze swinging further to the southeast delivered more birds to the isle today, with the sheltered north and west cliffs in particular sheltering better numbers of common migrants. New scarcities unearthed included a Bluethroat trapped in the Double Dyke trap, and a juvenile Turtle Dove at Linni Geo (EDIT - on reviewing photos of this bird the next day, several features in combination point to this bird being Fair Isle's first Oriental Turtle Dove. Sadly the bird was not seen again after the sighting at Midway). A Greenfinch joined the House Sparrow flock at Schoolton, with firsts of the autumn coming in the form of a Long-eared Owl at Plantation and Goldeneye at Da Water.
Brief but conclusive views of this tricky bird at Midway (Kevin Kelly)
Not quite the chat species we’d be hoping for in late October, but always a pleasure to see a Bluethroat in the hand (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
ORIENTAL TURTLE DOVE: retrospectively-identified juvenile at Linni Geo, then Midway
Yellow-browed Warbler: two
Bluethroat: one trapped in Double Dyke
Greenfinch records have declined in recent years, with the species now a rather scarce visitor (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 13 Greylag Goose, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 6 Whooper Swan, 14 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 6 Oystercatcher, 14 Lapwing, 22 Golden Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 20 Curlew, 44 Turnstone, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 11 Woodcock, 6 Jack Snipe, 68 Snipe, 27 Redshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 43 Common Gull, 3 Guillemot, 1 Great Northern Diver, 5 Grey Heron, 4 Sparrowhawk, 1 Long-eared Owl, 5 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 64 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 16 Chiffchaff, 39 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 47 Goldcrest, 124 Blackbird, 178 Fieldfare, 211 Redwing, 52 Song Thrush, 11 Robin, 9 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 4 alba Wagtail, 75 Meadow Pipit, 48 Rock Pipit, 8 Chaffinch, 7 Brambling, 1 Greenfinch, 16 Twite, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Redpoll sp, 1 Snow Bunting
Year list: 187
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18th October 2025
Weather: Overcast but bright. F4-6 S
A change in the wind overnight to a stronger southerly breeze brought a small arrival of birds today, but with the lack of birds generally in the last couple of weeks, we’ll take what we can get! An increase in thrushes was most welcome, with many of the geos hiding small numbers of Blackbird and Redwing, and groups of Fieldfare on the open ground. Yellow-browed Warbler increased to six, with three birds in the crofts two in the traps and one on Ward Hill.
The sight of furtive dark-billed Blackbirds around the cliffs is synonymous with late autumn birding on Fair Isle (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Black-throated Diver: juvenile still in the Haven
Yellow-browed Warbler: six
Sightings of note: 2 Barnacle Goose, 18 Greylag Goose, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 9 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Water Rail, 2 Moorhen, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 6 Oystercatcher, 10 Lapwing, 24 Golden Plover, 5 Ringed Plover, 28 Curlew, 39 Turnstone, 1 Ruff, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Woodcock, 1 Jack Snipe, 46 Snipe, 10 Redshank, 3 Black-headed Gull, 10 Common Gull, 6 Guillemot, 1 Great Northern Diver, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 69 Skylark, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 19 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 26 Goldcrest, 55 Blackbird, 158 Fieldfare, 93 Redwing, 7 Song Thrush, 6 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 5 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 alba Wagtail, 98 Meadow Pipit, 62 Rock Pipit, 5 Chaffinch, 10 Brambling, 52 Twite, 3 Redpoll sp, 2 Goldfinch, 17 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 185
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17th October 2025
Weather: Beautifully calm and sunny. F1-3 NW
A gorgeous day in the isle, with barely a breath of wind and soft autumn sunlight all day. It remained quiet on the birding front, but a Short-eared Owl was the first of the month (a testament to how poor this autumn has been for owl passage thus far) and the Slavonian Grebe count increased to three.
A single Snow Bunting in the sunshine at South Light (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Black-throated Diver: juvenile still in the Haven
Yellow-browed Warbler: one at Chapel
Sightings of note: 181 Greylag Goose, 10 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Whooper Swan, 8 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 4 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Water Rail, 2 Moorhen, 3 Slavonian Grebe, 3 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 31 Golden Plover, 7 Ringed Plover, 36 Curlew, 32 Turnstone, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Woodcock, 47 Snipe, 17 Redshank, 7 Common Gull, 10 Guillemot, 1 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Short-eared Owl, 3 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 106 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 9 Chiffchaff, 12 Blackcap, 5 Goldcrest, 6 Blackbird, 7 Fieldfare, 73 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 2 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 alba Wagtail, 128 Meadow Pipit, 64 Rock Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 6 Brambling, 43 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Siskin, 1 Lapland Bunting, 11 Snow Bunting
Other wildlife: 2 Hummingbird Hawkmoth, 5 Risso’s Dolphin
Year list: 185
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16th October 2025
Weather: Partly sunny between light showers. F4-6 NW
A slight drop in the breeze today, though it was another quiet census with little to report. A new Lapland Bunting was around Furse, and the Haven retained its assembly of divers, seaducks and grebes. There was some further goose movement, and slight increase in Snow Bunting around the south coast.
Small numbers of Jack Snipe can now be found around the isle, well-hidden in the mires and iris beds (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Black-throated Diver: juvenile still in the Haven
Sightings of note: 22 Barnacle Goose, 195 Greylag Goose, 24 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Whooper Swan, 33 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 10 Oystercatcher, 18 Lapwing, 22 Golden Plover, 4 Ringed Plover, 11 Curlew, 62 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 9 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Jack Snipe, 68 Snipe, 36 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 3 Black-headed Gull, 12 Common Gull, 11 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 3 Great Northern Diver, 1 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 3 Sparrowhawk, 3 Merlin, 1 Carrion Crow, 90 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 20 Blackcap, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, 61 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 4 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 8 alba Wagtail, 173 Meadow Pipit, 72 Rock Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 47 Twite, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Northwestern Redpoll, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Lapland Bunting, 16 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 185
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15th October 2025
Weather: Mostly overcast. F5-7 NW
A brisk north-westerly brought a further increase in Redwing with it, with all birds seen unsurprisingly the larger, dark ‘coburni’ Icelandic race. A brief Grey Phalarope flew through South Harbour but wasn’t relocated – the third similar sighting in the last week or so. Whether this is the same bird being difficult to pin down, or multiple individuals passing through is hard to say.
Purple Sandpiper at Kirki Geo with colour marks from a Svalbard-based project, ringed earlier this autumn (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
Grey Phalarope: one flew through South Harbour
Black-throated Diver: juvenile still in the Haven
Yellow-browed Warbler: one
Sightings of note: 2 Barnacle Goose, 89 Greylag Goose, 19 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Whooper Swan, 24 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 3 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Water Rail, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 5 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 28 Golden Plover, 10 Ringed Plover, 16 Curlew, 22 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Jack Snipe, 84 Snipe, 25 Redshank, 2 Kittiwake, 21 Black-headed Gull, 16 Common Gull, 11 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 3 Great Northern Diver, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Merlin, 1 Jackdaw, 3 Carrion Crow, 102 Skylark, 1 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 14 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Blackbird, 6 Fieldfare, 135 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 2 Whinchat, 5 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 35 alba Wagtail, 127 Meadow Pipit, 72 Rock Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 54 Twite, 2 Linnet, 3 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 2 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Other wildlife: 3 Minke Whale, 7 Risso’s Dolphin
Year list: 185
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14th October 2025
Weather: Calm again and partly sunny. F3-4 NW
Another calm day with a few showers allowed us to enjoy the October birding in the isle, though it remained relatively quiet. There was a small arrival of birds, with slight increases in Blackcap and Redwing, and the Haven once again entertained visiting birders with both Black-throated and Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck and Slavonian Grebe all present. The bird of the day was our third Richard’s Pipit of the autumn – initially around the Obs at the start of census before moving south down the isle and associating with the sheep opposite Barkland. A second Slavonian Grebe was in South Harbour, two Rook were at Meadow Burn and a Merlin was seen to catch one of the late Wheatear at Ward Hill.
Though typically mobile and wary, some stalking between the sheep allowed a closer view of the Richard’s Pipit at Barkland (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Black-throated Diver: juvenile still in the Haven
Richard’s Pipit: one at the Obs before moving south to Barkland
Yellow-browed Warbler: one
Sightings of note: 3 Barnacle Goose, 35 Greylag Goose, 36 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Whooper Swan, 16 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Water Rail, 2 Moorhen, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 6 Oystercatcher, 13 Lapwing, 38 Golden Plover, 13 Ringed Plover, 36 Curlew, 27 Turnstone, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 95 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 38 Redshank, 2 Kittiwake, 5 Black-headed Gull, 23 Common Gull, 14 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 3 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Rook, 4 Carrion Crow, 106 Skylark, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 19 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Goldcrest, 5 Blackbird, 9 Fieldfare, 56 Redwing, 12 Song Thrush, 3 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 8 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 23 alba Wagtail, 238 Meadow Pipit, 96 Rock Pipit, 6 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 29 Twite, 6 Linnet, 9 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin, 2 Snow Bunting,1 Reed Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Minke Whale
Year list: 185
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13th October 2025
Weather: Overcast and calm. F3-4 NW
At last, a break from the winds and rain today, with a calm and mostly grey day. There were some hints of movement through the isle, though numbers of birds remain very low. The biggest surprise was a juvenile Black-throated Diver in North Haven, hot on the heels of the adult past Meoness four days prior, making this the first year ever with multiple records. It was joined in the Haven by an Arctic Tern, with another at South Light – the latest records since 2008. Cetacean numbers remain high off the east, with Minke a constant sight almost anywhere up the coast today.
A much better view than the prior bird, with this confiding individual in the Haven (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Black-throated Diver: juvenile in the Haven (8th isle record)
Sightings of note: 6 Barnacle Goose, 12 Greylag Goose, 41 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Whooper Swan, 16 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 4 Woodpigeon, 3 Water Rail, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 4 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 20 Golden Plover, 12 Ringed Plover, 24 Curlew, 26 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 80 Snipe, 16 Redshank, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Black-headed Gull, 7 Common Gull, 2 Arctic Tern, 1 Great Skua, 17 Guillemot, 4 Razorbill, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 6 Carrion Crow, 107 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 1 blythi Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Goldcrest, 6 Blackbird, 16 Fieldfare, 48 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 15 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 6 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 23 alba Wagtail, 186 Meadow Pipit, 93 Rock Pipit, 5 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 77 Twite, 4 Linnet, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Redpoll sp., 1 Goldfinch, 17 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Other wildlife: 16 Minke Whale, 20 White-beaked Dolphin
Year list: 185
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11th – 12th October 2025
Weather: Mostly set-in drizzly rain and low cloud. F4-6 W
A distinctly uneventful couple of days on the birding front, with little to no change noted and the predominantly damp weather limiting how much the team could get out in the field. The highlights undoubtedly came from looking at the sea, with a fantastic aggregation of Minke Whale off the east coast of the isle, joined at points by some White-beaked Dolphin. With a minimum of 14 whales present, mostly concentrated off the area between Mopul and Buness, the sight of several individuals surfacing together just a few metres offshore, their blows clearly audible, was a fantastic experience.
An even larger aggregation of Minke Whale occurred off the isle in October 2023 – it will be interesting to see if this becomes a more regular event (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Grey Phalarope: one briefly at the Haven on 11th
Yellow-browed Warbler: one still
Though mostly just surfacing to breathe, with no breaching seen, occasional glimpses of a pointed face and ‘Minke mittens’ could be had with the animals so close inshore (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note (high counts): 176 Greylag Goose, 37 Pink-footed Goose, 19 Whooper Swan, 20 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 3 Water Rail, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 4 Oystercatcher, 20 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 13 Ringed Plover, 7 Curlew, 39 Turnstone, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Jack Snipe, 59 Snipe, 19 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 5 Black-headed Gull, 19 Common Gull, 1 Guillemot, 5 Razorbill, 2 Puffin, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Great Northern Diver, 2 Blue Fulmar, 2 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Merlin, 4 Carrion Crow, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 46 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, 3 Robin, 2 Whinchat, 3 Grey Wagtail, 5 Chaffinch, 1 Linnet, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin, 1 Lapland Bunting, 3 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Other wildlife: 14 Minke Whale, 25 White-beaked Dolphin
Year list: 185
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10th October 2025
Weather: Overcast with regular prolonged periods of rain. F7-8 W
A similar day to yesterday, with little to nothing apparently new in. The rain was heavier and more regular today too, making any attempt at birding distinctly unpleasant. At least three Minke were still feeding off the east coast, today close in off Ditfield for much of the afternoon.
HIGHLIGHTS
Yellow-browed Warbler: one
Sightings of note: 39 Greylag Goose, 14 Whooper Swan, 7 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Water Rail, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 3 Oystercatcher, 5 Golden Plover, 7 Ringed Plover, 15 Curlew, 91 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Jack Snipe, 4 Kittiwake, 2 Black-headed Gull, 7 Common Gull, 1 Great Skua, 8 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver, 5 Great Northern Diver, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 2 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 56 Redwing, 21 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 2 Grey Wagtail, 6 Chaffinch, 6 Brambling, 2 Linnet, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin, 6 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Other wildlife: 3 Minke Whale
Year list: 185
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9th October 2025
Weather: Mostly overcast and breezy, with regular showers. F7-9 W
Hard going today in the strong wind, with the higher points of the isle in particular difficult to make headway into through the gusts. Most of the interest unsurprisingly came over the sea, with a fine adult Black-throated Diver flying past Meoness (just the seventh isle record) and a Grey Phalarope over Da Burrian. The southeast corner of the isle was the place to be for some cetacean action too, with at least four Minke Whale, three White-beaked Dolphin and a Risso’s Dolphin picked out despite the rough sea conditions. Further Whooper Swan movement was also evident, and there was an increase in Redwing, with all birds seen apparently of the Icelandic race – unsurprising given the wind direction of the last few days.
Black-throated Diver is remarkably rare here, with the majority of records coming in late autumn (Alex Penn)
The moulting adult Slavonian Grebe remains in the Haven (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
Grey Phalarope: one seen flying west over Da Burrian
Black-throated Diver: one flew west past Meoness
Yellow-browed Warbler: two
White-beaked Dolphin and Minke Whale finding good feeding off the southeast of the isle (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 82 Greylag Goose, 39 Pink-footed Goose, 71 Whooper Swan, 20 Wigeon, 14 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Stock Dove, 2 Water Rail, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 8 Oystercatcher, 14 Lapwing, 9 Golden Plover, 7 Ringed Plover, 26 Curlew, 213 Turnstone, 3 Sanderling, 16 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Jack Snipe, 63 Snipe, 57 Redshank, 28 Black-headed Gull, 34 Common Gull, 1 Great Skua, 5 Guillemot, 4 Razorbill, 2 Red-throated Diver, 6 Great Northern Diver, 1 Storm Petrel, 2 Cormorant, 5 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 89 Skylark, 4 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 77 Redwing, 28 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 5 Whinchat, 14 Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 31 alba Wagtail, 183 Meadow Pipit, 64 Rock Pipit, 8 Chaffinch, 85 Twite, 3 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Northwestern Redpoll, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 8 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Other wildlife: 4 Minke Whale, 1 Risso's Dolphin, 3 White-beaked Dolphin
Year list: 185
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8th October 2025
Weather: Overcast, with increasing rain through the day. F6-7 SW
Another rather damp day, with a census spent dodging the heavy showers. Whooper Swan were clearly on the move, with a minimum count of 47, and the sight and sound of vocal family groups a regular accompaniment through the day. The Slavonian Grebe remained, venturing into the Haven, where it joined a Long-tailed Duck and two Great Northern Diver.
Few ducks can match a drake Long-tailed on looks (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Yellow-browed Warbler: two
Sightings of note: 6 Greylag Goose, 17 Pink-footed Goose, 47 Whooper Swan, 9 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Stock Dove, 2 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 3 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 45 Golden Plover, 8 Ringed Plover, 10 Curlew, 88 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 1 Ruff, 1 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 1 Jack Snipe, 71 Snipe, 55 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 28 Black-headed Gull, 22 Common Gull, 1 Great Skua, 1 Guillemot, 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Cormorant, 5 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 97 Skylark, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 15 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Goldcrest, 3 Blackbird, 7 Fieldfare, 31 Redwing, 57 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 15 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 33 alba Wagtail, 246 Meadow Pipit, 97 Rock Pipit, 6 Chaffinch, 8 Brambling, 98 Twite, 3 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin, 4 Snow Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting
Year list: 183
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6th – 7th October 2025
Weather: Remaining breezy with westerly-based winds. F6-7 SW
A similar couple of days of scattered showers, with little change in the birds present around the isle. Wildfowl movement continued, with regular groups of geese and swans seen and heard heading south through the isle. The first Woodcock and Long-tailed Duck of autumn signalled a further step through the season, and added to the more wintry feel.
HIGHLIGHTS
Yellow-browed Warbler: two
Barred Warbler: one at Vaila’s Trees on 7th
Sightings of note (high counts): 43 Barnacle Goose, 25 Greylag Goose, 93 Pink-footed Goose, 13 Whooper Swan, 21 Wigeon, 23 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Stock Dove, 2 Water Rail, 2 Moorhen, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 10 Oystercatcher, 16 Lapwing, 60 Golden Plover, 11 Ringed Plover, 17 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 77 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 2 Ruff, 5 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, 14 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Woodcock, 4 Jack Snipe, 77 Snipe, 41 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 25 Common Gull, 2 Great Skua, 2 Guillemot, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Cormorant, 5 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 95 Skylark, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 13 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 16 Goldcrest, 4 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 19 Redwing, 53 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 12 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 48 alba Wagtail, 363 Meadow Pipit, 112 Rock Pipit, 10 Chaffinch, 7 Brambling, 61 Twite, 1 Linnet, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin, 1 Lapland Bunting, 25 Snow Bunting, 5 Reed Bunting
Other wildlife:1 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady
Year list: 183
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5th October 2025
Weather: A rainy start, drying up and wind dropping through the day. F11-6 NW
Another extremely windy birding day, though conditions did improve slowly, becoming more birdable later. There was little new in however, with many of the same migrants in the same spots, though some further wildfowl movement was evident. A late afternoon sighting of two bull Orca off Buness was the rarest sighting of the day, last seen moving north around the corner at Wirvie.
This frosty Mealy Redpoll was at Burkle (Steve Arlow)
HIGHLIGHTS
Yellow-browed Warbler: three
Grey-headed Wagtail: one at South Light
Hawfinch: female still
Common Rosefinch: one still
A ‘Yellowpoll’ ringed in Double Dyke today – a small percentage of Redpoll exhibit yellow colouration instead of bright red (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 102 Barnacle Goose, 24 Greylag Goose, 194 Pink-footed Goose, 12 Whooper Swan, 5 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Stock Dove, 2 Moorhen, 5 Oystercatcher, 9 Lapwing, 40 Golden Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 6 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 149 Turnstone, 2 Ruff, 2 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 9 Purple Sandpiper, 8 Jack Snipe, 69 Snipe, 21 Redshank, 3 Black-headed Gull, 50 Common Gull, 1 Great Skua, 7 Guillemot, 3 Razorbill, 1 Red-throated Diver, 9 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Blackbird, 7 Redwing, 32 Song Thrush, 1 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 1 Dunnock, 7 Chaffinch, 6 Brambling, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Goldfinch, 8 Siskin, 2 Snow Bunting
Other wildlife: 2 Orca
Year list: 183
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4th October 2025
Weather: Heavy rain through the morning, brightening up later. F7-11 W
A wild night of weather continued into today, with the morning dominated by heavy rain and strong winds. Conditions improved enough to get out in the afternoon, though the wind remained extremely strong. Some waterfowl movement was evident, with several flocks of Barnacle and Pink-footed Goose sheltering around the isle, as well as a small number of Whooper Swan. The most surprising sighting of the day was a Little Egret seen battling its way south over the Haven – just the fifth island record, though all have been since 2016.
Some of the eleven Whooper Swan taking a break at Da Water (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Little Egret: one flew south through the Haven
Hawfinch: female still
Common Rosefinch: one still
Sightings of note: 47 Barnacle Goose, 8 Greylag Goose, 114 Pink-footed Goose, 18 Whooper Swan, 5 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Oystercatcher, 4 Lapwing, 50 Golden Plover, 7 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 107 Turnstone, 7 Dunlin, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Black-headed Gull, 14 Common Gull, 2 Guillemot, 1 Great Northern Diver, 5 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Carrion Crow, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 13 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 31 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 2 Whinchat, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 15 Chaffinch, 24 Brambling, 1 Goldfinch, 12 Siskin, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 183
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3rd October 2025
Weather: Partly sunny, with heavy rain and wind coming in late afternoon. F5-7 S
We’ve been battening down the hatches today ahead of Storm Amy, starting the day by taking the Obs boat out of the water for the winter. Some birding through the rest of the day was productive, with an elusive pipit first seen yesterday at Chalet nailed down as an Olive-backed Pipit, a smart Firecrest found in the geo of Easter Lother, and our fourth Corncrake of the autumn flushed from a ditch at Pund. News also came through of one of our colour-ringed Yellow-browed Warbler being resighted in Stronsay, Orkney – our first resighting of the year from this project.
Though decidedly elusive, sufficient views were eventually had to confirm our first Olive-backed Pipit of the year (Alex Penn)
A tiny jewel of a Firecrest in Easter Lother (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Corncrake: one at Pund
Little Stint: one again on Skadan
Yellow-browed Warbler: five
Firecrest: one in Easter Lother (12th isle record, last in 2022)
Richard’s Pipit: one still in fields near Burkle
Olive-backed Pipit: one elusive bird at Chalet
Hawfinch: female still
Common Rosefinch: one at Schoolton still
A more typical view of a migrant Corncrake than our last, this flushed from underfoot before melting away into the grass (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 6 Greylag Goose, 7 Pink-footed Goose, 23 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Water Rail, 3 Oystercatcher, 9 Golden Plover, 6 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 86 Turnstone, 2 Ruff, 2 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 4 Jack Snipe, 20 Redshank, 17 Common Gull, 6 Guillemot, 1 Great Northern Diver, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 22 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 19 Goldcrest, 5 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 39 Song Thrush, 3 Robin, 2 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 1 Dunnock, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 Chaffinch, 22 Brambling, 2 Linnet, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Redpoll sp., 1 Goldfinch, 18 Siskin, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 182
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2nd October 2025
Weather: Overcast and rather murky all day. F4-6 S
A grey day, with cloud clinging to the higher points of the isle all day and preventing any flights. The morning was taken up with helping with a hill caa, to take this year’s cohort of lambs off the hill. Coverage of the isle by the team and our visiting birders showed little change on yesterday, with one Richard’s Pipit remaining, along with a handful of other lingering scarcities. Three new Yellow-browed Warbler were trapped and fitted with colour rings – fingers crossed for some sightings further along their migrations.
The final stages of the morning’s caa, pushing the sheep down the east coast and across Vaasetter (Jonnie Fisk)
HIGHLIGHTS
Yellow-browed Warbler: eight
Richard’s Pipit: one still around fields near Shirva
Hawfinch: female still
Common Rosefinch: one at Schoolton again
Sightings of note: 2 Greylag Goose, 5 Pink-footed Goose, 30 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 13 Teal, 1 Water Rail, 3 Oystercatcher, 12 Lapwing, 24 Golden Plover, 29 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Knot, 2 Ruff, 2 Sanderling, 4 Dunlin, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 5 Jack Snipe, 36 Redshank, 16 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 1 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 2 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 17 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 39 Goldcrest, 6 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 7 Redwing, 95 Song Thrush, 3 Robin, 2 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 1 Dunnock, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Grey Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 20 Chaffinch, 26 Brambling, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Redpoll sp., 1 Goldfinch, 22 Siskin, 5 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Other wildlife: 2 Silver Y, 2 Hummingbird Hawkmoth, 1 Shetland Bee
Year list: 180
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1st October 2025
Weather: Heavy rain through the morning, stopping by mid-afternoon but remaining murky and overcast. F5-8 S
A thoroughly unpleasant start to the day, with heavy rain and strong winds all morning keeping the team firmly inside. After lunch, the rain abated and most of the isle was covered by the team, revealing a small number of new arrivals dropped by the weather. The best of these were two Richard’s Pipit, with one bedraggled bird at Skadan, and a second flying over the southeast crofts before apparently dropping into Da Water. With some rarer arrivals to our north and south today, hopes are higher for tomorrow.
