Sightings archive: June - December 2017
16th-31st December
HIGHLIGHTS:
Glaucous Gull: peak of 6 on 17th, with regular sightings of up to 3
Blue Tit: all three remained until the end of the year
Little Auk: four from the Good Shepherd on 29th with one off South Light on 30th
Other Sightings (counts generally refer to the maximum number recorded in the period):
4 Whooper Swan (21st, with a juvenile lingering throughout), 8 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter (female still present), Red-breasted Merganser (female, 24th), Great Northern Diver (in North Haven throughout), Slavonian Grebe (17th, North Haven), 4 Water Rail, 2 Oystercatcher, 5 Golden Plover, Lapwing, 198 Turnstone, 16 Purple Sandpiper, 50 Redshank, Guillemot (on cliffs on 25th), Black-headed Gull, Merlin, Peregrine (adult male 28th), 2 Carrion Crow, Blackcap (Fair Isle's latest ever record was a female at the Obs on 21st), 6 Fieldfare, Song Thrush, just small numbers of Blackbird and Redwing, c6 Robin, 6 Twite, 35 Snow Bunting.
Blackcap, Obs, 21st December (David Parnaby)
Year list: 214
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9th-15th December
Strong winds continued to the weekend then calmer weather saw some snow and ice during a generally cold spell.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Glaucous Gull: 2 on 13th, with an adult still 14th and 2 (1CY and 2CY) on 15th
Blue Tit: 3 still present throughout
Little Auk: one from the Good Shepherd on 11th, with a freshly dead bird found in the North Haven on 15th
Other Sightings (counts generally refer to the maximum number recorded in the period):
3 Whooper Swan (two adults and a juvenile seen during the period), 8 Pink-footed Geese, 190 Greylag Goose, 9 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 36 Mallard, 2 Long-tailed Duck (Furse, 10th), Common Scoter (North Haven, 9th), Goldeneye (South Harbour, 10th), 2 Great Northern Diver (lingering adult in North Haven and one from Good Shepherd on 11th), 'blue' Fulmar (from Good Shepherd on 11th), Slavonian Grebe (a rare winter record of a bird sheltering in North Haven on 9th), Water Rail, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, 3 Lapwing, 12 Curlew, 7 Purple Sandpiper, Guillemot (present offshore in good numbers), 5 Black-headed Gull, 2 Merlin, Peregrine (9th), 2 Carrion Crow, 5 Skylark, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Song Thrush (and small numbers of Redwings, Blackbirds and Robins still), Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch (Obs 11th), 16 Twite, Redpoll sp., 65 Snow Bunting (peak on 9th).
Great Northern Diver, North Haven, 15th December (David Parnaby)
Year list: 214
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1st-8th December
Generally unpleasant weather, with regular windy spells, including gusts of up to 93mph on Thursday afternoon, and wintry showers
HIGHLIGHTS:
Glaucous Gull: peak of 5 on 8th (2 x ad, 3 x 1CY) with 2 x 1CY on 7th, 1CY on 2nd and an adult on 3rd
Blue Tit: 3 still (one at Obs, 2 around Haa and Burkle)
Little Auk: one off South Light on 2nd
Other Sightings (counts generally refer to the maximum number recorded in the period):
Whooper Swan (adult on sea at Ditfield then Furse on 2nd and on the clifftop at Ditfield 8th), 8 Pink-footed Goose, 163 Greylag Goose, 9 Wigeon, 6 Teal, Common Scoter, Goldeneye (off South Light 8th), Red-breasted Merganser (male 1st, female 2nd), Great Northern Diver (North Haven 6th-7th), Grey Heron (2nd), Oystercatcher, Golden Plover (until 3rd at least), Knot (Schoolton, 8th, a rare winter occurence). Guillemot (lots offshore early in the month), Kittiwake (scattered singles offshore then 54 passed South Light in 30 minutes on 8th), 6 Black-headed Gull (8th), Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, Chaffinch (Obs, 5th), 10 Twite, 40 Snow Bunting.
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Oystercatcher, North Haven, 1st December (David Parnaby)
Year list: 214
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29th-30th November
HIGHLIGHTS:
Glaucous Gull: 3, all 1CY, on 30th
Blue Tit: 3 still present (one at Obs, 2 around Haa and Burkle)
Other Sightings (counts generally refer to the maximum number recorded in the period):
3 Whooper Swan, 8 Pink-footed Goose, 138 Greylag Goose, 13 Wigeon, 7 Teal, Common Scoter, Oystercatcher, 12 Rock Dove (headed south out to sea off South Light on 30th), Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, White Wagtail (still at Houll), 10 Twite, 2 Redpoll sp?, 40 Snow Bunting (Utra).
Year list: 214
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23rd-28th November
HIGHLIGHTS:
Glaucous Gull: regular sightings of one or two 1CY birds, but 10 on 26th (2 adults, 2 x 3CY, 4 x 2CY, 2 x 1CY) and 7 (5 adults, 1CY and 2CY) on 28th.
Iceland Gull: 3 on 26th (2 x 2CY and a 1CY)
Blue Tit: three still lingering around the feeders, one at the Obs, two in the south
Herring and Great Black-backed Gull flock in Homisdale containing Iceland and Glaucous Gulls, 26th November (David Parnaby)
Other Sightings (counts generally refer to the maximum number recorded in the period):
3 Whooper Swan, 8 Pink-footed Goose, 7 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 26 Mallard, 5 Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter (female in North Haven 28th, presumably the bird seen earlier in the month), Red-throated Diver (still in Furse), 3 Water Rail, 2 Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Lapwing (23rd; first record of the month), Woodcock,
Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, Blackcap (two new males at the Obs on 23rd, with a new female the following day), 'White Wagtail' (still around Quoy and Houll), Meadow Pipit, Mealy Redpoll (singles on 23rd and 25th), 40 Snow Bunting (Utra).
Year list: 214
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19th-22nd November
Light easterly winds on 21st brought a small fall, including the largest number of birds ringed in a day so far this month (just 15!), with winds increasing to severe north-easterly gales overnight, which saw large numbers of gulls present on 22nd.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Glaucous Gull: single 1CY on 21st then a remarkable 22 on 22nd (including 17 1CY and 5 2CY), although with much movement of gulls and several flocks partially hidden, the actual number present will probably have been larger. This is the largest count since 35 on 27th December 1975, although someway short of the record Fair Isle count of 300 on 24th November 1969!
Iceland Gull: 1CY at the Haven on 21st
Blue Tit: sightings at the Obs and Haa/Burkle indicated at least 3 still present
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Top: Glaucous Gull, Ditfield, 22nd November (David Parnaby)
Bottom: Blue Tit, Obs, 19th November, the habitat it is making use of is recycled Christmas trees (David Parnaby)
Other Sightings (counts generally refer to the maximum number recorded in the period):
3 Whooper Swan, 6 Pink-footed Goose, 157 Greylag Goose, 6 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck (20th), Goldeneye (until 20th), Red-throated Diver (still in South Harbour on 22nd), Great Northern Diver (off South Light, 20th), blue Fulmar (single on 21st, 3 on 22nd), 2 Water Rail (Lower Stoneybrek and Obs), Oystercatcher, 3 Golden Plover (21st, with one lingering throughout), 3 Jack Snipe (2 Boini Mire, 1 Barkland, 21st), Woodcock, Guillemots (small numbers offshore most days, with most on 21st), Black-headed Gull, 9 Common Gull, 2 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 4 Skylark, Chiffchaff (one at Stackhoull on 21st; first sighting of the month), Blackcap (first sighting since 7th involved a female in the south on 19th-20th, with two males and a female in the North on 21st), 59 Blackbird (21st; as with most thrush counts, these are around Obs and crofts only), 20 Fieldfare, 12 Song Thrush (on west cliffs on 20th, with 5 around Obs and crofts on 21st), 120 Redwing (21st), 8 Robin (21st), White Wagtail (still present at Quoy until 21st at least), Meadow Pipit (still small numbers present), 3 Chaffinch (21st), 33 Twite, Mealy Redpoll (9 redpolls on 21st were mostly seen in flight, but one trapped was a Mealy, with one still present on 22nd), 32 Snow Bunting (on 19th, highest count of the autumn).
Year list: 214
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15th-18th November
HIGHLIGHTS:
Glaucous Gull: 1CY at Ditfield on 16th
Blue Tit: at least two (one ringed) lingering around Haa and Burkle, with sightings at the Obs and Plantation suggesting there may be three still around
Other Sightings (counts generally refer to the maximum number recorded in the period):
3 Whooper Swan, 6 Pink-footed Goose (the lingering flock of 5, with a new arrival on Meoness on 18th), Greenland White-fronted Goose (adult on Meoness on 18th),
169 Greylag Goose, 19 Wigeon, 10 Teal, Long-tailed Duck (male Meoness, 18th), Goldeneye (male on Da Water on 18th that then landed on the drive at Quoy!), Red-throated Diver (lingering bird around Furse and North Haven until at least 17th), Grey Heron (Obs, 17th), Water Rail (at least three still: Burkle, Haa and Lower Stoneybrek), 2 Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, 7 Purple Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 4 Skylark (minimum), Ring Ouzel (still present around Byerwalls/Gilsetter until 18th), Grey Wagtail (15th), White Wagtail (lingering bird at Quoy became the latest ever alba wagtail for Fair Isle on 18th), Meadow Pipit (still a few around), Brambling (Burkle 15th), Chaffinch (Burkle 15th), Snow Bunting.
'Greenland White-fronted Goose' (middle) with Mallard and Greylag, Meoness, 18th November (David Parnaby)
Other wildlife:
Cetacean sp?: at least one dolphin sp? seen from South Light on 20th
Year list: 214
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8th-14th November
HIGHLIGHTS:
Glaucous Gull: maximum of 4 1CY birds (13th), with a 2CY on 12th
Iceland Gull: 1CY over Obs on 14th
Little Auk: one off South Light on 14th
Blue Tit: at least one present throughout, often feeding at Haa, although also seen at Obs and Plantation on 13th-14th
Other Sightings (counts generally refer to the maximum number recorded in the period):
3 Whooper Swan (two adults and a juvenile still, which were joined by another juvenile on 10th), 5 Pink-footed Goose, 172 Greylag Goose (numbers building, peaking on 12th), 'Dark-bellied Brent Goose' (seen again at Upper Leogh on 10th), 23 Wigeon (peak count on 14th, including five past South Light), 5 Teal, 23 Mallard, 3 Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter (South Harbour, 12th), Red-throated Diver (single in Furse/North Haven 12th-14th, plus one off South Light 12th), Great Northern Diver (South Light 13th), blue Fulmar (3 off South Light on 12th and one there 14th), Sooty Shearwater (off South Light 14th), Gannet (remarkably, a near-fledged chick was still on the cliffs at Lerness on 13th - it has survived gales, rain and hail, but probably needs to get going soon if it has any chance of surviving the winter), Grey Heron, 3 Water Rail (two at Burkle, one at Quoy), 2 Oystercatcher (13th-14th), Golden Plover (lingering bird at Burkle/Quoy), 178 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin 5 Purple Sandpiper, 42 Redshank, 10 Woodcock (during Sheep Hill on 8th, smaller numbers on other dates), 2 Razorbill (14th off South Light; first of the month), Black-headed Gull (11th), 2 Woodpigeon, 2 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 7 Skylark, Ring Ouzel (12th-13th around the Parks), 27 Blackbird (as with other thrush counts, mostly around west cliffs and North on 13th), 14 Fieldfare, 17 Song Thrush, 43 Redwing, 7 Robin, Dunnock (Gunnawark, 13th), White Wagtail (still present at Quoy throughout), Meadow Pipit (still small numbers present), Brambling (Burkle, 13th), Chaffinch (2 Furse, 13th), 28 Twite, 25 Snow Bunting.
