|
2006 -
MAY SIGHTINGS
May 31st:
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 30th:
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 29th:
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 4th
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 28th:
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 27th:
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 26th:
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 25th:
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 24th:
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 23rd:
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 22nd:
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 21st:
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 20th:
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 19th:
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 18th:
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 17th:
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 16th:
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
30th 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.
May 15th:
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 14th: 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 13th: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 12th:
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 10th
:
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 9th:
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 3rd:
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 |
_03-05-06s.jpg)
Common Crossbill
Photos Paul Baxter |
Rook |
May 2nd:
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 1st:
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.
|
_03-05-06.jpg)