A rather damp Richard’s Pipit at the Skadan crop (Steve Arlow)
HIGHLIGHTS
Yellow-browed Warbler: four
Richard’s Pipit: two; birds at Skadan and Da Water
Hawfinch: female still
Common Rosefinch: one at Schoolton again
Sightings of note: 6 Greylag Goose, 7 Pink-footed Goose, 16 Wigeon, 16 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen, 5 Oystercatcher, 17 Lapwing, 16 Golden Plover, 29 Ringed Plover, 8 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 111 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 6 Dunlin, 25 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Jack Snipe, 48 Snipe, 38 Redshank, 7 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 12 Great Skua, 10 Guillemot, 5 Razorbill, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Carrion Crow, 2 Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 15 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 14 Goldcrest, 7 Blackbird, 6 Redwing, 94 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 2 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 1 Dunnock, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 7 Chaffinch, 29 Brambling, 2 Linnet, 5 Redpoll sp., 1 Goldfinch, 24 Siskin, 1 Reed Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Risso’s Dolphin
Year list: 180
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30th September 2025
Weather: Breezier, and mostly cloudy, clearing later. F5-7 S
There was little evidence of movement today, with new birds distinctly lacking and the same migrants seen in familiar places. The forecast for the next few days looks pretty turbulent, so hopefully it throws something unexpected our way.
It’s been an excellent period for Hummingbird Hawkmoth in the isle, with up to six in recent days (Phil Woollen)
HIGHLIGHTS
Little Stint: one again at Skadan
Yellow-browed Warbler: six
Hawfinch: female still
Common Rosefinch: one at Schoolton again
Sightings of note: 5 Greylag Goose, 27 Wigeon, 16 Teal, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen, 7 Oystercatcher, 12 Lapwing, 27 Golden Plover, 44 Ringed Plover, 12 Curlew, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 88 Turnstone, 2 Ruff, 10 Sanderling, 8 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Jack Snipe, 74 Snipe, 49 Redshank, 2 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 8 Common Gull, 6 Great Skua, 4 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 2 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 5 Carrion Crow, 101 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 3 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 29 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 32 Goldcrest, 2 Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 139 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 3 Redstart, 5 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 23 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 47 alba Wagtail, 443 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 118 Rock Pipit, 16 Chaffinch, 10 Brambling, 161 Twite, 3 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Goldfinch, 28 Siskin, 4 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral, 3 Painted Lady, 1 Silver Y, 4 Diamondback Moth, 3 Hummingbird Hawkmoth, 1 Green Lacewing
Year list: 179
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29th September 2025
Weather: Bright and sunny, with an increasing breeze. F3-6 S
A clear, calm night resulted in a reasonable clear-out of yesterday’s migrants, with little new in to take their place. The female Hawfinch remained, with other scarcities represented by a Barred Warbler at Vaila’s Trees, Rosefinch at Quoy and two Yellow-browed Warbler.
Stock Dove is an uncommon migrant through Fair Isle, with this being just the second bird of the year (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Little Stint: one again at South Green
Great Spotted Woodpecker: one still
Yellow-browed Warbler: two
Barred Warbler: one at Vaila’s Trees
Hawfinch: female still
Common Rosefinch: one at Quoy
Sightings of note: 6 Greylag Goose, 9 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 9 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Stock Dove, 2 Woodpigeon, 3 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen, 8 Oystercatcher, 12 Lapwing, 23 Golden Plover, 15 Ringed Plover, 17 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 90 Turnstone, 2 Ruff, 3 Sanderling, 4 Dunlin, 4 Jack Snipe, 58 Snipe, 36 Redshank, 2 Kittiwake, 14 Common Gull, 7 Great Skua, 4 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 81 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 8 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 30 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 27 Goldcrest, 2 Blackbird, 5 Redwing, 119 Song Thrush, 5 Robin, 3 Redstart, 7 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 30 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 45 alba Wagtail, 539 Meadow Pipit, 2 Tree Pipit, 96 Rock Pipit, 17 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 96 Twite, 6 Linnet, 6 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Redpoll sp., 1 Goldfinch, 29 Siskin, 4 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Other wildlife: 4 Red Admiral, 13 Painted Lady, 1 Silver Y, 2 Diamondback Moth, 6 Hummingbird Hawkmoth, 2 Shetland Bee
Year list: 179
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28th September 2025
Weather: Overcast clearing to sun by the afternoon, and calm. F3-4 W
A drop in the wind to a beautifully calm day brought some small passerines out of hiding, with increases particularly in Blackcap and Yellow-browed Warbler. The day’s highlight came early on, with a Glossy Ibis flushed from Da Water, going on to do a couple of laps of the isle, before apparently heading off-isle in search of some peace, with a bird later appearing in Shetland presumably being the same individual. Though records of Glossy Ibis are on the increase in the Northern Isles, this remains just the fifth Fair Isle record, with the last being in 2022.
Glossy Ibis during one of its stops at Da Water (Luke Marriner)
Small numbers of Jack Snipe are now passing through (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Glossy Ibis: one touring the freshwater pools of the south
Great Spotted Woodpecker: one still roaming the south
Yellow-browed Warbler: seven
Bluethroat: one still at Vaila’s Trees
Hawfinch: female still
Sightings of note: 31 Barnacle Goose, 5 Greylag Goose, 16 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 24 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Stock Dove, 3 Water Rail, 2 Moorhen, 5 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 11 Golden Plover, 13 Ringed Plover, 5 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 108 Turnstone, 2 Ruff, 3 Sanderling, 9 Dunlin, 4 Jack Snipe, 65 Snipe, 30 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 15 Common Gull, 10 Great Skua, 3 Guillemot, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 8 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 140 Skylark, 5 Swallow, 10 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 80 Blackcap, 5 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 27 Goldcrest, 4 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 36 Redwing, 175 Song Thrush, 3 Robin, 3 Redstart, 8 Whinchat, 43 Wheatear, 2 Dunnock, 4 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 54 alba Wagtail, 538 Meadow Pipit, 3 Tree Pipit, 146 Rock Pipit, 18 Chaffinch, 24 Brambling, 111 Twite, 3 Linnet, 3 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Goldfinch, 7 Siskin, 16 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Other wildlife: 6 Red Admiral, 26 Painted Lady, 2 Silver Y, 6 Diamondback Moth, 5 Hummingbird Hawkmoth, 1 Shetland Bee, 2 Green Lacewing
Year list: 179
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27th September 2025
Weather: Breezy again, and mostly cloudy. F6-8 SSE
A birdier day in the isle today, with numbers of migrants unsurprisingly highest in the shelter of the north coast, out of the strong wind. Birding was again hard work, but there were rewards out there for those looking, with a good list of scarcities logged by the end of the day. Corncrakes were at North Light (hiding in a rabbit burrow!) and Gilsetter, making today the first day with multiple records since 2013. A smart Red-breasted Flycatcher was busy flycatching in South Raeva, and other scarcities included a male Red-backed Shrike trapped in Plantation, female Hawfinch munching rosehips in the Obs garden, and at least two Bluethroat. Some waterfowl movement was evident, with the first Pintail of the year and a steady procession of Barnacle Goose flocks.
An unusual-looking Rabbit (Luke Marriner)
Red-breasted Flycatcher enjoying the shelter of South Raeva (Steve Arlow)
HIGHLIGHTS
Corncrake: one in a rabbit burrow at North Light then relocated to the cliffs, with another flushed from Gilsetter in the afternoon
Little Stint: one back at Muckle Uri Geo
Great Spotted Woodpecker: one again at Shirva
Red-backed Shrike: male trapped in Plantation
Yellow-browed Warbler: two
Bluethroat: at least two, at Lower Stoneybrek and Burkle
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one in South Raeva
Hawfinch: female at the Obs
Any Locustella sp. flushed at this point in the autumn quickens the pulse, but all have been Grasshopper Warbler so far… (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 112 Barnacle Goose, 5 Greylag Goose, 9 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 18 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Water Rail, 2 Moorhen, 7 Oystercatcher, 12 Lapwing, 14 Golden Plover, 24 Ringed Plover, 17 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 50 Turnstone, 2 Ruff, 4 Sanderling, 4 Dunlin, 8 Jack Snipe, 89 Snipe, 38 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 50 Common Gull, 19 Great Skua, 2 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 2 Cormorant, 5 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 135 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 6 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 30 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 9 Lesser Whitethroat, 22 Goldcrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 10 Blackbird, 31 Redwing, 215 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 3 Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 42 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 3 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 6 White Wagtail, 58 alba Wagtail, 613 Meadow Pipit, 3 Tree Pipit, 97 Rock Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 10 Brambling, 127 Twite, 2 Linnet, 5 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Siskin, 19 Snow Bunting
Other wildlife: 3 Red Admiral, 2 Painted Lady
Year list: 178
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26th September 2025
Weather: Sunny all day, with a strong breeze. F6-7 SSE
Another day of little change today, with the strong wind making birding difficult, particularly in the blustery croft gardens. The few new birds did include a Turtle Dove at Furse (the third record of the year) and a new Barred Warbler at Lower Stoneybrek, as well as a small number of Barnacle Goose that toured the isle.
The first Barnacle Geese of the autumn ‘yapping’ their way around the isle (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Turtle Dove: one briefly at Furse
Great Spotted Woodpecker: one again at Shirva
Bluethroat: one roaming from Vaila’s Trees to Burkle
Yellow-browed Warbler: three
Barred Warbler: one still at the Obs, and a new bird at Lower Stoneybrek
Common Rosefinch: one at Schoolton
Sightings of note: 28 Barnacle Goose, 5 Greylag Goose, 12 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 1 Water Rail, 6 Oystercatcher, 9 Lapwing, 12 Golden Plover, 23 Ringed Plover, 16 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 104 Turnstone, 2 Ruff, 4 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 4 Jack Snipe, 56 Snipe, 25 Redshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 23 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10 Great Skua, 4 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 132 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 6 Willow Warbler, 14 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 14 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 8 Redwing, 12 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 1 Redstart, 11 Whinchat, 35 Wheatear, 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 47 alba Wagtail, 574 Meadow Pipit, 3 Tree Pipit, 129 Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 102 Twite, 1 Linnet, 3 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin, 3 Snow Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral, 1 Shetland Bee
Year list: 177
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25th September 2025
Weather: Sunny all day. F5-6 SSE
Another day of pleasant weather today, albeit with a rather strong breeze. There was little evidence of much movement though, with a new Great Spotted Woodpecker at Shirva, and Grasshopper Warbler at Setter the only birds obviously newly-arrived.
Bluethroat showing well at Da Water (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Little Stint: one still at Skadan
Great Spotted Woodpecker: one at Shirva
Bluethroat: one still commuting between Vaila’s Trees and Da Water
Yellow-browed Warbler: eight
Barred Warbler: one still enjoying the apples at the Obs
Common Rosefinch: one at Schoolton
Sightings of note: 7 Greylag Goose, 20 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Water Rail, 8 Oystercatcher, 11 Lapwing, 12 Golden Plover, 28 Ringed Plover, 21 Curlew, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 41 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 2 Ruff, 6 Sanderling, 8 Dunlin, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Jack Snipe, 40 Snipe, 18 Redshank, 18 Common Gull, 11 Great Skua, 9 Guillemot, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 150 Skylark, 19 Swallow, 14 Willow Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 14 Blackcap, 4 Garden Warbler, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Redstart, 9 Whinchat, 32 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 44 alba Wagtail, 631 Meadow Pipit, 4 Tree Pipit, 108 Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 110 Twite, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Redpoll sp., 1 Siskin, 1 Lapland Bunting, 4 Snow Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Painted Lady, 1 Silver Y, 2 Hummingbird Hawkmoth
Year list: 177
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24th September 2025
Weather: Mostly sunny. F5-6 S
Another day consisting of a relatively quiet census, followed by a scattering of new birds dropping in through the afternoon. A smart Red-breasted Flycatcher at Burkle was the pick of the bunch, alongside an arrival of Yellow-browed Warbler, with four in the SE crofts and one at Easter Lother. The first Lapland Bunting of the year was also present, heard calling over the Vaadal, and the first Redwing of autumn was at Quoy.
Hopefully this week will see our first significant push of Yellow-brows (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Little Stint: one still, at Muckle Uri Geo today
Bluethroat: one still at Vaila’s Trees
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one at Burkle
Yellow-browed Warbler: five
Barred Warbler: one still at the Obs
Common Rosefinch: one around the traps
Sightings of note: 5 Greylag Goose, 14 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Water Rail, 12 Lapwing, 16 Golden Plover, 45 Ringed Plover, 11 Curlew, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 37 Turnstone, 2 Ruff, 8 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 1 Jack Snipe, 39 Snipe, 30 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 2 Black-headed Gull, 12 Common Gull, 15 Great Skua, 2 Guillemot, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 3 Merlin, 4 Carrion Crow, 126 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 10 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 17 Blackcap, 4 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 6 Goldcrest, 1 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Redstart, 8 Whinchat, 26 Wheatear, 2 Dunnock, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 57 alba Wagtail, 571 Meadow Pipit, 4 Tree Pipit, 119 Rock Pipit, 1 Brambling, 81 Twite, 2 Linnet, 4 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Siskin, 1 Lapland Bunting
Year list: 177
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23rd September 2025
Weather: Calm, mostly cloudy. F2-3 W
A drop in the wind to a lovely calm day made for much more pleasant birding, and though census was relatively quiet, a handful of new birds appeared to drop in through the afternoon. A new Bluethroat was at Vaila’s Trees in the morning, and the afternoon saw a fresh Barred Warbler pop up at Plantation. It was later trapped at the Obs, with photos surprisingly proving it to be the same individual. At least two Rosefinch were bombing around the crofts, seen together at Schoolton in the early afternoon.
Classic Fair Isle views of a Barred Warbler, foraging on the open grass by Plantation (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Little Stint: one still
Bluethroat: one at Vaila’s Trees
Barred Warbler: one at Plantation was then trapped at the Obs
Common Rosefinch: at least two roaming the south
Good numbers of Twite continue to munch their way through the crop strips (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 5 Greylag Goose, 14 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Water Rail, 6 Oystercatcher, 12 Lapwing, 13 Golden Plover, 28 Ringed Plover, 11 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 62 Turnstone, 2 Ruff, 7 Sanderling, 7 Dunlin, 3 Jack Snipe, 51 Snipe, 38 Redshank, 6 Kittiwake, 15 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 20 Great Skua, 5 Guillemot, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 150 Skylark, 13 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 17 Blackcap, 4 Garden Warbler, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 5 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Redstart, 7 Whinchat, 21 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 57 alba Wagtail, 688 Meadow Pipit, 3 Tree Pipit, 110 Rock Pipit, 2 Brambling, 179 Twite, 2 Linnet, 7 Mealy Redpoll, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Snow Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral, 1 Hummingbird Hawkmoth, 2 Shetland Bee, 1 Risso’s Dolphin
Year list: 176
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22nd September 2025
Weather: Breezy still, with rain for much of the day. F6-8 NW
A distinctly unpleasant day of weather, though the team still managed to cover most of the isle, with a handful of new birds to show for it. The rather wintry feel was mirrored in the birds, with a Whooper Swan sheltering in Ditfield, and a small number of Redpoll new in. Hopefully tomorrow’s calm spell will see more discovered.
Rosefinch making good use of the crop strip at Schoolton (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Little Stint: one still in North Haven
Blyth’s Reed Warbler: one still at Utra
Common Rosefinch: one at Schoolton
Sightings of note (high counts): 4 Greylag Goose, 1 Whooper Swan, 22 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 1 Moorhen, 8 Oystercatcher, 10 Lapwing, 19 Golden Plover, 43 Ringed Plover, 4 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 56 Turnstone, 4 Ruff, 7 Sanderling, 11 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 34 Snipe, 10 Redshank, 6 Kittiwake, 4 Black-headed Gull, 50 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Carrion Crow, 10 Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Redstart, 5 Whinchat, 1 Tree Pipit, 3 Linnet, 3 Mealy Redpoll, 9 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Snow Bunting
Year list: 176
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20th – 21st September 2025
A couple of days of breezy weather, with strong NW winds and regular rain. Birding was tough going, with unsurprisingly little new to be found. There was sadly no further sign of the Brown Shrike, though the Blyth’s Reed Warbler and Bluethroat both remained to at least 20th. In keeping with the wintry weather, the autumn’s first group of Whooper Swan passed Buness on 20th.
This Little Stint has taken a liking to the North Haven beach (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Little Stint: one in North Haven on both days
Blyth’s Reed Warbler: one still at Utra on 20th
Bluethroat: one again at Burkle on 20th
Common Rosefinch: one at Setter on 20th
Sightings of note (high counts): 6 Greylag Goose, 5 Whooper Swan, 26 Wigeon, 21 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Moorhen, 8 Oystercatcher, 16 Lapwing, 12 Golden Plover, 38 Ringed Plover, 5 Curlew, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 152 Turnstone, 3 Knot, 6 Ruff, 10 Sanderling, 8 Dunlin, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Jack Snipe, 44 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 16 Redshank, 2 Kittiwake, 5 Black-headed Gull, 75 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 27 Great Skua, 7 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Cormorant, 6 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 7 Carrion Crow, 70 Skylark, 21 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Sedge Warbler, 21 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstart, 6 Whinchat, 32 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 71 alba Wagtail, 574 Meadow Pipit, 6 Tree Pipit, 80 Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 81 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Redpoll sp., 2 Siskin, 1 Snow Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Risso’s Dolphin
Year list: 176
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19th September 2025
Weather: A murky start, clearing to sunshine. F4-5 SW
A few new birds in the early trap round buoyed hopes for it being a good day, and so it proved to be! On census, the Blyth’s Reed Warbler continued to show well at Utra, with new scarcities including a couple of Rosefinch at Chalet and a Bluethroat hopping along the Burkle ditch. The first Snow Bunting of the autumn flew over Wirvie Burn and a moulting adult Slavonian Grebe was in South Harbour. The undisputed bird of the day however came after lunch, when a cracking juvenile Brown Shrike was discovered briefly at Chalet before disappearing along the many fence lines. It was later relocated back at the original finding site giving a lucky few some good views before giving onlookers the run around again.
Though mainly mobile and elusive, the Brown Shrike occasionally gave closer views (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
BROWN SHRIKE: a 1cy at Chalet (seventh isle record, though the fourth in three years!)
Blyth’s Reed Warbler: one still at Utra
Bluethroat: one at Burkle
Common Rosefinch: two at Chalet
Sightings of note: 6 Greylag Goose, 26 Wigeon, 11 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Moorhen, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 4 Oystercatcher, 13 Lapwing, 13 Golden Plover, 79 Ringed Plover, 11 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 119 Turnstone, 5 Knot, 8 Ruff, 5 Sanderling, 23 Dunlin, 1 Jack Snipe, 31 Snipe, 37 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 2 Black-headed Gull, 13 Common Gull, 3 Guillemot, 5 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 6 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 104 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 24 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 4 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 31 Blackcap, 7 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whitethroat, 7 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 5 Redstart, 7 Whinchat, 25 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 89 alba Wagtail, 1030 Meadow Pipit, 8 Tree Pipit, 112 Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 107 Twite, 2 Linnet, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Siskin, 1 Snow Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral
Year list: 176
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18th September 2025
Weather: Wild and windy, with rain for much of the day. F7-9 W
Much of today was a write-off, with strong winds and rain making birding near-impossible. Some forays into the weather through the afternoon and a morning seawatch did produce a few sightings for Log, with a new Rosefinch, a handful of Manx Shearwater and the first Pink-footed Geese the best of the bunch.
This Rosefinch showed well for Tom after skulking in the Stoneybrek nettles (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
Common Rosefinch: one at Upper Stoneybrek
Sightings of note: 6 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 1 Moorhen, 1 Oystercatcher, 4 Golden Plover, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 153 Turnstone, 4 Knot, 4 Sanderling, 10 Dunlin, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 36 Redshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 14 Common Gull, 1 Common Tern, 13 Guillemot, 8 Razorbill, 1 Red-throated Diver, 4 Manx Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Carrion Crow, 7 Willow Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 15 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Redstart, 10 Whinchat, 5 Tree Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Siskin
Year list: 175
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17th September 2025
Weather: Calm and bright, turning showery and breezy later. F3-7 SE
Another birdy day around the isle, with a good proportion of birds apparently lingering, though at least a few were clearly new in today. The best of these was a Blyth’s Reed Warbler in the garden at Utra, showing well around the small vegetable patch – our second of the year. The first few Chaffinch of the autumn were a further reminder of the progressing autumn, with flocks of thrushes and geese surely not far away now.
A classic first-year Blyth’s Reed Warbler – cold tones contrasting with a bronzy wing panel, short primary projection and emarginated 4th primary (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Blyth’s Reed Warbler: one at Utra
Sightings of note: 16 Greylag Goose, 6 Wigeon, 16 Teal, 5 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing, 12 Golden Plover, 30 Ringed Plover, 18 Curlew, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 21 Turnstone, 4 Knot, 14 Ruff, 5 Sanderling, 14 Dunlin, 1 Jack Snipe, 47 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper, 11 Redshank, 7 Common Gull, 53 Great Skua, 6 Guillemot, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Cormorant, 9 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 127 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 25 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 10 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 25 Blackcap, 5 Garden Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Pied Flycatcher, 12 Redstart, 8 Whinchat, 21 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 44 alba Wagtail, 537 Meadow Pipit, 14 Tree Pipit, 102 Rock Pipit, 4 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 102 Twite, 13 Linnet, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Siskin
Other wildlife: 1 Painted Lady
Year list: 175
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16th September 2025
Weather: Scattered showers. F5-6 NW
A swing in the wind to a north-westerly gave the air a distinct autumnal chill, though there seemed to be relatively few new birds in with it. Common migrants were still to be found scattered through the crofts and sheltered cliffs, making for a birdy and exciting feel to census. A new Barred Warbler was at Vaila’s Trees, and the first white-winger of the autumn arrived in the form of a Glaucous Gull on Buness.
Redstarts are currently adding a splash of colour to the cliffs (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Glaucous Gull: one at Buness
Barred Warbler: one at Vaila’s Trees
Sightings of note: 5 Greylag Goose, 19 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 10 Oystercatcher, 8 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 38 Ringed Plover, 22 Curlew, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 63 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 7 Sanderling, 12 Dunlin, 35 Snipe, 33 Redshank, 12 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 7 Guillemot, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Grey Heron, 3 Sparrowhawk, 6 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 120 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 29 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 7 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 33 Blackcap, 7 Garden Warbler, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroat, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 10 Pied Flycatcher, 10 Redstart, 9 Whinchat, 48 Wheatear, 2 Dunnock, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 4 White Wagtail, 53 alba Wagtail, 424 Meadow Pipit, 27 Tree Pipit, 123 Rock Pipit, 1 Brambling, 59 Twite, 17 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Siskin
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 3 Shetland Bee
Year list: 175
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15th September 2025
Weather: Rain through the morning, clearing later. F4-5 NE
A damp start meant that the census had to be pushed back until the afternoon, though the discovery of a Spotted Crake at Vaila’s Trees had the team scrambling out, sadly to no avail. The afternoon then turned out to be one of the best we have had so far this autumn, with plenty of common migrants in the crofts of the south and along the west cliffs. A noticeable increase in Tree Pipit (44), Redstart (18) and Whitethroat (17) as well as scarcities including Wryneck, Wood Warbler and two Greenish Warblers (now five records this year!). A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen at Burkle and then at the Haa (the first this year) as well as the first Brambling of the autumn.