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Red-throated Diver, North Haven, 14th November (David Parnaby)
Other wildlife:
Grey Seal: 33 pups counted around the main colonies on 13th, bringing the total born this year to a minimum of 42
Year list: 214
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Tuesday 7th November
HIGHLIGHTS:
Glaucous Gull: at least 2 1CY birds still present
Blue Tit: one still present at Haa
Other Sightings:
3 Whooper Swan, 7 Wigeon, Teal, Common Scoter (one in South Harbour then Ditfield was the first since 8th September), Red-throated Diver (a late bird in South Harbour), Great Northern Diver (off Hesswalls), Hen Harrier (still present), Golden Plover, 114 Turnstone, Dunlin, 8 Purple Sandpiper, 34 Woodcock, 4 Merlin, Blackcap (female at Obs), 29 Blackbird (as with all thrush numbers, a minimum count given the limited coverage of the island), 51 Fieldfare, 13 Song Thrush, 61 Redwing, Mistle Thrush (North Light), 10 Robin, Grey Wagtail, 'White Wagtail', (one still at Quoy), Brambling (male at Obs), Chaffinch.
Year list: 214
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Monday 6th November
HIGHLIGHTS:
Glaucous Gull: 7 (seven) 1CY birds
Blue Tit: one still in the Gully
Other Sightings:
3 Whooper Swan (2 adults and the regular juvenile), 52 Greylag Goose, 5 Wigeon, 2 Teal, Grey Heron, Hen Harrier (ringtail), Water Rail (Gilsetter), Oystercatcher, Woodcock, 2 Woodpigeon, Merlin, 2 Blackcap (Obs), 72 Fieldfare (a clear arrival), 'Mealy Redpoll', Snow Bunting.
Year list: 214
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1st-5th November
HIGHLIGHTS:
Little Auk: one off South Light on 2nd
Glaucous Gull: 1CY on 3rd-4th and adult on 5th
Blue Tit: 4; three around Stoneybrek and one aronud the traps until 4th at least
Other Sightings (counts refer to the maximum number recorded in the period, although note that census has finished for the year):
Whooper Swan (lingering juvenile throughout), 4 Pink-footed Goose, 118 Greylag Goose, 'Dark-bellied Brent Goose' (lingering bird present until 3rd), 5 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 21 Mallard, Tufted Duck (1st), 2 Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye (2nd), Red-breasted Merganser (3rd), Great Northern Diver (4th), blue Fulmar (15 on 2nd, with 3 on 4th and singles on 3rd and 5th), 2 Water Rail (Gilsetter and Lower Stoneybrek), 2 Woodcock, Merlin, Goldcrest (one lingered at the Obs until 2nd), 4 Blackcap (2 lingering at Obs throughout with peak count on 4th), Mistle Thrush (Obs), Wheatear (one lingered in the South Haven until 2nd but was found dead there on 4th), Dunnock (Obs on 2nd), Grey Wagtail, 'White Wagtail' (a late bird lingering around the pigs at Quoy), Brambling (1st), 14 Snow Bunting.
Other wildlife:
Many-ribbed Jellyfish: a wreck of at least 20 in South Haven on 4th
Year list: 214
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Tuesday 31st October
HIGHLIGHTS:
Little Auk: two off South Light were the first of the year
Glaucous Gull: 1CY bird over Buness then on Goorn
Other Sightings:
Whooper Swan (lingering juvenile), 3 Pink-footed Goose, 27 Greylag Goose, 7 Wigeon, Teal, Long-tailed Duck, 2 Water Rail, Merlin, Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, Wheatear, Dunnock, Chaffinch.
Year list: 214
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Monday 30th October
HIGHLIGHTS:
'HORNEMANN'S ARCTIC REDPOLL': one at the School Brae was assumed to be the bird seen earlier in the month around Pund
Blue Tit: 3; one in the south-east of the island, one in the Gully (the bird ringed at the Obs on 25th) and one still at Easter Lother
Iceland Gull: 1CY bird off South Light
Glaucous Gull: 1CY bird in Ditfield
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'Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll', School Brae (James Walsh)
Other Sightings:
6 Whooper Swan (5 adults, 1 juvenile), 3 Pink-footed Goose, 83 Greylag Goose, 3 Wigeon, Teal, 4 Long-tailed Duck, 3 blue Fulmar, Slavonian Grebe (Ditfield), 2 Water Rail, 3 Golden Plover, 2 Lapwing, 5 Jack Snipe, 4 Woodcock, Puffin (one off South Light; first of the month), Woodpigeon, Merlin, Peregrine, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 75 Blackbird, 68 Fieldfare, 87 Song Thrush, 260 Redwing, 45 Robin, 3 Wheatear, 4 Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 36 Meadow Pipit, 2 Brambling, 10 Chaffinch, 2 Snow Bunting, Yellowhammer, 3 Reed Bunting.
Year list: 213
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Sunday 29th October
HIGHLIGHTS:
Blue Tit: one still present at Haa
Other Sightings:
6 Whooper Swan (3 adults, 3 juveniles), 3 Pink-footed Goose, 81 Greylag Goose, 2 Barnacle Goose, Dark-bellied Brent Goose (still present, although relocated to Nether Taft), 12 Wigeon, Goldeneye, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Diver (off South Light), Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk (the ringed juvenile male at Obs), 2 Water Rail, Woodcock, 3 Woodpigeon, 3 Merlin (including one heading south off South Light), Peregrine, Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtail, 'White Wagtail', 9 Brambling, 3 Chaffinch, 'Mealy Redpoll', Goldfinch, 7 Snow Bunting, Yellowhammer.
Year list: 213
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Saturday 28th October
HIGHLIGHTS:
Little Bunting: again present at Pund
Glaucous Gull: 1CY in Ditfield
Other Sightings:
Whooper Swan (juvenile), Dark-bellied Brent Goose (juvenile), 2 Long-tailed Duck, Goosander, Sparrowhawk, Merlin, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtail, 16 Snow Bunting.
Year list: 213
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Friday 27th October
HIGHLIGHTS:
Little Bunting: still at Pund
Blue Tit: at least three still
Glaucous Gull: 2 1CY birds in Homisdale
Other Sightings:
Whooper Swan (juvenile), 5 Pink-footed Goose, 29 Greylag Goose, Dark-bellied Brent Goose (juvenile), 11 Wigeon, 3 Teal, Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander (still in the South Harbour area), Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, 4 Water Rail, 12 Golden Plover, 5 Jack Snipe, 6 Woodcock, 2 Great Skua, 2 Woodpigeon, 3 Merlin, Peregrine, 3 Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 180 Blackbird, 6 Fieldfare, 75 Song Thrush, 404 Redwing, Mistle Thrush, 23 Robin, Black Redstart (Mast), Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 2 Dunnock, 3 Grey Wagtail, 58 Meadow Pipit, 14 Brambling, 11 Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll, 4 'Mealy Redpoll', 2 Goldfinch, 13 Snow Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer.
Other wildlife:
Killer Whale a large
fin seen off North Light briefly twice was assumed to be a bull of this species
Year list: 213
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Thursday 26th October
Weather: NW4-6, gusting stronger, cloudy at first then brightening, with showers at first. Good enough weather for Sheep Hill.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Olive-backed Pipit: one trapped in the Vaadal just before dusk was the first of the month and just the 12th to be ringed on Fair Isle
Little Bunting: one at Pund showed quite well during the afternoon
Blue Tit: at least two still present
'Siberian Chiffchaff': one at Burkle
Other Sightings:
Whooper Swan (juvenile), 5 Pink-footed Goose, 42 Greylag Goose, 10 Barnacle Goose, Dark-bellied Brent Goose (juvenile still at Upper Stoneybrek), 15 Wigeon, Teal, 3 Long-tailed Duck, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander (Kirki Geo), blue Fulmar (off South Light), 3 Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk (juvenile male trapped and ringed at the Plantation in the evening), 3 Water Rail, 35 Golden Plover, 12 Lapwing, 6 Jack Snipe, 36 Woodcock (Sheep Hill always produces a good count!), 105 Snipe, 2 Bonxie, Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl, 2 Merlin, Peregrine, 10 Goldcrest, 6 Chiffchaff (including the tristis bird), 5 Blackcap, 4 Ring Ouzel, 909 Blackbird, 21 Fieldfare, 145 Song Thrush, 987 Redwing, 4 Mistle Thrush, 48 Robin, Whinchat, Stonechat (male still in Boini Mire), 3 Wheatear, 4 Dunnock, 5 Grey Wagtail, 'White Wagtail', 26 Brambling, 19 Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll, 5 'Mealy Redpoll', 2 Goldfinch, 7 Snow Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer, 7 Reed Bunting.
Year list: 213
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Wednesday 25th October
Weather: a moderate and freshening SW wind, with showers, some heavy, increasing in the afternoon
HIGHLIGHTS:
Shorelark: one still at Gunnawark
Blue Tit: 3, including another bird ringed at the Obs (the second of the year, therefore doubling the previous ringing total for the Fair Isle)
Yellow-browed Warbler: one at Wirvie
Other Sightings:
7 Whooper Swan, 9 Pink-footed Goose, 27 Greylag Goose, 4 Barnacle Goose, Dark-bellied Brent Goose (juvenile still around Upper Stoneybrek), 9 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 6 Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, 4 Water Rail, 55 Golden Plover, 13 Lapwing, 275 Turnstone, 10 Jack Snipe, 17 Woodcock, 119 Snipe, 5 Bonxie, 3 Woodpigeon, 4 Short-eared Owl, 4 Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 14 Goldcrest, 77 Skylark, 6 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat (one trapped at the Obs), Ring Ouzel, 1067 Blackbird, 35 Fieldfare, 123 Song Thrush, 997 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 71 Robin, Redstart (male at the Obs), 2 Whinchat, 4 Wheatear, 5 Dunnock, 5 Grey Wagtail, 'White Wagtail', 148 Meadow Pipit, 22 Brambling, 25 Chaffinch, Linnet, 3 'Mealy Redpoll', 2 Goldfinch, 22 Snow Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer, 7 Reed Bunting.
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Water Rail at Lower Stoneybrek (top) and Redstart at the Obs (David Parnaby)
Year list: 213
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Tuesday 24th October
Weather: a fairly calm southerly wind that increased and veered more SW during the day. A few light showers, but generally mild dry and even a few sunny spells.
HIGHLIGHTS:
RED-THROATED PIPIT: one briefly near Single Dyke
'HORNEMANN'S ARCTIC REDPOLL': yesterday's bird from Pund was relocated with Twite at Gilsetter before moving to Bull's Park
'NORTHERN TREECREEPER': one at Troila was just the 10th record of Treecreeper for the Isle (subject to acceptance) and first since 2014. All of those that have been identified to subspecies have also been 'Northern Treecreeper'.
Shorelark: 3; one still at Gunnawark and two near on Vaasetter near the Gully
Blue Tit: 4 still scattered around the island
'Siberian Chiffchaff': one
'Northern Treecreeper', Troila (David Parnaby)
Other Sightings:
Whooper Swan (adult), 7 Pink-footed Goose, 26 Greylag Goose, 4 Barnacle Goose, Dark-bellied Brent Goose (juvenile still present), 14 Wigeon, Teal, Pintail (a drake on Buness), 2 Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, 3 Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, 3 Water Rail, 47 Golden Plover, 10 Lapwing, 249 Turnstone, Ruff, 24 Jack Snipe, 63 Woodcock, 158 Snipe, Bonxie (first record since 17th), 4 Woodpigeon, 5 Short-eared Owl, 4 Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 35 Goldcrest, 74 Skylark, 6 Chiffchaff (including the tristis bird), 8 Blackcap, 17 Ring Ouzel, 1573 Blackbird, 206 Fieldfare, 314 Song Thrush, 3020 Redwing, 3 Mistle Thrush, 93 Robin, Stonechat (lingering male at Stackhoull), 6 Wheatear, 11 Dunnock, 7 Grey Wagtail, 3 'White Wagtail', 93 Meadow Pipit, 105 Brambling, 36 Chaffinch, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 8 'Mealy Redpoll', 2 Goldfinch, Siskin, 8 Snow Bunting, 2 Lapland Bunting, 3 Yellowhammer, 10 Reed Bunting.
Year list: 213
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Monday 23rd October
Weather: a strong ESE wind increased during the day, bringing exfoliating rain from around midday, which continued for most of the afternoon. Sadly this more or less brought to an end a promising day's birding, with census counts likely to have been hampered by the weather
HIGHLIGHTS:
BLACK-THROATED THRUSH: a female at the back of Pund unfortunately disappeared towards Hoini; the 14th Fair Isle record (11 of which have been in October) and the first since 2012.
'HORNEMANN'S ARCTIC REDPOLL': 2; singles seen briefly at Burkle and Quoy and another in the Pund/Horstibrekkers area that had probably been present since yesterday
Firecrest: one at Hjukni Geo
Shorelark: still preset at the top of Gunnawark
Blue Tit: 4; singles at Hoini, North Light, Easter Lother and Skinner's Glig
Little Grebe: one on Da Water
'Siberian Chiffchaff': one
'Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll', Horstibrekkers (David Parnaby)
Other Sightings:
Whooper Swan (a wandering adult still), 7 Pink-footed Goose, 26 Greylag Goose, 4 Barnacle Goose, Dark-bellied Brent Goose (juvenile still present around Stoneybrek), 26 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 4 Goldeneye, 'blue' Fulmar , Storm Petrel (recently predated remains found at Gunnawark), 7 Grey Heron, 2 Water Rail, 31 Golden Plover, 2 Lapwing, Ruff, Greenshank (a late bird flew in over the west cliffs and was later at Da Water then Muckle Uri Geo), 15 Jack Snipe, 48 Woodcock, 124 Snipe, 82 Common Gull, 4 Woodpigeon, 9 Short-eared Owl, 2 Merlin, Peregrine, 73 Goldcrest, 58 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 6 Chiffchaff (including the tristis bird), 12 Blackcap, Grasshopper Warbler, 20 Ring Ouzel, 963 Blackbird, 78 Fieldfare, 235 Song Thrush, 2024 Redwing, Mistle Thrush, 80 Robin, Stonechat (lingering male still at Boini Mire), Wheatear, 6 Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 'White Wagtail', 74 Meadow Pipit, 55 Brambling, 8 Chaffinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 4 'Mealy Redpoll', Goldfinch, 22 Snow Bunting, Yellowhammer, 6 Reed Bunting.
Year list: 212
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Sunday 22nd October
Weather: E 3-4 with some showers and slightly heavier rain later. Murky at first, then brightening for a while.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Dusky Warbler: still present at the Meadow Burn
Little Bunting: sightings at Bull's Parrk, Field Ditch, Pund and Haa may have related to a single wandering bird, although it is possible that more than one was involved
Shorelark: one at Gunnawark; the first of the autumn
Blue Tit: probably 4 still present, including one trapped at the Obs, just the third to be ringed on Fair Isle
Glaucous Gull: 1CY at South Light
Other Sightings:
Whooper Swan, 11 Pink-footed Goose, 64 Greylag Goose, 5 Barnacle Goose, 'Dark-bellied Brent Goose' (one juvenile touring the island; the first of this race since a small group arrived in November 2008, with one remaining until April 2009), 14 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Goldeneye, Great Northern Diver, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, 2 Water Rail, 64 Golden Plover, 11 Lapwing, Ruff, 13 Jack Snipe, 40 Woodcock, 149 Snipe, 5 Woodpigeon, 3 Short-eared Owl, 4 Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 88 Goldcrest, 76 Skylark, Swallow, 15 Chiffchaff, 24 Blackcap, 43 Ring Ouzel, 1646 Blackbird, 138 Fieldfare, 464 Song Thrush, 3067 Redwing, 5 Mistle Thrush, 181 Robin (highest count of the autumn so far), 2 Black Redstart (male at Hoini and one near Kirki Geo), 2 Whinchat, Stonechat, 8 Wheatear, 7 Dunnock (highest count of the autumn so far), 4 Grey Wagtail, 6 'White Wagtail', 102 Meadow Pipit, 111 Brambling, 24 Chaffinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 8 'Mealy Redpoll', Goldfinch, 5 Snow Bunting, 3 Lapland Bunting, 5 Yellowhammer, 13 Reed Bunting.
Year list: 210
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Saturday 21st October
Weather: E or E 5-6, increasing 7/8 later. Cloudy throughout with heavy showers and more persistent rain for times in the afternoon. Visibility becoming poorer in rain.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Dusky Warbler: still showing in the Meadow Burn
Little Bunting: Kenaby
Richard's Pipit: still in the Quoy area
Hawfinch: still present around the Obs
Blue Tit: one still at Easter Lother
Glaucous Gull: 2; 1CY birds at Malcolm's Head and off Bergaroo
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Glaucous Gull, Bergaroo (David Parnaby)
Other Sightings:
Whooper Swan, 9 Pink-footed Goose, 137 Greylag Goose, 5 Barnacle Goose, 20 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 5 Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye, 2 Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Water Rail, 38 Golden Plover, 12 Lapwing, Ruff, 17 Jack Snipe, 42 Woodcock, 140 Snipe, 55 Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult), 7 Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl, 2 Merlin, Peregrine (male), 32 Goldcrest, 70 Skylark, Swallow, 10 Chiffchaff, 10 Blackcap, 20 Ring Ouzel, 2267 Blackbird, 85 Fieldfare, 410 Song Thrush, 4282 Redwing, 3 Mistle Thrush, 73 Robin, Whinchat, Stonechat, 5 Wheatear, 4 Grey Wagtail, 4 'White Wagtail', 82 Meadow Pipit, 81 Brambling, 18 Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll, 8 'Mealy Redpoll', Goldfinch, Siskin, 5 Snow Bunting, 4 Lapland Bunting, 3 Yellowhammer, 5 Reed Bunting.
Year list: 210
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Friday 20th October
Weather: a decreasing SSE or S wind, with a drizzly start giving way to a fairly mild day, although low cloud lingered over the north and the fog descended across the rest of the island later in the afternoon.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Dusky Warbler: still present and showing well in the Meadow Burn
Firecrest: one at the Obs in the afternoon is just the 9th for Fair Isle, although the third in the last four years (all of which have been in mid/late-October)
Great Grey Shrike: present at the Obs
Richard's Pipit: still in the Quoy area
Hawfinch: one at the Obs
Blue Tit: scattered sightings around the island involved probably five individuals
Yellow-browed Warbler: 2, including a ringed bird in South Haven
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 2
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Firecrest, Obs (Andy Denton)
Other Sightings:
9 Pink-footed Goose, 76 Greylag Goose, 4 Barnacle Goose, 10 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 6 Long-tailed Duck, Grey Heron (which was seen carrying an eel off from near Utra scrape), 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Water Rail, 45 Golden Plover, 10 Lapwing, Ruff, 53 Purple Sandpiper, 16 Jack Snipe, 23 Woodcock, 139 Snipe, Lesser Black-backed Gull (1CY bird on Buness), 4 Woodpigeon, 2 Short-eared Owl, 4 Merlin, Peregrine (male), 68 Goldcrest, 64 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 16 Chiffchaff (including the tristis birds), 19 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler (one at Walli Burn then Haa), 49 Ring Ouzel (the highest autumn count since 1993), 1656 Blackbird, 70 Fieldfare, 446 Song Thrush, 5770 Redwing, 5 Mistle Thrush, 127 Robin, Black Redstart (male at Setter), Redstart (the lingering bird at Quoy was taken by a cat), Whinchat, Stonechat, 7 Wheatear, 2 Dunnock, 8 Grey Wagtail, 2 'White Wagtail', 119 Meadow Pipit, 177 Brambling, 23 Chaffinch, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 8 'Mealy Redpoll' (plus at least 6 unidentified redpolls), 2 Goldfinch, 4 Snow Bunting, 2 Lapland Bunting, 3 Yellowhammer, 14 Reed Bunting.
Ring Ouzel, Shirva (David Parnaby)
Other wildlife:
Bat sp?: one was seen flying into the Kirn o' Skroo
Red Admiral: 3
Year list: 210
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Thursday 19th October
Weather: a strong SE wind that increased slightly during the day, with rain in the afternoon.
HIGHLIGHTS:
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING: seen early in the morning at Quoy, but not after
Red-flanked Bluetail: still present at the School
RED-THROATED PIPIT: again seen in the thistle patch near North Shirva
Dusky Warbler: one at Meadow Burn showed well
Great Grey Shrike: one at Meadow Burn was seen devouring a Redwing
Little Bunting: what was presumably the same bird was seen at Schoolton in the morning then near Klinger's Geo in the afternoon
Richard's Pipit: one missing most of its tail at Quoy
Hawfinch: 2; one at Schoolton and one over Tineside, with presumably one of these later trapped at the Plantation and then roosted at the Obs
Little Grebe: one in South Harbour was the first record since 2015
Blue Tit: sightings from various locations around the island probably involved 8 birds
Glaucous Gull: 2, both 1CY birds
Yellow-browed Warbler: 2
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 1
Little Grebe (fourth from right) with Long-tailed Ducks and Red-breasted Mergansers, South Harbour (David Parnaby)
Other Sightings:
Whooper Swan (lingering adult on Mire o' Vatnagaard), 11 Pink-footed Goose, 249 Greylag Goose, 5 Barnacle Goose, 23 Wigeon, 11 Teal, 15 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, Great Northern Diver, 2 Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, 2 Water Rail, 58 Golden Plover, Ruff, 15 Jack Snipe, 32 Woodcock, 150 Snipe, 12 Woodpigeon, Long-eared Owl (first of the autumn), Short-eared Owl, 4 Merlin, Peregrine (adult male), 165 Goldcrest, 154 Skylark, 17 Chiffchaff (including the tristis bird), 36 Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 44 Ring Ouzel, 2279 Blackbird, 331 Fieldfare, 284 Song Thrush, 9703 Redwing (with birds also moving throughout the day and during the night), 2 Mistle Thrush, 151 Robin, Redstart (lingering bird at Quoy), 2 Whinchat, Stonechat, 7 Wheatear, 2 Dunnock, 7 Grey Wagtail, 124 Meadow Pipit, 145 Brambling, 24 Chaffinch, Linnet, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 19 'Mealy Redpoll', Goldfinch, 3 Siskin, 6 Snow Bunting, 2 Lapland Bunting, 3 Yellowhammer (including a ringed bird), 19 Reed Bunting.
Year list: 209
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Wednesday 18th October
Weather: a calm start, with a light northerly wind that started veering more easterly later on. Cloudy, but dry, with excellent visibility.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Red-flanked Bluetail: one at the School in the afternoon was the 17th Fair Isle record, almost half of which have occurred in the last four years (see graph below).
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING: still present at Quoy.
Little Bunting: one at Shirva then the Chapel Plantation was the 8th of the autumn.
Blue Tit: 8 (eight); one at Stackhoull was the 16th individual for Fair Isle, making it rarer than the Bluetail that had turned up shortly before. That statistic was totally reversed shortly afterwards when a further flock of seven was found at Lower Stoneybrek. This unprecedented flock then split up and started heading north up the island.
Red-flanked Bluetail on the Schoolhouse doorstep, graph of occurrences of Red-flanked Bluetail on Fair Isle and Blue Tits near Charlie's Trees.
Other Sightings:
7 Whooper Swan, 13 Pink-footed Goose, 383 Greylag Goose, 15 Barnacle Goose, 18 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Great Northern Diver, 3 blue Fulmar, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Water Rail, 80 Golden Plover, Ruff, 6 Jack Snipe, 2 Woodcock, 115 Snipe, Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult), 2 Woodpigeon, 4 Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 16 Goldcrest, 131 Skylark, 4 Chiffchaff, 11 Blackcap, Garden Warbler, 2 Ring Ouzel, 17 Blackbird, 31 Fieldfare, 28 Song Thrush, 1545 Redwing, 40 Robin, Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 11 Wheatear, Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 213 Meadow Pipit, 36 Brambling, 28 Chaffinch, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 14 'Mealy Redpoll', 2 Goldfinch, Siskin, 2 Snow Bunting, 7 Lapland Bunting, Yellowhammer, 4 Reed Bunting.
Year list: 208
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Tuesday 17th October
Weather: with heavy rain for a good portion of the morning and showers until early afternoon, and a gale force wind (from the NE then N), the birding was not the easiest. With birds in though, we're hoping tomorrow goes to plan and calms off enabling us to see a few things...
HIGHLIGHTS:
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING: still at Quoy
RED-THROATED PIPIT: still at North Shirva
Bluethroat: still at Chalet
Richard's Pipit: again at North Shirva
Glaucous Gull: 4CY bird at South Harbour
Other Sightings (without full census, counts are mostly minimums):
22 Whooper Swan, 18 Pink-footed Goose, 387 Greylag Goose, 20 Barnacle Goose, 9 Wigeon, 6 Teal, Tufted Duck (one past South Light), 3 Long-tailed Duck, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (South Light), Water Rail (Pund), 60 Golden Plover, Ruff, 4 Jack Snipe, Woodpigeon, 3 Merlin, Peregrine, 22 Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, 9 Blackcap, Grasshopper Warbler (Walli Burn), 4 Ring Ouzel, 11 Fieldfare, 21 Song Thrush, c2800 Redwing, 33 Robin, Pied Flycatcher (trapped in the Plantation, first of the month), Redstart, Whinchat, 2 Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 31 Brambling, 6 Chaffinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Goldfinch, Siskin, Lapland Bunting, Yellowhammer (first of the autumn), Reed Bunting.
Year list: 207
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Monday 16th October
Weather: a calm start, with a strong wind picking up later in the day which became NE with heavy rain (and even a flash of lightening) by the evening.
HIGHLIGHTS:
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: a flighty female at Pund; second of the year
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING: still showing well around Quoy
RED-THROATED PIPIT: still present around the North Shirva area
Bluethroat: Chalet; the third of the autumn
Richard's Pipit: at Setter, although mobile
Glaucous Gull: a 4CY bird was the first of the autumn
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Black-headed Bunting (with Chaffinch), Quoy (David Parnaby)
Other Sightings:
155 Whooper Swan (including at least 40 cygnets. Several flocks moved south during the day, with most appearing from the east and heading down the coast; a record count for Fair Isle), 35 Pink-footed Goose, 1132 Greylag Goose, 114 Barnacle Goose, 7 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 2 Long-tailed Duck (including one that was found on the road at Setter, it was later released into the North Haven and appeared to be in decent health), 4 Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Diver, 3 Great Northern Diver, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Slavonian Grebe (singles in Furse and South Harbour), Water Rail (Chalet), Grey Plover (Buness), 72 Golden Plover, 2 Ruff, 92 Redshank, 16 Jack Snipe, 143 Snipe, 3 Woodpigeon, 3 Merlin, 24 Goldcrest, 105 Skylark, 6 Swallow, 4 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 4 Garden Warbler, 24 Blackbird, 5 Fieldfare, 21 Song Thrush, 1298 Redwing (with the majority being Icelandic birds), 25 Robin, Redstart, 5 Whinchat, Stonechat, 27 Wheatear, 2 Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 227 Meadow Pipit, 25 Brambling, 23 Chaffinch, 2 Linnet, 281 Twite, Lesser Redpoll, 3 'Mealy Redpoll', 7 Goldfinch (including six trapped at the Obs; more than have been ringed in any year on Fair Isle other than 2016, when 8 were trapped), Siskin, 16 Snow Bunting, 7 Lapland Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting.
A flight of Whooper Swans departs Fair Isle from Meoness into a forebodingly dark sky. This group was part of an exceptional day of movement for this magnificent species. (David Parnaby)
Other wildlife:
Risso's Dolphin: 3 moving slowly south of Da Burrian
Year list: 207
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Sunday 15th October
Weather: Variable S, SW or SE wind 5-6, increasing to 7/8. Heavy rain at first, clearing mid-morning.
HIGHLIGHTS:
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING: still present at Quoy
RED-THROATED PIPIT: North Shirva still
Barred Warbler: sightings at Stackhoull and Schoolton may have referred to different individuals
Richard's Pipit: still present at North Shirva
Common Rosefinch: one still
Other Sightings:
78 Whooper Swan (including 15 cygnets), 20 Pink-footed Goose, 8 White-fronted Goose (flew over Da Water), 215 Greylag Goose, 48 Barnacle Goose, 11 Wigeon, 5 Teal, Long-tailed Duck (in the Haven), Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Slavonian Grebe (2 in Furse later moved to North Haven), Sparrowhawk, Water Rail (Walli Burn), Grey Plover, 72 Golden Plover, 6 Lapwing, 290 Turnstone, Ruff, 96 Redshank, 6 Jack Snipe, Woodcock, 103 Snipe, 58 Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, 4 Merlin, 7 Goldcrest, 129 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 9 Blackcap, 15 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, 16 Song Thrush, 483 Redwing, 7 Robin, 2 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, Stonechat, 12 Wheatear, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 'White Wagtail', 158 Meadow Pipit, 39 Brambling, 3 Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll, 2 'Mealy Redpoll', 2 Goldfinch, Siskin, 13 Snow Bunting, 6 Lapland Bunting, Reed Bunting.
Year list: 207
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Saturday 14th October
Weather: SSW5-6, although gusting stronger at times, patchy cloud increasing, although remaining dry.
HIGHLIGHTS:
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING: still present at Quoy
RED-THROATED PIPIT: still at North Shirva
Richard's Pipit: still at North Shirva
Common Rosefinch: one still present
Yellow-browed Warbler: just one remaining
Other Sightings:
31 Whooper Swan, 192 Pink-footed Goose, 34 Greylag Goose, 16 Barnacle Goose, 4 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Diver, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Grey Plover, 35 Golden Plover, 5 Lapwing, Ruff, 88 Redshank, 8 Jack Snipe, 3 Woodcock, 42 Snipe, Arctic Skua (a very late bird over Shirva), Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl, 2 Merlin, Goldcrest, 101 Skylark, 5 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 14 Blackbird, 7 Fieldfare, 9 Song Thrush, 225 Redwing, 10 Robin, Redstart, 2 Stonechat, 14 Wheatear, 2 Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 130 Meadow Pipit, 49 Brambling, Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll, 3 'Mealy Redpoll', 6 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 16 Snow Bunting, 4 Lapland Bunting, Reed Bunting.
Year list: 207
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Friday 13th October
Weather: SW or SSW 4-5, rain at first and some heavy showers through the morning, but brighter later.
HIGHLIGHTS:
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING: showing well at Quoy where it mixed with Bramblings and House Sparrows
RED-THROATED PIPIT: still showing at North Shirva
Richard's Pipit: still at North Shirva, where it was alongside the Red-throated Pipit at one point
Common Rosefinch: 2 still present
Yellow-browed Warbler: 2 at Bull's Park still
'Siberian Chiffchaff': one
Other Sightings:
32 Pink-footed Goose, 17 Greylag Goose, 8 Wigeon, 7 Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, blue Fulmar (one patrolling the cliffs of South Harbour for a while), 3 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, Grey Plover (Buness), 37 Golden Plover, 5 Lapwing, 2 Ruff, 14 Jack Snipe, Woodcock, 77 Snipe, Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl, Merlin, Goldcrest, 144 Skylark, 7 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff (including the tristis bird), 7 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Ring Ouzel (Kirn o' Skroo), 30 Blackbird, 6 Fieldfare, 37 Song Thrush, 951 Redwing, 18 Robin, Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 23 Wheatear, 2 Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 232 Meadow Pipit, 78 Brambling, 5 Chaffinch, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, 2 'Mealy Redpoll' (as well as a very pale redpoll that flew south past Setter but couldn't be relocated), 3 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin, 10 Snow Bunting, 13 Lapland Bunting, Reed Bunting.
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'Mealy Redpoll', School Brae (David Parnaby)
Year list: 207
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Thursday 12th October
Weather: W4-5, gusting stronger, especially at first. Showers in the morning with some rain later in the afternoon.
HIGHLIGHTS:
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING: still present at Quoy
RED-THROATED PIPIT: still at North Shirva
Richard's Pipit: again present in the North Shirva area
Little Bunting: at Quoy then North Shirva
Common Rosefinch: 2 still present
Yellow-browed Warbler: 4
'Siberian Chiffchaff': one still around the Ditfield area
Other Sightings:
Whooper Swan, 23 Pink-footed Goose, 94 Barnacle Goose, 8 Wigeon, 7 Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Grey Plover (Buness), 5 Lapwing, Ruff, 11 Jack Snipe, Woodcock, 80 Snipe, Woodpigeon, Merlin (male), 3 Goldcrest, 173 Skylark, 4 Swallow, House Martin, 4 Chiffchaff (including the tristis bird), 5 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 29 Blackbird, 8 Fieldfare, 22 Song Thrush, 47 Redwing, Spotted Flycatcher, 14 Robin, 2 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 14 Wheatear, 4 Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit, 143 Meadow Pipit, 4 Brambling, 2 Chaffinch, Linnet, 2 'Mealy Redpoll', 3 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin, 14 Snow Bunting, 4 Lapland Bunting, Reed Bunting.
Year list: 207
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Wednesday 11th October
Weather: Strong WSW winds at first, easing later. Rain then heavy showers in morning, but a brighter afternoon.
HIGHLIGHTS:
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING: a large bunting seen briefly at Quoy late yesterday afternoon was refound there today and proved to be an immature Black-headed Bunting. Subject to acceptance it will be around the 28th individual for Fair Isle (there is some debate as to how many of the earlier records refer to escapes) and the first since 2011, it is also the latest record for the Isle.
RED-THROATED PIPIT: still present around North Shirva
Richard's Pipit: one in the area around North Shirva; second of the autumn
Little Bunting: one at North Shirva
Common Rosefinch: two still at Bull's Park
Yellow-browed Warbler: 4 (two each at Bull's Park and Stackhoull/Stoneybrek)
'Siberian Chiffchaff': one trapped at the Plantation
Black-headed Bunting, Quoy and 'Siberian Chiffchaff' Plantation (David Parnaby)
Other Sightings:
14 Whooper Swan (Da Water in the morning, including 9 juveniles), 3 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Greylag Goose, 8 Wigeon, 11 Teal, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Grey Heron, Hen Harrier (ringtail still present), Sparrowhawk (first sighting of the month), Water Rail (just the second of the autumn), Grey Plover (Buness), 34 Golden Plover, 5 Lapwing, 6 Ruff, 31 Jack Snipe, 3 Woodcock, 86 Snipe, Woodpigeon, Merlin, 4 Goldcrest, 132 Skylark, 4 Swallow, House Martin, 7 Chiffchaff (including the tristis bird), 8 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 82 Blackbird, 11 Fieldfare, 63 Song Thrush, 80 Redwing, Spotted Flycatcher (Shieldi Geo), 31 Robin, 2 Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 23 Wheatear, 3 Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit, 165 Meadow Pipit, 11 Brambling, 6 Chaffinch, 2 'Mealy Redpoll', 3 Goldfinch (first of the autumn), 3 Siskin, 11 Snow Bunting, 3 Lapland Bunting, Reed Bunting.
Year list: 207
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Tuesday 10th October
Weather: WSW 5, gusting stronger, especially in the morning. Heavy rain at first then some hefty showers throughout the morning.
HIGHLIGHTS:
RED-THROATED PIPIT: still around North Shirva
Little Bunting: again present at North Shirva
Common Rosefinch: two together in the south of the island
Yellow-browed Warbler: 6
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 1
Other Sightings:
8 Whooper Swan (on Da Water in the evening, including 5 juveniles), 2 Pink-footed Goose, 13 Greylag Goose, 9 Barnacle Goose, 5 Wigeon, 13 Teal, Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (found dead in North Haven), Hen Harrier (ringtail still present), Grey Plover (Buness), 27 Golden Plover, 5 Lapwing, 238 Turnstone, 9 Ruff, 19 Jack Snipe, Woodcock, 81 Snipe, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, 3 Goldcrest, 154 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 5 Chiffchaff (including tristis), 8 Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Ring Ouzel, 56 Blackbird, 13 Fieldfare, 76 Song Thrush, 144 Redwing, 25 Robin, 2 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 3 Stonechat, 19 Wheatear, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit, 223 Meadow Pipit, 10 Brambling, 3 Chaffinch, Linnet, 217 Twite, 'North-western Redpoll' (School Brae), 4 Snow Bunting, Reed Bunting.
Year list: 207
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Monday 9th October
Weather: WSW3, cloudy throughout with rain and first and showers throughout the day. Poor visibility at first, but improving and planes (and the Good Shepherd) managed to run.
HIGHLIGHTS:
SIBERIAN STONECHAT: a smart female found near the Hill Dyke in the afternoon then moved to the Pund area; 45th Fair Isle record (subject to acceptance) of this species that is going through a minor resurgence - after only one record from 1998 to 2013, this is the 4th autumn record since then (with a 'Caspian Stonechat' also recorded in spring 2014).
RED-THROATED PIPIT: still lingering in the North Shirva area
Richard's Pipit: again present in the Pund area
Little Bunting: at North Shirva
Common Rosefinch: one ringed bird still at Stackhoull
Yellow-browed Warbler: 4; singles at Guidicum, Wester Lother, Setter and Burkle
'Siberian Chiffchaff': 2
Other Sightings:
3 Pink-footed Goose, 24 Wigeon, 8 Teal, Goldeneye, 4 'blue' Fulmar (from Good Shepherd), 2 Storm Petrel (from Good Shepherd), Hen Harrier (ringtail headed south over the island), Grey Plover (Buness), 46 Golden Plover, Lapwing, Knot, 12 Ruff, 10 Jack Snipe, 2 Woodpigeon, 3 Carrion Crow, 7 Goldcrest, 142 Skylark, 6 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 15 Chiffchaff (including tristis), Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler (Walli Burn), Ring Ouzel, 19 Blackbird, 31 Fieldfare, 44 Song Thrush, 134 Redwing, 52 Robin, Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 4 Stonechat, 17 Wheatear, 2 Dunnock, 2 Tree Pipit, 225 Meadow Pipit, 10 Brambling, 7 Chaffinch, 238 Twite, 'North-western Redpoll', 'Mealy Redpoll', 7 Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting.
Year list: 206
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Sunday 8th October
Weather: a calm and pleasant day with sunny spells and little wind, mostly from the NE.
HIGHLIGHTS:
RED-THROATED PIPIT: still present at North Shirva
Richard's Pipit: one at Pund in the evening; first of the year
Little Bunting: one trapped at the Obs in the morning was a pleasant surprise on a pre-breakfast net-round, although it was not seen after its release
Common Rosefinch: two, both of which were trapped and ringed at the Obs, although they were also seen elsewhere on the island
Yellow-browed Warbler: 3; singles at Stackhoull, the Plantation and Easter Lother
'Siberian Chiffchaff': Setter
Other Sightings:
Whooper Swan, 6 Pink-footed Goose, 15 Greylag Goose, 87 Barnacle Goose, 6 Wigeon, 9 Teal, Goldeneye (one on Easter Lother; first of the autumn), 2 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (North Haven), Grey Plover (Buness), 36 Golden Plover, 5 Lapwing, 2 Jack Snipe, Woodpigeon, Merlin, Peregrine, Carrion Crow, 8 Goldcrest, 191 Skylark, 8 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 11 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 49 Song Thrush, 44 Redwing, 63 Robin, 4 Redstart, 5 Whinchat, 4 Stonechat, 28 Wheatear, 5 Dunnock, 3 Grey Wagtail, 3 'White Wagtail', 2 Tree Pipit, 275 Meadow Pipit, 190 Rock Pipit, 5 Brambling, 26 Chaffinch, Linnet, 311 Twite, 'Mealy Redpoll', 11 Siskin, 2 Snow Bunting, 2 Lapland Bunting, Reed Bunting.
Other wildlife:
Minke Whale: from Good Shepherd
3 Red Admiral, Painted Lady
Year list: 205
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Saturday 7th October
Weather: no planes again as low cloud in Shetland scuppered transport. Despite that it was mostly a pleasant day, with light winds from the W or NW becoming ENE later and freshening a wee bit in the middle of the day. There was rain at times, especially in the morning.
HIGHLIGHTS:
WHITE'S THRUSH: no doubting today's star bird, with Fair Isle's 15th record of this monster Sibe found at Slogar on Buness before flying across North Haven to the cliffs of Hoilee, where it showed well until it was chased off by a Hooded Crow todays Roskillie and could not be relocated
RED-THROATED PIPIT: still at North Shirva where it could be elusive, although showed well at times
Common Rosefinch: one at the Obs in the morning was at Haa later
Other Sightings:
2 Whooper Swan, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 6 Greylag Goose, 255 Barnacle Goose, 23 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Slavonian Grebe (singles at North Haven and, more unusually, Sprittery Hol), Grey Plover (Buness), 19 Golden Plover, 4 Lapwing, Bar-tailed Godwit, 222 Turnstone, Knot, Ruff, 2 Dunlin, 99 Redshank, 5 Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Woodpigeon, 3 Carrion Crow, 7 Goldcrest, 191 Skylark, Wood Warbler (Fair Isle's latest ever record was at the Plantation then Steensi Geo), 17 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackbird, 43 Song Thrush, 32 Redwing, 47 Robin, 2 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 3 Stonechat, 35 Wheatear, 4 Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 2 'White Wagtail', 2 Tree Pipit, 210 Meadow Pipit, 4 Brambling, 14 Chaffinch, 2 Linnet, 2 Siskin, 14 Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting, 8 Reed Bunting.
Year list: 204
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Friday 6th October
Weather: calmer, with a variable wind and showery at times, but the first planes since Saturday made it to the Isle!
HIGHLIGHTS:
RED-THROATED PIPIT: still present in the same area around North Shirva, where it was quite elusive but showed well occasionally.
Other Sightings:
4 Pink-footed Goose, 48 Greylag Goose, 2 Barnacle Goose, 22 Wigeon, 10 Teal, Pintail (still present at Utra), Red-breasted Merganser, Great Northern Diver, Grey Heron, Grey Plover (still at Buness), 27 Golden Plover, 4 Lapwing, Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot, 4 Ruff, 5 Dunlin, 6 Jack Snipe, 2 Woodcock, Merlin, Peregrine (female chasing a Greylag Goose!), 3 Carrion Crow, 2 Goldcrest, 197 Skylark, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackbird, 47 Song Thrush, 4 Redwing, 29 Robin, Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 3 Stonechat, 13 Wheatear, 4 Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 3 Tree Pipit, 187 Meadow Pipit, 4 Brambling, 9 Chaffinch, Linnet, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Siskin, 7 Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting.
Year list: 203
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Thursday 5th October
Weather: WNW 6-8, showers.
HIGHLIGHTS:
RED-THROATED PIPIT: still present around Stackhoull and North Shirva
Yellow-browed Warbler: 2; one still at the Obs and another at Lower Leogh
Other Sightings:
2 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Greylag Goose, 7 Barnacle Goose, 17 Wigeon, 6 Teal, Pintail (Utra), 4 Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Diver, 57 Golden Plover, 4 Lapwing, Bar-tailed Godwit, Ruff, 4 Dunlin, 2 Jack Snipe, 2 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 2 Goldcrest, 10 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackbird, 36 Song Thrush, 6 Redwing, 26 Robin, 4 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 4 Stonechat, 20 Wheatear, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 3 Tree Pipit, 3 Brambling, 14 Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll, 3 Siskin, 2 Snow Bunting, 2 Lapland Bunting, 4 Reed Bunting.
Year list: 203
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Wednesday 4th October
Weather: WSW 6-8, cloudy with a few brighter spells later on, but heavy showers and hail in the morning.
HIGHLIGHTS:
RED-THROATED PIPIT: seen again at North Shirva
Yellow-browed Warbler: one still at the Obs
Other Sightings:
7 Whooper Swan (4 ads and 3 juveniles off Ditfield), 40 Pink-footed Goose, 80 Greylag Goose, 17 Barnacle Goose (first of the autumn), 16 Wigeon, 4 Teal, Grey Heron, Water Rail (Boini Mire; first of the autumn), Grey Plover (still on Buness), 57 Golden Plover, 9 Ruff, 4 Dunlin, 101 Redshank, 9 Jack Snipe, Woodpigeon, Kestrel (male), 2 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 2 Goldcrest, 10 Chiffchaff, 9 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 4 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Blackbird, 48 Song Thrush, 8 Redwing, 22 Robin, 8 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, Stonechat, 30 Wheatear, 2 Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 'White Wagtail', Tree Pipit, 9 Brambling, 10 Chaffinch, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, 3 Siskin, 2 Snow Bunting, 4 Lapland Bunting, 14 Reed Bunting.
Year list: 203
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Tuesday 3rd October
Weather: WSW or W 6-7, with stronger gusts. Cloudy with showers throughout, becoming mor eprolonged rain for a time later on.
HIGHLIGHTS:
RED-THROATED PIPIT: briefly again at North Shirva
Yellow-browed Warbler: one still at the Obs
Other Sightings:
3 Whooper Swan (all adults, went north up the island; first of the autumn), 195 Pink-footed Goose, 8 Greylag Goose, 28 Wigeon, 9 Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Red-throated Diver, Sooty Shearwater (off South Light), 2 Grey Heron, Grey Plover (still around Buness), 14 Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, 210 Turnstone, Knot, 17 Ruff, 13 Dunlin, 3 Jack Snipe, 2 Woodpigeon (including one knocked into the sea at Furse by Hooded Crows), Kestrel, Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 6 Goldcrest, 2 House Martin, 16 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 7 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Blackbird, 130 Song Thrush, 10 Redwing, Mistle Thrush (one at Kristal Kame was the first of the autumn), 33 Robin, 6 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 3 Stonechat, 33 Wheatear, 2 Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 'White Wagtail', 4 Tree Pipit, 6 Brambling, 13 Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll, Common Crossbill (Haa), 4 Siskin, 3 Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting, 10 Reed Bunting.
Year list: 203
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Monday 2nd October
Weather: SW 5 increasing 7-9, cloudy with heavy showers becoming more prolonged in afternoon
HIGHLIGHTS:
RED-THROATED PIPIT: one at Stackhoull briefly may have been a new arrival
Little Bunting: still present around the Single Dyke trap
Yellow-browed Warbler: one still at the Obs
Other Sightings:
165 Pink-footed Goose (the first sizeable arrival of the autumn), 3 Greylag Goose, 26 Wigeon, 9 Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Grey Heron, Grey Plover (still on Buness), 64 Golden Plover, 28 Ringed Plover, Knot, 22 Ruff, 17 Dunlin, 2 Jack Snipe, Swift (one landed on the cliffs at Wirvie), 2 Kestrel, Merlin, Carrion Crow, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Swallow, 11 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Blackbird, 92 Song Thrush, 21 Redwing, 25 Robin, 3 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 13 Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtail, 6 Brambling, 8 Chaffinch, 2 Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Mealy Redpoll, 10 Siskin, Snow Bunting, 2 Lapland Bunting, 13 Reed Bunting.
Year list: 203
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Sunday 1st October
Weather: SE 3/4, increasing 5-7 (gusting stronger) and becoming more southerly. Cloudy then heavy rain for most of the afternoon.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Little Bunting: one around the Single Dyke trap
Marsh Warbler: still present at Schoolton
Yellow-browed Warbler: just 2 lingering birds (at the Obs and Stackhoull)
Other Sightings:
4 Greylag Goose, 23 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 7 Grey Heron, Grey Plover (over Buness), 28 Ringed Plover, 2 Knot, 22 Ruff, 25 Dunlin, 5 Jack Snipe, Woodcock, 49 Common Gull (including the leucistic bird), Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl, 4 Kestrel, Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 29 Goldcrest, 180 Skylark, 9 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 16 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 13 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, Reed Warbler, 5 Blackbird, 159 Song Thrush, 32 Redwing, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 68 Robin, 8 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, Stonechat (male at the School), 28 Wheatear, 5 Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 6 Tree Pipit, 452 Meadow Pipit, 22 Brambling, 23 Chaffinch, 3 Linnet, 318 Twite, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 20 Siskin, Snow Bunting, 4 Lapland Bunting, 14 Reed Bunting.
Other wildlife:
Grey Seal: first pup of the year in Gunnawark.
Year list: 203
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Saturday 30th September
Weather: SSE 4-5, sunny and clear (with the first planes since Tuesday and a sailing of the Good Shepherd as well).
HIGHLIGHTS:
RED-THROATED PIPIT: still showing quite well in the Easter Lother area
Little Bunting: 2 together at Wirvie Geo
Olive-backed Pipit: 2 at Schoolton
Marsh Warbler: an unringed bird at Schoolton
Wryneck: one at North Shirva
Red-breasted Flycatcher: Lower Leogh
Bluethroat: mobile at Upper and Lower Leogh
Yellow-browed Warbler: 4
Other Sightings:
3 Greylag Goose, Brent Goose (a pale-bellied bird at Muckle Uri Geo; first of the year), 19 Wigeon, 14 Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Grey Heron, 46 Golden Plover, 28 Ringed Plover, Knot, 19 Ruff, 28 Dunlin, Little Stint (still at Skadan), 4 Jack Snipe, Woodcock, 78 Snipe, 179 Common Gull (including the leucistic bird), 2 Woodpigeon, 9 Kestrel, Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 37 Goldcrest, 233 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 8 House Martin, 32 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 19 Blackcap, Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 2 Grasshopper Warbler (Chalet and North Shirva), Sedge Warbler (Golden Water), 5 Reed Warbler, Ring Ouzel, 5 Blackbird, 275 Song Thrush, 33 Redwing, 7 Spotted Flycatcher, 98 Robin, Pied Flycatcher, 20 Redstart, 6 Whinchat, 31 Wheatear, 3 Dunnock, 5 Grey Wagtail, 10 Tree Pipit, 418 Meadow Pipit, 22 Brambling, 23 Chaffinch, 2 Linnet, 399 Twite, 2 Lesser Redpoll, Mealy Redpoll (plus 4 unidentifed redpolls), 21 Siskin, 7 Lapland Bunting, 30 Reed Bunting.
Other wildlife:
13 Red Admiral, Painted Lady, 5 Silver Y, Diamond-back Moth
Year list: 203
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Friday 29th September
Weather: SE6-7, decreasing later. Cloudy throughout with heavy rain from around midday, easing for a while late afternoon. Visibility poor at times.
HIGHLIGHTS:
RED-THROATED PIPIT: still present around Easter Lother
Olive-backed Pipit: again at the Peat Cuttings, although still elusive
Wryneck: one trapped at the Plantation
Great Grey Shrike: at Guidicum then the Mast
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one still at Steensi Geo
Yellow-browed Warbler: 4
Other Sightings:
3 Greylag Goose, 35 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (North Haven), 23 Golden Plover, Knot, 12 Ruff, 19 Dunlin, Little Stint (juvenile, Skadan), 9 Jack Snipe, 92 Snipe, 113 Common Gull (including a striking first-winter leucistic bird), 2 Woodpigeon, 2 Short-eared Owl, 7 Kestrel, 5 Carrion Crow, 57 Goldcrest, 174 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 40 Chiffchaff, 20 Willow Warbler, 14 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 4 Reed Warbler, 3 Ring Ouzel, 5 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 277 Song Thrush, 44 Redwing, 9 Spotted Flycatcher, 92 Robin, Pied Flycatcher, 19 Redstart, Whinchat, 25 Wheatear, 3 Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 11 Tree Pipit, 291 Meadow Pipit, 42 Brambling, 35 Chaffinch, 3 Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Mealy Redpoll, 9 Siskin, 3 Snow Bunting, 4 Lapland Bunting, 13 Reed Bunting.
Other wildlife:
Red Admiral
Year list: 202
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Thursday 28th September
Weather: strong SE wind, with heavy rain throughout the morning and showers later, with heavy rain returning from late afternoon. The weather prevented full census, so the counts should be regarded as minima - an increase in some species (noted especially later in the afternoon), may suggest that tomorrow could be interesting if the weather provides and decent birding conditions...
HIGHLIGHTS:
Little Bunting: one at North Shirva thistles
Red-breasted Flycatcher: 2; singles at Steensi Geo and trapped in the Gully
Great Grey Shrike: again at the Mast
Yellow-browed Warbler: 9
Other Sightings:
3 Greylag Goose, 19 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (North Haven), 3 Golden Plover, 17 Ruff, 3 Jack Snipe, 2 Woodpigeon, 4 Kestrel, 26 Goldcrest, Swallow, 6 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 22 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler (Walli Burn), 5 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 158 Song Thrush, 29 Redwing, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 53 Robin, 11 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 15 Wheatear, Dunnock, Tree Pipit, 5 Brambling, 12 Chaffinch, 3 Linnet, 4 Snow Bunting, 4 Lapland Bunting, 6 Reed Bunting.
Other wildlife:
Silver Y
Year list: 202
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Wednesday 27th September
Weather: SE 5-6, cloudy throughout, with low cloud over the north at times.
HIGHLIGHTS:
RED-THROATED PIPIT: one around the Easter Lother and upper Wirvie Burn area
Olive-backed Pipit: one at the back of Ward Hill was presumably a new arrival
Little Bunting: one on Dronger (4th of the autumn)
Red-breasted Flycatcher: two at Wester Lother
Great Grey Shrike: one at the Mast may well have been the lingering bird wandering
Barred Warbler: one at Pund then the Lower Stoneybrek/Stackhoull area
Bluethroat: one at Upper Leogh may have been the Haa bird wandering
Corncrake: one flushed from Da Water
Yellow-browed Warbler: just 6
Marsh Warbler: still at the Obs
Other Sightings:
3 Greylag Goose, 31 Wigeon, 11 Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (North Haven), 16 Golden Plover, 4 Lapwing, 19 Ruff, 6 Jack Snipe, 59 Snipe, Woodpigeon, 3 Kestrel, 3 Carrion Crow, 18 Goldcrest, 158 Skylark, 7 Swallow, 4 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 13 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler (Obs), Ring Ouzel, 4 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 113 Song Thrush, 49 Redwing, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 14 Robin, 7 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 22 Wheatear, 4 Dunnock, 2 flava Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 5 Tree Pipit, 371 Meadow Pipit, 4 Brambling, 13 Chaffinch, 3 Linnet, 305 Twite, 3 Snow Bunting, 3 Lapland Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting.
Other wildlife:
4 Red Admiral
Year list: 202
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Tuesday 26th September
Weather: SE3/4, gusting stronger at times. Cloudy, with just a brief sunny spell in the early afternoon (although it was enough to allow planes in from Orkney and Shetland), but for most of the day the north was under low cloud.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Olive-backed Pipit: one at Taft briefly flew towards the Haa but could not be relocated.
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one in Steensi Geo (second of the autumn).
Great Grey Shrike: seen again in the afternoon, near Field
Bluethroat: still present at the Haa
Yellow-browed Warbler: 14
Marsh Warbler: still showing well at the Obs
Other Sightings:
4 Greylag Goose, 39 Wigeon, 22 Teal, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, Storm Petrel (one grounded near the Double Dyke was presumably a recently fledged juvenile), 3 Cormorant, 9 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (still in the Haven), 14 Golden Plover, 4 Lapwing, 24 Ruff, 9 Dunlin, 3 Jack Snipe, 4 Woodcock (first of the autumn), 56 Snipe, Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl, 5 Kestrel, 2 Carrion Crow, 22 Goldcrest, 123 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 12 Chiffchaff, 13 Willow Warbler, 25 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Grasshopper Warbler (above Klinger's Geo and in Boini Mire - not all locustellas on Fair Isle in September are rare ones!), Sedge Warbler (Bull's Park), Reed Warbler (Wirvie Burn), 2 Ring Ouzel, 7 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 76 Song Thrush, 53 Redwing, 6 Spotted Flycatcher, 12 Robin, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 8 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 31 Wheatear, 3 Dunnock (all migrants), 2 flava Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 3 'White Wagtail', 4 Tree Pipit, 368 Meadow Pipit, 5 Brambling, 15 Chaffinch, 2 Linnet, 274 Twite, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 'Mealy Redpoll', 5 Snow Bunting, 3 Lapland Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting.
Other wildlife:
Hummingbird Hawk-moth: one at Haa was a rare occurence of this less than annual visitor
Red Admiral: 19
Painted Lady: 1
Silver-Y: 4
Year list: 202
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Monday 25th September
Weather: SE 3/4, occasionally stronger, cloudy throughout with a few light showers. Low cloud prevented planes from coming in (but the Good Shepherd sailed), so there's been no flights since Friday.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Blyth's Reed Warbler: one at Steensi then moved to Linni Geo; first of the autumn and second record of the year
Great Grey Shrike: one initially at Schoolton was typically elusive as it roamed the centre of the island, although most people did get views in the end
Wryneck: one at the north end of Vaasetter
Bluethroat: one at the Haa; second of the autumn
Yellow-browed Warbler: 16 (highest count of the year so far)
Marsh Warbler: still showing well at the Obs
Other Sightings:
4 Greylag Goose, 20 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 3 Red-breasted Merganser (past South Light), Red-throated Diver, 3 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (North Haven), 15 Golden Plover, 3 Lapwing, Knot, 18 Ruff, 10 Dunlin, 5 Jack Snipe, 54 Snipe, Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl, 3 Kestrel, 4 Carrion Crow, 10 Goldcrest, 104 Skylark, 3 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 29 Blackcap, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler (Obs), 4 Ring Ouzel, 3 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 42 Song Thrush, 19 Redwing, Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Robin, 5 Redstart, Whinchat, 22 Wheatear, Dunnock (lingering bird at the Obs), flava Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 'White Wagtail', Tree Pipit, 323 Meadow Pipit, 2 Brambling, 17 Chaffinch, 6 Linnet, 296 Twite, Lesser Redpoll (still around School), 3 'Mealy Redpoll', 4 Snow Bunting, 9 Lapland Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting.
Other wildlife:
Red Admiral: 8
'Green Lacewing': one at the Vaadal
Silver-Y: 2
Year list: 201
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Sunday 24th September
Weather: SE 5-7, cloudy with showers in the morning and moderate or good visibility.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Yellow-browed Warbler: 15, with most in the North
Marsh Warbler: still at the Obs
Other Sightings:
4 Greylag Goose, 25 Wigeon, 8 Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Diver, Sooty Shearwater (off Buness), 6 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (North Haven), Golden Plover, Lapwing, 179 Turnstone, 20 Ruff, Sanderling, 9 Dunlin, 73 Redshank, 7 Jack Snipe, 87 Snipe, 85 Rock Dove (a minimum count), 3 Woodpigeon, 4 Kestrel, Merlin, 4 Carrion Crow, 10 Goldcrest, 141 Skylark, 3 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 2 Ring Ouzel (Wester Lother; first of the autumn), Blackbird, Fieldfare, 29 Song Thrush, 7 Redwing (first of the autumn), Spotted Flycatcher (Dronger), 2 Robin, 2 Pied Flycatcher, Redstart (Dronger), Whinchat, 20 Wheatear, 2 Dunnock (Wester Lother; first autumn migrants), Grey Wagtail, 'White Wagtail'. 397 Meadow Pipit, Brambling, 16 Chaffinch, 4 Linnet, 230 Twite, Lesser Redpoll (School), 2 'Mealy' Redpoll, 5 Snow Bunting (Ward Hill), 7 Lapland Bunting.
Other wildlife:
Silver-Y.
Year list: 200
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Saturday 23rd September
Weather: SE5-6, gusting stronger at times, cloudy with a few brighter spells later. Good visibility, moderate at times.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Barred Warbler: one in the Gully
Marsh Warbler: still present at the Obs
Osprey: one over South Greens eventually headed north over Ward Hill; first record of the year and 200th species of 2017 (subject to various rarities being accepted of course).
Yellow-browed Warbler: just 3 present
Other Sightings:
Greylag Goose, 26 Wigeon, 14 Teal, 5 Grey Heron, 12 Golden Plover, Lapwing, 184 Turnstone, 2 Knot, 11 Ruff, Sanderling, 7 Dunlin, Jack Snipe, 62 Snipe, 3 Kestrel, 2 Carrion Crow, 9 Goldcrest, 124 Skylark, Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackbird, 11 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, Redstart (Guidicum), Whinchat, 22 Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtail, 326 Meadow Pipit, Brambling (first of the year at Tineside), 15 Chaffinch, 4 'Mealy' Redpoll, 3 Lapland Bunting.
Year list:
200
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Friday 22nd September
Weather: SE calm at first but increasing 3/5, bright spells, although clouding over.
HIGHLIGHTS:
PALLAS'S GRASSHOPPER WARBLER: one at Lower Stoneybrek was generally elusive but showed well briefly on a couple of occasions and was heard calling. If accepted it will be the 25th record for the Isle and 6th in the last decade.
Barred Warbler: 2; singles at Schoolton and Haa
Marsh Warbler: the bird at the Obs continued to show well
Bluethroat: first-winter male still at Pund
Common Rosefinch: Kirki Geo
Yellow-browed Warbler: 15; the highest count of the year so far (and also the most numerous warbler present on the island today)
Other Sightings:
3 Greylag Goose, 15 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 'blue' Fulmar (in raft of Fulmars on sea off Hesswalls), 6 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (North Haven), 4 Golden Plover, 2 Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, 7 Ruff, Sanderling, 8 Dunlin, 2 Jack Snipe, Kestrel, Peregrine (immature female came in off the sea at North Light), 2 Carrion Crow, 5 Goldcrest, 143 Skylark, Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 2 Whinchat, 24 Wheatear, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 501 Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch (first of the autumn), 4 Linnet, 2 'Mealy' Redpoll, 5 Lapland Bunting.
Year list: 199
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Thursday 21st September
Weather: NW 3-4, decreasing 2-3 latre, Cloudy, with showers becoming more persistent rain later.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Buff-breasted Sandpiper: one on Buness briefly just before lunch then flew north (third of the autumn).
Marsh Warbler: still present at Obs and showing very well
Bluethroat: still at Pund
Common Rosefinch: at least three mobile birds still present
Yellow-browed Warbler: 8
Other Sightings:
4 Greylag Goose, 21 Wigeon, 19 Teal,7 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (Furse), Golden Plover, Lapwing, 176 Turnstone, Knot, 8 Ruff, 7 Dunlin, 89 Redshank, 2 Jack Snipe, 82 Snipe, 2 Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, 132 Skylark, 6 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 2 Whinchat, 18 Wheatear, Dunnock, 407 Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Redpoll sp?, 2 Snow Bunting, 6 Lapland Bunting.
Year list: 198
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Wednesday 20th September
Weather: SE2-3, cloudy with a few showers in the morning and some more regular rain in the afternoon
HIGHLIGHTS:
Marsh Warbler: yesterday's bird present at the Obs
Bluethroat: the first-winter male still at Pund
Common Rosefinch: at least 3 generally mobile birds, although they often return to Bull's Park
Barred Warbler: still present at Stackhoull and elsewhere
Yellow-browed Warbler: 7; including birds trapped in the Plantation and at the Obs and another at Pietron, suggesting an arrival today
Other Sightings:
Pink-footed Goose, 4 Greylag Goose, 13 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 'blue' Fulmar (in a raft of Fulmars off Klinger's Geo), 5 Grey Heron, 2 Golden Plover, 2 Lapwing, Knot, 8 Ruff, 4 Dunlin, Kestrel, Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 3 Goldcrest, 157 Skylark, 6 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 9 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 2 Whinchat, 11 Wheatear, Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 11 alba wagtails (including 4 Pied and 1 White), 458 Meadow Pipit, 4 Linnet, Redpoll sp?, Snow Bunting (Dronger), 9 Lapland Bunting.
Year list: 198
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Tuesday 19th September
Weather: NW 2-3, cloudy at first but largely clearing later. Light showers in the morning.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Marsh Warbler: one at Chalet; first of the autumn
Bluethroat: still at Pund
Common Rosefinch: 3 at Bull's Park
Barred Warbler: Stackhoull
Yellow-browed Warbler: 3
Other Sightings:
5 Greylag Goose, 14 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 2 Red-throated Diver (off South Light), 'blue' Fulmar (Roskillie/Buness), Grey Heron, 5 Golden Plover, 2 Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Ruff, Sanderling, 6 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, 2 Jack Snipe, Kestrel, Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, 204 Skylark, 3 Swallow, Wood Warbler (one at Pund), 5 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 10 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, 3 Robin, 3 Whinchat, 21 Wheatear, Dunnock, 3 Grey Wagtail, 11 alba wagtails (including 3 Pied and 4 White), 459 Meadow Pipit, 2 Linnet, 242 Twite, Snow Bunting (Meoness), 11 Lapland Bunting.
Other wildlife:
Risso's Dolphin: at least 5 off Buness early in the morning were presumably the same group that were lingering off the Rippack later.
Year list: 198
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Monday 18th September
Weather: N or NW 2/3, gusting stronger at times. Cloudy throughout, with showers throughout, becoming more regular in the afternoon. Good visibility, although poor during showers.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Little Bunting: one (unringed) bird still at North Shirva
Bluethroat: still at Pund
Common Rosefinch: 2 at Bull's Park then roamed the south of the island
Yellow-browed Warbler: 7 around the island
Other Sightings:
4 Greylag Goose, 9 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 2 Golden Plover, 2 Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, 9 Ruff, 4 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper, Jack Snipe (Vaasetter; first of the autumn), Short-eared Owl, Merlin, Peregrine (North Light), 2 Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, 193 Skylark, Swallow, 4 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 13 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Fieldfare, 2 Robin, 2 Whinchat, 15 Wheatear, Dunnock, 5 Grey Wagtail, 14 alba wagtails (including 3 Pied and 2 White), 491 Meadow Pipit, 4 Linnet, 269 Twite, Redpoll sp? (one over Buness), Snow Bunting (Meoness), 4 Lapland Bunting.
Year list: 198
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Sunday 17th September
Weather: NE 3/4, calming somewhat later. Cloudy throughout, but dry with good visibility.
HIGHLIGHTS:
WESTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER: one at Lower Stoneybrek was the 4th record for Fair Isle (with one Eastern or Western Bonelli's Warbler also recorded) and the first since 2008. It showed very well and regularly called as it fed in the gardens.
RUSTIC BUNTING: one at Hesti Geo was then more mobile, also visiting the Walli Burn and Lower Leogh. The 136th record for Fair Isle and 65th in the autumn, although the first in this season since 2009.
Citrine Wagtail: a mobile first-winter bird was found around Skerryholm and toured the south coast; first of the year and 77th record for Fair Isle.
Melodious Warbler: one glimpsed briefly at Schoolton in the morning was eventually pinned down to a thistle patch at Houll; 19th Fair Isle record and first since 2013.
Little Bunting: 2; one in the Norh Shirva thistle patch and another trapped in the Gully in the evening.
Bluethroat: one at Pund was the first of the autumn.
Barred Warbler: one at Schoolton and Shirva
Common Rosefinch: one mobile bird in the south of the island
Yellow-browed Warbler: 9 scattered across the island
Western Bonelli's Warbler, Lower Stoneybrek and Rustic Bunting, Lower Leogh (David Parnaby)
Other Sightings:
5 Greylag Goose, 13 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 4 Grey Heron, 7 Golden Plover, 2 Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Ruff, Sanderling, 4 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, 58 Redshank, Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, 105 Skylark, Swallow, 4 Chiffchaff, 19 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, Blackbird, 2 Robin, 3 Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 19 Wheatear, Dunnock, 3 Grey Wagtail, 21 alba wagtails (including 9 Pied and 5 White), 611 Meadow Pipit, 4 Linnet, 263 Twite, 2 'Mealy Redpoll', Snow Bunting (Meoness), 5 Lapland Bunting.
Other wildlife:
Red Admiral
Year list: 198
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Saturday 16th September
Weather: N or NE 4/5 decreasing to 3 later. Cloudy throughout with showers in the afternoon.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Red-backed Shrike: male at Burkle
Barred Warbler: at Lower Stoneybrek, presumably the lingering bird
Common Rosefinch: at Chalet and then later at Stackhoull
Other Sightings:
5 Greylag Goose, 14 Wigeon, 6 Teal, Red-throated Diver (off South Light), 8 Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk (male), 6 Golden Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Ruff, Sanderling, 8 Dunlin, 60 Redshank, 2 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 134 Skylark, Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, 2 Blackbird (the lingering female at the Obs, plus a male - the first autumn migrant), Robin, Whinchat, 14 Wheatear, Dunnock, 4 Grey Wagtail, 20 alba wagtails (including 3 Pied and 9 White), 496 Meadow Pipit, 5 Linnet, 386 Twite, Redpoll sp?, Siskin, Snow Bunting (Meoness), 2 Lapland Bunting.
Year list: 195
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Friday 15th September
Weather: NW becoming N 4-6, cloudy at first but clearing after some heavy showers at first.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Barred Warbler: one at Schoolton
Common Rosefinch: one at Bull's Park crop strip
Other Sightings:
Pink-footed Goose (first of the autumn went over Burkle), 4 Greylag Goose, 10 Wigeon, 9 Teal, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk (female), 2 Oystercatcher, 5 Golden Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Ruff, 2 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, 89 Redshank, 49 Snipe, 2 Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, 96 Skylark, Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler (Obs), Blackbird, Robin, 2 Whinchat, 15 Wheatear, Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 15 alba wagtails (including 1 Pied and 9 White), Tree Pipit, 578 Meadow Pipit, 2 Linnet, Siskin, Snow Bunting (Meoness), 4 Lapland Bunting.
Year list: 195
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Thursday 14th September
Weather: strong north-west winds continuing.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Yellow-browed Warbler: 2; singles at South Restengeo and Midway
Barred Warbler: one at Stackhoull
Other Sightings:
Greylag Goose, 12 Wigeon, 12 Teal, Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk (male and female), 3 Golden Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Ruff, 2 Sanderling, 8 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper, 47 Redshank, 2 Merlin, 1 Carrion Crow, 84 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 2 Chiffchaff, 11 Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackbird, 2 Robin, 2 Whinchat, 21 Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtail, 17 alba wagtails (including 4 Pied and 6 White), 503 Meadow Pipit, 2 Linnet, Siskin, Snow Bunting (one at Utra; first of the autumn), 2 Lapland Bunting.
Year list: 195
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Wednesday 13th September
Weather: calm at first with a freshening NW wind, sunny spells and mild.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Yellow-browed Warbler: one trapped in the Plantation in the morning lingered for the rest of the day at the Obs.
Common Rosefinch: one at Field.
Other Sightings:
5 Greylag Goose, 12 Wigeon, 6 Teal, Sparrowhawk, 7 Golden Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Ruff, 2 Sanderling, 9 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 50 Redshank, Merlin, 1 Carrion Crow, 82 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 2 Chiffchaff, 15 Willow Warbler, Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat (Double Dyke), Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Blackbird, Robin, Pied Flycatcher, 3 Whinchat, 38 Wheatear, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, 12 alba wagtails (including 2 Pied and 6 White), Tree Pipit, 654 Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll (trapped at the Obs), Siskin (Obs; first since mid-July), 6 Lapland Bunting.
Other wildlife:
White-sided Dolphin: a large, extended group off dolphins off South Light contained around 25 of this species, although they stayed further offshore than the other species.
White-beaked Dolphin: between 20 and 25 of these dolphins moved through at the back of the group
Risso's Dolphin: at least 18 were closer inshore than the other species
Harbour Porpoise: one off Meoness
Year list: 195
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Tuesday 12th September
Weather: WNW 3-5, cloudy at first with heavy showers in the morning, but sunny spells later.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Barred Warbler: one at Schoolton.
Other Sightings:
7 Greylag Goose, 13 Wigeon, 8 Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, 23 Golden Plover, 2 Lapwing, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, 30 Ruff, Sanderling, 17 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, 63 Redshank, Short-eared Owl, Carrion Crow, 155 Skylark, Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 17 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackbird, 3 Robin, Pied Flycatcher, 4 Whinchat, 67 Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtail, 34 alba wagtails (including 6 Pied and 10 White), Tree Pipit, 885 Meadow Pipit, 2 Linnet, 2 Lapland Bunting.
Year list: 195
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Monday 11th September
After a very slow autumn, it was nice to have a few birds (especially as it coincided with the Island Bird Observatories Bird Race!). The conditions were still far from perfect, with Atlantic lows still dominating, but whenever the leading edge of a low brings easterlies across the North Sea, there's a chance it will deliver birds - and Fair Isle is as good a place as any to be to take advantage.
Weather: variable wind, NW at first, becoming SW later, generally 2-3. Cloudy with heavy rain from c0930hrs until c1400hrs but then a sunny afternoon.
HIGHLIGHTS:
GREAT SNIPE: one flushed from the School Brae was seen once again at Da Water; if accepted it will be around the 47th record for Fair Isle.
Little Bunting: a showy individual at Pund was the first of the autumn.
Yellow-browed Warbler: one in bracken at Furse; first of the year.
Barred Warbler: one in the North Haven was the 6th of the autumn.
Common Rosefinch: one at the Obs in the morning was the 6th of the autumn.
Top: Great Snipe, Da Water (David Parnaby)
Middle: Little Bunting, Pund (David Parnaby)
Bottom: Barred Warbler, North Haven (Ciaran Hatsell)
Other Sightings:
2 Greylag Goose, 21 Wigeon, 22 Teal, 2 Red-throated Diver, 3 Sooty Shearwater (South Light), Grey Heron, 2 Golden Plover, Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 23 Ruff, 3 Sanderling, 18 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl, 2 Kestrel, Merlin, 2 Carrion Crow, 80 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 4 Chiffchaff, 30 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 5 Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler (Schoolton), Blackbird, Robin, Redstart (first record since 26th August), 5 Whinchat, 147 Wheatear, Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, 36 alba wagtails (including 5 Pied and 15 White), Tree Pipit (in off the sea at South Light), 1078 Meadow Pipit, 4 Linnet, 289 Twite, Lapland Bunting.
Other wildlife:
7 Red Admiral
Year list: 195
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Sunday 10th September
Weather: SE3-4, cloudy with rain from late morning becoming heavy and prolonged in afternoon
HIGHLIGHTS:
Corncrake: one showed incredibly well just outside the library after lunch and remained in the garden for the afternoon. The first record of the year.
Corncrake, Obs (David Parnaby)
Other Sightings:
9
Greylag Goose, 35 Wigeon, 14 Teal, 12 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk (female), 2 Golden Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, 16 Ruff, 11 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 2 Kestrel, Merlin, Carrion Crow, 84 Skylark, 2 Chiffchaff, 14 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler (all new birds, trapped), Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler (Schoolton), Blackbird, 2 Robin, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Whinchat, 140 Wheatear, Dunnock, 4 Grey Wagtail, 30 alba wagtails (including 7 Pied and 9 White), 2 Tree Pipit, 1015 Meadow Pipit, 3 Linnet, 264 Twite, 4 Lapland Bunting.
Year list: 193
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Saturday 9th September
Weather: NNW 3/4, occasionally 5 later, cloudy throughout with showers in the morning.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Wryneck: one on top of Ward Hill
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile still present, seen at Field
Other Sightings:
Greylag Goose, 4 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 4 Sooty Shearwater (from Good Shepherd), Storm Petrel (from Good Shepherd), 6 Cormorant, Grey Heron, 3 Golden Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Knot, 20 Ruff, 8 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 43 Redshank, Razorbill (South Light), Arctic Tern (first of the month), Kestrel, Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, 76 Skylark, 2 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Whinchat, 31 Wheatear, Dunnock, 5 Grey Wagtail, 44 alba wagtails (including 4 Pied and 16 White), 791 Meadow Pipit, 4 Linnet, 217 Twite, 3 Lapland Bunting.
Year list: 192
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Friday 8th September
HIGHLIGHTS:
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile still roaming around School.Chalet area
Weather: Variable, with wind moving between SW, E and NW and generally light (F2). Cloud at first with some light rain, but clearing to sunshine.
Sightings:
6 Wigeon, 20 Teal, Common Scoter (North Haven), 3 Sooty Shearwater (South Light), 6 Cormorant, 6 Grey Heron, 3 Golden Plover, 64 Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit (North Light), 14 Ruff, Sanderling, 23 Dunlin, Little Stint (juvenile in North Haven; first of the year), 42 Redshank, Puffin (South Light), 9 Razorbill (South Light), Kestrel, Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, 2 Goldcrest, 85 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 14 Willow Warbler, Blackcap (male, Plantation), