2006 - MAY SIGHTINGS

May 31^st: The winds eased today, whilst swinging to the south-west. However, it did not herald an arrival of birds, but did allow good views of some of the scarcer birds of last week. The Common Rosefinch remains, as does the female Bluethroat and Red-backed Shrike. Other highlights included single Red-throated Diver, Barnacle Goose, Kestrel, Merlin, Whinchat and 8 “Greenland” Wheatear.

May 30^th: Despite the gusty north-westerly, there was a tidy selection box of scarce migrants, from land and sea. A brief seawatch in the evening brought instant results with 2 adult Pomarine Skua and 2 Manx Shearwater, while on the land there was a Common Rosefinch, Red-backed Shrike and the Short-toed Lark. Elsewhere there was a cracking summer plumaged Knot, a Sandwich Tern, Barnacle Goose and Greenshank.

May 29^th: The north-westerly wind prevails, as does the dearth of new migrants. Raptors dominated the highlights, with a Kestrel, Merlin, and the Marsh Harrier being seen at many locations. Meanwhile, the Short-toed Lark remains faithful to the ploughed field at Upper Stoneybreck, while a Greenshank was new in. Commoner migrants were notable by their absence, with 4 Collared Dove and a Song Thrush being welcome, if late, arrivals. A major rarity was also detected last week and confirmed today: the island’s first breeding record of Robin – in South Raeva! It is only the 4^th breeding record for Shetland following previous attempts at Kergord. We will keep you updated on their progress – though suggestions of a web-cam have already been quashed!

May 28^th: A good days birding, with migrants arriving at various times throughout the day. There were several highlights, including female Marsh Harrier and Red-backed Shrike, Black-tailed Godwit, Sandwich Tern and the Short-toed Lark. There were few commoner migrants, save for a Kestrel, Long-eared Owl, Grey Wagtail, 2 Redwing and singles of Spotted and Pied Flycatcher.

May 27^th: A very quiet day, with strong westerly winds taking what few migrants we had. Remnants from the last week included Short-toed Lark, a female Bluethroat and the Corn Bunting. Also seen were 2 Sanderling, a Whinchat, a Fieldfare and a Song Thrush.

May 26^th: Another cracking day of sunshine, with several of the last week’s star birds still showing well. These included the Short-toed Lark, Ortolan Bunting and Corn Bunting, while there were 2 female Bluethroat. Commoner migrants were low in number, but included a good diversity of species. Of note were a Great Northern Diver, Hen Harrier, Long-eared Owl, Garden Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher and 4 Rook. The day ended with optimism following a change of wind direction to south-east and a few showers of rain. Roll on tomorrow!

May 25^th:       Still slow on the migrants front, but an adult Long-tailed Skua was a welcome addition to the year list. Elsewhere there were the Corn and Ortolan Buntings, with 2 male Bluethroat. Commoner birds included a Reed Warbler, 2 Kestrel, 189 Oystercatcher and a Pied Flycatcher.

May 24^th: Another glorious day of sunshine was capped off with sightings of a male Ortolan Bunting at the top of Wester Lother, shortly after a Minke Whale had been seen around the stacks at the bottom. A new male Bluethroat was also seen in Homisdale. Elsewhere there was a Reed Warbler, the Corn Bunting and a large pipit sp. which flushed away out of sight. Common migrants included 3 Wigeon, 4 Sanderling, a Redshank, a Cuckoo, 2 Long-eared Owl and a Short-eared Owl and a single Garden Warbler.

May 23^rd: A change in the wind did occur today, but the switch from north-westerly to southerly did not cue an arrival of migrants, save for a new Short-toed Lark located late in the day at Midway, and a male Sparrowhawk trapped in the afternoon. The morning census was undertaken in glorious sunshine, but turned up very few birds of note. The Corn Bunting remains, as does the Teal, Long-eared Owl, 29 Purple Sandpiper, 5 Whimbrel, 131 Arctic Tern, and a late Fieldfare at the Plantation.