A typical ‘continental’ Great Spotted Woodpecker, with stout blunt bill and retained juvenile plumage (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Spotted Crake: one at Vaila’s Trees sadly was not seen again
Curlew Sandpiper: a juvenile in Muckle Uri Geo
Little Stint: a juvenile in Muckle Uri Geo
Wryneck: one still at Shirva
Great Spotted Woodpecker: one at Burkle
Wood Warbler: one trapped in the Vaadal
Greenish Warbler: two – singles at Midway and Greenholm
A nice double from the traps – Sparrowhawk and Kestrel (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 18 Greylag Goose, 8 Wigeon, 16 Teal, 2 Swift, 2 Moorhen, 13 Oystercatcher, 8 Lapwing, 4 Golden Plover, 59 Ringed Plover, 5 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 76 Turnstone, 2 Knot, 3 Ruff, 15 Sanderling, 26 Dunlin, 47 Snipe, 3 Common Sandpiper, 18 Redshank, 4 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Cormorant, 7 Grey Heron, 4 Sparrowhawk, 4 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 4 Carrion Crow, 112 Skylark, 6 Swallow, 44 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 11 Sedge Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 26 Blackcap, 10 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 17 Whitethroat, 8 Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush, 7 Spotted Flycatcher, 14 Pied Flycatcher, 18 Redstart, 11 Whinchat, 66 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 62 alba Wagtail, 702 Meadow Pipit, 44 Tree Pipit, 126 Rock Pipit, 1 Brambling, 37 Twite, 17 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 7 Siskin.
Other wildlife: 4 Red Admiral, 1 Hummingbird Hawkmoth, 3 Shetland Bee
Year list: 175
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14th September 2025
Weather: Mostly sunny. F2-5 SE
A very calm start made for a pleasant census, with a few new birds to show for it. A Corncrake flushed from the Vaadal reservoir on the early trap round was a good start, with a new Greenish Warbler on the cliffs at Dog Geo and two Yellow-browed Warbler following later in the morning.
Migrants on cliffs are always exciting, and even better when one is a Greenish Warbler! (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Corncrake: one at the Vaadal reservoir
Yellow-browed Warbler: singles at South Light and Troila
Greenish Warbler: one at Dog Geo
Sightings of note: 11 Greylag Goose, 19 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 3 Swift, 1 Moorhen, 18 Oystercatcher, 49 Ringed Plover, 30 Curlew, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit, 112 Turnstone, 6 Knot, 18 Ruff, 16 Sanderling, 19 Dunlin, 12 Purple Sandpiper, 39 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 36 Redshank, 8 Kittiwake, 13 Common Gull, 9 Guillemot, 6 Razorbill, 1 Red-throated Diver, 9 Grey Heron, 3 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 89 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 26 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 10 Sedge Warbler, 18 Blackcap, 6 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroat, 9 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstart, 10 Whinchat, 49 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 46 alba Wagtail, 343 Meadow Pipit, 3 Tree Pipit, 127 Rock Pipit, 158 Twite, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Redpoll sp., 7 Siskin
Other wildlife: 14 Red Admiral, 4 Painted Lady, 1 Hummingbird Hawkmoth, 2 Shetland Bee
Year list: 173
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13th September 2025
Weather: Mostly sunny, with occasional light showers. F4-6 SE
A drop in the wind made for easier birding today, though numbers of new birds unearthed remained relatively low. Yesterday’s Wryneck was again around Boini Mire, with Barred Warblers at Burkle and Stackhoull, the latter joined by a new Wood Warbler. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was also fresh in at Easter Lother Water – the third record this year of this usually scarce visitor, as the UK enjoys a significant autumn influx.
A pristine juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, fresh from an Arctic nest (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Curlew Sandpiper: a juvenile at Easter Lother Water
Wryneck: one along the road at Boini Mire
Barred Warbler: singles at Burkle and Stackhoull
Wood Warbler: one at Stackhoull
Sightings of note: 5 Greylag Goose, 42 Wigeon, 29 Teal, 1 Moorhen, 12 Oystercatcher, 14 Lapwing, 8 Golden Plover, 46 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 12 Curlew, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 159 Turnstone, 9 Knot, 15 Ruff, 9 Sanderling, 24 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 44 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 49 Redshank, 5 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 39 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Red-throated Diver, 6 Grey Heron, 4 Sparrowhawk, 4 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 133 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 15 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 17 Blackcap, 5 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Robin, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 10 Whinchat, 29 Wheatear, 5 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 21 alba Wagtail, 458 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 101 Rock Pipit, 203 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Redpoll sp., 2 Siskin
Other wildlife: 6 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 2 Silver Y
Year list: 172
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12th September 2025
Weather: Breezy all day, with showers through the morning. F6-8 S
A distinctly autumnal feel to the day, with cool, strong winds and overcast skies. Birds were hard to find, with the croft gardens blown out and little to be seen on the parts of the cliffs that were safe to view. A Wryneck was apparently new in around Boini Mire, and good numbers of waders were to be found around the south end, along with some light auk movement over the sea.
HIGHLIGHTS
Wryneck: one along the road at Boini Mire
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 28 Wigeon, 36 Teal, 2 Moorhen, 11 Oystercatcher, 10 Lapwing, 11 Golden Plover, 86 Ringed Plover, 13 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 140 Turnstone, 7 Knot, 16 Ruff, 7 Sanderling, 21 Dunlin, 36 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 56 Redshank, 10 Kittiwake, 36 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 11 Guillemot, 27 Razorbill, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Cormorant, 9 Grey Heron, 5 Sparrowhawk, 4 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 96 Skylark, 8 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Blackcap, 9 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 5 Whinchat, 26 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 31 alba Wagtail, 279 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 88 Rock Pipit, 59 Twite, 2 Linnet, 2 Siskin
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady
Year list: 172
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11th September 2025
Weather: Bright and sunny again after a wet early morning. F5-8 SSE
A damp start today meant that the early trap round goers got rather wet, however this quickly cleared and turned into another beautiful day. With south-easterlies and rain overnight, the totals today weren’t quite as impressive as hoped, but the appearance of the year’s first Yellow-browed Warbler made the day momentous nonetheless. Hopefully it’s a sign of them mirroring last year and having a good season, and plenty can be added to the colour ringing scheme. Elsewhere, a Barred Warbler continued in the Obs garden, feasting on apples put out for migrants, and at least three Sparrowhawks were around the trapping areas.
A tiny Yellow-browed Warbler, a totemic species of the autumn, on the cliffs of Wester Lother (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Yellow-browed Warbler: one at Wester Lother
Barred Warbler: one at the Obs
Common Rosefinch: two were mobile around the south
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 51 Wigeon, 26 Teal, 21 Oystercatcher, 26 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 44 Ringed Plover, 22 Curlew, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 44 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 13 Ruff, 19 Sanderling, 17 Dunlin, 24 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 29 Redshank, 4 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Guillemot, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Cormorant, 6 Grey Heron, 3 Sparrowhawk, 4 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 108 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 20 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 13 Blackcap, 7 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 8 Whinchat, 34 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 36 alba Wagtail, 393 Meadow Pipit, 2 Tree Pipit, 97 Rock Pipit, 136 Twite, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Siskin
Other wildlife: 10 Red Admiral, 2 Painted Lady, 1 Silver Y, 1 Shetland Bee, 1 European Eel
Year list: 172
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10th September 2025
Weather: Bright and sunny. F5-7 SE
A handful of new birds in today, and some quality amongst them. The day started well with a Greenish Warbler trapped in the Vaadal on the way into census, and continued with a Great Snipe flushed from above the Obs by a guest just before lunch, though sadly this could not be relocated. A juvenile Red-backed Shrike at the unusual location of Kirn o’ Skroo was also likely a new arrival, and two Barred Warbler remained in the crofts.
Our third Greenish Warbler of the year (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
GREAT SNIPE: one flushed from a tiny pool above the Obs could not be relocated
Red-backed Shrike: a juvenile at Kirn o’ Skroo
Greenish Warbler: one trapped in the Vaadal
Barred Warbler: singles still at Chalet and Burkle
Common Rosefinch: one at Gully early morning
Sightings of note: 5 Greylag Goose, 27 Wigeon, 24 Teal, 1 Woodpigeon, 12 Oystercatcher, 3 Lapwing, 6 Golden Plover, 21 Ringed Plover, 7 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 50 Turnstone, 2 Ruff, 10 Sanderling, 23 Dunlin, 44 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 39 Redshank, 30 Common Gull, 7 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 5 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 112 Skylark, 25 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 16 Blackcap, 7 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 7 Whinchat, 25 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail ssp., 5 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 34 alba Wagtail, 246 Meadow Pipit, 104 Rock Pipit, 112 Twite, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Siskin
Other wildlife: 12 Red Admiral, 6 Painted Lady, 2 Silver Y, 3 Hummingbird Hawkmoth, 6 Shetland Bee
Year list: 171
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9th September 2025
Weather: Clear and sunny. F5-6 SE
Clear and calm conditions overnight meant that the obvious clear-out today came as no great surprise. A single Wryneck, two Barred Warbler and a Red-backed Shrike lingered, along with the long-staying Icterine Warbler at Vaila’s Trees. With the outlook showing more easterly systems on the way, hopes remain high for further pulses of birds this week.
HIGHLIGHTS
Wryneck: one at Chapel Brae
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile around the Parks
Icterine Warbler: ringed bird still at Vaila’s Trees
Barred Warbler: singles still at Vaila’s Trees and Burkle
Common Rosefinch: one at Burkle
Sightings of note: 7 Greylag Goose, 23 Wigeon, 27 Teal, 1 Swift, 13 Oystercatcher, 14 Lapwing, 9 Golden Plover, 55 Ringed Plover, 16 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 48 Turnstone, 3 Knot, 2 Ruff, 14 Sanderling, 31 Dunlin, 30 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 48 Redshank, 21 Common Gull, 2 Guillemot, 2 Cormorant, 7 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 109 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 28 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warbler, 13 Blackcap, 6 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 7 Whinchat, 62 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail ssp., 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 47 alba Wagtail, 281 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 95 Rock Pipit, 124 Twite, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin
Other wildlife: 20 Red Admiral, 9 Painted Lady, 1 Hummingbird Hawkmoth, 2 Shetland Bee
Year list: 170
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8th September 2025
Weather: A murky start, quickly clearing to a roasting hot day. F2-5 S
This is more like it! An excellent early autumn day, with a good arrival of migrants clear from the outset today. Birds were to be found across the isle in calm conditions, with a range of common migrants showing well in the croft gardens, cliffs and in a myriad of random spots as these clearly fresh-in birds explored their new surrounds. Passerine highlights eked out from amongst the common migrants comprised four Wryneck, seven Barred Warbler, a Red-backed Shrike and a Rosefinch. On the wader front, a heard-only Spotted Redshank was new for the year, with one Little Stint still pottering around Easter Lother Water.
Grasshopper Warbler in typical habitat at the School (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
Brent Goose: pale-bellied bird still
Little Stint: one still at Easter Lother Water
Spotted Redshank: one heard flying high over the isle
Wryneck: four: singles at the Mast, Shirva, Plantation and Taing
Red-backed Shrike: a juvenile at the Vaadal reservoir
Icterine Warbler: ringed bird still at Vaila’s Trees
Barred Warbler: seven: two trapped in Gully, with singles at the Obs, Chalet, Vaila’s Trees, Burkle and the Mast
Common Rosefinch: one at the Obs was later trapped
Wryneck in typical habitat at the Mast (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 5 Greylag Goose, 19 Wigeon, 29 Teal, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Water Rail, 3 Moorhen, 22 Oystercatcher, 11 Lapwing, 6 Golden Plover, 36 Ringed Plover, 17 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 100 Turnstone, 4 Knot, 5 Ruff, 16 Sanderling, 10 Dunlin, 1 Jack Snipe, 69 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 44 Redshank, 45 Common Gull, 7 Common Tern, 3 Guillemot, 16 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 10 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Carrion Crow, 102 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 60 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 39 Blackcap, 24 Garden Warbler, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 17 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Song Thrush, 18 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Robin, 33 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Redstart, 7 Whinchat, 131 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail ssp., 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Pied Wagtail, 9 White Wagtail, 69 alba Wagtail, 320 Meadow Pipit, 10 Tree Pipit, 120 Rock Pipit, 170 Twite, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Redpoll sp., 5 Siskin
Other wildlife: 37 Red Admiral, 11 Painted Lady, 8 Silver Y, 1 Hummingbird Hawkmoth, 11 Shetland Bee
Year list: 170
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7th September 2025
Weather: Overcast for most of the day, with a strong breeze. F5-8 SE
The strong winds that picked up through today made birding difficult, but migrants were to be found in the sheltered spots, particularly along the north and west coasts. Passerine highlights included the first Red-breasted Flycatcher of the autumn at Skinner’s Glig, and a new Wryneck at Shirva. Wader movement was evident too, with two Little Stint paying a visit to Easter Lother Water, six Curlew Sandpiper flying past South Light, and a flock of eight Common Sandpiper in Kroga Geo, sheltering together from the wild weather.
The two Little Stint were oblivious to a very happy Tom just feet away (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
Brent Goose: pale-bellied bird still
Curlew Sandpiper: six flew past South Light
Little Stint: two at Easter Lother Water
Wood Sandpiper: one dropped into Easter Lother Water
Wryneck: one at Shirva in the afternoon
Icterine Warbler: ringed bird still at Vaila’s Trees
Barred Warbler: birds still at the Obs and Chalet
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one at Skinner’s Glig
Common Rosefinch: one on the cliffs at Grey Geo
Sightings of note: 5 Greylag Goose, 9 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 19 Oystercatcher, 14 Lapwing, 9 Golden Plover, 17 Ringed Plover, 13 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 113 Turnstone, 2 Knot, 16 Ruff, 11 Sanderling, 10 Dunlin, 30 Snipe, 8 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 30 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 102 Common Gull, 2 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Skua, 6 Guillemot, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 7 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 5 Carrion Crow, 88 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 13 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 8 Goldcrest, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 58 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 10 Pied Wagtail, 8 White Wagtail, 51 alba Wagtail, 250 Meadow Pipit, 2 Tree Pipit, 108 Rock Pipit, 79 Twite, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin
Other wildlife: 31 Red Admiral, 12 Painted Lady
Year list: 169
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6th September 2025
Weather: Sunny still, with an increasing breeze. F4-6 SE
A few birds new in today, with a handful of Barred Warbler and the first Hawfinch of the autumn the scarcity highlights amongst a modest arrival of common migrants. There was excitement to be found watching the sea too, with Risso’s Dolphins lingering off the east coast, and a sighting of a large Ocean Sunfish that drifted north off Buness - just the third isle record of this strange species. A Dewick's Plusia trapped at Shirva overnight was the first record for the isle.
An increase in Pied Flycatcher today included this bird at Burkle (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Brent Goose: pale-bellied bird still
Icterine Warbler: ringed bird still at Vaila’s Trees
Barred Warbler: five - ringed birds still at the Obs and Burkle, with new birds at Setter, Chalet and Kroga Geo
Hawfinch: one at the Haa
This sizeable Ocean Sunfish was a surprise off Buness, with a handy Great Black-backed Gull for scale (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 5 Greylag Goose, 21 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 1 Collared Dove, 3 Moorhen, 14 Oystercatcher, 5 Lapwing, 7 Golden Plover, 39 Ringed Plover, 11 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 45 Turnstone, 5 Knot, 16 Ruff, 6 Sanderling, 12 Dunlin, 20 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 47 Common Gull, 1 Arctic Skua, 7 Guillemot, 2 Manx Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 6 Grey Heron, 1 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 115 Skylark, 6 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 29 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 5 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 5 Goldcrest, 9 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstart, 6 Whinchat, 98 Wheatear, 3 Grey Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 8 White Wagtail, 56 alba Wagtail, 348 Meadow Pipit, 107 Rock Pipit, 106 Twite, 2 Linnet, 3 Redpoll sp., 1 Siskin
Other wildlife: 75 Red Admiral, 17 Painted Lady, 4 Silver Y, 2 Shetland Bee, 6+ Risso’s Dolphin, 1 Ocean Sunfish!
Year list: 169
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5th September 2025
Weather: Another bright and sunny day. F4-5 SW
A general clear-out was evident today, with many of yesterday’s birds having swiftly moved on. Both of yesterday’s Barred Warbler lingered, and there was an increase in Rosefinch, with three scattered across the isle. The Icterine Warbler also made a surprise reappearance, popping up at Vaila’s Trees after a two-day absence.
Setter is a good spot for close views of Whinchat (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Brent Goose: pale-bellied bird still
Icterine Warbler: ringed bird now at Vaila’s Trees
Barred Warbler: ringed birds still at the Obs and Chapel
Common Rosefinch: three – two mobile around the crofts and one at Wirvie
This Wigeon was an unusual capture in a Heligoland trap! (Tom Wright)
Sightings of note: 7 Greylag Goose, 19 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 1 Collared Dove, 2 Moorhen, 16 Oystercatcher, 1 Golden Plover, 56 Ringed Plover, 22 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 40 Turnstone, 4 Knot, 8 Ruff, 3 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 27 Snipe, 20 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 11 Common Gull, 2 Guillemot, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Carrion Crow, 87 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 23 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Whinchat, 65 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 65 alba Wagtail, 351 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 100 Rock Pipit, 78 Twite, 2 Linnet, 1 Lesser Redpoll
Other wildlife: 76 Red Admiral, 20 Painted Lady, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 7 Shetland Bee
Year list: 169
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4th September 2025
Weather: Bright and sunny. F4 SW
The change in wind direction overnight did the trick, with a clear arrival of birds today. Mostly this was made up of Willow Warblers, but with a good scattering of other species mixed in, and highlights of a new Barred Warbler at Burkle, Wood Warbler at Barkland, and Rosefinch at Setter. In the evening, checks of Honeysuckle stands at the Obs and Shirva revealed an amazing TEN Convolvulus Hawkmoths (five at each site) busily nectaring from the fragrant flowers.
A typical view of a Grasshopper Warbler in Boini Mire (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male reappeared at Midway
Brent Goose: pale-bellied bird still
Wood Warbler: one at Barkland
Barred Warbler: a ringed bird still at Obs, and a new bird trapped at Burkle
Common Rosefinch: one at Setter
Sightings of note: 9 Greylag Goose, 13 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 1 Swift, 2 Moorhen, 12 Oystercatcher, 12 Lapwing, 3 Golden Plover, 46 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 22 Curlew, 72 Turnstone, 5 Knot, 15 Ruff, 3 Sanderling, 16 Dunlin, 41 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 17 Redshank, 49 Common Gull, 2 Guillemot, 1 Puffin, 1 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 91 Skylark, 53 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 9 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 5 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Redstart, 6 Whinchat, 127 Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtail, 6 White Wagtail, 53 alba Wagtail, 306 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 95 Rock Pipit, 63 Twite, 2 Linnet, 1 Siskin
Other wildlife: 19 Red Admiral, 6 Painted Lady, 1 Hummingbird Hawkmoth, 9 Shetland Bee
Year list: 169
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3rd September 2025
Weather: Overcast, with rain for much of the afternoon. F3-6 SE
A day that felt ‘rarer’ than it turned out to be, with a change from the prevailing sunny skies to a murkier day. An addition to the yearlist came in the form of a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, that spent the day on North Haven beach, grazing seaweed.
Brent Goose is roughly annual on Fair Isle, with the majority of records being pale-bellied birds (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Brent Goose: a pale-bellied bird in North Haven
Sightings of note: 2 Greylag Goose, 8 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 1 Swift, 1 Collared Dove, 4 Moorhen, 20 Oystercatcher, 10 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 64 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 19 Curlew, 60 Turnstone, 13 Knot, 10 Ruff, 3 Sanderling, 22 Dunlin, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 29 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 18 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 64 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 4 Puffin, 1 Cormorant, 6 Grey Heron, 1 Merlin, 102 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 26 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Whinchat, 38 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 50 alba Wagtail, 264 Meadow Pipit, 100 Rock Pipit, 66 Twite, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Siskin
Other wildlife: 2 Shetland Bee
Year list: 169
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2nd September 2025
Weather: Bright and breezy, with the wind dropping slightly through the day. F5-7 S
A day of little change, though an Icterine Warbler trapped in the Gully on an after-tea trap round hinted at some late afternoon movement. An early seawatch from South Light didn’t produce the hoped-for large shearwater, though some Manx Shearwater and a late Common Tern provided some compensation. A Pipistrelle sp. (a rare visitor here) was seen hawking over the Obs garden at dusk, though disappeared before any bat detectors could be scrambled to ID it to species.
Jonnie again providing the good luck on an evening trap round, this time with an Icterine Warbler (Jonnie Fisk)
HIGHLIGHTS
Icterine Warbler: one trapped in Gully in the evening
Barred Warbler: lingering ringed birds at the Obs and Burkle
Sightings of note: 9 Greylag Goose, 15 Wigeon, 26 Teal, 4 Swift, 27 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing, 3 Golden Plover, 57 Ringed Plover, 23 Curlew, 80 Turnstone, 5 Knot, 13 Ruff, 1 Sanderling, 16 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 20 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 44 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 59 Common Gull, 1 Guillemot, 4 Razorbill, 7 Manx Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 97 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 17 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Whinchat, 55 Wheatear, 3 Pied Wagtail, 51 alba Wagtail, 287 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 129 Rock Pipit, 103 Twite, 1 Lesser Redpoll
Other wildlife: 4 Painted Lady, 3 Shetland Bee, 1 Bat sp.
Year list: 168
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1st September 2025
Weather: Breezy and sunny again. F6-8 SSE
The strong winds made birding the crofts tricky today, and an optimistic seawatch in the afternoon wasn’t much more successful. The fourth Barred Warbler of the autumn was trapped in the Vaadal before lunch, and a Grasshopper Warbler was new in the Pund nettles.
Fulmars were enjoying the strong updrafts at the cliffs today (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile still around Chalet
Barred Warbler: a new bird trapped in the Vaadal
Sightings of note: 9 Greylag Goose, 9 Wigeon, 19 Teal, 13 Oystercatcher, 12 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 32 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 15 Curlew, 27 Turnstone, 8 Knot, 9 Ruff, 17 Dunlin, 8 Purple Sandpiper, 33 Snipe, 7 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 62 Common Gull, 4 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 103 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 11 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 41 Wheatear, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 26 alba Wagtail, 314 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 92 Rock Pipit, 124 Twite, 3 Lesser Redpoll
Other wildlife: 2 Painted Lady, 1 Silver Y, 3 Shetland Bee
Year list: 168
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31st August 2025
Weather: Breezy and sunny. F5-7 SSE
A quieter day, with most of yesterday’s birds having seemingly quickly moved on. Highlight of the day was undoubtedly a Wryneck seen at the Vaadal, where it was later trapped, delighting admirers with its namesake contortions. After a blank spring, it was also a welcome addition to our somewhat stagnant yearlist.
The intricate plumage detail of a Wryneck (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male still at Midway
Wryneck: one trapped in the Vaadal
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile still around Chalet
Barred Warbler: both still present, at Burkle and the Obs
Sightings of note: 8 Greylag Goose, 5 Wigeon, 23 Teal, 19 Oystercatcher, 10 Lapwing, 5 Golden Plover, 42 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 21 Curlew, 32 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 8 Ruff, 24 Dunlin, 31 Snipe, 9 Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 6 Kittiwake, 17 Common Gull, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Razorbill, 1 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 137 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 16 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Whinchat, 65 Wheatear, 1 Pied Wagtail, 25 alba Wagtail, 295 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 130 Rock Pipit, 73 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Redpoll sp.,1 Siskin
Other wildlife: 5 Painted Lady, 6 Shetland Bee
Year list: 168
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30th August 2025
Weather: A calm day, gradually clearing to a very warm and sunny afternoon. F3-5 SE
The best day of the autumn so far, with a small but welcome arrival of birds occurring throughout the day. A new Barred Warbler and two Wood Warbler were the scarcity highlights, along with a scattering of Pied Flycatcher, most of which were sheltering on the west cliffs.
