May 2005

May 31st: May ended with possibly the best days birding of the month - although it didn't really start until lunchtime!! A good start was the re-appearance of the Tawny Pipit on Buness - following an eight day absence! Two Quail were heard singing in the south of the isle. A well overdue Red-backed Shrike (female) was in Hjukni Geo and a Long-eared Owl was flushed from Hill Dyke whilst three Short-eared Owls remain. A female Hen Harrier, two Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Merlin completed the raptor round-up. Both Black and Common Redstart were seen and three Bluethroats were found. A cracking male Grey-headed Wagtail was seen at various parts of the isle and a few hirundines (20 Swallow, 14 House Martin) were counted as were a thin scattering of common warblers. Most unexpected though was the Great-spotted Woodpecker at the Plantation in the evening!

May 30th: Another quiet day but a Black Redstart was new and three Quail were noted.

May 29th: A better day for birds, although still miserable weather and a cold N'ly wind. A male Dotterel was found near the School, a Quail at Leogh and a new male Hen Harrier drifted through. Other counts and sightings included; Knot, 49 Dunlin, 9 Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, 36 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Short-eared Owl, 12 Swallow, 2 House Martin, the Rook, 2 Tree Sparrows and male Yellowhammer.

May 28th: A much quieter day with the a stiff N'ly wind and rain. New birds were a Waxwing, male Siskin and male Yellowhammer. A Sparrowhawk, Short-eared Owl, 3 Tree Pipit, the long-staying Rook and 2 Tree Sparrows were also seen.

May 27th: A bright morning with a light N'ly wind soon clouded over as the wind strengthened to F5-6. Not much evidence of movement today but a cracking red male Common Rosefinch was found at Shirva and was later heard singing at Schoolton. A brown individual was also at Barkland. One of the ringed Icterine Warblers was seen in the Parks and two Quail were heard. A male Hen Harrier floated through whilst other raptors included Peregrine and Sparrowhawk. Other counts and sightings of note were; Grey Heron, six Sanderling, Knot, 49 Dunlin, 35 Lesser Black-backed Gull, two Tree Pipit, Black Redstart (still) and a similar scattering of common warblers to yesterday.

May 26th: A quieter day with highlights of remaining Common Buzzard, Quail, Bluethroat and Common Rosefinch. Kestrel and Merlin were both spotted and 5 Sanderling is the highest count so far this year. Other good counts included 30 Dunlin, 33 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 400 Arctic Tern, 4 Short-eared Owl and 4 Tree Pipit. Lingering Ring Ouzel, Black Redstart, Rook, 2 Tree Sparrow and Brambling were all seen again and a thin smattering of common warblers were also remnants of the past few days.

May 25th: Highlights were provided by four Icterine Warblers (two trapped) plus two Bluethroats and a Quail. Some counts included 26 Dunlin, 24 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 Swift, 40 Swallow and 32 House Martin whilst a good scattering of warblers ( 9 Sedge, 2 Reed, 11 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff and 3 Willow Warbler) was noted. Other sightings were; Kestrel, Peregrine, Common Sandpiper, 3 Tree Pipit, Black Redstart, Whinchat, Fieldfare, Brambling, 2 Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, 2 Snow Bunting and 5 Reed Bunting.

Icterine Warbler
Photo Deryk Shaw

May 24th: A male Golden Oriole was, typically, hard to catch up with and two Common Rosefinch were a welcome year tick as was a reported Short-toed Lark. The Common Buzzard was seen again and three Quail (including one which had collided with a fence and died) and 2 female Bluethroats were the other highlights. A Red-throated Diver flew over calling and some good hirundine counts (7 Sand Martin, 45 Swallow and 30 House Martin) were received. Warblers were in evidence with 8 Sedge, 2 Reed, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Common Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff and 8 Willow Warbler logged. Other sightings included 4 Barnacle Geese, Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Sandpiper, 11 Black-headed Gull, 33 Common Gull, 3 Short-eared owl, 2 Swift, 5 Tree Pipit, Black Redstart, 3 Whinchat, Ring Ouzel, Mistle Thrush, 2 Tree Sparrow and 4 Snow Bunting. The first Ravens fledged from Milens-houllan and Skinners Glig - ten days later than normal!

May 23rd: A Quail was added to the year list whilst the Common Buzzard was seen again and 2 Barnacle Geese flew over. A Long-eared Owl joined the 3 Short-eared Owls present. Some increased wader counts included 20 Purple Sandpiper, 45 Dunlin, 49 Turnstone and 15 Whimbrel (including one spring-trapped on the beach). A flyover flava wagtail was seen whilst a Mistle Thrush is unusual at this time of year but 2 Ring Ouzel and 2 Fieldfare are less so. A scattering of warblers included 6 Sedge Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Common Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 20 Chiffchaff and 11 Willow Warbler. Six Spotted Flycatcher, Black Redstart, Common Redstart, 4 Whinchat, the 2 Tree Sparrow, 2 Linnet and fine male Snow Bunting were also noted. Best of all however was not found until the evening when a Tawny Pipit was located on Buness - the 17th Fair Isle record but first since 1993.