May 22^nd: The north-westerly wind all but cleared out the remnants of last week’s migrants, leaving only the Corn Bunting, Long-eared Owl and 2 Rook of note. New arrivals were few and far between, with only a drake Teal and 2 Wigeon. A change in the weather is eagerly awaited!

May 21^st: The cracking male Red-backed Shrike continues to be the popular attraction, after a quiet census. The clearout of commoner migrants continued, with numbers down to 9 Willow Warbler, 16 Tree Pipit, 11 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper and single Swift and Long-eared Owl. New arrivals totalled a Kestrel, Yellow Wagtail, and 35 Common Gull. The Corn Bunting continues to feed at Upper Stoneybreck.

May 20^th: A cool north-westerly wind did not produce many new migrants today, although there was a smart, but very mobile Red-Backed Shrike flying around the south of the island. Meanwhile the Corn Bunting continues to frequent the ploughed field at Upper Stoneybreck, along with the Stock Dove. Commoner migrants included a few new additions, with a Reed Warbler, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whinchat, 29 Tree Pipit, 5 Spotted Flycatcher and one each of Long-eared and Short-eared Owl.

May 19^th: The day started well, with a singing Cuckoo giving everyone a welcome alarm call at the Obs. Morning census went on to produce a Turtle Dove, Long-eared Owl and a Great Northern Diver, while a trip down to South Harbour in the evening turned up the first Icterine Warbler of the year. Commoner migrants included 20 Ringed Plover, 18 Whimbrel, 130 Arctic Tern, 22 Tree Pipit, 5 Sedge Warbler and a summer plumaged Knot. The Good Shepherd IV also turned up its first sightings, with a Storm Petrel being new for the year, as well as 2 White-beaked Dolphins.

May 18^th: Low cloud and drizzle predominated the day, allowing only a few good hours in the afternoon to census. When it did lift there were plenty of things to see, with a male Marsh Harrier quartering all corners of the island, a Great Northern Diver off the South Light, a Green Sandpiper in Boini Mire, and the Corn Bunting, Bluethroat and the Wryneck in the crofts. New birds in were a Turtle Dove and Long-eared Owl, as well as an influx of hirundines that included 90 Swallow, 50 House Martin and 2 Swift. Notable numbers of commoner migrants included 30 Tree Pipit, 11 Whinchat and 20 Dunlin while the 47 rather confused Barnacle Geese came back for a few more circuits of the island.

May 17^th: Several new birds were found today, despite the low cloud that covered the island for most of the day. Wildfowl dominated the new arrivals with 47 Barnacle Geese, 5 Greylag Geese, 1 Canada Goose, 2 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon and 1 Red-breasted Merganser. Scarcer birds included a Bluethroat, Corn Bunting and a Wryneck. Commoner migrants included 16 Dunlin, 22 Turnstone, 25 Purple Sandpiper, 18 Tree Pipit, 9 Whinchat 19 Willow Warbler 9 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Pied Flycatcher, 12 Reed Bunting and a cracking male Brambling.

May 16^th: A good days birding went into overdrive when a SCOPS OWL was caught in the Gully mid-afternoon. It is the second record for Fair Isle, following one on July 30^th 2003. The day had started well with a RED-THROATED PIPIT at Roskillie. It is not clear whether it is a separate bird from the one recorded last week. Scarcer migrants included the long-staying Corn Bunting and Short-toed Lark, new in were a Red-backed Shrike and a Bluethroat. Commoner migrants included 21 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff (1 eastern type), 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Spotted Flycatcher, 10 Redstart, 6 Whinchat, 20 Tree Pipit, 12 Reed Bunting, 5 Mealy Redpoll and 2 Green Sandpiper.

Scops Owl

Photos Deryk Shaw

May 15^th: After a quiet morning census, the easterly wind started to deliver late in the afternoon and 12 Willow Warbler and 2 Spotted Flycatcher are hopefully signposts to a promising day tomorrow. Census turned up the Ortolan Bunting, Corn Bunting, Short-toed Lark and a single Wryneck - at the shop. Commoner migrants included a Water Rail, 14 Purple Sandpiper, 8 Whimbrel, 7 Tree Pipit and a single Short-eared Owl.

