2006 - JUNE & JULY

Due to seabird commitments the web updates were weekly for this month.

July 24^th – 31^st: The only scarce birds present this week were trapped; the first was a Quail, courtesy of a crofter’s cat! Fortunately it was saved and released into a safer meadow. The second was the years first Leach’s Petrel caught with 45 Storm Petrels – a total from 3 separate nights of trapping. As is usual for the time of year waders predominated, with good counts of common migrants. They included 3 Grey Heron, 18 Lapwing, 31 Sanderling and a Greenshank (all 29^th). Elsewhere there were a handful of Knot, a Green Sandpiper, a Purple Sandpiper, a Whimbrel and 21 Dunlin (25^th). Other highlights of the week included a Teal and Tufted Duck (25^th-27^th), a Peregrine (29^th) and 28 Common Gull. The only passerines of note were a Willow Warbler and a Garden Warbler (25^th).

July 14^th – 23^rd: Highlight of the period was undoubtedly the 2 Basking Shark seen off of north Buness on July 21^st. Despite an increase in sightings in Shetland, these were only the 4^th and 5^th records for Fair Isle, with 2 of those previous records in the last 2 years. A Porpoise was also seen close inshore on the same guided walk! On the bird front, there was an expected increase in waders, with numbers peaking at 78 Turnstone (23^rd), 30 Redshank (23^rd), 2 Knot (23^rd), 4 Sanderling (22^nd), 15 Dunlin (23^rd), 2 Bar-tailed Godwit (20^th), 2 Whimbrel (20^th) and a Purple Sandpiper (20^th). Other birds of note included a Tufted Duck (22^nd-23^rd),4 Crossbill (19^th), a Kestrel (18^th), Chaffinch and Willow Warbler (15^th), a Song Thrush (22^nd) and a White Wagtail (20^th). Meanwhile the lonely Rook remains in a bedraggled state outside the Obs! On the seabird front we are delighted to announce the first fledged Arctic Terns in over 4 years. At the last count there were nearly 100 fledged, with plenty nearly there! Skua numbers are also up, and we have already broken a record for Great Skua pulli ringing!

July 4^th – July 13^th: There were no scarce birds recorded in this traditionally quiet period, but typical early autumn migrants have started to appear. These included Redshank increasing to 60+ (11^th), Turnstone up to 13 (11^th) and singles of summer plumaged Knot and Purple Sandpiper. Meanwhile there were single Golden Plover (9^th)& (12^th),Whimbrel (11^th) and Teal (9^th). Black-headed Gulls also peaked at 26 (12^th). The only other birds of note were 2 Swift (10^th), 2 Common Crossbill (9^th) and a male Chaffinch (12^th).

July 3^rd: Despite it being early July, it was an excellent day that deserved a full write-up! An adult Glaucous Gull was a good mid-summer record, flying around the south. Whilst watching the gull the Common Rosefinch burst into song at Burkle, although it was never actually seen! Elsewhere there was a Teal, Sandwich Tern, Red-throated Diver, Black-headed Gull, a male White Wagtail and the Rook. Waders are now picking up in number, with 4 Dunlin, a Whimbrel, 7 Redshank and 11 Curlew. Meanwhile a Robin was seen sitting outside the old nest hole, so we assume the other Robin is inside incubating (again!). Reports of Orca’s heading south from Shetland had us racing to the north cliffs, although we had to make do with 2+ White-sided Dolphins and 8+ Porpoise as the large Killer Whale pod didn’t arrive!

June 27^th – July 2^nd: As expected it was a quiet week, although there were a few birds trickling through. As “stormie” season begins, a few attempts were made to catch them, but only a few Storm Petrels were actually seen, although some at a nesting colony in the Kirn o’Scroo were excellent sightings. Daytime sightings comprised a Kestrel (30^th), Bar-tailed Godwit (29-30^th), 8 Curlew (27^th), a Black-headed Gull, 8 Swift (28^th), a Short-eared Owl (1^st July), Black Redstart (27^th), Spotted Flycatcher (30^th), Tree Sparrow (1-2^nd July) and a Common Rosefinch (2^nd).

