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COMMON and RARE
MIGRANTS
Since the early
1900’s, Fair Isle has been an internationally renowned site for the
observation of migrant birds. The Bird Observatory was established in 1948
by George Waterston, who recognised the island for its attraction to
migrating birds.
The winter months are generally very quiet, with occasional
wildfowl and storm driven gulls of note, including Iceland and Glaucous.
Migrant birds become evident from late March, becoming more numerous through
April and by the time the Observatory opens to visitors in late April,
migration is well underway. Fair Isle relies heavily on the weather to blow
migrating birds off course. If conditions are right, large falls of common
migrants such as Wheatear, Whinchat, Redstart, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff
and Tree Pipits can occur. Scarce migrants will also be mixed in with
Bluethroats, Wrynecks, Red-backed Shrikes, Marsh and Icterine Warblers and
occasional Ortolan Buntings seen. Regular spring rarities include Rustic
Bunting, Red-throated Pipit and Subalpine Warbler. Rarer birds in the past
few years have included Thick-billed Warbler, White-throated Sparrow,
Yellow-rumped Warbler and Collared Flycatcher. May is the best spring month
to visit Fair Isle for numbers of migrants, with more unusual birds seen
from the end of May and through June.
Wheatear |
Rustic Bunting |
Red-backed Shrikes |
July is often a quiet month as efforts are concentrated on
seabird studies and spring migration tails off before autumn migration
begins in August. However, failed breeders are often noted returning south,
with waders and gulls passing through and the occasional passerine seen.
Unusual birds in July have included Nightjar, Arctic Warbler, Black-eared
Wheatear, Two-barred Crossbill and the isle’s only record of Scops Owl.
Nightjar |
Scops Owl |
Autumn migration is well underway by mid-August with waders,
gulls, ducks and passerines all seen in good numbers. Falls of birds often
occur, usually toward the end of the month. The weather is nearly always
good and makes for a pleasant day’s bird-watching, especially if you catch
up with an early autumn rarity in the form of a Greenish Warbler or Citrine
Wagtail! September is the traditional month for seeing good numbers of
common migrants, rarities and bird-watchers! The ‘Fair Isle specials’ seen
during this month can include Pechora Pipit, Olive-backed Pipit, Pallas’s
Grasshopper Warbler, Great Snipe, Yellow-breasted Bunting and Lanceolated
Warbler. October can be as good as September, but there is the added bonus
of seeing tens of thousands of thrushes, hundreds of Robins and a handful of
Long-eared Owls. Most of our rarest vagrants have turned up during this
month with Harlequin Duck, Brown Shrike, Black-faced Bunting, Savannah
Sparrow, Siberian Rubythroat and Red-flanked Bluetail all seen in the last
few years.
Lanceolated Warbler |
Savannah Sparrow
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During the migration periods, Observatory staff are occupied
with daily census work whereby the island is split into three sections and
checked on rotation, ensuring everywhere is covered! Daily ringing
activities also take place and all visitors are encouraged to join staff on
the early morning trap round to see what migrants have arrived over-night!
Contributions to the days record of observations are encouraged at the log,
called by Deryk in the evening.
Fair Isle does rely heavily on the weather to produce large
falls of birds, but as many visitors will know, anything can turn up at any
time………. |