May 14^th: Undoubted highlight today was the “flock” of 3 Osprey that flew north over the island at 1345hrs. Elsewhere the Ortolan Bunting, Corn Bunting and 2 Bluethroat still remain while a Goldfinch was new in. Commoner migrants included 3 Whinchat, 4 Redstart, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Mealy Redpoll and 1 Lapland Bunting.

Ortolan Bunting Photos Deryk Shaw

May 13^th:The clearout of commoner migrants continues, with most of the excitement coming from birds which had arrived last week. The only exception to this was the new Short-toed Lark which was found in the Wirvie Burn. From plumage details, it is easy to tell that this is not the bird seen last week at the South Light. The remaining scarce birds included 3 Bluethroat, 2 Wryneck, Corn Bunting, Ortolan Bunting, Hen Harrier and the obliging Quail at Lower Stoneybreck. Numbers to note of commoner birds were 12 Tree Pipit, 3 Mealy Redpoll, 3 each of Blackcap and Sedge Warbler, 5 Redstart and 12 Reed Bunting.

May 12^th: The Red-throated Pipit remains, flying over the Plantation at lunchtime. Elsewhere there were few new migrants in, but many of the scarcer birds remain, providing plenty of quality, if not quantity. They include the Wryneck, Wood Warbler, Quail, Bluethroat (3), Corn Bunting and male Ortolan Bunting and Hen Harrier. The new birds that did arrive included a Short-eared Owl, while a drake Shoveler was new for the year.

Long-eared Owl Photo Rebecca Nason		Bluethroat Photo Rebecca Nason
Bluethroat Photo Rebecca Nason		Ortolan Photo Rebecca Nason

May 11th: The best day of the season so far, despite the thinning out of commoner migrants of the last few days. The day started well with a fine Red-throated Pipit being found in North Park. It is the seventy first Fair Isle record.  Elsewhere there were a cracking adult male Ortolan Bunting (the elusive bunting from a few days ago), Wryneck, Short-toed Lark (still), Corn Bunting (still) Quail, Lapland Bunting and a male Hen Harrier. The supporting cast included 6 Bluethroat, 2 Cuckoo and only the second Sanderling of the year in South Harbour.
Cuckoo Photo Rebecca Nason	Short-toed Lark Photo Deryk Shaw	Red-throated Pipit Photo Rebecca Nason

May 10^th : Highlight today (aside from the glorious weather) was the 8+ Minke Whale seen from Malcolm’s Head in the early evening. On the avian front there were single Quail, Corn Bunting, Turtle Dove, Hawfinch and (Siberian) Stonechat, while a Cuckoo was new for the year. Other notable records included 5 each of Bluethroat and Dotterel, 2 Red-backed Shrike, 27 House Martin, 22 Whitethroat, 13 Lesser Whitethroat and 40 Willow Warbler.

Cuckoo Photos Mark Warren

May 9^th: A quieter day today, in part due to the thick fog covering the North of the island. There were few new birds around, with a single Quail at Lower Stoneybreck being the day’s highlight. Despite this, there were still a few of yesterday’s birds remaining, including 3 Red-backed Shrikes, 3 Bluethroats, Short-toed Lark at the South Light, Corn Bunting at Barkland and the flighty (Siberian) Stonechat around Houll. Common migrants included 6 Common Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 10 Arctic Tern, 20 Tree Pipit, 25 Redstart, 9 Whinchat, 10 each of Lesser Whitethroat and Common Whitethroat, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 10 Pied Flycatcher, 17 Reed Bunting and a single Ring Ouzel.