Tawny Pipit

Whimbrel
Photos Deryk Shaw

May 22nd: A hazy warm day with a light SE'ly. There was a complete raptor-fest today with 2 Hen Harriers (one bearing a wing tag), Osprey, Common Buzzard, Peregrine, Merlin and Kestrel all logged. Reed Warbler was added to the year list and a new male Bluethroat was trapped. Other highlights were 2 Swift, 2 Whinchat, 2 Ring Ouzel, Grasshopper Warbler and 8 Sedge Warbler and a number of Hirundines (50+ Swallow, 3 Sand Martin and 20 House Martin). Also of note was a dead Risso's Dolphin on the beach at Furse.

Risso's Dolphin

Bluethroat

Photos Deryk Shaw

May 21st: A wet morning with a light SSW wind developed into a beautiful afternoon. The Bluethroat remains near the Observatory, where a Waxwing put in an appearance and a Garden Warbler was added to the year list. A flock of 35 Barnacle Geese flew over and later another six passed through. Highlights however were the almost simultaneous appearance of an Osprey and a Common Buzzard.

May 20th: Blanket fog seriously hindered census but a Golden Oriole was seen a few times around the isle. The Bluethroat, Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher and Reed Bunting were the next best on offer.

May 19th: At last the wind is in the SE, but still very cold!! It brought instant results with a RUSTIC BUNTING at Wirvie and the first Bluethroat of the year at the Obs. Two Spotted Flycatchers were also a year tick and other new arrivals included a Goldeneye, an Iceland Gull, 2 Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Chaffinch and a Yellow Wagtail. The last of the wintering Greylag Geese departed whilst lingering birds included Kestrel, Merlin, Tufted Duck (a pair), Short-eared Owl, Ring Ouzel, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Tree Sparrow and 5 Snow Bunting. Counts of 20 Dunlin, 200 Arctic Tern and 260 Wheatear were of note.

Bluethroat

Photos Deryk Shaw

May 18th: Another day with a cool light NW'ly but an almost blue sky and brilliant sunshine raisewd the temperature somewhat. The most noticeable birds were the 350 Arctic Terns screaming overhead whilst a similar number of Wheatears were also logged. Also of note were a pair of Tufted Duck, female Long-tailed Duck, Sparrowhawk, Knot, Sanderling, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Grey-headed Wagtail (both males), Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Tree Sparrow, Linnet, 3 Mealy Redpoll and 6 Snow Bunting. The wind started to swing east in the evening, so perhaps tomorrow will be better?

Knot

Photos Deryk Shaw

May 17th: The wind remains a cool NW'ly, but lighter today. Highlight was the first Quail of the year whilst 380 Wheatears were counted and a female Ring Ouzel was trapped in the Plantation and four Snow Buntings lingered.

May 16th: With the wind still in the NW, another quiet day and highlights of two Great Northern Divers - one in Finniequoy and another at South Light. A Long-tailed Duck was in South Harbour and on land were; Kestrel, 260 Wheatear, Tree Pipit, Willow Warbler and four Snow Bunting.

May 15th: A quiet day with absolutely nothing of note.

May 14th: A generally quiet day with a light westerly wind with prolonged drizzle in the afternoon. Several lingering birds including Rook, Whinchat, Goldfinch and Shorelark were noted. New birds included a Wryneck whilst Dotterel and Sanderling took the year list to the 150 mark.

May 13th: A beautiful day with blue sky and a light NNW'ly wind, which just took the edge off the (otherwise seemingly) baking temperature!
Highlight of the day was undoubtedly the Great Reed Warbler which was trapped shortly after breakfast in North Grind. Later that morning a Rough-legged Buzzard passed through and was seen coming in at Sumburgh 50 minutes later. Five Sparrowhawks and 2 Peregrines added to the raptor passage. A Grey-headed Wagtail was another year tick which was relegated to an also-ran! A new Shorelark was found near the Chapel and a male Whinchat, 4 Tree Sparrows, 2 Sedge Warblers, Ring Ouzel and the male Yellowhammer rounded off a nice day.