June 26^th: Highlights of the day were the 5+ Minke Whale seen from 3 different vantage points around the Isle. On the ornithological front there was a Dunlin, 4 Redshank, a Black-headed Gull, 4 Collared Dove, a House Martin and the Dunnock, with a few corvids making up the rest of the sightings, with 2 Hooded Crow, 2 Carrion Crow and the long-staying Rook.

June 25^th: The Brent Goose remains, while there were more geese in the form of 6 Greylag flying over. The only other birds of note were 30 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 4 Swallow.

June 24^th: As summer begins, the bird census continues to get quieter and quieter, although there are still some surprises turning up! A single dark bellied Brent Goose on Meoness was a welcome year tick, if quite unexpected! Elsewhere there were 2 calling Quail around the south, a single Song Thrush, a Rook and 4 Collared Dove.

June 23^rd: A much quieter day today, following a calm and clear night. However, there were still a few of the long staying birds around, with the Red-backed Shrike around Barkland, a Quail calling below Schoolton and 2 Sandwich Tern and a Common Tern down in South Harbour. Common migrants included a Redshank, 5 Turnstone, a Chiffchaff and a Chaffinch. Cetacean watching produced a single Minke Whale off the east side.

June 22nd: A cracking day’s birding in glorious conditions! The day had started well with a Marsh Warbler singing at Barkland, and it was the centre of the island that was to have the rest of the day’s best birds too! Highlight was undoubtedly the European Bee-eater first seen near Pund, and later found just up the road from the Observatory on the wires at Dutfield. It is the first island record in 24 years. Also seen was the Red-backed Shrike, a Quail and another year tick in the form of a Bar-tailed Godwit. Common migrants included a Carrion Crow, House Martin, Siskin and Chaffinch.

Marsh warbler Photo Deryk Shaw

European Bee-eater Photo Deryk Shaw

June 21^st: There were only 2 new arrivals noted on the island today, a Woodpigeon and a Common Rosefinch! The Rosefinch was another brown bird, making it (at least) the 4^th of the spring so far. Elsewhere, the Red-backed Shrike remains around the centre of the island, the Iceland Gull continues to roost in the large gull flock at the base of Meoness, while the Long-eared Owl again provided morning entertainment for the visitors enjoying their pre-breakfast cuppa in the lounge. Other birds of note included a Swift, a Chaffinch and a Mealy Redpoll. A Robin was also seen carrying food in South Raeva, we assume they are perhaps trying again after an unsuccessful first attempt.

June 20^th: A very quiet and sunny day became quiet animated when a possible Bee-eater was reported flying past the Observatory. Unfortunately the fleeting glimpses through the window, and lack of any subsequent sightings means it will probably go down as “one that got away”. Elsewhere, there were a few scarce birds doing their best to avoid detection, with a 2^nd summer Iceland Gull hidden amongst the large gull flock above the Walli Burn, which contained at least 95 Lesser Black-backed and 1 Black-headed. A Sandwich Tern was also seen on morning trap rounds, lingering near the Double Dyke tirrick colony. Other migrant birds included 2 Dunlin, 2 Swallow, 1 Swift, 1 Dunnock and 1 Rook. In other news, it also seems that the South Raeva Robin’s have failed in their breeding attempt, as neither they, nor any offspring have been seen for 4 days.

June 19^th: The male Red-backed Shrike still remains, favouring the fences around Barkland. Whilst watching the Shrike, a Quail was heard from the direction of Pund. Meanwhile, the 26 (not 27) Canada Geese remain, although it seems that they have lost one from their skein en route from Sumburgh, and it has been replaced with a Greylag! Other sightings included the Long-eared Owl in the garden, 3 Redshank, 1 Golden Plover, 4 Dunlin, 8 Collared Dove, a Sedge Warbler, the Mealy Redpoll and the Bullfinch. This week has also seen the first hatched chicks of Eider, Great Skua and Arctic Skua.

Bullfinch Photo Mark Warren

June 18th: A day where very little was seen until after Bird Log, when a record flock of 27 Canada Geese flew past the Observatory window! These are presumably the same birds seen at Sumburgh in the last few days. Elsewhere, the Hobby was seen again near the School, the Long-eared Owl was in the Obs garden and the male Bullfinch was seen in the Plantation. The supporting cast for the day included 7 Collared Dove, 4 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 2 Sedge Warbler, a Willow Warbler and a Chaffinch. In a brief cetacean watch, one Minke Whale was seen far off to the east.