Long-eared Owl Photos Mark Warren

8th May: A light North Easterly wind ensured a crazy (and somewhat frustrating!!!) day with migrants flooding in throughout. The madness began with a brief sighting of a flyover bulky Bunting seen poorly at Barkland early on. Subsequent searches for this bird produced a badly seen and brief presumed male Ortolan at Field Ditch and Hesswalls. After much confusion (two bird theory etc…) the first Bunting reappeared at Barkland and once sat still was easily identified as only Fair Isles 5th Corn Bunting in the last thirty years!! More frustration when a mobile large Pipit seen around the slopes of Dronger and Wester Lother mid-morning refused to call, and views were distant and inconclusive, although opinion swayed towards Tawny Pipit. To top the frustration was a possible Siberian Stonechat (a male) found at the School just before tea, but viewing was difficult as it was incredibly mobile. Hopefully we sahll see the underwing tomorrow to clinch the ID. Add to this was an impressive arrival of scarce migrants with 6 Bluethroat, 2 male Red-backed Shrikes, a Waxwing, and a Wood Warbler. Common Migrants were numerous with 8 Sand Martin, 94 Swallow, 24 House Martin, 23 Tree Pipit, 7 Robin, at least 35 Redstart, 9 Whinchat, 10 Fieldfare, 3 Reed Warbler (year tick), 15 Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff (including 2 eastern ‘types’), 40 Willow Warbler, 3 Spotted and 17 Pied Flycatchers, 3 Mealy Redpoll and finally an impressive 18 Reed Buntings. 8 Common Sandpipers were a good day count and a Woodcock was flushed. With all the action a Red-breasted Merganser, Long-Eared Owl (trapped in the Gully), and the Lingering Short-toed Lark barely got a look in. The Moorhen also re-appeared at the Obs and the Tree Sparrow remains.		Possible Siberian Stonechat Photo Deryk Shaw   Bluethroat Photo Paul Baxter   Bluethroat Photo Paul Baxter
Blue-headed Wagtail Photo Paul Baxter			Blue-headed Wagtail Photo Paul Baxter
7th May: More birds today although news from else-where in Shetland/Orkney suggests we may have missed out somewhat. A male Bluethroat found early morning in Da Water got the day off to a good start, while 4 typically tame Dotterel in the Parks showed well to their finders, but had done a ‘Houdini’ act after lunch. The Short-toed Lark continues to prevent a ‘kick-about’ by remaining on the Football Pitch at South Light, and the male ‘flava’ Yellow Wagtail was still in the Havens. The Wood Sandpiper moved to Easter Lother, and the Shelduck was still in South Harbour. 2 Wigeon were new as was a Woodcock, Jackdaw, 3 Spotted Flycatchers and there are now 2 female Sparrowhawks patrolling the Isle. Warbler counts were as follows; single Grasshopper, 8 Sedge, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whitethroat, 2 Garden, 8 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff and 21 Willow. Hirundines increased slightly, with 10 Tree Pipit, 2 Black Redstart and 7 Whinchat the only other passerines of note. 45 Arctic Skuas were on the hill, with 44 Common Gulls of various ages seen about the place and a Short-eared Owl was flushed from Da Water.
6th May: The Easterly wind continues to blow and new birds are still arriving daily. A Short-toed Lark found at Leogh in the morning had moved to the football pitch at South Light later in the day. A Lesser Redpoll was trapped at Barkland early morning with presumably the same in the South Light area later on. A Shelduck in South Harbour was our 5th individual of the spring, while the Wood Sandpiper remains faithful to the muddy margins at Da Water. Dunlin numbers had increased to 20 with 2 Common Sandpiper also present. A few more Warblers were found with the first 2 Garden Warblers of the year in Hjukni and Easter Lother, with 4 Sedge Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 8 Blackcap, 14 Chiffchaff and 39 Willow Warbler also recorded. A fine male ‘flava’ Yellow Wagtail was on the beach at South Haven although a Stock Dove in the South was more unusual. Other sightings of note were 2 Long-eared Owl, 2 Sand Martin, 35 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 11 Tree Pipit, a female Black Redstart, 6 Whinchat, 159 Wheatear, single Spotted Flycatcher and at least 3 Mealy Redpolls. A few Corvids from last week remain with 19 Carrion Crow and 3 Rook counted.
May 5th: More new arrivals as the Easterly winds continue. A few quality Waders this time with 3 Dotterel on Dronger the undoubted highlight, although a Wood Sandpiper at Da Water was worthy of second place. Warbler numbers were about half that of yesterday but 2 Grasshopper Warblers were new. Hirundines were also much reduced with only 30 Swallows and 5 House Martins seen. Also of note were a Kestrel, 9 Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, 9 Lesser-black backed Gull, 3 Arctic Tern, one each of Long and Short-eared Owls, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Rook, the Tree Sparrow, and a Mealy Redpoll. The Pink-footed Goose, Moorhen and Goldfinch are still here.			Wood Sandpiper Photo Deryk Shaw
May 4th: A moderate South Easterly wind produced a decent arrival of summer migrants, with the North and West cliffs in particular, well occupied with passerines. Four Year ticks were added today; Yellow Wagtail (2), Lesser Whitethroat (4), Spotted Flycatcher (3) and an early Turtle Dove at Wester Lother. 39 Willow Warblers were found mainly on the cliffs with 3 Sedge Warbler, 11 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat and 15 Chiffchaff also counted. Hirundines were prominent with 70 Swallow, 3 Sand and 6 House Martin seen. 17 Tree Pipits was a good day total, the supporting cast being 9 Ring Ouzel, 7 Robin, 2 Dunnock and an increase in Wheatears to 191. Other highlights were 3 Long-eared and 2 Short-eared Owls, another Goldfinch this time at Barkland and a male Bullfinch at North Light. Skuas continue to arrive with 50 Arctic and 105 Bonxies on the hill. A Common Sandpiper, 4 Dunlin and 10 Whimbrel were the only Waders of note. The female Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Moorhen and Crossbill are all still present and a few more Siskin arrived with at least 9 on the Isle.			Common Crossbill Photos Mark Warren