Always a pleasure to catch a Barred Warbler (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male again at Midway
Wood Sandpiper: one flew over the Airstrip
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile still around Chalet
Barred Warbler: one still at Burkle, with a new bird trapped at the Obs
Wood Warbler: singles at Mavers Geo and Upper Stoneybrek
An intruding Willow Warbler being taught the concept of personal space by a Wood Warbler at Upper Stoneybrek (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 9 Greylag Goose, 6 Wigeon, 16 Teal, 1 Swift, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 20 Oystercatcher, 4 Lapwing, 3 Golden Plover, 63 Ringed Plover, 27 Curlew, 39 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 7 Ruff, 11 Dunlin, 20 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 10 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Kittiwake, 16 Common Gull, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Guillemot, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Carrion Crow, 98 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 28 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Robin, 13 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Whinchat, 63 Wheatear, 5 Pied Wagtail, 4 White Wagtail, 29 alba Wagtail, 358 Meadow Pipit, 3 Tree Pipit, 108 Rock Pipit, 64 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Siskin
Other wildlife: 5 Red Admiral, 3 Painted Lady, 1 Silver Y, 7 Shetland Bee, 3 Risso’s Dolphin
Year list: 167
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28th – 29th August 2025
Weather: South and south-easterly throughout. F4-5 SSE
Another relatively quiet couple of days, though the 28th saw the first Pied Flycatcher, Redstart and Whinchat of the autumn logged. Sightings from a boat a few miles east of the isle on 29th included two Great Shearwater, still an excellent Fair Isle bird despite their recent increases in these northern waters.
Small numbers of Ruff have been a constant presence for most of August (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male again touring the crofts
Wood Sandpiper: one at Vatnagard on 29th
Great Shearwater: two seen from a boat 7 miles east of the isle on 29th
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile still around Chalet
Barred Warbler: lingering bird trapped at Burkle
Sightings of note (high counts): 9 Greylag Goose, 5 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 1 Collared Dove, 2 Moorhen, 13 Oystercatcher, 19 Lapwing, 6 Golden Plover, 94 Ringed Plover, 11 Whimbrel, 16 Curlew, 50 Turnstone, 3 Knot, 5 Ruff, 1 Sanderling, 17 Dunlin, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 29 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 25 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 37 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Guillemot, 1 Puffin, 20 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 90 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 18 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 63 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Pied Wagtail, 27 alba Wagtail, 391 Meadow Pipit, 84 Rock Pipit, 97 Twite, 2 Linnet, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Redpoll sp, 1 Siskin
Other wildlife: 4 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Silver Y, 11 Shetland Bee
Year list: 167
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27th August 2025
Weather: Gloriously sunny, with a strengthening breeze. F3-5 SSE
A beautiful day in the isle, and the continued south-easterly airflow at last delivered a handful of migrants, the best of which was a new Barred Warbler at North Shirva. Common migrant arrivals included a handful of early Goldcrest, some Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler and an early Fieldfare.
An unusually showy Barred Warbler (Alex Penn)
A handful of waders were also new in, including this crisp juvenile Knot at Easter Lother Water (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male again touring the crofts
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile still around Chalet
Barred Warbler: one at North Shirva
The calm and sunny weather also encouraged some butterfly movement (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 6 Greylag Goose, 4 Teal, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 25 Oystercatcher, 19 Lapwing, 3 Golden Plover, 42 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 33 Curlew, 81 Turnstone, 5 Knot, 3 Ruff, 2 Sanderling, 14 Dunlin, 15 Snipe, 22 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Guillemot, 2 Puffin, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 6 Swallow, 9 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Fieldfare, 7 Pied Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 15 alba Wagtail, 14 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Redpoll sp, 1 Siskin
Other wildlife: 11 Red Admiral, 2 Painted Lady, 2 Silver Y, 10 Shetland Bee, 2 Minke Whale, 4+ White-beaked Dolphin
Year list: 166
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26th August 2025
Weather: Overcast and murky, brightening later. F5-6 SSE
A disappointingly quiet day given the strong south-easterly winds, with very few new passerine arrivals. Some wader movement was evident however, and a handful of Wigeon over the sea hinted at what’s to come.
It’s the time of year when wayward and inexperienced newly-fledged Fulmars appear in many of the isle’s fields and mires (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile still around Chalet
Sightings of note: 8 Greylag Goose, 6 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 9 Oystercatcher, 18 Lapwing, 5 Golden Plover, 60 Ringed Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 28 Curlew, 91 Turnstone, 3 Knot, 8 Ruff, 2 Sanderling, 14 Dunlin, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 30 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 14 Redshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 47 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Common Tern, 5 Arctic Tern, 3 Arctic Skua, 3 Guillemot, 1 Puffin, 1 Manx Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 86 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 6 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 82 Wheatear, 9 Pied Wagtail, 9 White Wagtail, 31 alba Wagtail, 271 Meadow Pipit, 83 Rock Pipit, 49 Twite, 1 Linnet, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Siskin
Other wildlife: 1 Shetland Bee
Year list: 166
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25th August 2025
Weather: Foggy through the morning, burning off early afternoon. F4-6 SE
Thick fog dominated the morning, but by lunchtime the skies had begun to clear, so an afternoon census was done. Sadly though, we had little to show for it despite the promising wind direction, with scant evidence of any new birds dropping in.
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male still around Shirva
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile still around Chalet
Sightings of note: 2 Greylag Goose, 4 Teal, 1 Collared Dove, 2 Moorhen, 33 Oystercatcher, 2 Golden Plover, 40 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 27 Curlew, 20 Turnstone, 7 Ruff, 20 Dunlin, 31 Snipe, 9 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 3 Black-headed Gull, 4 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Arctic Skua, 1 Guillemot, 1 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 99 Skylark, 5 Swallow, 9 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 86 Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtail, 16 Pied Wagtail, 6 White Wagtail, 20 alba Wagtail, 249 Meadow Pipit, 82 Rock Pipit, 86 Twite, 2 Linnet, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin
Other wildlife: 5 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 9 Shetland Bee
Year list: 166
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24th August 2025
Weather: Overcast with a light south-easterly breeze. F3-4 SE
A rather slow day bird wise, and perhaps less than we were expecting with the winds swinging to the southeast. However, the first Wood Warbler of the autumn was seen briefly at Schoolton and raised hopes for the coming week of continued favourable winds. A Common Whitethroat was also new in, and the Grey Heron count grew to nine. The small juvenile Merlin that has been zipping around the isle was seen to be ringed, most likely from a Shetland nest. In the evening the Obs was treated to a music night from a local folk singer and our resident isle guitarist Neil Thomson.
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male still
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile still around Chalet
Wood Warbler: one at Schoolton
Sightings of note: 10 Greylag Goose, 4 Teal, 1 Collared Dove, 2 Moorhen, 42 Oystercatcher, 12 Lapwing, 5 Golden Plover, 36 Ringed Plover, 52 Curlew, 60 Turnstone, 2 Knot, 8 Ruff, 1 Sanderling, 17 Dunlin, 23 Snipe, 16 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 4 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 5 Arctic Skua, 1 Puffin, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Cormorant, 9 Grey Heron, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 87 Skylark, 7 Swallow, 9 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 106 Wheatear, 13 Pied Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 17 alba Wagtail, 226 Meadow Pipit, 64 Rock Pipit, 56 Twite, 1 Siskin
Other wildlife: 3 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 13 Shetland Bee
Year list: 166
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22nd – 23rd August 2025
A rather quiet couple of days, though winds dropping away to nothing on 23rd did drift the first Icterine Warbler of the autumn our way, with a bird in the bracken at Furse. A Pied Flycatcher at Setter was another welcome arrival, and just the third of the year after a very quiet spring.
Small numbers of Ruff continue to find the cut silage fields to their liking (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male still
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile still around Chalet
Icterine Warbler: one at Furse on 23rd
Sightings of note (high counts): 7 Greylag Goose, 1 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 36 Oystercatcher, 10 Lapwing, 5 Golden Plover, 41 Ringed Plover, 52 Curlew, 79 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 7 Ruff, 2 Sanderling, 31 Dunlin, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 45 Snipe, 7 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 5 Black-headed Gull, 7 Common Gull, 12 Arctic Skua, 1 Guillemot, 9 Puffin, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 2 Cormorant, 8 Grey Heron, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 112 Skylark, 9 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 13 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Robin, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 106 Wheatear, 16 Pied Wagtail, 4 White Wagtail, 32 alba Wagtail, 251 Meadow Pipit, 86 Rock Pipit, 47 Twite, 3 Linnet, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Siskin
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Peacock, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Silver Y, 19 Shetland Bee, 21 Harbour Porpoise
Year list: 166
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19th – 21st August 2025
A few days of little change, with stubborn northerly-based winds not encouraging much in the way of movement through the isle. The Eastern Subalpine Warbler was at last trapped and ringed, when it dared to move as far as Burkle, after being with us for over two months now. The sheltered sides of the isle also saw some further cetacean sightings, with a Minke Whale off the South Light and two pods of Risso’s Dolphin seen.
Having now completed its moult, it's likely the Eastern Subalpine Warbler won't be staying much longer (Deryk Shaw)
Always an unlikely-looking migrant, small numbers of Grey Heron are passing through the isle currently (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male still on 20th, when trapped and ringed at Burkle
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile still around Chalet
Barred Warbler: one still at Chalet to 20th
The Obs moth trap is run on suitable nights, with Autumnal Rustic a regular feature at present – the dark ‘edda’ form on the left occurs in Shetland (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note (high counts): 5 Greylag Goose, 7 Teal, 1 Swift, 1 Woodpigeon, 3 Collared Dove, 2 Moorhen, 60 Oystercatcher, 3 Lapwing, 3 Golden Plover, 43 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 49 Curlew, 57 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 7 Ruff, 4 Sanderling, 27 Dunlin, 7 Purple Sandpiper, 44 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 22 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 6 Black-headed Gull, 21 Common Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 22 Arctic Skua, 2 Guillemot, 47 Puffin, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 5 Cormorant, 7 Grey Heron, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 144 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 15 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 194 Wheatear, 3 Grey Wagtail, 20 Pied Wagtail, 4 White Wagtail, 28 alba Wagtail, 290 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 95 Rock Pipit, 105 Twite, 2 Linnet, 4 Crossbill, 2 Siskin
Other wildlife: 3 Red Admiral, 8 Shetland Bee, 1 Minke Whale, 6 Risso’s Dolphin
Year list: 166
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16th – 18th August 2025
A few days taken up with mornings of census, and afternoons helping out with baling some of the isle’s silage fields. Between baling fields on the afternoon of 16th, a gorgeous juvenile Red-necked Phalarope was found paddling around Da Water – likely a Shetland-raised bird, it still had traces of fluff still around its head and neck. Another pleasant surprise came in the form of a Greenish Warbler at Wirvie on 18th, our second of the year. Cetacean sightings have finally begun to pick up too, with a pod of Risso's Dolphin and some Harbour Porpoise seen off the south of the isle.
Our first Red-necked Phalarope since 2022, with the last migrant juvenile being in 2014 (Alex Penn)
A Greenish Warbler on a cliff is worth at least two in a bush (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male still on 18th
Red-necked Phalarope: juvenile on Da Water
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile still around Chalet
Greenish Warbler: one at Wirvie on 18th
Barred Warbler: one still at Chalet
With such a poor spring for shrikes, this juvenile Red-backed is just the fourth of the year (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note (high counts): 6 Greylag Goose, 2 Teal, 2 Collared Dove, 2 Moorhen, 55 Oystercatcher, 11 Lapwing, 4 Golden Plover, 37 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 25 Curlew, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 27 Turnstone, 11 Ruff, 3 Sanderling, 18 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 39 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 35 Redshank, 4 Black-headed Gull, 64 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 27 Arctic Skua, 2 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 185 Storm Petrel, 8 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 117 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 10 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Reed Warbler, 3 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 212 Wheatear, 3 Grey Wagtail, 20 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 20 alba Wagtail, 313 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 105 Rock Pipit, 87 Twite, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 5 Crossbill
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 4 Painted Lady, 1 Peacock, 15 Shetland Bee, 5+ Harbour Porpoise, 12 Risso’s Dolphin
Year list: 166
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14th – 15th August 2025
A better couple of days of passage, with light southeasterlies swinging to a more brisk NW breeze, and patchy low cloud. The first Barred Warbler and Red-backed Shrike of the autumn appeared together at Chalet, and some light wader movement included the year’s first Little Stint.
To be dwarfed by a Dunlin, you have to be truly tiny (Luke Marriner)
A pulse of Willow Warbler movement was very welcome, with lemon-yellow youngsters flicking through Angelica and along fencelines (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male still
Little Stint: juvenile in Muckle Uri Geo on 14th
Wood Sandpiper: one over Burkle on 15th
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile around Chalet on 15th
Barred Warbler: one at Chalet on 15th
Sightings of note (high counts): 5 Greylag Goose, 2 Teal, 1 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 2 Moorhen, 80 Oystercatcher, 9 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 40 Ringed Plover, 21 Curlew, 27 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 5 Ruff, 6 Sanderling, 38 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 41 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 20 Redshank, 3 Black-headed Gull, 137 Common Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 23 Arctic Skua, 5 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 129 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 8 Swallow, 26 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 184 Wheatear, 4 Grey Wagtail, 22 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 10 alba Wagtail, 271 Meadow Pipit, 94 Rock Pipit, 55 Twite, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Crossbill
Other wildlife: 9 Red Admiral, 14 Painted Lady, 2 Peacock, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 12 Shetland Bee
Year list: 165
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12th – 13th August 2025
A quiet couple of days of census, though a Stormie ringing session on 12th did produce a Leach’s Petrel, in addition to 281 Storm Petrels caught. With no sightings or captures during sessions last year, it was a welcome sight and sound as it sang in the hand. A handful of new birds were noted on 13th, with light SE winds bringing a scattering of common warblers to the croft gardens.
The first Leach’s Petrel ringed of the year, after a blank in 2024 (Alex Penn)
The isle’s burns and mires are full of newly-fledged Snipe (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male still
Leach’s Petrel: one trapped at the Haven on 12th
Sightings of note (high counts): 7 Greylag Goose, 2 Teal, 1 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 70 Oystercatcher, 16 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 62 Ringed Plover, 26 Curlew, 29 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 8 Ruff, 5 Sanderling, 19 Dunlin, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 25 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 45 Redshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 215 Common Gull, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 23 Arctic Skua, 1 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 285 Storm Petrel, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Peregrine, 1 Carrion Crow, 156 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 9 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 255 Wheatear, 3 Grey Wagtail, 32 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 4 alba Wagtail, 299 Meadow Pipit, 111 Rock Pipit, 62 Twite, 7 Crossbill, 6 Siskin
Other wildlife: 13 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 4 Peacock, 8 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Silver Y, 1 Hummingbird Hawkmoth, 12 Shetland Bee
Year list: 163
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4th – 11th August 2025
The transition from summer to autumn begins, with the final bits of seabird work being undertaken, and the first autumn census carried out on 10th after a week of wild weather. Though migrants are thin on the ground yet, a scattering of warblers and a pulse of wader movement have kept things interesting enough. The resident Eastern Subalpine Warbler has now completed its moult and begun to wander the crofts a little, so perhaps will be moving on soon.
Wader movement over the last few days has included this Dutch-ringed Sanderling (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male still on 10th and 11th
Wood Sandpiper: juvenile at Suka Mire on 11th
Sightings of note (high counts through the period): 6 Greylag Goose, 1 Teal, 3 Collared Dove, 2 Moorhen, 54 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing, 3 Golden Plover, 48 Ringed Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 15 Curlew, 70 Turnstone, 2 Knot, 13 Ruff, 19 Sanderling, 164 Dunlin, 38 Purple Sandpiper, 29 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 54 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 13 Black-headed Gull, 159 Common Gull, 18 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 32 Arctic Tern, 21 Arctic Skua, 3 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 1 Red-throated Diver, 6 Storm Petrel, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 2 Manx Shearwater, 3 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 125 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 178 Wheatear, 4 Grey Wagtail, 22 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 260 Meadow Pipit, 119 Rock Pipit, 48 Twite, 3 Linnet, 6 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Crossbill
Other wildlife: 14 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Peacock, 8 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Silver Y, 4 Shetland Bee
Year list: 162
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1st – 3rd August 2025
Little change over these few days, with us firmly in the lull between the end of summer and autumn beginning its first teetering steps. The headline news concerned the fledging of a brood of Grey Wagtail in the Gully – just the third time in isle history that this species has bred here. The first fledged Kittiwake of the year was also seen, floating on paddle-shaped wings around Furse, and the first Ruff of the autumn graced Da Water between touring the recently-cut silage fields.
A stumpy-tailed fledgling Grey Wagtail in the Gully stream (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male still at Shirva on 2nd
Sightings of note (high counts through the period): 6 Greylag Goose, 3 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 58 Oystercatcher, 8 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 26 Ringed Plover, 22 Curlew, 21 Turnstone, 1 Ruff, 2 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 49 Redshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Common Tern, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Peregrine, 1 Carrion Crow, 5 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Grey Wagtail, 3 Linnet, 9 Mealy Redpoll
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral, 2 Silver Y, 10 Shetland Bee
Year list: 161
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26th – 31st July 2025
A busy few days of isle events, with an island wedding, the first hill caa of the year, and the first music night to take place in the new Obs building. Between this, further end-of-season seabird monitoring took place, and a trickle of wader and tern movement was evident, though numbers remain very low with the settled pleasant weather meaning birds have little need to stop on their journeys southwards.
Arctic Skua chicks are now fledging, with this adult keeping a watchful eye (Alex Penn)
A night of music in the Obs lounge enjoyed by residents and visitors alike (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male still at Shirva on 26th
Sightings of note (high counts through the period): 4 Greylag Goose, 3 Collared Dove, 2 Moorhen, 14 Lapwing, 3 Golden Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 10 Curlew, 20 Turnstone, 2 Knot, 2 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 13 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 41 Redshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Tern, 1 Cormorant, 5 Grey Heron, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Peregrine, 1 Carrion Crow, 5 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Linnet, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 4 Redpoll sp., 1 Crossbill
Other wildlife: 1 Large White, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Painted Lady, 4 Peacock, 1 Silver Y, 4 Shetland Bee, 3 Green Lacewing, 1 Minke Whale
Year list: 161
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15th – 25th July 2025
As seabird season begins to wind down for another year, jobs are being ticked off and thoughts begin to turn to autumn. The cliffs will be empty of auks soon, with Razorbills now all but gone, and the last Guillemots running the gauntlet of skuas and gulls as they race to get their chicks to the safety of open water. The first Bonxie chicks have taken to the air, and Arctic Skuas are not far behind – heartening to see some Skootie chicks reaching fledging size after last year’s washout breeding season. Another visit from Orca - this time the bachelor bull duo of Hulk and Nott - was very welcome, and they put on a good show as they hunted close inshore along the east coast.
The last few tags have been deployed on Guillemot this week (Alex Penn)
Patchy haar making for dramatic scenes around Sheep Rock (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male still at Shirva intermittently
Our few Arctic Skua chicks are growing up (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note (high counts through the period): 2 Greylag Goose, 1 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 1 Swift, 3 Collared Dove, 2 Moorhen, 55 Oystercatcher, 12 Lapwing, 3 Whimbrel, 25 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 27 Turnstone, 2 Knot, 12 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 41 Redshank, 8 Black-headed Gull, 96 Common Gull, 13 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Northern Diver, 172 Storm Petrel, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Peregrine, 1 Carrion Crow, 13 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Wagtail, 4 Linnet, 3 Redpoll sp., 1 Crossbill
Other wildlife: 25 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 7 Silver Y, thousands of Diamondback Moth, 1 Hummingbird Hawkmoth, 1 Shetland Bee, 6 Green Lacewing, 2 Orca
Year list: 160
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8th – 14th July 2025
A varied period of work and wildlife, with seabird monitoring work comprising lots of Bonxie chick ringing, Guillemot tagging as part of the Aukestra project, ringing of Arctic Tern chicks, and the first Storm Petrel catching sessions of the year. It’s been an exciting few days of other wildlife too, with the remains of an Emperor dragonfly found on 11th (Fair Isle’s third confirmed Odonata sp., with a total of just eight dragonfly records), an invasion of Bird-cherry Ermine on 14th which saw hundreds floating off the sea and up the cliffs at Roskillie, and a visit from some of the 27s pod of Orca on 10th, putting on a brilliant evening show as they hunted around Buness before meandering south along the isle’s east coast.
Bull 034 from the 27s pod as they passed Buness (Alex Penn)
Stormie sessions are a highlight of the ringing year (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male still at Shirva intermittently
Quail: one at Quoy on 10th
One of hundreds of Bird-cherry Ermine at Roskillie – previously there had been just one record of this attractive micromoth (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 3 Greylag Goose, 4 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 7 Swift, 4 Collared Dove, 2 Moorhen, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, 9 Purple Sandpiper, 27 Redshank, 1 Great Northern Diver, 86 Storm Petrel, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Peregrine, 1 Carrion Crow, 4 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Linnet, 6 Mealy Redpoll, 18 Crossbill, 2 Siskin
Other wildlife: 1 Large White, 2 Red Admiral, hundreds of Diamondback Moth, 1 Hummingbird Hawkmoth, 11 Magpie Moth, 2 Shetland Bee, 2 Green Lacewing, 6 Orca
Year list: 160
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29th June – 7th July 2025
A busy few days of seabird work, with the more settled weather allowing us to get a good number of jobs done. Several trips in the boat to east coast geos were undertaken, allowing GLS tags to be retrieved and deployed on Razorbill, as well as for good numbers of auks and Shags to be ringed, in what seems to be a reasonable year of productivity – great to see busy and healthy colonies. The boat-based west coast sections of whole-island counts were also completed, and a calm morning for Puffin food sampling showed that birds this year are bringing in a mixture of sizeable gadoids, rockling and some small, glassy sandeels.
Away from the seabirds, Dunlin have again bred in the isle, with a brood of three chicks ringed on Vatnagard, and Moorhen have also bred at Da Water, with four small chicks seen. At least one Great Reed Warbler remains, with an unringed bird confirmed at the Haa on 5th, and the male Eastern Subalpine Warbler popped up again.
A better year for the Shags, with several broods now colour-ringed along the east coast (Alex Penn)
Very calm sea conditions allowed for a rare visit through the caves of Sheep Rock – a place few are lucky enough to have been! (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
GREAT REED WARBLER: at least one still present to 6th
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male seen again on 1st and 6th
Marsh Warbler: up to two at Chalet throughout
The second year in a row that Dunlin have hatched young in the isle (Jonnie Fisk)
Sightings of note: 6 Greylag Goose, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Swift, 2 Woodpigeon, 3 Collared Dove, 2 Moorhen, 50 Oystercatcher, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 8 Redshank, 4 Black-headed Gull, 38 Common Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Peregrine, 1 Carrion Crow, 1 Sand Martin, 9 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Stonechat, 2 Linnet, 1 Redpoll sp., 14 Crossbill, 2 Siskin
Other wildlife: 2 Painted Lady, 1 Silver Y, 7 Magpie Moth, 3 Shetland Bee
Year list: 160
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22nd – 28th June 2025
An unsettled period punctuated by days of rain and strong winds has meant that any seabird work has had to be crammed into breaks in the weather. Despite this, the team have been busy, with Bonxie nest-mapping now completed (showing an encouraging small rise again on last year’s total), further visits to Arctic Skua territories and our Razorbill productivity plot, and boat-based whole-island counts along the isle’s east and north coasts. Though migration has now slowed to little more than a trickle, a couple of new Marsh Warbler and a late Icterine Warbler were welcome new arrivals, as well as an unseasonal Glaucous Gull on 26th. Common migrants have included a Goosander flying north on 22nd, a male Stonechat on 28th and continuing small numbers of Crossbill. Fine weather on 26th also saw our first Hummingbird Hawkmoths of the year recorded, amongst a small influx of butterflies.
