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Fair Isle is home to an
internationally important population of seabirds and is famous for the
density and diversity of species. Over 250,000 seabirds of 18 different
species nest on the island, ten of which nest on Fair Isle in nationally or
internationally important numbers, these being: Fulmar, Gannet, Shag, Arctic
Skua, Great Skua, Kittiwake, Arctic Tern, Guillemot, Razorbill and Puffin.
Other species nest in smaller numbers, these being Storm Petrel, Eider,
Common Tern, Black Guillemot, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great
Black-backed Gull and Common Gull. With the exception of Storm Petrel, all
of these species are easy to see on the island.
During the summer, the
cliffs and northern hill areas are alive with the sound and smell of
seabirds. Most of the breeding birds have arrived back by the start of May,
with Observatory staff fully occupied in seabird monitoring from this time
through until late August. Population levels, productivity, adult survival,
chick growth and development & diet are all measured under contract to the
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), for whom an annual report is
produced.
Storm Petrels are ringed
near the Observatory, often in large numbers, from mid-July to mid August,
usually starting around midnight! Visitors may be able to observe and help
in these activities. For real ‘hands on’ experience of seabird work, the
ideal time to visit the island is mid-July. Visitors may be involved with
Puffin and Storm Petrel ringing and we always appreciate help with trampling
across the heather in search of skua chicks!
For many visitors however,
simply witnessing the sights and sounds of the spectacular seabird colonies
in such close proximity is the highlight of their trip.
There are also plenty of
photo opportunities, with the nearest Puffin colony just 500 metres from the
Observatory. These are probably the worlds most approachable Puffins, with
birds even nibbling your shoelaces!
The table below shows the
most recent counts of seabirds breeding on the island:
SIZE OF SEABIRD
POPULATIONS BREEDING ON FAIR ISLE
SPECIES
|
NUMBER
|
LAST
COUNT
|
TREND
|
Fulmar
|
20,424 |
AON |
2000 |
52.9 % decrease from 1996 |
|
Gannet |
1,859 |
AON |
2003 |
17.3% increase from 2002 |
|
Razorbill |
3,600 |
BIRDS |
2000 |
9.2 % increase from 1994 |
|
Guillemot |
39,200 |
ADULTS |
1999 |
4.5 % increase from 1994 |
|
Puffin |
54 000 |
BIRDS |
2001 |
Unclear |
|
Black Guillemot |
230 |
ADULTS |
1999 |
26.0% decrease from 1995 |
Arctic Skua
|
55 |
AON |
2003 |
8.3% decrease from 2002 |
|
Great Skua |
155
|
AON |
2003 |
14.0% increase from 2002 |
|
Arctic Tern |
41 |
AIA |
2003 |
64.3% decrease from 2002 |
|
Kittiwake |
8,204 |
AON |
2001 |
29.6% decrease from 1997 |
|
Shag |
663 |
AON |
2001 |
16.9% increase from 1998 |
KEY |
AON = Apparently occupied nests
AOT = Apparently occupied territories
AIA = Apparently Incubating Adults |
Other
breeding seabirds (in much smaller numbers) include Storm Petrel, Eider
Duck, Common Tern, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull,
Herring Gull and Common Gull
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