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For sixty years, the Fair Isle Bird Observatory
has welcomed visitors. Many come for the
birdlife, but all leave with lasting memories of
island life. The Observatory is the lynchpin of
Fair Isle's fragile economy. The welcome, the
work and the way of life are closely linked, and
unique to Fair Isle. Let's not lose them.
It will cost £4 million, over a quarter of
which has already been pledged by
Shetland Islands Council. Other
public funds are being sought,
but the Fair Isle
Bird Observatory Trust needs to
raise £1.5 million
through individual donations. The Trust
is an independent charity, which is
totally self-funded and reliant on revenue from visitors.
We're appealing for your help. FIBOT – NEW OBSERVATORY APPEAL 
Please buy a share
Fair
Isle
Bird
Observatory
Fair Isle, which is only 3 miles long, lies half way between Shetland and Orkney. It’s officially part of Shetland and can be reached from there by boat or plane. The Observatory was established by the ornithologist, George Waterston, nearly 60 years ago, as a way of studying migrant birds and securing the future of Fair Isle and its people. Fair Isle Bird Observatory has played a pioneering role in the study of bird migration and its research on seabirds has become very important due to the dramatic changes in the marine environment. The aim is to lead the way in 21st century migration studies and a new approach to the sustainable management and enjoyment of the coastal environment. Although, to begin with, it was little more than a collection of old naval huts, the present Observatory houses the Warden and Administrator, Deryk and Hollie Shaw and their family – and provides accommodation for 30 visitors. With the growth of eco tourism, it now attracts more people than ever, from twitchers - on the look out for rare migrants - to island enthusiasts. The chair of the Trust is Roy Dennis MBE, the ornithologist and broadcaster. He says: "This is a very great but very exciting challenge: to build a new, eco-friendly observatory, fit for the 21st century, which will provide excellent facilities for bird watchers, researchers and visitors to Fair Isle and play a crucial role in the future of the island and its residents. For us, it will help sustain our long-term studies into bird migration and our threatened seabird populations, studies which have taken on renewed significance in the light of climate change. It will allow us to extend our educational and ranger roles on the island, and encourage a new generation to come to know and love Fair Isle and its birds. We already have the financial backing of Shetland Islands Council and other public bodies, but we need you, as bird watchers and lovers of Fair Isle, to make the new observatory possible. Please donate what you can and help us to achieve our goal: to open our brand new Fair Isle Bird Observatory in 2010".
Bill Oddie, a regular visitor to the
Observatory, is giving his public backing to the Appeal at the Rutland Bird Fair
this weekend, August 16th/17th . Bill says: “ Mark Adderley,
Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland charity, who own Fair Isle,
visited last month and was thrilled by what he saw. He
also adds NTS weight to the FIBO Trust
appeal. "I visited Fair Isle Community Councillor, Fiona Mitchell added “This venture is a real investment in the future of the Bird Observatory and Fair Isle. I feel this positive decision is good news for our island economy, services and transport links that depend on the continued success of the Fair Isle Bird Observatory”. Around 70 people live on Fair Isle. It’s a mainly crofting community with a wide variety of musical and craft skills, including the traditional and highly distinctive knitting. For further information contact Hollie or Deryk Shaw (Administrator and Warden at the Bird Observatory) on Fair Isle at 01595 760258 |
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