Counting Gannets on the backs of the north coast stacks (Alex Penn)
Many transient Marsh Warblers stop to sing for short periods, with this bird reeling off at least 13 species amongst its impressions (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
GREAT REED WARBLER: ringed bird still resident at Schoolton throughout
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: male seen at Shirva again on 22nd
Glaucous Gull: an immature over Buness on 26th
Marsh Warbler: a singing bird at Chalet from 22nd to at least 27th, with another trapped at Shirva on 25th
Icterine Warbler: one trapped in Plantation on 25th
Sightings of note: 4 Greylag Goose, 1 Teal, 1 Goosander, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Swift, 1 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 2 Golden Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Turnstone, 3 Dunlin, 5 Redshank, 3 Black-headed Gull, 60 Common Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Stonechat, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Linnet, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 19 Crossbill, 1 Siskin
Other wildlife: 10 Red Admiral, 11 Painted Lady, 4 Silver Y, 1 Diamondback Moth, 2 Hummingbird Hawkmoth, 3 Shetland Bee
Year list: 160
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18th – 21st June 2025
A busy period of mostly seabird work, playing catch up after a start to June that has been dominated by poorer weather. The land-based elements of all our whole-island counts have now been completed, along with the bulk of the annual Gannet count. Guillemot plot counts have been finished, Arctic Skua nests have been mapped, and further progress has been made on the long task that is Bonxie nest-mapping. A calm afternoon on 20th allowed us to get out in the boat to some east coast geos in search of Razorbills, to retrieve tags that were deployed on adults in 2024 and to redeploy more. It's great to see the auk colonies looking much healthier than last year, with chicks appearing in good numbers in the last week or so.
With fluffy chicks appearing in nests across the heather now, the Bonxies are at their most aggressive stage (Alex Penn)
Away from seabird work, the Peregrines have successfully fledged four chicks, fed mostly on a diet of Puffin! The ringed Great Reed Warbler continues its residence, and the long-staying Nightjar was trapped in the Gully on 19th. Our third Osprey of the spring was seen over Wirvie on 19th, and a Quail was flushed from beside the Obs building on 21st.
After playing cat-and-mouse for several days around the Gully trap, the female Nightjar was finally caught and ringed (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
GREAT REED WARBLER: ringed bird still at Schoolton or Shirva throughout
Quail: one flushed at the Obs on 21st
Nightjar: female trapped in Gully on 19th, with presumably the same bird seen hunting around the Shirva moth trap overnight on 18th and 20th
Osprey: one drifted north over Wirvie on 19th
An oddity amongst the flock of non-breeding Oystercatchers on 18th with this beautiful pure white bird (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 23 Greylag Goose, 1 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Swift, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 7 Black-headed Gull, 24 Common Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Cormorant, 1 Kestrel, 6 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 9 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 14 Crossbill
Other wildlife: 8 Red Admiral, 7 Painted Lady, 5 Silver Y, 4 Shetland Bee, 1 Green Lacewing, 1 Harbour Porpoise
Year list: 159
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13th – 17th June 2025
Weather: Mixed, though mostly breezy with extended periods of damp and fog.
A few days dominated by poorer weather, with seabird jobs slotted into any breaks in the weather. Good progress has been made on Bonxie mapping and Arctic Tern nest counts despite the breezier conditions, and the more unsuitable points for seabird work have been put to good use covering odd jobs, such as the creation of an Obs compost! Though numbers of migrant birds around the isle remain very low, there have been some excellent highlights, headlined by the fourth Subalpine Warbler of the year – a fine male Eastern at Shirva on 17th. A Greenish Warbler in the Gully on 13th was a pleasant surprise, and a Great Reed Warbler at the Haa on 16th was amazingly unringed – a very useful straightforward way to prove it as a new arrival, with the previous bird having been trapped at the Obs.
The first spring Greenish Warbler since 2020 (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
GREAT REED WARBLER: one still at the Obs to 14th, with an unringed bird at the Haa and Schoolton on 16th-17th
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: a male at Shirva on 17th
Greenish Warbler: one trapped in the Gully on 13th remained until the next day (63rd isle record, 13th in spring)
Marsh Warbler: two, at Lower Leogh and Chalet on 17th
Icterine Warbler: one at Schoolton on 16th-17th
Nightjar: female again at Gully on 16th
Sightings of note: 1 Barnacle Goose, 6 Greylag Goose, 1 Wigeon, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Swift, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Redshank, 4 Black-headed Gull, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Cormorant, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 1 Carrion Crow, 18 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Blackbird, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Linnet, 7 Crossbill, 4 Siskin
Other wildlife: 21 Red Admiral, 14 Painted Lady, 11 Silver Y, 15 Diamond-backed Moth, 8 Shetland Bee, 1 Green Lacewing
Year list: 159
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10th – 12th June 2025
Weather: Mostly sunny, with a strengthening breeze swinging south-easterly.
A mixed few days of seabird work, marred by the team battling a particularly potent strain of lurgy as it works its way through all the Obs staff! The birding highlight was undoubtedly a Great Reed Warbler in the Obs garden on 12th – the 16th island record and first since 2021. Though skulking low in the blustery conditions, the bird showed well on occasions. What was presumed to be the same female Nightjar was also seen again around the Gully area on 10th and 12th.
The Great Reed Warbler showed well intermittently to a small crowd in the Obs lounge (Carla Hill)
HIGHLIGHTS
GREAT REED WARBLER: one at the Obs on 12th (16th island record)
Nightjar: female again around Gully on 10th and 12th
Bluethroat: female still at Lower Stoneybrek on 10th
Common Rosefinch: one singing at Schoolton on 11th
Sightings of note: 10 Greylag Goose, 1 Teal, 1 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 1 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 3 Linnet, 1 Redpoll sp, 4 Crossbill
Year list: 158
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9th June 2025
Weather: Calm and sunny, with rain in the late afternoon. F3-5 SW.
Another busy day of seabird work for the team, with Fulmar and Guillemot plot visits followed by an afternoon of Bonxie catching. There were a handful of new migrants in on the calm conditions, with a Ranger walk to Ward Hill rewarded with a surprise Quail at the summit, and singles of Bluethroat and Red-backed Shrike also new in.
A showy Bluethroat at Lower Stoneybrek (Ian Cowgill)
HIGHLIGHTS
Quail: one at the top of Ward Hill
Red-backed Shrike: female around Double Dyke
Bluethroat: female at Lower Stoneybrek
Blyth’s Reed Warbler: one still at the Obs
Sightings of note: 4 Greylag Goose, 1 Teal, 1 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Dunlin, 4 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Blue Fulmar, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Sand Martin, 8 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 flava Wagtail ssp, 2 Linnet, 1 Redpoll sp, 7 Crossbill
Other wildlife: 1 Shetland Bee
Year list: 157
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6th – 8th June 2025
Weather: Mostly calm and sunny, breezier on 8th.
A quiet few days migrant-wise, with the team focussed mostly on seabird work, catching up after the breezy start to June delayed monitoring efforts. Guillemot and Fulmar population plot visits have begun, as well as a first visit to the Easter Lother productivity plot for Razorbill, where a good number of nest sites were occupied. With several FIBOT directors in over the weekend, the extra eyes have been put to good use in carrying out sections of various whole-island counts that need to be undertaken this year – much appreciated help in what is a very busy part of the season. Work catching Bonxies for blood sampling work is also underway, with several breeding birds sampled over the last couple of afternoons. Though migrants have been thin on the ground, the 8th produced a couple of quality birds ringed - a female Nightjar trapped in Gully (the second record of the spring) and a Blyth’s Reed Warbler in the Obs nets in the evening.
EDIT: After publishing the website, a walk southwards in the calm of the evening proved well worth it, with Fair Isle’s third SCOPS OWL trapped in the Gully! Another June mega bird appearing out of the blue, with the previous records being in 2003 and 2006, making it an island tick for many and drawing a very appreciative crowd.
The scene after a surprise capture in the Gully (Alex Penn)
All three records have been found in the trapping areas - a treat to see such an amazing species close-up (Tom Wright)
Just the 10th Nightjar to be ringed in the isle (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
SCOPS OWL: one trapped in Gully on evening of 8th (third Fair Isle record)
Mute Swan: one still to 6th
Nightjar: female trapped in Gully on 8th
Turtle Dove: one still around Chalet to 6th
Blyth’s Reed Warbler: one trapped at the Obs on 8th
Sightings of note: 11 Greylag Goose, 1 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 109 Oystercatcher, 23 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 53 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 2 Dunlin, 4 Redshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 10 Common Gull, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Sand Martin, 10 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Linnet, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 16 Crossbill, 3 Siskin, 1 Snow Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral, 1 Silver Y, 8 Shetland Bee
Year list: 157
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5th June 2025
Weather: Sunny with occasional showers. F6-7 SW.
A rather quiet census today, with little in the way of new arrivals, as spring begins to come to a close. The Crossbill flock at Wirvie continued to slowly grow, and the Turtle Dove remained around Chalet. As the wind dropped through the afternoon, time was spent carrying out checks of the Kittiwake, Guillemot and Shag plots, with the first chicks of the year seen in the latter.
Several streaky juveniles are amongst the roving Crossbill flock in the Wirvie heather (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Mute Swan: one still
Turtle Dove: one still around Chalet
Sightings of note: 10 Greylag Goose, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 109 Oystercatcher, 23 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 53 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 10 Curlew, 1 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 6 Dunlin, 24 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Redshank, 2 Black-headed Gull, 47 Common Gull, 29 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 109 Skylark, 18 Swallow, 7 House Martin, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackbird, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 146 Wheatear, 7 Pied Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 162 Meadow Pipit, 62 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 20 Twite, 2 Linnet, 19 Crossbill, 2 Siskin
Other wildlife: 1 Silver Y, 5 Shetland Bee
Year list: 155
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4th June 2025
Weather: Light rain for much of the morning, clearing later. F10-6 SW.
Gale-force winds made census impossible this morning, but the team got out where they could, with a mixture of birding the areas that were safe to do so, and some chilly and rather unproductive seawatching. Another search for the Pallas’s Reed Bunting came up blank, despite Wirvie being relatively sheltered this afternoon. The first Curlew chicks of the year were seen, and the first of this year's Lapwing chicks took to the air, with fledged young seen at Da Water.
HIGHLIGHTS
Mute Swan: one still
Sightings of note: 68 Oystercatcher, 2 Golden Plover, 31 Ringed Plover, 10 Curlew, 3 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 2 Dunlin, 6 Redshank, 3 Black-headed Gull, 34 Common Gull, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Carrion Crow, 7 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Pied Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit, 15 Twite, 15 Crossbill, 1 Siskin
Year list: 155
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3rd June 2025
Weather: Sunny for most of the day, with a strong breeze. F6-8 SSW.
There was no sign of yesterday’s star bird today, though conditions were much more difficult to bird, with most small passerines keeping their heads down out of the strong winds. Tomorrow looks set to be similarly wild, with winds touching force 10 in the early morning.
Yesterday saw the beginning of the mass Starling fledging, with more broods appearing around the isle today (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Mute Swan: one still
Turtle Dove: one still around Chalet
Common Rosefinch: the reddish male still around Leogh
Sightings of note: 7 Greylag Goose, 1 Moorhen, 64 Oystercatcher, 23 Lapwing, 3 Golden Plover, 41 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 10 Curlew, 2 Dunlin, 24 Snipe, 8 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 87 Common Gull, 32 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Blue Fulmar, 2 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 73 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 29 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 116 Wheatear, 5 Pied Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 170 Meadow Pipit, 42 Rock Pipit, 18 Twite, 2 Linnet, 1 Redpoll sp., 16 Crossbill, 1 Siskin
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral, 1 Shetland Bee
Year list: 155
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2nd June 2025
Weather: Sunny spells. F4-7 W swinging to SSE.
Today was really only about one bird, with a stunning male Pallas’s Reed Bunting discovered early into a north census at Wirvie. Elusive and wary for much of the time, and ranging over a wide area between the Pietron cliffs and the upper Wirvie Burn, it took some time to relocate after a fleeting initial view. Happily, through the remainder of the day, most folk on the isle managed good views as it fed amongst the bracken and heather. Elsewhere, a handful of scarcities from recent days remained around the crofts, and a pod of dolphins were seen from a departing plane.
The third isle record of Pallas’s Reed Bunting, with previous birds in 1976 and 1981 (Alex Penn)
A vision in monochrome along Wirvie Burn (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
PALLAS’S REED BUNTING: a stunning male at Wirvie (5th for Britain, 3rd for Fair Isle)
Mute Swan: one still
Turtle Dove: one still around Chalet
Marsh Warbler: one singing at Schoolton
Icterine Warbler: one singing at Burkle
Common Rosefinch: the reddish male still around Leogh
Sightings of note: 11 Greylag Goose, 1 Teal, 1 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 101 Oystercatcher, 27 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 63 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 9 Curlew, 1 Turnstone, 4 Dunlin, 28 Snipe, 7 Redshank, 8 Common Gull, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Blue Fulmar, 2 Peregrine, 1 Carrion Crow, 89 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 46 Swallow, 12 House Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 142 Wheatear, 7 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 173 Meadow Pipit, 55 Rock Pipit, 12 Twite, 2 Linnet, 12 Crossbill, 1 Siskin, 1 Reed Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Red Admiral, 9 Shetland Bee, 3+ Dolphin sp.
Year list: 155
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1st June 2025
Weather: Sunny spells between heavy showers. F5-6 SW.
A day spent dodging heavy downpours, with several lingering scarcities as reward, as well as a handful of new birds including a male Rosefinch. A Nightjar was reported from the cruise ship Hondius in the early morning, flying over the sea around 5.5 miles southwest of the isle. The vast majority of yesterday’s Crossbill had apparently moved straight through, with just a handful seen today.
HIGHLIGHTS
Mute Swan: one still
Nightjar: one seen from MV Hondius 5.5 miles off the southwest of the isle early in the morning
Turtle Dove: one still around Chalet
Marsh Warbler: two: one at Wirvie and a singing bird still at Schoolton
Icterine Warbler: two: at Schoolton and Chalet
Common Rosefinch: a mobile reddish male initially at Chalet
Sightings of note: 10 Greylag Goose, 1 Teal, 1 Swift, 2 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen, 73 Oystercatcher, 20 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 62 Ringed Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 11 Curlew, 1 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin, 22 Snipe, 2 Redshank, 3 Black-headed Gull, 15 Common Gull, 30 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Carrion Crow, 112 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 30 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 7 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 104 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 4 Pied Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 169 Meadow Pipit, 34 Rock Pipit, 2 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 14 Twite, 2 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 5 Crossbill, 1 Siskin
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 4 Shetland Bee
Year list: 154
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31st May 2025
Weather: Overcast and breezy, with heavy rain in the evening. F5-6 SE.
Many of yesterday’s arrivals remained today, though birding was decidedly more difficult in the strong breeze. Crossbill were on the move, with an impressive minimum of 63 roving around the southwest of the isle, mainly around the cliffs. Though a regularly irruptive species, this is the highest count since 2009, and earlier than usual for birds to be moving in numbers, with peaks usually in late June or July. A good view of a male Golden Oriole was reported at Brecks by an isle resident, though sadly it was not relocated later in the day. The first two Reed Warbler of the year were also recorded today, and a fine male Bluethroat was trapped.
Few birds can beat a spring male Bluethroat (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
WESTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: female still at the Obs
Mute Swan: one still
Turtle Dove: one still at Chalet
Golden Oriole: a male seen at Brecks by a resident sadly did not reappear for the masses
Marsh Warbler: three: birds at Utra, Charlie’s Trees and Schoolton
Icterine Warbler: one at Schoolton, then the Haa
Bluethroat: male trapped in Plantation
Sightings of note: 10 Greylag Goose, 7 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Swift, 2 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 67 Oystercatcher, 33 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 38 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 16 Curlew, 5 Dunlin, 49 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 8 Common Gull, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Blue Fulmar, 2 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 126 Skylark, 19 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 127 Wheatear, 4 Pied Wagtail, 178 Meadow Pipit, 45 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 13 Twite, 2 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 63 Crossbill, 2 Siskin
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 4 Shetland Bee
Year list: 153
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30th May 2025
Weather: Calm and sunny. F2-3 W.
A beautiful day after yesterday’s rain, and one that became birdier as the day went on, with birds dropping in through the afternoon. By the end of the day, a light scattering of Bluethroat, Marsh Warbler, Icterine Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher was evident across the isle – much appreciated after what has been a long, quiet spring thus far. Other new-in highlights included a Quail at Schoolton, Turtle Dove around Chalet, Red-backed Shrike at Leogh and a White-tailed Eagle that drifted south. Yesterday’s Subalpine Warbler sp. also remained and proved to be a little more obliging today, as well as being heard to call briefly. It was trapped at Chalet in the afternoon, and deemed to be a Western.
Significantly better views today! (Carla Hill)
A particularly showy Bluethroat at the Obs (Steve Arlow)
HIGHLIGHTS
WESTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: yesterday’s female was trapped at Chalet
Quail: one at Schoolton
Mute Swan: one still
Turtle Dove: one at Chalet
White-tailed Eagle: one seen soaring over the Obs then glided south
Red-backed Shrike: a female at Lower Leogh
Marsh Warbler: three: birds at Utra, Burkle and Schoolton
Icterine Warbler: two: at Schoolton and Burkle
Bluethroat: three: birds at Obs, Burkle and Gilsetter
Common Rosefinch: one at Upper Stoneybrek
Sightings of note: 9 Greylag Goose, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen, 78 Oystercatcher, 25 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 40 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 11 Curlew, 3 Dunlin, 5 Redshank, 3 Black-headed Gull, 10 Common Gull, 11 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 126 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 44 Swallow, 8 House Martin, 8 Willow Warbler, 12 Chiffchaff, 11 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 9 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Whinchat, 148 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Pied Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 116 Meadow Pipit, 48 Rock Pipit, 14 Twite, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 3 Crossbill, 3 Siskin
Other wildlife: 7 Red Admiral, 9 Shetland Bee, 1 White-tailed Bumblebee
Year list: 151
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29th May 2025
Weather: Continuous light rain from mid-morning, becoming wetter and foggier through the day before finally clearing in the evening. F5-6 SE.
Damp conditions hampered birding for much of the day, though most of the isle was covered before census had to be abandoned as the weather worsened. There was an early shout of Orca, seen from the Good Shepherd as it left past Wirvie, though sadly they appeared not to have stuck around long and could not be relocated. A 2cy Little Gull was a highlight of a foreshortened census, flying east from Smirri Geo towards South Harbour before relocating to Da Water, as was a singing Rosefinch at Quoy. Bird of the day however had to wait until the evening, with the discovery of a skulky female Subalpine Warbler at Shirva – hopefully it remains until tomorrow when weather conditions will allow for easier viewing.
Crossbill are an unusual capture here, so catching three males together is quite a treat (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
SUBALPINE WARBLER SP.: A female at Shirva in the evening
Canada Goose: Two still
Mute Swan: One still at Da Water
Little Gull: A 2cy at Smirri Geo (40th isle record, and just the sixth in spring)
Common Rosefinch: One singing at Quoy
Little Gull dwarfed by its Black-headed cousins at Da Water (Carla Hill)
Sightings of note: 10 Greylag Goose, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 79 Oystercatcher, 22 Lapwing, 38 Ringed Plover, 8 Whimbrel, 8 Curlew, 4 Dunlin, 24 Snipe, 5 Redshank, 6 Black-headed Gull, 21 Common Gull, 19 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Kestrel, 27 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Dunnock, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 8 Twite, 5 Crossbill, 1 Siskin
Other wildlife: 1 Shetland Bee, 4+ Orca
Year list: 149
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28th May 2025
Weather: Mostly sunny with scattered showers. F5-6 W.
A good start to the day saw a female-type Red-breasted Flycatcher trapped in Plantation, which then went on to spend most of the rest of the day being remarkably elusive around the Obs garden. Other highlights included our second Sandwich Tern of the spring heard flying over Quoy, a male Hen Harrier past South Light, and a late Woodcock at Troila Geo.
Red-breasted Flycatcher in the hand (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
Canada Goose: Two still
Mute Swan: One still at Da Water
Sandwich Tern: One over Quoy
Red-breasted Flycatcher: A female-type trapped in Plantation
Sightings of note: 2 Barnacle Goose, 16 Greylag Goose, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Woodpigeon, 1 Moorhen, 110 Oystercatcher, 23 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 44 Ringed Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 11 Curlew, 3 Dunlin, 1 Woodcock, 29 Snipe, 6 Redshank, 38 Kittiwake, 24 Black-headed Gull, 33 Common Gull, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 200 Arctic Tern, 24 Arctic Skua, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 113 Skylark, 6 Sand Martin, 24 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Blackbird, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 101 Wheatear, 1 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 148 Meadow Pipit, 39 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 11 Twite, 2 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Crossbill, 2 Siskin
Other wildlife: 7 Red Admiral, 13 Shetland Bee
Year list: 147
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27th May 2025
Weather: Sunny spells between heavy showers. F4-6 SW.
A showery census yielded a few new migrant warblers in the crofts, as well as the first Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover chicks being seen. A Hawfinch dropped into the Obs garden before flying south, later being seen again at Chalet. The first Crossbill of the year was also seen briefly in the Obs garden, bringing the yearlist up to 146, a far cry from the 164 we were at this time last year!
A colour-ringed Starling seen at Schoolton was first ringed as a chick in 2017, making it 8 years old, with this being its first resighting - always surprising how many birds slip through unnoticed. The two Moorhen continue at Da Water, today showing signs of courting, raising the possibility of a late breeding attempt. Much of the afternoon was spent fencing off part of the Meadow Burn, to allow the existing reed-grass cover there chance to expand.
HIGHLIGHTS
Mute Swan: One still at Da Water
Hawfinch: One briefly at the Obs before moving south
A flying visit to the Obs garden by this smart male Crossbill (Steve Arlow)
Sightings of note: 18 Greylag Goose, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Woodpigeon, 2 Moorhen, 84 Oystercatcher, 21 Lapwing, 52 Ringed Plover, 5 Whimbrel, 12 Curlew, 4 Dunlin, 34 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 10 Redshank, 241 Kittiwake, 6 Black-headed Gull, 22 Common Gull, 33 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 14 Arctic Tern, 19 Arctic Skua, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 4 Carrion Crow, 110 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 22 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 106 Wheatear, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 164 Meadow Pipit, 51 Rock Pipit, 16 Twite, 2 Linnet, 1 Crossbill, 2 Siskin
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 2 Shetland Bee
Year list: 146
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26th May 2025
Weather: Sunny spells. F5-6 SW.
Today’s census was much the same, with very little new in even after the promising drop in winds and better weather. The day was not without a highlight though, with our first Whinchat being seen around Setter. It seems amazing that we have had to wait so long for our first, but it’s a welcome addition to the year list. There were also some encouraging signs in the seabirds, with multiple Guillemot eggs now in our productivity plot and the Kittiwakes have started gathering nesting material from Utra Scrape, a behaviour they only seem to do after some rain.