Great Reed Warbler
- 12th Fair Isle record & first since 1996

Photos Deryk Shaw

May 12th: A glorious warm sunny day with blue sky and light westerly winds. Highlights were the two Ospreys that passed through, one just prior to lunch and another at 4 pm. A Waxwing trapped in the Obs trap and the first Sedge Warbler of the year were not the only other sightings of note. Good numbers of gulls and terns were around again - 20 Black-headed Gull, 75 Common Gull, 15 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 50+ Arctic Tern. Apart from the Ospreys, raptor delights were 2 Kestrel, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk. Two Shelduck flew along the west cliffs and the male Tufted Duck was again on Field Pond. Three Cormorant flew over and 20 Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper were the wader highlights. Hirundines were in evidence with at least 40 Swallow, 5 House Martin and 2 Sand Martin. On the warbler front; 3 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat and the Lesser Whitethroat were outnumbered by the dozen or so Chiffchaff and 8 Willow Warbler. Four Tree Sparrow was another good find whilst the finch family produced 3 Common Redpoll, 2 Linnet and a Goldfinch. Finally, a cracking male Yellowhammer frequented the Observatory environs all day!

May 11th: A surprisingly quiet day with the first main arrival of Arctic Terns (numbering 60+) the main highlight and 40 Black-headed Gulls and 57 Common Gulls the only other counts of note.

May 10th: The Red-necked Phalarope remained in North Haven for another day - allowing all those who missed it yesterday to enjoy fanatastic views of a delightful little bird. Elsewhere, the Shorelark was relocated on Meoness, female Black Redstarts lingered in the Havens and at the Mast - where a male Ring Ouzel also remains. Other sightings included a couple of Red-breasted Merganser, Cormorant, 28 Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, 4 Arctic Tern, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Linnet, Common Redpoll and 3 Snow Bunting.

Red-necked Phalarope, North Haven
Although breeding as near as Fetlar they are scarce elsewhere in Shetland. This is only the 20th Fair Isle record.

Photos Deryk Shaw

May 9th: Bird of the day was a female Red-necked Phalarope found in North Haven. A hopeful seawatch for Pomarine Skuas proved fruitless but did produce a Manx Shearwater. On land, Peregrine, 21 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Short-eared Owl, Black Redstart, female Northern Bullfinch and 3 Snow Bunting were the highlights.

May 8th: A strong cold WNW wind with nasty showers made census pretty unpleasant. The Richard's Pipit remains near the Observatory but a pleasant surprise came just prior to lunch when a smart male Rustic Bunting was discovered near the Plantation. It had obviously recently arrived as it was very flighty and just goes to show that birds can arrive on Fair Isle in even the worst weather!!!

Richard's Pipit
- although regular in the Autumn, this is only the third Spring record following birds in May 1998 & May 2002 .

Photos Deryk Shaw

May 7th: A cool fresh NNW wind with showers was not conducive to any movement. The Richard's Pipit has relocated to the Observatory and a Ring Ouzel was at the mast.

May 6th: An even quieter day, but Garganey, Shorelark and Richards Pipit are still present and 5 Arctic Terns were spotted. Lingering Short-eared Owl and Grasshopper Warbler were the next best.

May 5th: A quieter day with the wind firmly in the west, but the male Garganey, Shorelark and Corn Bunting all remain.

May 4th: A generally quiet day but a male Garganey in Hegri Burn was a delightful surprise and a Shorelark on Meoness was also another nice addition to the year list. Other sightings of note were; 220 Wheatear, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Tree Sparrow and 10 Brambling.

Shorelark Photo Deryk Shaw

May 3rd: A glorious warm morning with blue sky and sunshine and light SW'ly wind gradually cooled as the wind veered NE'ly. Highlights were the reappearance of the Corn Bunting plus three year ticks; a Common Tern in the Havens, a summer plumaged Great Northern Diver off Meoness and 4 Tree Sparrows on Hill Dyke.

May 2nd: A (mainly) glorious day with light SW'ly winds. A large number of Wheatears arrived and a final day total of 380 is almost three times that of the previous day. Added to these were; 32 Golden Plover, 4 Common Sandpiper, 50 Swallow, 15 House Martin, 5 Sand Martin, 4 Tree Pipit, 18 Dunnock, 4 Ring Ouzel, 9 Chiffchaff, just 1 Willow Warbler and a flock of corvids (5 Rook & 14 Carrion Crow). The best however were the four year ticks spotted; Arctic Tern, Common Swift, Whinchat and a Richards Pipit - only the third Spring record. The Citrine Wagtail was seen again, briefly and the Waxwing continues to eat apples outside the Observatory!

May 1st: A cloudy but mild day with a light ESE'ly. The Citrine Wagtail was re-found near the Raevas and the Waxwing is still present at the Obs - with possibly another seen flying around the south end. Migrants were fairly thin on the ground with highlights of; House Martin, 135 Wheatear, 16 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and Lesser Whitethroat.

Waxwing
Photo Deryk Shaw