May 3^rd: A Black-tailed Godwit was new for the year and a male Common Crossbill was trapped at Barkland. A male Peregrine was new and there were large increases in Arctic Skuas (26), Swallows (15) and corvids with 34 Carrions, 8 Hoodies, 3 ‘Hoodion’ hybrids and 4 Rook. Also noted were the Great Northern Diver, 3 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 2 House Martin, 5 Tree Pipit, 3 Black Redstart, Whinchat, Sedge Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler and the Tree Sparrow. 

Common Crossbill

Common Crossbill Photos Paul Baxter

Rook

May 2^nd:   New birds included female Merlin seen on Ward Hill, 2 Dunlin, 2 Swallow, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Black Redstart, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Linnet and a Grey Wagtail.  A Sedge Warbler in the Obs’ garden early morning, a male Whinchat was at Da Water and a Tree Sparrow trapped at Barkland were all new birds for the year.  A count of 120 Wheatear was high compared to the last few days and a ‘fall’ of corvids was diligently noted, numbering 3 Jackdaw, 20 Carrions, 12 Hoodies, 5 ‘Hoodion’ hybrids and 5 Rooks.  More appealing migrants were 20 Brambling, 5 Whimbrel, 7 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaffs, 4 Redstart, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Robin, 1 Ring Ouzel and 4 Tree Pipits.  Remaining from previous days were the first-summer Great Northern Diver off South harbour, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Teal and a Water Rail and Moorhen at the Obs’.

May 1^st:   Moderate to strong South-easterlies with rain produced a small fall of migrants, mostly found sheltering on the north and west cliffs.  Year ticks were 1 male Pied Flycatcher and 3 Whitethroat, but new in were also 8 Tree Pipit, 4 Redstart, 7 Ring Ouzel, 5 Blackcap, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Robin, 4 Song Thrush and 3 Reed Bunting.  Other passage of note included 3 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 8 Snow Bunting, 5 Whimbrel, 1 Barnacle Goose and 3 Teal.  One Great Tit was still around the Obs’ garden and Moorhen, Pink-footed Goose and Yellowhammer also remain.