HIGHLIGHTS
Canada Goose: Two still around Meoness
Mute Swan: One still at Da Water
Sightings of note: 10 Greylag Goose, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 2 Moorhen, 94 Oystercatcher, 29 Lapwing, 31 Ringed Plover, 5 Whimbrel, 11 Curlew, 3 Dunlin, 12 Snipe, 5 Redshank, 42 Kittiwake, 6 Black-headed Gull, 6 Common Gull, 31 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 250+ Arctic Tern, 10 Arctic Skua, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 4 Carrion Crow, 74 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 17 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 1 Whinchat, 89 Wheatear, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 112 Meadow Pipit, 42 Rock Pipit, 22 Twite, 1 Linnet, 2 Siskin
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 5 Shetland Bee
Year list: 145
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24th-25th May 2025
Weather: A mix of fog and heavy rain showers for much of the period. F3-4 SE becoming F7-8 SW.
Inclement weather scuppered census for the 24th and 25th with thick fog, heavy rain showers and high winds making birding hard work. All was not lost however as some seawatching in SW winds produced our first Manx Shearwaters of the year, with four being seen from South Light. It also allowed us some much-needed time to catch up on paperwork, this revealing that we have seen our 25th colour-ringed Great Skua of the year so far. This is more than was seen during the whole of last year, hopefully early signs of a post bird flu recovery.
HIGHLIGHTS
Canada Goose: Two still around Meoness
Mute Swan: One still at Da Water
One of our colour-ringed Bonxies, 2H64 being a 2020 chick (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 13 Greylag Goose, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Collared Dove, 84 Oystercatcher, 29 Lapwing, 31 Ringed Plover, 9 Whimbrel, 11 Curlew, 3 Dunlin, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 12 Snipe, 7 Redshank, 32 Kittiwake, 5 Common Gull, 16 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 84 Arctic Tern, 18 Arctic Skua, 4 Manx Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 1 Peregrine, 4 Carrion Crow, 126 Skylark, 13 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 7 Twite
Year list: 144
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23rd May 2025
Weather: Cloudy start, clearing to sun. F3-4 N turning F1-2 SE.
A quiet start to the day with little uncovered in the way of new birds on the morning census then turned into a day for raptors, with six species being seen across the isle. Much of the afternoon was spent helping to plant the sacrificial crop strips, ready for the autumn. The raptor bonanza began at Setter, with an Osprey drifting north, followed by a cream-crown Marsh Harrier being picked up on the way to the Skadan crop. No more than 10 minutes later, an adult White-tailed Eagle glided through, harassing the Arctic Terns and Oystercatcher, whilst later in the afternoon, an adult male Hen Harrier and two Sparrowhawks were seen enjoying the thermals over the south of the isle. With our resident pair of Peregrines also zipping around, it was not a day to be a small bird!
Crop strips offer a valuable source of food and shelter for migrants in the autumn months (Deryk Shaw)
HIGHLIGHTS
Canada Goose: Two still
Mute Swan: One still at Da Water
Osprey: One flew north over Setter
White-tailed Eagle: An adult over Skadan, the second of the year
Marsh Harrier: A cream-crown over Utra
Sightings of note: 11 Barnacle Goose, 13 Greylag Goose, 1 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Collared Dove, 54 Oystercatcher, 16 Lapwing, 24 Ringed Plover, 4 Whimbrel, 10 Curlew, 3 Dunlin, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 24 Snipe, 3 Redshank, 37 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 24 Arctic Tern, 16 Arctic Skua, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hen Harrier, 2 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 126 Skylark, 42 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 116 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail ssp, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 154 Meadow Pipit, 29 Rock Pipit, 5 Twite, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Goldfinch
Other wildlife: 4 Red Admiral, 7 Shetland Bee
Year list: 143
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22nd May 2025
Weather: Mostly sunny, still with a strong breeze. F5-7 N.
New birds today could be counted on one hand, but when one of them is a spring male Rustic Bunting, a quiet census can be forgiven! A very smart individual was found mid-afternoon in the ditches between Upper Stoneybrek and the coast, being mobile around this area for the next couple of hours. Also new in today were a young male Hen Harrier, a Garden Warbler and a Mealy Redpoll.
The fifth consecutive spring to produce a Rustic Bunting record (Steve Arlow)
HIGHLIGHTS
RUSTIC BUNTING: A very smart male bouncing around ditches between Stoneybrek and Chalet
Canada Goose: Two still
Mute Swan: One still at Da Water
Sightings of note: 8 Greylag Goose, 2 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Collared Dove, 64 Oystercatcher, 20 Lapwing, 23 Ringed Plover, 6 Whimbrel, 10 Curlew, 2 Turnstone, 4 Dunlin, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 30 Snipe, 7 Redshank, 19 Kittiwake, 3 Black-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Arctic Tern, 29 Arctic Skua, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Carrion Crow, 99 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Black Redstart, 139 Wheatear, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 199 Meadow Pipit, 30 Rock Pipit, 25 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Goldfinch
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 1 Shetland Bee
Year list: 143
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21st May 2025
Weather: Partly sunny, with a brisk breeze. F5-6 N.
A day of little change, with yesterday’s singing Quail and the two Canada Geese still present. With the next couple of days looking to be dominated by stronger northerly winds, we may have to wait until the wind switches at the weekend for much excitement.
HIGHLIGHTS
Quail: One still intermittently singing at Pund
Canada Goose: Two still
Mute Swan: One still happy at Da Water
Sightings of note: 11 Greylag Goose, 2 Teal, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 64 Oystercatcher, 25 Lapwing, 30 Ringed Plover, 7 Whimbrel, 8 Curlew, 2 Turnstone, 4 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 22 Snipe, 7 Redshank, 6 Kittiwake, 5 Black-headed Gull, 16 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 36 Arctic Skua, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Carrion Crow, 115 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Ring Ouzel, 1 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 166 Wheatear, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 209 Meadow Pipit, 36 Rock Pipit, 23 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Goldfinch
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 3 Shetland Bee
Year list: 142
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20th May 2025
Weather: Another sunny day, clouding over slightly later in the afternoon. F4-6 N.
A handful of new birds were evident this morning, with the calmer conditions overnight having encouraged some movement despite the continued northerly. A singing Quail was at Pund, and two Canada Geese flew north, before joining the now resident Mute Swan on Da Water, giving the place more of a feel of an urban park than a quiet Shetland pool! A scattering of Sedge Warbler amongst a small increase in other warblers was the best of the rest through the crofts and gardens.
HIGHLIGHTS
Quail: One singing at Pund
Canada Goose: Two flew up the east coast before settling on Da Water
Mute Swan: One still at Da Water
Sightings of note: 4 Greylag Goose, 2 Teal, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 67 Oystercatcher, 26 Lapwing, 29 Ringed Plover, 9 Whimbrel, 7 Curlew, 21 Snipe, 4 Redshank, 38 Kittiwake, 4 Black-headed Gull, 15 Common Gull, 2 Arctic Tern, 24 Arctic Skua, 1 Blue Fulmar, 2 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 1 hybrid crow, 99 Skylark, 3 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 9 Chiffchaff, 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Black Redstart, 163 Wheatear, 3 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 181 Meadow Pipit, 41 Rock Pipit, 12 Twite, 1 Linnet
Other wildlife: 13 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Diamondback Moth, 9 Shetland Bee
Year list: 142
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19th May 2025
Weather: Mostly sunny, with a light breeze. F3-4 NNE.
Another quiet day of census, with a Goldfinch one of few new birds in. In the fine weather, time was spent dedicated to seabirds as monitoring begins to ramp up, with checks of Gannet plots carried out and the Guillemot plots getting underway.
In a quiet spring for Goldfinch, this is just the second of the year (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Mute Swan: One still at Da Water
Dunlin have been singing on higher ground, raising hopes of another breeding attempt (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 4 Greylag Goose, 2 Collared Dove, 52 Oystercatcher, 24 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 37 Ringed Plover, 5 Whimbrel, 11 Curlew, 1 Turnstone, 3 Dunlin, 21 Snipe, 5 Redshank, 39 Kittiwake, 12 Common Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 41 Arctic Tern, 25 Arctic Skua, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Peregrine, 4 Carrion Crow, 122 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Ring Ouzel, 3 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 152 Wheatear, 6 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 205 Meadow Pipit, 36 Rock Pipit, 12 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Goldfinch
Other wildlife: 1 Painted Lady, 3 Shetland Bee
Year list: 142
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18th May 2025
Weather: Overcast for most of the day, with a bitter northerly breeze. F5-7 NNE.
After such a prolonged spell of good weather, it was a bit of a shock today to step out on a very chilly census. Birds were unsurprisingly thin on the ground, with new arrivals limited to a Black Redstart at South Raeva, and singles of Grey Wagtail and Ring Ouzel around the traps.
Black Redstart finding some shelter in South Raeva (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
RED-THROATED PIPIT:Still around Wirvie
Mute Swan: One still, at Da Water
Sightings of note: 7 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Woodpigeon, 4 Collared Dove, 56 Oystercatcher, 25 Lapwing, 37 Ringed Plover, 6 Whimbrel, 10 Curlew, 1 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 26 Snipe, 3 Redshank, 16 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 10 Common Gull, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Arctic Tern, 22 Arctic Skua, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 107 Skylark, 9 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Black Restart, 140 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 177 Meadow Pipit, 30 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 11 Twite
Other wildlife: 3 Red Admiral, 1 Diamondback Moth, 1 Shetland Bee
Year list: 142
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17th May 2025
Weather: Mostly sunny, with some low cloud around the north. F4-5 N.
With a continuing northerly airflow, it was another rather quiet day in the isle, though the first Red-backed Shrike of the year was mobile around the south-east, and there were reappearances from the Red-throated Pipit at Wirvie, and a Wood Sandpiper at Da Water.
A confiding Wood Sandpiper at Da Water (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
RED-THROATED PIPIT:Again on the heathery hillside around Wirvie
Mute Swan: Still at Utra Scrape
Wood Sandpiper: One at Da Water
Red-backed Shrike: A female at Schoolton was then mobile
Sightings of note: 5 Greylag Goose, 1 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 69 Oystercatcher, 37 Lapwing, 35 Ringed Plover, 12 Whimbrel, 8 Curlew, 1 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 26 Snipe, 2 Redshank, 18 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 10 Common Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 14 Arctic Tern, 24 Arctic Skua, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 119 Skylark, 3 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Robin, 155 Wheatear, 2 White Wagtail, 214 Meadow Pipit, 34 Rock Pipit, 1 Brambling, 17 Twite, 1 Linnet, 2 Siskin
Other wildlife: 26 Red Admiral, 1 Diamondback Moth, 6 Shetland Bee
Year list: 142
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15th – 16th May 2025
Weather: Mostly sunny, with a light northerly airflow. F5 N.
A quieter couple of days, with the northerly breeze reducing migration to a trickle, though the continuing endless sunny weather kept census enjoyable. The Red-throated Pipit remained for a second day, though there was sadly no further sign of the Red-rumped Swallow.
Ringed Plover keeping a close eye at North Light (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
RED-THROATED PIPIT: Still around Wirvie on 15th
Mute Swan: Still comfortable at Utra Scrape on both days
Wood Sandpiper: One still at Utra Scrape on 15th
Sightings of note: 1 Barnacle Goose, 34 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Teal, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Woodpigeon, 4 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 68 Oystercatcher, 34 Lapwing, 38 Ringed Plover, 9 Whimbrel, 12 Curlew, 3 Turnstone, 3 Dunlin, 23 Snipe, 4 Redshank, 10 Kittiwake, 5 Black-headed Gull, 15 Common Gull, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 16 Arctic Skua, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrine, 1 Jackdaw, 7 Carrion Crow, 107 Skylark, 5 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 3 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Robin, 1 Redstart, 141 Wheatear, 3 Pied Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 174 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 45 Rock Pipit, 19 Twite
Other wildlife: 29 Red Admiral, 3 Painted Lady, 4 Diamondback Moth, 16 Shetland Bee
Year list: 141
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14th May 2025
Weather: Mostly sunny, with a chillier breeze. F4-5 NNE.
Another day of quality over quantity, with a bright male Red-throated Pipit around Wirvie discovered on census, and a Red-rumped Swallow found in the evening around Walli Burn, though sadly the latter did not hang around for others to catch up with. Also new in were a Wood Sandpiper, our second Canada Goose of the year, and a new Quail at Pund. Insect numbers remained high, with the bulk of the Red Admirals today concentrated in the southwest of the isle.
Red-throated Pipits don’t come much redder-throated than this! (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
RED-THROATED PIPIT: A very smart male was around Wirvie for much of the day (100th Fair Isle record, first since 2022)
Quail: One at Pund
Canada Goose: One flew south over Schoolton
Mute Swan: Still at Utra Scrape
Wood Sandpiper: One at Utra Scrape
Red-rumped Swallow: One around the Walli Burn in the evening could not be relocated (16th isle record, first since 2022)
Sightings of note: 1 Barnacle Goose, 7 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Teal, 2 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 71 Oystercatcher, 25 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 37 Ringed Plover, 5 Whimbrel, 10 Curlew, 2 Dunlin, 15 Snipe, 4 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 14 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Arctic Tern, 19 Arctic Skua, 1 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 98 Skylark, 3 Sand Martin, 11 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Robin, 159 Wheatear, 6 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 155 Meadow Pipit, 34 Rock Pipit, 14 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Redpoll sp., 7 Siskin
Other wildlife: 62 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 2 Silver Y, 3 Diamondback Moth, 16 Shetland Bee
Year list: 141
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13th May 2025
Weather: Overcast, clearing to a sunny afternoon. F4 N.
Yesterday’s fog had fortunately lifted by this morning, as the light breeze swung to the north. Two species were added to the yearlist, with a handsome breeding-plumaged Curlew Sandpiper an all-too-brief visitor to Da Water before disappearing north, and the first Quail of the year flushed from Homisdale. Insect migration was evident today, with an influx of Red Admiral in particular, with butterflies fluttering around every clifftop. Between some less glamorous jobs, part of this afternoon’s sunshine was put to good use ringing some of the isle’s first broods of Lapwing chicks.
The isle's first Curlew Sandpiper since 2020 (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
Quail: One flushed from Homisdale
Mute Swan: Still at Utra Scrape
Curlew Sandpiper: A fine ‘red’ individual briefly at Da Water
Bee-eater: Still for its third day, around Springfield and the Walli Burn
As today’s Curlew Sand heads to its Arctic breeding grounds, our Lapwings are well underway already (Tom Wright)
Sightings of note: 17 Greylag Goose, 1 Teal, 7 Woodpigeon, 3 Collared Dove, 78 Oystercatcher, 23 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 50 Ringed Plover, 6 Whimbrel, 10 Curlew, 6 Turnstone, 4 Dunlin, 21 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 36 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 12 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 80 Arctic Tern, 20 Arctic Skua, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine, 2 Jackdaw, 44 Carrion Crow, 2 Sand Martin, 15 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 4 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 4 Sedge Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Blackbird, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 144 Wheatear, 8 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 181 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 28 Rock Pipit, 12 Twite, 7 Siskin
Other wildlife: 63 Red Admiral, 16 Painted Lady, 6 Diamondback Moth, 11 Shetland Bee
Year list: 139
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12th May 2025
Weather: Fog for much of the day, lifting across the south for part of the afternoon. F3 SE.
Warmth and SE winds tend to make fog an inevitability here, and so it arrived today, blanketing the isle for most of the day. A delayed census after a job-filled morning revealed little change on yesterday, and despite Shetland scoring two new megas, pickings were slim here. The Bee-eater remained for a second day however, being mobile again across much of the southern half of the isle, and was seen to catch and dispatch several unfortunate Shetland Bees.
The Bee-eater is impressively aerobatic on its rapid sallies out for prey (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Mute Swan: Still at Utra Scrape
Bee-eater: One still touring the isle’s fence-lines
Sightings of note: 1 Barnacle Goose, 5 Greylag Goose, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Woodpigeon, 3 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 76 Oystercatcher, 31 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 26 Ringed Plover, 9 Whimbrel, 10 Curlew, 1 Dunlin, 18 Snipe, 4 Redshank, 13 Kittiwake, 2 Black-headed Gull, 18 Common Gull, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 13 Arctic Tern, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 1 Jackdaw, 6 Carrion Crow, 3 Sand Martin, 27 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 8 Sedge Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Robin, 29 Twite, 5 Siskin
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 5 Diamondback Moth, 23 Shetland Bee
Year list: 137
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11th May 2025
Weather: The sun continues to shine, with a stronger breeze today. F4-5 S.
The seemingly endless spell of good weather continues, and with the breeze across the North Sea swinging SE, expectations were elevated today. Census however revealed little change, with migrant numbers generally similar to yesterday. The day was saved by an afternoon call from the Riddifords, reporting that Fair Isle’s 11th record of Bee-eater was showing well around the Hall junction, and though typically mobile, the bird was watched for the next few hours as it moved from fence-line to fence-line across much of the south. Sallying out to catch insects between bouts of being mobbed by somewhat confused Meadow Pipits, it showed well to its appreciative onlookers, with even the most avian-ambivalent unable to resist a look at such a gaudy visitor!
The 11th Fair Isle record of Bee-eater, and the earliest arrival date (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Mute Swan: Adult still at Utra Scrape
Bee-eater: One initially around the Hall junction was then mobile across much of the south through the afternoon (11th Fair Isle record)
Hawfinch: A female still
Peregrine are again breeding in the isle, and with chicks to feed now, sightings are becoming more frequent (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 17 Greylag Goose, 1 Teal, 1 Cuckoo, 47 Woodpigeon, 5 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 64 Oystercatcher, 30 Lapwing, 7 Golden Plover, 39 Ringed Plover, 5 Whimbrel, 14 Curlew, 16 Turnstone, 1 Ruff, 1 Dunlin, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 26 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Redshank, 9 Kittiwake, 2 Black-headed Gull, 16 Common Gull, 21 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 7 Arctic Skua, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine, 1 Jackdaw, 2 Rook, 7 Carrion Crow, 1 hybrid crow, 114 Skylark, 5 Sand Martin, 33 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 7 Sedge Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Robin, 166 Wheatear, 8 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 195 Meadow Pipit, 42 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 15 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Siskin
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Diamondback Moth, 24 Shetland Bee
Year list: 137
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10th May 2025
Weather: Another calm, sunny day. F2-4 S.
A hot day in the isle, with the team returning from census a shade pinker than when we left! New birds were relatively thin on the ground, though two additions to the yearlist came from the north, with a Ruff at Easter Lother Water, and a male Pied Flycatcher at Troila.
Sedge Warbler occasionally breeds in the isle (most recently in 2022) and several males have been singing in the recent sunshine (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Mute Swan: Adult still at Utra Scrape
Hawfinch: One still
A rather late appearance by our first Pied Flycatcher of the year (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 7 Greylag Goose, 1 Teal, 16 Woodpigeon, 3 Collared Dove, 83 Oystercatcher, 20 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 25 Ringed Plover, 12 Whimbrel, 12 Curlew, 27 Turnstone, 1 Ruff, 1 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 19 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Redshank, 5 Kittiwake, 14 Common Gull, 8 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 39 Arctic Tern, 101 Great Skua, 19 Arctic Skua, 1 Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 1 Jackdaw, 8 Carrion Crow, 1 hybrid crow, 148 Skylark, 13 Sand Martin, 42 Swallow, 7 House Martin, 1 Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 5 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 126 Wheatear, 4 Pied Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 180 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 32 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 10 Twite, 3 Linnet, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 4 Siskin
Other wildlife: 1 Painted Lady, 10 Shetland Bee
Year list: 136
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9th May 2025
Weather: Calm and sunny all day. F2-3 S.
Another warm and sunny day, and with good conditions overnight, most of yesterday’s birds had moved on. The two Hawfinch remained, along with the Mute Swan and long-staying Short-toed Lark, and two Sandwich Tern put in a brief appearance over South Harbour – a welcome addition to the yearlist. Sandwich Tern are less than annual visitors to the isle, and often difficult to catch up with here. A scattering of Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler were also new, along with our first Painted Lady and Red Admiral of the spring.
HIGHLIGHTS
Mute Swan: Adult still
Sandwich Tern: Two briefly over South Harbour late morning
Short-toed Lark: One still at Skadan
Wood Warbler: Singles at Steensi Geo and Hjukni Geo
Hawfinch: A pair still
Sightings of note: 15 Greylag Goose, 1 Teal, 14 Woodpigeon, 3 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 80 Oystercatcher, 30 Lapwing, 11 Golden Plover, 30 Ringed Plover, 20 Whimbrel, 12 Curlew, 18 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 35 Snipe, 10 Redshank, 17 Kittiwake, 5 Black-headed Gull, 35 Common Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Arctic Tern, 141 Great Skua, 19 Arctic Skua, 1 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Rook, 8 Carrion Crow, 1 hybrid crow, 132 Skylark, 7 Sand Martin, 24 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 4 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 10 Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 18 Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 5 Redwing, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 193 Wheatear, 1 Tree Sparrow, 7 Pied Wagtail, 9 White Wagtail, 200 Meadow Pipit, 25 Rock Pipit, 2 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 1 Brambling, 19 Twite, 2 Linnet, 3 Redpoll sp., 2 Siskin
Other wildlife: 2 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 6 Shetland Bee
Year list: 134
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8th May 2025
Weather: Calm and sunny all day. F2-3 SW.
An exciting day of drift conditions today, with birds dropping in through the morning. Though numbers were relatively small, it was another case of quality over quantity, headlined by a male Western Subalpine Warbler found at Burkle, where it gave regular bursts of song in the sunshine. A new male Hawfinch was at Field (later trapped in Gully), a Grey-headed Wagtail at Utra Scrape, and a Wood Warbler at Steensi quickly followed. The first record of Common Buzzard for the isle since 2020 was next, moving north through the isle whilst trying to shrug off the attention of the resident Ravens. A Turtle Dove appeared at Gully in the early afternoon, and the day was rounded off with the sound of a Cuckoo floating over to the Obs from Finnequoy.
The second Subalpine Warbler species of the spring – Moltoni’s next? (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
WESTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: A singing male at Burkle was later trapped
Mute Swan: Adult still roaming
Turtle Dove: One flushed from Gully, later around Setter
Common Buzzard: One flew north over Gunnawark (first since 2020)
Short-toed Lark: One now at Meoness
Wood Warbler: One at Steensi Geo
Yellow Wagtail: Male still commuting between Da Water and South Green
Grey-headed Wagtail: A male at Utra Scrape
Hawfinch: The ringed female was joined by a new male
A rare close view of a Turtle Dove, taking grit along the road at Setter (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 25 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Teal, 1 Cuckoo, 23 Woodpigeon, 3 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 79 Oystercatcher, 22 Lapwing, 16 Golden Plover, 40 Ringed Plover, 19 Whimbrel, 11 Curlew, 26 Turnstone, 25 Purple Sandpiper, 35 Snipe, 5 Redshank, 10 Kittiwake, 6 Black-headed Gull, 19 Common Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 155 Great Skua, 12 Arctic Skua, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Peregrine, 1 Rook, 5 Carrion Crow, 126 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 31 Swallow, 13 Willow Warbler, 16 Chiffchaff, 7 Sedge Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 6 Whitethroat, 6 Ring Ouzel, 1 Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 223 Wheatear, 5 Tree Sparrow, 1 Grey Wagtail, 8 Pied Wagtail, 9 White Wagtail, 228 Meadow Pipit, 40 Rock Pipit, 2 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 1 Brambling, 10 Twite, 1 Linnet, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 6 Redpoll sp., 1 Siskin
Other wildlife: 1 Diamond-backed Moth, 5 Shetland Bee
Year list: 133
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7th May 2025
Weather: Calm and mostly sunny again. F3 W.
A decidedly quieter day, with an obvious clearout of the majority of yesterday’s arrivals overnight, with the exception of the Hawfinch. The settled and warm conditions encouraged a few more insects onto the wing, including a Small Tortoiseshell - our first butterfly of the year. A bright male ‘British’ Yellow Wagtail was the best of the scant new arrivals, appearing at Da Water in the late afternoon.
HIGHLIGHTS
Mute Swan: Still roaming the isle
Short-toed Lark: One still at Skadan
Yellow Wagtail: A male at Da Water
Hawfinch: The ringed female still
Sightings of note: 12 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Teal, 6 Woodpigeon, 75 Oystercatcher, 24 Lapwing, 11 Golden Plover, 65 Ringed Plover, 16 Whimbrel, 12 Curlew, 41 Turnstone, 4 Dunlin, 7 Purple Sandpiper, 20 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Redshank, 16 Kittiwake, 6 Black-headed Gull, 12 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 87 Great Skua, 6 Arctic Skua, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 1 Carrion Crow, 124 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 14 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Redwing, 215 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 165 Meadow Pipit, 45 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 1 Brambling, 17 Twite
Other wildlife: 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Shetland Bee
Year list: 128
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6th May 2025
Weather: Calm and mostly sunny. F3-4 NW.
A drop in the wind made for very calm conditions today, and we rose to a birdier isle, finishing the day with several yearticks. A good start pre-census saw a Spotted Flycatcher flitting around the traps, and a Wood Warbler caught in the Obs garden. Out around the isle, a Greenshank at Muckle Uri Geo was also our first of the year, as was a fine male Bluethroat in the Walli Burn. A female Hawfinch spent much of the day exploring the isle, and there were increases in Ring Ouzel and Wheatear, with a particularly impressive flock of 50 of the latter on Meoness.
Bluethroat playing hide-and-seek in the Walli Burn irises (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Mute Swan: One still roaming the isle
Short-toed Lark: One still at Skadan
Wood Warbler: One trapped at the Obs
Bluethroat: A red-spotted male in Walli Burn
Hawfinch: A female bouncing around the isle was trapped at Plantation
Hawfinches in the hand present a mixture of pleasure and pain! (Tom Wright)
Sightings of note: 26 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Teal, 17 Woodpigeon, 3 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 66 Oystercatcher, 25 Lapwing, 14 Golden Plover, 57 Ringed Plover, 29 Whimbrel, 12 Curlew, 14 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 34 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 14 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 36 Kittiwake, 4 Black-headed Gull, 11 Common Gull, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 88 Great Skua, 8 Arctic Skua, 2 Red-throated Diver, 4 Cormorant, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine, 1 Rook, 6 Carrion Crow, 103 Skylark, 15 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 21 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 11 Ring Ouzel, 2 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 221 Wheatear, 2 Tree Sparrow, 4 Pied Wagtail, 17 White Wagtail, 247 Meadow Pipit, 44 Rock Pipit, 2 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 1 Brambling, 15 Twite, 3 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Lesser Redpoll
Year list: 128
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5th May 2025
Weather: Partly sunny, clearing further in the afternoon. F5-6 NW.
A slight drop in the wind and a swing to NW produced a handful of new birds, with a Whitethroat, several Chiffchaff, a party of Redpoll and a Grey Wagtail new in. Bonxie numbers tipped over 100 birds for the first time this year, as birds gradually begin to settle properly back on territories.
HIGHLIGHTS
Mute Swan: One still at Da Water
Short-toed Lark: One again at Skadan
Sightings of note: 38 Greylag Goose, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Teal, 2 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 75 Oystercatcher, 21 Lapwing, 9 Golden Plover, 59 Ringed Plover, 18 Whimbrel, 12 Curlew, 9 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin, 39 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 8 Redshank, 17 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 15 Common Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 108 Great Skua, 4 Arctic Skua, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 109 Skylark, 11 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 1 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Blackbird, 141 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Pied Wagtail, 16 White Wagtail, 178 Meadow Pipit, 41 Rock Pipit, 2 Brambling, 16 Twite, 5 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Siskin
Year list: 124
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4th May 2025
Weather: Mostly sunny, with occasional wintry showers. F7-5 N.
Spring seems to have taken a step back for now, with the bitter wind continuing, today accompanied by the odd snow shower. Quite a different day to the same date last year, when we were inundated with Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike, Wood Warbler and Bluethroat! Unsurprisingly, today’s census produced little of note, though the Mute Swan remained for a second day, relocating to Da Water.
Whimbrel continue to be a regular sight around census (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Mute Swan: One still, now at Da Water
Sightings of note: 13 Greylag Goose, 3 Teal, 8 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 55 Oystercatcher, 22 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 51 Ringed Plover, 17 Whimbrel, 11 Curlew, 6 Turnstone, 6 Dunlin, 6 Purple Sandpiper, 27 Snipe, 5 Redshank, 5 Kittiwake, 3 Black-headed Gull, 17 Common Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 77 Great Skua, 14 Arctic Skua, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Peregrine, 99 Skylark, 5 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 3 Blackbird, 167 Wheatear, 4 Pied Wagtail, 16 White Wagtail, 207 Meadow Pipit, 37 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 1 Brambling, 16 Twite, 1 Linnet
Year list: 124
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3rd May 2025
Weather: Sunny spells, though with regular showers between, and a bitter northerly wind. F6-8 N.
Strong northerly winds made birding difficult today, with most birds sensibly keeping low and finding what shelter they could. Bird of the day went to Fair Isle’s 15th record of Mute Swan, with an adult found in Kirki Geo. Otherwise there was little to report, with a Grasshopper Warbler and a couple of Ring Ouzel the best of the rest.
A high percentage of Shetland-breeding Mute Swans are of the Polish morph, so it's likely this individual has not come far (Alex Penn)
Arctic Skua numbers are steadily increasing as birds return to breeding territories (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
Mute Swan: Adult in Kirki Geo (15th Fair Isle record)
Short-toed Lark: Still at Skadan
Sightings of note: 18 Greylag Goose, 2 Teal, 5 Woodpigeon, 27 Oystercatcher, 26 Lapwing, 16 Golden Plover, 49 Ringed Plover, 29 Whimbrel, 13 Curlew, 27 Turnstone, 2 Knot, 8 Dunlin, 8 Purple Sandpiper, 35 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 10 Redshank, 16 Kittiwake, 2 Black-headed Gull, 18 Common Gull, 18 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 91 Great Skua, 23 Arctic Skua, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 13 Carrion Crow, 116 Skylark, 10 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Ring Ouzel, 1 Blackbird, 141 Wheatear, 6 Pied Wagtail, 12 White Wagtail, 162 Meadow Pipit, 26 Rock Pipit, 1 Brambling, 20 Twite, 1 Siskin, 2 Reed Bunting
Year list: 124
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2nd May 2025
Weather: Mostly cloudy, with occasional drizzly showers. F5-7 W.
The strong westerly wind today meant it was no surprise that movement was somewhat limited. Knot was new for the yearlist however, there was an influx of Carrion Crow, with 32 birds logged, and a flyover Shelduck in the afternoon added to an already strong spring showing for this species.
Knot must be one of the smartest of breeding waders, in a hotly-contested field (Tom Wright)
This first-summer male Kestrel had little fear of humans (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Short-toed Lark: Still at Skadan
Sightings of note: 17 Greylag Goose, 1 Shelduck, 5 Teal, 5 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Moorhen, 47 Oystercatcher, 22 Lapwing, 14 Golden Plover, 61 Ringed Plover, 39 Whimbrel, 18 Curlew, 60 Turnstone, 2 Knot, 13 Dunlin, 17 Purple Sandpiper, 25 Snipe, 19 Redshank, 29 Kittiwake, 12 Black-headed Gull, 13 Common Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 89 Great Skua, 13 Arctic Skua, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 4 Rook, 32 Carrion Crow, 2 hybrid crow, 99 Skylark, 12 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Redwing, 157 Wheatear, 12 Pied Wagtail, 18 White Wagtail, 209 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 50 Rock Pipit, 2 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 1 Brambling, 16 Twite, 2 Linnet, 14 Siskin
Year list: 123
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1st May 2025
Weather: Mostly overcast, clearing in the afternoon F4-7 W.
A chilly and generally uninspiring start to May, with a cool westerly breeze that strengthened through the day. The Wood Sandpiper was seen again, along with a Green Sandpiper new in on Skadan Pool, and the Short-toed Lark remained, now for its 22nd day in residence. The first cruise ship of the year brought just shy of 140 folk to the island this morning, with the Puffins around the Holms obliging by putting on a good show, and much of the afternoon was spent refreshing and digging out the Obs Scrape.
Sedge Warbler along the wall at Setter (Alex Penn)
A much-needed refresh of the Obs Scrape (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Wood Sandpiper: One flew south over Shirva
Short-toed Lark: Still at Skadan
Sightings of note: 14 Greylag Goose, 5 Teal, 13 Woodpigeon, 7 Collared Dove, 2 Moorhen, 53 Oystercatcher, 22 Lapwing, 14 Golden Plover, 41 Ringed Plover, 38 Whimbrel, 22 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 31 Turnstone, 8 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 27 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Redshank, 2 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 25 Common Gull, 13 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 94 Great Skua, 17 Arctic Skua, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Peregrine, 2 Rook, 12 Carrion Crow, 1 hybrid crow, 128 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 27 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 3 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 7 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 8 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 176 Wheatear, 11 Pied Wagtail, 17 White Wagtail, 206 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 36 Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 20 Twite, 2 Linnet, 3 Siskin, 6 Snow Bunting
Year list: 122
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30th April 2025
Weather: Sunny and warm, with a breeze gradually picking up through the day. F3-4 SW.
Settled conditions saw a fair bit of movement through the isle today, and four species added to the yearlist. A very early Swift over Hill Dyke was followed by a duo of Wood Sandpiper and Moorhen on Da Water, and a rich orange Bar-tailed Godwit on Meoness. Woodpigeon were on the move, with an excellent final count of 32 birds, the highest spring count since 2017. Even more impressive was a count of 43 Whimbrel, the highest since 1999. To round off the day, a Spanish-ringed Willow Warbler was trapped at the Obs in the evening.
Some clear wader passage today, including this lovely Wood Sandpiper (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Wood Sandpiper: One at Da Water was the earliest spring arrival since 2011
Short-toed Lark: Still at Skadan
Sightings of note: 57 Greylag Goose, 6 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Swift, 32 Woodpigeon, 6 Collared Dove, 1 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen, 70 Oystercatcher, 32 Lapwing, 8 Golden Plover, 66 Ringed Plover, 43 Whimbrel, 25 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 50 Turnstone, 14 Dunlin, 18 Purple Sandpiper, 35 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 7 Redshank, 17 Kittiwake, 5 Black-headed Gull, 70 Common Gull, 13 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 93 Great Skua, 7 Arctic Skua, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 1 Jackdaw, 1 Rook, 20 Carrion Crow, 1 hybrid crow, 171 Skylark, 16 Sand Martin, 38 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 7 Willow Warbler, 16 Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 4 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Black Redstart, 172 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 16 Pied Wagtail, 23 White Wagtail, 214 Meadow Pipit, 2 Tree Pipit, 29 Rock Pipit, 2 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 1 Brambling, 21 Twite, 3 Linnet, 1 Siskin
Year list: 122
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29th April 2025
Weather: Partly sunny, clearing more in the afternoon, before low cloud rolled in early evening. F5-2 W.
A persistent westerly breeze for much of the day made birding the cliffs tricky, though there was little change to be noted on the birding front. The first Arctic Tern of the year flew through the Haven in the afternoon, and the Short-toed Lark remains. Two colour-ringed Twite were seen, likely from a project currently running in the Northern Isles, and a Mealy Redpoll was trapped at the Obs that had been ringed two days prior in Finstown, Orkney by an previous Assistant Warden!
HIGHLIGHTS
Short-toed Lark: Still at Skadan
Sightings of note: 20 Greylag Goose, 5 Teal, 3 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 66 Oystercatcher, 20 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 53 Ringed Plover, 24 Whimbrel, 21 Curlew, 53 Turnstone, 3 Dunlin, 12 Purple Sandpiper, 51 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Redshank, 38 Kittiwake, 6 Black-headed Gull, 20 Common Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Arctic Tern, 83 Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skua, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, 1 Rook, 2 Carrion Crow, 125 Skylark, 18 Sand Martin, 18 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 4 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 5 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 149 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 8 Pied Wagtail, 23 White Wagtail, 169 Meadow Pipit, 37 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 1 Brambling, 29 Twite, 2 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 6 Siskin, 2 Reed Bunting
Year list: 118
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28th April 2025
Weather: A warm and sunny day for most of the isle, with low cloud being slow to clear from higher ground. F5-2 W.
A warm and pleasant census in the south today contrasted with a fog-ridden north, with the breeze dropping quickly to nothing through the day. The settled weather encouraged some movement, with notable passage of White Wagtail and Whimbrel, as well as some afternoon hirundine movement. This was headlined by a joint spring record count of Sand Martin, with 28 birds recorded, including 20 in a single flock. The Short-toed Lark also put in another appearance, keeping up its habit of going missing for a couple of days at a time.
A handful of Wheatear were spring-trapped in the afternoon (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Short-toed Lark: One again at Skadan
Sightings of note: 26 Greylag Goose, 2 Teal, 5 Woodpigeon, 4 Collared Dove, 58 Oystercatcher, 23 Lapwing, 9 Golden Plover, 46 Ringed Plover, 22 Whimbrel, 15 Curlew, 37 Turnstone, 3 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 32 Snipe, 6 Redshank, 39 Kittiwake, 5 Black-headed Gull, 23 Common Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 60 Great Skua, 3 Arctic Skua, 8 Carrion Crow, 100 Skylark, 28 Sand Martin, 16 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 6 Willow Warbler, 30 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 5 Blackbird, 51 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, 3 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Redstart, 157 Wheatear, 6 Pied Wagtail, 27 White Wagtail, 178 Meadow Pipit, 42 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 5 Brambling, 10 Twite, 4 Linnet, 3 Siskin, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 117
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27th April 2025
Weather: Partly sunny through the morning, with rain dominating the afternoon. F5-7 SSW.
A swing in the breeze dropped a few new birds, with the team just about managing to get a full census in before continuous rain began in the early afternoon. A cream-crown Marsh Harrier was a good start, seen over Byerwalls on the 09:00 trap round, with a female Hawfinch at Schoolton another welcome year tick. Carrion Crow increased to an impressive 27, while three Grasshopper Warbler was the best count of the spring thus far, with one individual later heard ‘reeling’ at Schoolton, though numbers of common migrants generally remain very low.
Always a pleasure to see one of these brutes (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Marsh Harrier: One over Byerwalls in the morning was not seen subsequently
Hawfinch: A vocal female at Schoolton
Marsh Harrier is a rare migrant through the isle, just about annual in recent years (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 31 Greylag Goose, 1 Whooper Swan, 1 Teal, 1 Common Scoter, 4 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 34 Oystercatcher, 25 Lapwing, 16 Golden Plover, 39 Ringed Plover, 6 Whimbrel, 14 Curlew, 66 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 24 Purple Sandpiper, 31 Snipe, 5 Redshank, 1 Black-headed Gull, 13 Common Gull, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 45 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Long-eared Owl, 1 Peregrine, 27 Carrion Crow, 2 hybrid Crow, 149 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 6 Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Ring Ouzel, 6 Blackbird, 57 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 121 Wheatear, 7 Pied Wagtail, 13 White Wagtail, 159 Meadow Pipit, 36 Rock Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 23 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Redpoll sp., 1 Siskin, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 117
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26th April 2025
Weather: Overcast with a strong southerly breeze. F5-7 SSE.
A breezier day, but a productive one, with four species added to the yearlist, and an afternoon cetacean encounter. The first returning Arctic Skua were seen in the Parks, followed by the year’s first Dunlin in the north, a cooperative Long-eared Owl at Burkle, and a Lesser Whitethroat along the wall at Double Dyke. An afternoon check of Buness was fortuitous in picking up a pod of Risso’s Dolphin, with at least seven animals spending a few minutes fishing in Furse, before moving off northwards.
A typically grumpy-looking Long-eared Owl (Luke Marriner)
The pod of Risso’s included a couple of well-marked pale individuals (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 40 Greylag Goose, 5 Teal, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Woodpigeon, 3 Collared Dove, 1 Water Rail, 70 Oystercatcher, 32 Lapwing, 7 Golden Plover, 63 Ringed Plover, 10 Whimbrel, 14 Curlew, 66 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 18 Purple Sandpiper, 30 Snipe, 10 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 11 Common Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 62 Great Skua, 4 Arctic Skua, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Long-eared Owl, 1 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine, 2 Rook, 10 Carrion Crow, 1 hybrid Crow, 91 Skylark, 5 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Ring Ouzel, 12 Blackbird, 84 Fieldfare, 8 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 123 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 8 Pied Wagtail, 9 White Wagtail, 208 Meadow Pipit, 38 Rock Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 5 Brambling, 19 Twite, 5 Siskin, 1 Reed Bunting
Other wildlife: 7 Risso’s Dolphin
Year list: 115
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25th April 2025
Weather: Mostly sunny all day. F4-5 SE.
A further reduction in birds today, though the sun and SE breeze encouraged some light passage of Whimbrel, White Wagtail and Carrion Crow, and a yeartick was unearthed in the form of a female Common Scoter in Furse. The Short-toed Lark reappeared once more after another two-day break in sightings, a flock of Barnacle Goose flew through.
Whimbrel passage is beginning to pick up, with several 'seven-whistlers' moving through the isle today (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
Short-toed Lark: One back at Skadan
This smart male Ring Ouzel allowed closer approach than most (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 6 Barnacle Goose, 41 Greylag Goose, 2 Teal, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 43 Oystercatcher, 17 Lapwing, 7 Golden Plover, 37 Ringed Plover, 8 Whimbrel, 11 Curlew, 32 Turnstone, 32 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Jack Snipe, 53 Snipe, 3 Redshank, 6 Kittiwake, 5 Black-headed Gull, 11 Common Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 64 Great Skua, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Kestrel, 1 Rook, 11 Carrion Crow, 2 hybrid Crow, 145 Skylark, 2 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Ring Ouzel, 15 Blackbird, 116 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 18 Song Thrush, 9 Robin, 2 Redstart, 116 Wheatear, 10 Pied Wagtail, 11 White Wagtail, 1 alba Wagtail, 168 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 32 Rock Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 19 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Siskin, 1 Reed Bunting
Other wildlife: 1 Shetland Bee
Year list: 111
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24th April 2025
Weather: Sunny all day, though with a cool edge to the breeze. F3-5 E.
Clear skies overnight meant it was no surprise that census felt distinctly quieter today, with many birds having departed by this morning, including yesterday’s Eastern Subalpine Warbler. There were still a handful of additions, including a couple of Redstart, and new Grasshopper Warbler and Whitethroat.
A male Redstart is a sight sure to brighten anyone’s day (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Canada Goose: One still
Grasshopper Warbler skulking at Charlie’s Trees (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 14 Greylag Goose, 2 Teal, 7 Woodpigeon, 74 Oystercatcher, 36 Lapwing, 16 Golden Plover, 58 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 11 Curlew, 46 Turnstone, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 41 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 13 Redshank, 10 Common Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 50 Great Skua, 1 Peregrine, 1 Rook, 3 Carrion Crow, 1 hybrid Crow, 142 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 12 Willow Warbler, 21 Chiffchaff, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 13 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 9 Blackbird, 152 Fieldfare, 8 Redwing, 35 Song Thrush, 15 Robin, 3 Black Redstart, 2 Redstart, 138 Wheatear, 3 Grey Wagtail, 21 Pied Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 211 Meadow Pipit, 41 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 5 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 34 Twite, 2 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 110
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23rd April 2025
Weather: Overcast with some low cloud, clearing in the late afternoon. F3-5 ENE.
We were beginning to feel left out here with Subalpine Warblers popping up around the country over the last few days, but all was forgiven today with the discovery of a fine male Eastern Subalpine Warbler at Schoolton. It joined a good scattering of migrants fresh in across the isle, including the first Whitethroat of the spring, an increase in Song Thrush and Chiffchaff, and new-in Redstart and Common Sandpiper. With winds set to continue from the east for the remainder of the week, hopes are high for the next few days.
The undisputed bird of the day gave good views between bouts of skulking in the Schoolton Rosa (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER: A very smart male at Schoolton
Canada Goose: Still touring the south
Sightings of note: 71 Greylag Goose, 2 Wigeon, 17 Teal, 2 Goldeneye, 8 Woodpigeon, 1 Water Rail, 117 Oystercatcher, 20 Lapwing, 34 Golden Plover, 46 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 18 Curlew, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 42 Turnstone, 29 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Woodcock, 32 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 17 Redshank, 10 Kittiwake, 3 Black-headed Gull, 23 Common Gull, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 60 Great Skua, 2 Blue Fulmar, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Rook, 1 Carrion Crow, 136 Skylark, 6 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 16 Willow Warbler, 29 Chiffchaff, 19 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Ring Ouzel, 15 Blackbird, 226 Fieldfare, 41 Redwing, 51 Song Thrush, 11 Robin, 2 Black Redstart, 1 Redstart, 155 Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtail, 16 Pied Wagtail, 6 White Wagtail, 313 Meadow Pipit, 3 Tree Pipit, 45 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 9 Brambling, 29 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Reed Bunting
Year list: 110
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22nd April 2025
Weather: Overcast and damp for much of the day, with continuous light rain eventually clearing in the late afternoon. F4 SE.
The early trap round and Obs nets showed we’d had an overnight arrival of common migrants, though numbers on census were lower than expected after this early promise. The Blue-headed Wagtail was pinned down and found to be ringed, and after some perseverance and a lot of photos, the ring sequence was read, showing it to be one of a brood of chicks that were raised in mainland Shetland in 2022 – a remarkable recovery. Late news came in of a White-tailed Eagle that flew south in the afternoon - presumably a different bird to the one four days prior.
Shetland-raised Blue-headed Wagtail showing well around the Walli Burn (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
Canada Goose: Still with Greylag at Burkle
Iceland Gull: Adult again at Meadow Burn
White-tailed Eagle: One flew south in the afternoon
Short-toed Lark: One still, back at the Puffinn
Blue-headed Wagtail: Yesterday’s ringed male was around the Walli Burn
A scattering of Willow Warbler included this strikingly grey ‘acredula-type’ at Setter (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 33 Greylag Goose, 3 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Water Rail, 58 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 28 Golden Plover, 40 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 15 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Turnstone, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 55 Snipe, 9 Redshank, 7 Kittiwake, 2 Black-headed Gull, 31 Common Gull, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 41 Great Skua, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Short-eared Owl, 114 Skylark, 5 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow, 6 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 19 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Ring Ouzel, 7 Blackbird, 181 Fieldfare, 16 Redwing, 19 Song Thrush, 8 Robin, 159 Wheatear, 7 Pied Wagtail, 6 White Wagtail, 186 Meadow Pipit, 21 Rock Pipit, 15 Twite, 3 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 3 Siskin
Year list: 108
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21st April 2025
Weather: A chilly and overcast start soon cleared to another sunny and warm afternoon. F5-6 SE.
The switch to stronger SE winds did the trick, with a shake-up of migrants present today. There was a clear increase in thrushes, with 13 Ring Ouzel the highlight, as well as the first Yellow Wagtail of the spring, with a fine male Blue-headed Wagtail briefly at Burkle.
Two Ring Ouzel graced the traps today (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
Canada Goose: Still with Greylag
Iceland Gull: Adult again at Stackhoull
Short-toed Lark: Reappeared, now at South Green
Blue-headed Wagtail: A smart male at Burkle then flew north
Sightings of note: 106 Greylag Goose, 2 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 5 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Water Rail, 59 Oystercatcher, 31 Lapwing, 37 Golden Plover, 95 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 14 Curlew, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 71 Turnstone, 25 Snipe, 14 Redshank, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Black-headed Gull, 70 Common Gull, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 48 Great Skua, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 130 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 38 Willow Warbler, 21 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 13 Ring Ouzel, 9 Blackbird, 56 Fieldfare, 33 Redwing, 54 Song Thrush, 6 Robin, 140 Wheatear, 11 Pied Wagtail, 5 White Wagtail, 212 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 28 Rock Pipit, 3 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 3 Brambling, 15 Twite, 3 Linnet, 2 Siskin
Year list: 108
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20th April 2025
Weather: Overcast morning clearing to sun, with light N winds dropping to nothing through the afternoon. F3-2 N.
A very calm day made for beautiful conditions for the morning’s census, with increases in Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff noted, though little other change, and the news group remained quiet. With winds switching to a stronger SE flow from tomorrow, the team are hoping for more to come from early this week.
A good start to the day, with an adult male Sparrowhawk on the early trap round (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Canada Goose: Still present, today with Greylag around Quoy
Two smart Black-tailed Godwit continue to add a splash of colour to SW census (Tom Wright)
Sightings of note: 113 Greylag Goose, 2 Wigeon, 11 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 9 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 48 Oystercatcher, 32 Lapwing, 51 Golden Plover, 71 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 82 Curlew, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 69 Turnstone, 25 Purple Sandpiper, 25 Snipe, 17 Redshank, 15 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 20 Common Gull, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 45 Great Skua, 1 ‘Blue’ Fulmar, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 139 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 31 Willow Warbler, 24 Chiffchaff, 9 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 4 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, 4 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Robin, 117 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 10 Pied Wagtail, 4 White Wagtail, 199 Meadow Pipit, 42 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 21 Twite, 3 Linnet, 2 Mealy Redpoll
Year list: 107
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19th April 2025
Weather: Sunny throughout, with light NNE winds. F4-5 NNE.
The extended spell of pleasant weather continues, with sunny skies all day, though the northerly-based breeze kept temperatures cooler today. It also seemed to discourage much in the way of migration, with a quieter feel to proceedings, and little in the way of new birds.
A warning Raven at Gunnawark, one of the two pairs that breed in the isle (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Canada Goose: Still present, today with Greylag around Quoy
An unusual seawatch sighting from North Light, in the form of a German submarine! (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 125 Greylag Goose, 2 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 23 Oystercatcher, 21 Lapwing, 40 Golden Plover, 83 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 26 Curlew, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 27 Turnstone, 27 Snipe, 9 Redshank, 20 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 8 Common Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 78 Great Skua, 1 ‘Blue’ Fulmar, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 151 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 8 Willow Warbler, 12 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 6 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 107 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 8 Pied Wagtail, 171 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 28 Rock Pipit, 2 Brambling, 19 Twite, 3 Linnet, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Redpoll sp.
Year list: 107
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18th April 2025
Weather: Gloriously sunny and warm, with very light winds. F2-4 N.
A beautiful day in the isle, with the Ornithology team enjoying a very pleasant census whilst Jonnie showed Carla around the Gannet plots of the north. Yesterday’s raptors put in further appearances, with an early morning fly-through of the Obs by the Osprey, and brief reappearance of the White-tailed Eagle at Wester Lother. The Canada Goose also reappeared on Meoness after a day’s absence, whilst the Short-toed Lark remains faithful to its favoured area around the Puffinn. There was one addition to the yearlist, with a fine male Redstart around the Obs in the early morning.
Golden Plover have been passing through in good numbers in recent days, many now in perfect breeding plumage (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Canada Goose: One again with Greylag on Meoness
Iceland Gull: Adult bird again at Lericum
Osprey: One flew north over the Obs
White-tailed Eagle: Adult again at Wester Lother
Short-toed Lark: Still around the Puffinn
Sightings of note: 93 Greylag Goose, 2 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 7 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 27 Oystercatcher, 33 Lapwing, 55 Golden Plover, 51 Ringed Plover, 19 Curlew, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 54 Turnstone, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 34 Snipe, 15 Redshank, 32 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 15 Common Gull, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 59 Great Skua, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 3 Carrion Crow, 133 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 13 Swallow, 9 Willow Warbler, 18 Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warbler, 12 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Blackbird, 14 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, 4 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Redstart, 130 Wheatear, 1 Dunnock, 8 Pied Wagtail, 197 Meadow Pipit, 31 Rock Pipit, 2 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 25 Twite, 3 Linnet, 1 Redpoll sp., 5 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 107
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17th April 2025
Weather: Partly sunny all day, with occasional showers and light westerly winds. F3-5 W.
A day for raptor movement, with both White-tailed Eagle and Osprey added to the yearlist, and the former in particular putting on an extended show as it toured the isle, always with a party of angry gulls and Bonxies in tow. On the passerine front, a small increase in Blackcap was noted, and two Ring Ouzel were new in, one of which was trapped and ringed.
A more regular sight in recent years, but no less impressive for it, when a White-tailed Eagle pays a visit (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Iceland Gull: The lingering adult bird appeared at Bergaroo
Osprey: One over South Harbour in the afternoon before drifting north
White-tailed Eagle: A fine adult appeared over Guidicum and then toured the island, much to the displeasure of almost every bird present!
Short-toed Lark: Still around the Puffinn
Always a pleasure to catch a Ring Ouzel (Tom Wright)
Sightings of note: 131 Greylag Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 9 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 36 Oystercatcher, 29 Lapwing, 59 Golden Plover, 121 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 16 Curlew, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 68 Turnstone, 49 Purple Sandpiper, 35 Snipe, 13 Redshank, 37 Kittiwake, 13 Common Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 73 Great Skua, 1 ‘Blue’ Fulmar, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 1 Rook, 1 Carrion Crow, 157 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 5 Swallow, 13 Willow Warbler, 12 Chiffchaff, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Ring Ouzel, 11 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing, 9 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 117 Wheatear, 3 Tree Sparrow, 1 Dunnock, 8 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 211 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 42 Rock Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 18 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll
Year list: 106
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16th April 2025
Weather: A decidedly mixed day, with a mostly overcast census, clearing to warm sunshine in sheltered spots, before rain showers and murk descended later on. F5-7 N.
A relatively quiet census, with numbers of most species similar to yesterday, though the yearlist did receive a boost with the spring’s first Tree Pipit, House Martin and Sedge Warbler recorded today. The Short-toed Lark continues its stay, and a Grasshopper Warbler was new at Stackhoull.
The Short-toed Lark can be quite approachable at times, apparently happy on Skadan’s short-cropped grass (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Short-toed Lark: Still around the Puffinn and Skadan
Canada Goose: Still touring the isle’s fields, today around Midway
Twite are pleasingly tame, with small groups ‘chortling’ away around sheep feeders in the south (Tom Wright)
Sightings of note: 101 Greylag Goose, 2 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 51 Oystercatcher, 27 Lapwing, 46 Golden Plover, 66 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 13 Curlew, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 48 Turnstone, 10 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Jack Snipe, 38 Snipe, 8 Redshank, 29 Kittiwake, 2 Black-headed Gull, 15 Common Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 40 Great Skua, 1 ‘Blue’ Fulmar, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 1 Carrion Crow, 111 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 11 Willow Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 9 Blackbird, 44 Fieldfare, 11 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 117 Wheatear, 3 Tree Sparrow, 2 Dunnock, 3 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 3 alba Wagtail, 155 Meadow Pipit, 2 Tree Pipit, 36 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 1 Brambling, 13 Twite, 1 Linnet
Year list: 104
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15th April 2025
Weather: Sunny through the morning, with rain coming in from lunchtime, and breeze dropping away through the day. F2-5 S.
Another day that began with a relatively quiet census, before the dropping breeze delivered some birds later in the day. A Ring Ouzel was new around the Obs, with a Kestrel, Whimbrel, Collared Dove, increase in Fieldfare and a scattering of warblers also newly arrived around the isle. Numbers of Bonxies rose significantly, with more birds settled back on territories, including a Darvic-ringed bird from elsewhere.
Snipe are in full display mode now, with ‘drumming’ birds a constant presence (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Short-toed Lark: Again around the Puffinn
Canada Goose: Still, wandering to Meoness
This Grasshopper Warbler has found a northern burn to its liking for the last few days (Tom Wright)
Sightings of note: 86 Greylag Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 7 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 35 Oystercatcher, 33 Lapwing, 19 Golden Plover, 97 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 21 Curlew, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 57 Turnstone, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Woodcock, 1 Jack Snipe, 42 Snipe, 13 Redshank, 11 Kittiwake, 7 Black-headed Gull, 10 Common Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 44 Great Skua, 1 ‘Blue’ Fulmar, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Rook, 4 Carrion Crow, 107 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 16 Willow Warbler, 13 Chiffchaff, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 3 Blackbird, 54 Fieldfare, 18 Redwing, 9 Song Thrush, 4 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 134 Wheatear, 3 Tree Sparrow, 1 Dunnock, 16 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 177 Meadow Pipit, 37 Rock Pipit, 2 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 24 Twite, 6 Linnet, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Redpoll sp., 2 Siskin
Year list: 101
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14th April 2025
Weather: Mostly sunny with some showers through the middle of the day, and a strong southerly breeze. F5-7 S.
A quieter day, with the strong and surprisingly chilly breeze making birding tricky at times. The Short-toed Lark reappeared at Skadan after a two-day absence, though there was little other change on yesterday to note. Two Sparrowhawk were around the traps, and though a ‘blue’ male continues to evade capture, a large female was trapped in Vaadal this morning, fresh off the remains of a Jack Snipe kill.
A huge female Sparrowhawk ringed this morning (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
Short-toed Lark: Reappeared a short distance away at Skadan
Canada Goose: Remained for a third day, moving as far as Stackhoull
Sightings of note: 127 Greylag Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 2 Woodpigeon, 63 Oystercatcher, 14 Lapwing, 31 Golden Plover, 114 Ringed Plover, 21 Curlew, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 59 Turnstone, 12 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Jack Snipe, 35 Snipe, 17 Redshank, 29 Kittiwake, 2 Black-headed Gull, 7 Common Gull, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 14 Great Skua, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 ‘Blue’ Fulmar, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Rook, 146 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 5 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 6 Blackbird, 7 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 128 Wheatear, 3 Tree Sparrow, 1 Dunnock, 6 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 191 Meadow Pipit, 41 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 2 Brambling, 17 Twite, 2 Linnet, 2 Mealy Redpoll
Year list: 101
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13th April 2025
Weather: A cool and damp start to the day, clearing to a sunny and warmer afternoon. F4-6 WNW.
A 180-degree swing in the wind overnight saw much reduced numbers of birds around the isle today, with the chilly westerly breeze putting the brakes on migration after an overnight clear-out. The scale of the clear-out was best illustrated by today’s Wheatear total – almost 200 birds fewer than yesterday. Once the morning rain had cleared, a warmer afternoon encouraged a trickle of movement, evidenced by a small number of hirundines and a vocal Whimbrel passing over the Obs noted between jobs in the afternoon, and a flock of 7 Black-tailed Godwit appearing at Shirva at sunset.
This smart Great Northern Diver has been lingering off the south of the isle for several days now (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
Canada Goose: Still with a small group of Greylag between Hoini and Setter
Two Black Redstart reappeared around Stackhoull (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 4 Barnacle Goose, 127 Greylag Goose, 2 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 3 Woodpigeon, 52 Oystercatcher, 30 Lapwing, 29 Golden Plover, 88 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 20 Curlew, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 47 Turnstone, 55 Snipe, 15 Redshank, 27 Kittiwake, 2 Black-headed Gull, 11 Common Gull, 8 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 23 Great Skua, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 ‘Blue’ Fulmar, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Short-eared Owl, 3 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 112 Skylark, 8 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 5 Blackbird, 10 Fieldfare, 12 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 2 Black Redstart, 47 Wheatear, 3 Tree Sparrow, 7 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 196 Meadow Pipit, 41 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 4 Brambling, 7 Twite, 4 Linnet, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Lesser Redpoll
Year list: 101
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12th April 2025
Weather: Gloriously sunny and warm, with a strengthening SE breeze. F4-6 SE.
South-easterlies and sun made for their usual magic combination, with a very pleasant day’s birding being the result. Wheatears were the main event, with our first triple figure count of the spring sitting at an impressive 246 birds, mainly around the N and W coasts. Another impressive count came in the form of Ringed Plover, with 136 logged today constituting the highest ever spring count for the isle. The yearlist also hit 100 species, with additions of Jackdaw (touring the island with 3 Rook), Canada Goose (a feral-type bird around the base of Hoini) and Grasshopper Warbler (an afternoon discovery at Wirvie Brecks).
Two Ring Ouzel graced the cliffs of North today (Tom Wright)
HIGHLIGHTS
Iceland Gull: The adult bird re-appeared in South Harbour
Canada Goose: A feral-type bird spent the day between Hoini and Setter
The highlight of SW census (Luke Marriner)
Sightings of note: 4 Barnacle Goose, 74 Greylag Goose, 5 Pink-footed Goose, 11 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 10 Woodpigeon, 1 Water Rail, 40 Oystercatcher, 28 Lapwing, 28 Golden Plover, 136 Ringed Plover, 17 Curlew, 60 Turnstone, 1 Woodcock, 45 Snipe, 19 Redshank, 22 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 17 Common Gull, 8 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 18 Great Skua, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 ‘Blue’ Fulmar, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Merlin, 1 Jackdaw, 3 Rook, 5 Carrion Crow, 130 Skylark, 10 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 16 Willow Warbler, 31 Chiffchaff, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Ring Ouzel, 14 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 55 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush, 10 Robin, 1 Stonechat, 246 Wheatear, 3 Tree Sparrow, 1 Dunnock, 9 Pied Wagtail, 5 White Wagtail, 3 alba Wagtail, 218 Meadow Pipit, 37 Rock Pipit, 2 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 16 Twite, 7 Linnet, 2 Redpoll sp., 2 Siskin, 13 Snow Bunting
Year list: 100
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11th April 2025
Weather: Mostly overcast, with a fresh westerly wind, becoming damp through the afternoon. F5-6 W.
A general clear-out of birds was evident today, though birding was not easy in the stronger breeze. The Short-toed Lark remained present, and the first Whimbrel of the year flew through Gilsetter.
HIGHLIGHTS
Short-toed Lark: Yesterday’s bird remained around the Puffinn.
Wheatear numbers continue to grow, with a mix of clear migrant groups dotted around the isle, and others back defending territories (Carla Hill)
Sightings of note: 4 Barnacle Goose, 118 Greylag Goose, 5 Pink-footed Goose, 11 Teal, 4 Woodpigeon, 53 Oystercatcher, 22 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 67 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 26 Curlew, 93 Turnstone, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 11 Snipe, 24 Redshank, 28 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull, 10 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 12 Great Skua, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 ‘Blue’ Fulmar, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, 1 Rook, 2 Carrion Crow, 172 Skylark, 2 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 15 Blackbird, 42 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 11 Robin, 2 Black Redstart, 1 Stonechat, 64 Wheatear, 3 Tree Sparrow, 10 Pied Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 194 Meadow Pipit, 19 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 4 Twite, 3 Linnet, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 97
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9th – 10th April 2025
Weather: Light winds on 9th, freshening westerly on 10th.
An uneventful census on 9th in light northerlies was followed on 10th by a small arrival of birds as the wind swung westerly, the highlight of which was a fine Short-toed Lark around the Puffinn, an excellent pickup by our new Ranger, Carla. The bird showed well for the remainder of the day, allowing the rest of the team to catch up with it too. Short-toed Lark manages to be remarkably regular here whilst never being common - at least one in every year between 1963 and 2016, and 2020-22. Common migrants included a clear increase in Wheatear and small arrival of thrushes and Phylloscs, and our first Ring Ouzel and Common Sandpiper of the year.
Short-toed Lark at Utra (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Short-toed Lark: One at the Puffinn remained local to the area for the rest of the day, wandering as far as Utra.
Sightings of note: 4 Barnacle Goose, 124 Greylag Goose, 4 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 2 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 45 Oystercatcher, 27 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 119 Ringed Plover, 29 Curlew, 50 Turnstone, 60 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Woodcock, 37 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 25 Redshank, 47 Kittiwake, 2 Black-headed Gull, 67 Common Gull, 11 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 17 Great Skua, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Rook, 1 Carrion Crow, 141 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 6 Willow Warbler, 23 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 27 Blackbird, 60 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, 12 Robin, 3 Black Redstart, 2 Stonechat, 87 Wheatear, 3 Tree Sparrow, 11 Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 209 Meadow Pipit, 31 Rock Pipit, 4 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 25 Twite, 3 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 6 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting
Year list: 96
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7th - 8th April 2025
Weather: Calm and pleasant, with light mostly SE-based breeze. F1-4 SE.
The past couple of days of calm conditions have seen continued movement of some early common migrants, with 8th in particular bringing a small arrival of Willow Warbler, Wheatear, Sand Martin and Woodpigeon. Taking advantage of the calm seas on 8th, the team carried out an early morning Tystie count along the east coast, producing a total of 203 adults. Numbers of Tysties on Fair Isle have been remarkably stable over the last few decades, and this is a typical count for the east coast plot.
Black Redstarts were at the School, North Light and Puffinn on 8th (Luke Marriner)
This smart ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit appears to be holding territory at Gunnawark (Alex Penn)
Sightings of note: 4 Barnacle Goose, 121 Greylag Goose, 4 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 28 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 47 Oystercatcher, 37 Lapwing, 5 Golden Plover, 76 Ringed Plover, 25 Curlew, 50 Turnstone, 75 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Woodcock, 1 Jack Snipe, 41 Snipe, 18 Redshank, 20 Kittiwake, 3 Black-headed Gull, 15 Common Gull, 16 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Great Skua, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 ‘Blue’ Fulmar, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 1 Rook, 3 Carrion Crow, 139 Skylark, 12 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 19 Willow Warbler, 16 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 4 Goldcrest, 15 Blackbird, 6 Fieldfare, 44 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, 16 Robin, 3 Black Redstart, 4 Stonechat, 46 Wheatear, 3 Tree Sparrow, 1 Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 19 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 199 Meadow Pipit, 51 Rock Pipit, 1 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 18 Twite, 4 Linnet, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Snow Bunting
Year List: 93
25th March – 6th April 2025
The days are flying by, in another busy period that has seen the seasonal hospitality and ornithology staff arrive into the isle, settle into their new roles and move into our brand new Observatory building. The finishing touches are still to be made to the Obs, but we hope to be able to open bookings and welcome visitors back very soon.
The arrival of our seasonal ornithology team (Luke Marriner and Tom Wright as AWs, and Carla Hill as our Ranger) has meant some improved coverage of the isle, as they tour the census routes and explore the island. This combined with a very pleasant start to April, with sunny skies and calm winds, has seen the yearlist jump over the last few days, with some light passage evident. Long-distance migrants have been represented by our first Swallow (1st) and Willow Warbler (3rd) of the year, and the first returning Bonxies were seen over the hills on 3rd. Puffin numbers are building quickly, with birds ashore for the first time at Wirvie on 1st.
Wheatear are slowly building in number, welcome additions to the isle’s many stone dykes (Alex Penn)
A small number of Barnacle Goose have been a feature of recent days (Luke Marriner)
HIGHLIGHTS
Iceland Gull: Adult again on 28th March and 5th April.
Sightings of note: 4 Barnacle Goose, 72 Greylag Goose, 4 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Whooper Swan, 2 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Stock Dove (3rd), 2 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 2 Water Rail, 42 Oystercatcher, 30 Lapwing, 25 Golden Plover, 71 Ringed Plover, 19 Curlew, 82 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 40 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Woodcock, 30 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 24 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 7 Black-headed Gull, 18 Common Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Great Skua, 394 Puffin, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Blue Fulmar, 4 Cormorant, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Rook, 3 Carrion Crow, 156 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 15 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 3 Goldcrest, 28 Blackbird, 7 Fieldfare, 21 Redwing, 8 Song Thrush, 14 Robin, 2 Black Redstart (23rd), 4 Stonechat, 14 Wheatear, 3 Tree Sparrow, 1 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 10 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 190 Meadow Pipit, 35 Rock Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 21 Twite, 4 Linnet, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 6 Snow Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Reed Bunting
Year List: 92
8th - 24th March 2025
It’s been a busy couple of weeks here in the isle, with much of it taken up with work at the Obs site. An exciting day on 19th saw a huge delivery of furniture arrive for the Obs, with many of the isle’s residents coming out to lend a hand in unloading the endless trailer-loads of beds, mattresses, and bedroom and dining furniture. We can’t thank them enough for their support, and it made for an enjoyable morning of the community pulling together to get everything safely into the new building. That in turn has given Jonnie and I plenty to do, in unboxing and assembling as much as we can manage in the days since.
A busy but satisfying day of furniture moving (Alex Penn)
Though there hasn't been much time for birding for us, other eyes around the isle have picked up on some steadily growing passage, as spring begins to increase in pace. This has been headlined by the always-momentous occasion of the first Wheatear of the spring, with a female at Single Dyke on 23rd being the earliest arrival since 2005. Other early spring additions to the yearlist have included Lesser Black-backed Gull, Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Collared Dove, Rook and Yellowhammer, adding a splash of variety to proceedings. Some strong passage of Stonechat peaked with an impressive 11 birds on 9th, the highest count since 1977. The adult Iceland Gull remains, at least two Blue Fulmar are visiting cliff ledges, and a pair of Black Redstart on 23rd added to the scarcities.
The first Goldcrest of the year found some shelter in the Burkle garden (Alex Penn)
Two Blue Fulmar have been seen returning to ledges used last year, this one kicking off an intruding pale bird at Lericum (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Iceland Gull: An adult bird remains, being seen infrequently (11th and 23rd) around the south of the isle.
Sightings of note: 2 Pink-footed Goose, 9 Wigeon, 29 Teal, 3 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 3 Water Rail, 10 Golden Plover, 85 Ringed Plover, 45 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Woodcock, 4 Black-headed Gull, 4 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Blue Fulmar, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 1 Rook, 150 Skylark, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Robin, 2 Black Redstart (23rd), 11 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Chaffinch, 4 Twite, 1 Linnet, 1 Siskin, 14 Snow Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Reed Bunting
Year List: 76
17th February - 7th March 2025
We're back! Mid-February saw the return of Alex Penn and Jonnie Fisk to Fair Isle, into our respective new roles as Head of Ornithology and Hospitality Manager. Thanks to the generosity of Hollie and Deryk Shaw, we'll be based down the island at Burkle whilst the final stages of the Obs rebuild are carried out, allowing us to be on site and busy with preparations for seasonal staff arrivals and fitting out the new building as it nears completion.
The isle retains a wintry feel, with migration yet to properly kick into gear, though there have been signs of a trickle of movement beginning on some of the brighter days in late February and early March. The first Mistle Thrush, Black Redstart, Woodpigeon and Stonechat of the year have all been logged, along with other typical early movers including Siskin, Reed Bunting and Hen Harrier, bringing the yearlist up to 67.
Scarcities have included two Russian White-fronted Geese with the wintering Greylags, and intermittent sightings of at least one adult Iceland Gull.
One of the two Russian Whitefronts which were a welcome sight amongst the Greylags on our return (Alex Penn)
HIGHLIGHTS
Russian White-fronted Goose: Three birds arrived on 26th January, dropping to two by 4th February, which then lingered to 24th February.
Iceland Gull: Scattered sightings of an adult bird in South Harbour through late February, with another or the same bird at Stackhoull on 5th March.
Sightings of note: 171 Greylag Goose (including GPS and Darvic-collared birds from Iceland and Norway), 2 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Whooper Swan (27th), 14 Wigeon, 32 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Water Rail, 24 Oystercatcher, 38 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 95 Ringed Plover, 250 Turnstone, 34 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Woodcock, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hen Harrier (6th-7th), 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, 80 Skylark, 18 Blackbird, 30 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush (24th), 2 Robin, 1 Black Redstart (26th), 2 Stonechat, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit, 4 Twite, 1 Siskin, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting (26th)
Year List: 67