June 17^th: Another foggy day meant census was severely restricted, although it was still clear enough to pick out the male Red-backed Shrike, the Marsh Warbler and the Short-toed Lark. Also noted were 2 Swift, 8 Swallow, the Long-eared Owl, a Black Redstart, 2 Sedge Warbler, a Reed Bunting, 11 migrant Curlew, 2 Redshank and 6 Turnstone, while non-resident gulls totalled 10 Black-headed and 149 Lesser Black-backed. Another interesting record was of a singing (screeching!) Water Rail in the Boini Mire just after midnight.

 

		The 'bright' Chiffchaff Photo Deryk Shaw

June 15^th: An interesting, if frustrating day’s birding. An unusual Chiffchaff that was first trapped on the 15^th was re-trapped and had full biometrics taken, leading us to believe it is possibly a Willow Warbler/Chiffchaff hybrid. The bird’s wing formula points to Common Chiffchaff but it has many features of a Willow Warbler. Possibility that it could be Iberian Chiffchaff is unlikely, but being investigated. Another interesting bird was a probable River Warbler heard singing (and taped) from the Rosa bushes at Schoolton. Hours of waiting were not rewarded though, and we have to pin our hopes on tomorrow. Other sightings of the day included a Marsh Warbler, Short-eared Owl, Black Redstart, 4 Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Kestrel, 2 Rook, Siskin, Bullfinch and a flyover Redpoll sp.

June 14^th: There was plenty to hold the attention today, although the sightings were largely made up of yesterday’s birds. Still present are a Common Rosefinch, Marsh Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Bullfinch, Siskin, Dunnock, 4 Whimbrel and 6 Greylag Geese. New in were 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Red-throated Diver and 3 Spotted Flycatcher, while 2 Minke Whale were seen from land.

June 13^th: A cracking days birding, with plenty to hold the attention of a full Obs. Highlights were numerous, with 2 Marsh Warbler, the male Red-backed Shrike, the singing Common Rosefinch in the Obs Garden, a male Bullfinch and a Robin still loitering with intent near the nest site. There was also a fair scattering of commoner migrants, with 12 Greylag Geese, 5 Whimbrel, 41 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 Collared Dove, Short-eared Owl, 2  Long-eared Owl, 5 Swift, 2 White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Redwing, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, Siskin and a single Storm Petrel, seen from the Good Shepherd IV.

June 12th: Strong south-easterlies continue and this time the optimism turned into birds, with another Common Rosefinch singing in the garden, which was joined after breakfast by an Icterine Warbler. Census went onto produce another Common Rosefinch, the season’s 4th Short-toed Lark and a roosting Long-eared Owl in Busta Geo. Common migrants included a Kestrel, Whimbrel, Redshank, Song Thrush, Swift and 30 Lesser Black-backed Gull. Icterine Warbler Photo Deryk Shaw

June 11^th: With a south-easterly wind and low cloud, there was a fair degree of optimism around the Observatory regarding the day ahead. However, these optimistic thoughts did not turn into reality, as we recorded one of the quietest days of the season so far. The only new bird of a note was a welcome, if expected, addition to the year-list in the form of a Marsh Warbler at Bulls Park late afternoon. Meanwhile, the male Red-backed Shrike remains at nearby Barkland, and there was Short-eared Owl, Kestrel and Dunnock recorded elsewhere.

June 10^th: As expected, the fog remains. Census is proving quite difficult, but still rewarding, with the beautiful male Red-backed Shrike showing very well at various points around the Isle. Still present is the Sandwich Tern down south, the female (probably “thunbergi”) Yellow Wagtail, 3 Whimbrel, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 11 Dunlin, 2 Rook, a Sedge Warbler and a Dunnock. New in were a Cormorant, 2 Chaffinch, 5 Common Tern and 26 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

June 9^th: Another day of fog that only lifted for a period in the evening, before descending again. The male Red-backed Shrike remains, as does the Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, 5 Whimbrel and a single Minke Whale off the south. New in was a pair of Teal, a female Kestrel, 2 Woodpigeon, a Short-eared Owl, a White Wagtail and 3 Willow Warbler.

June 8^th: The warm weather southern Britain has enjoyed for the last week has resulted in the inevitable low cloud and thick fog for Fair Isle, though it did clear towards the end of the day. Despite this, a few new birds had turned up, with a pair of Red-backed Shrikes (including yesterday’s male), a Sandwich Tern and a female Yellow Wagtail being the highlights. Other migrants included 11 Dunlin, 5 Whimbrel, 13 Turnstone, a Redshank, 6 Collared Dove and 2 Blackcap, while the 2 Rook still linger around the Obs. A Minke Whale and Porpoise were also seen from land.

June 6^th: The day started well with a 1^st summer male Common Rosefinch singing in the Obs garden before trap round had even begun! However, despite the promising wind direction and the fine weather, it was a quiet morning’s census with 3 Spotted Flycatcher, a Long-eared Owl and a Sanderling being the highlights. With the afternoons work centred on seabirds, it was left to another FIBO Director, Chris Cox, to find a female Subalpine Warbler near Hesti Geo mid-afternoon. At this rate we could lay-off the current ornithological staff and bring in the old guard of directors to do the job! The ensuing surge in coverage well into the evening did not yield any more results though, aside from a couple of Sedge Warbler and an unusually large flock of 14 Collared Dove.

June 5^th: Like yesterday, there was glorious weather and the late evening arrival of the day’s best bird! A fair few hot chocolates were spilt with the news of an Osprey heading north towards the Obs at 9.20pm, and the 20 or so guests were delighted as the bird slowly cruised over the Havens and away north. Despite the easterly wind there were few new additions, with highlights made up of the past weeks birds, with the Red-backed Shrike and Great Northern Diver. A trickle of common birds was recorded, with 2 Whinchat, Sand Martin, 8 House Martin, 3 Sedge Warbler and 2 Purple Sandpiper. The calm sea also enabled 2 Minke Whale to be spotted, continuing a great week for cetaceans!

June 4^th: An exceptionally still day with plenty of sunshine meant eyes were cast to the sea for cetaceans, with a good showing from 6+ Minke Whale and 6 Porpoise. These were the highlights of the day until Ex-Warden and FIBO Director, Roger Riddington, found a superb 4^th summer Long-tailed Skua very late in the day at Johnnies Peats. The bird posed admirably for everyone, and left with an acrobatic flourish chased by 2 Arctic Skua. Other highlights included the Great Northern Diver, Kestrel, Short-eared Owl and the 2 breeding Robin. Supporting cast was made up of 3 Tree Pipit, a Siskin, Redwing, Garden Warbler, 2 Common Redpoll and 6 Chiffchaff.

June 3^rd:       With the majority of the Observatory’s directors on the Isle, we hoped that the presence of such ornithological greatness would inspire a flurry of sightings! Bird wise this was not the case, but we thank Roy Dennis for finding a pod of 6+ Killer Whales which quickly flashed down the east coast! Another good Fair Isle record (spotted by another Director, Jane Reid) was a Bat, flying about the geos in broad daylight, however the brief views meant it will have to go down as a “small brown Bat sp.”  but is most likely to be a Nathusius’ Pipistrelle. Bird highlights were made up of May’s remnants, with the Red-backed Shrike, Short-eared Owl, Whinchat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat. New birds included a Great Northern Diver, Cuckoo, Linnet and 2 Common Redpoll.

June 2^nd: Low cloud again predominated, but brief breaks did allow for a partial census, turning up considerably more than yesterday. However, it seems very few new birds have found the Isle in the last 2 days. Highlights included the Red-backed Shrike, 4 Teal, 3 Whimbrel, a Knot, and 62 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Passerines were scarce, with singles of Sedge Warbler, Whinchat, Lesser Whitethroat, and an extremely flighty unstreaked Acrocephalus warbler which eluded us on numerous occasions. Elsewhere there were 2 Short-eared Owl and an oiled Long-eared Owl, while the Robins continued to carry food to their nest!

June 1^st: Visibility and general weather conditions were terrible today, and unsurprisingly very few migrants were recorded. The female Red-backed Shrike remains in the Pund and Upper Stoneybreck area, a Barnacle Goose was on Buness, 17 Turnstone were in South Harbour while there were new arrivals in 3 Tree Pipit and a Reed Bunting, whilst a June Redwing was also a good record.

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Last modified: 15 August, 2008   Further information about Fair Isle at: www.fairisle.org.uk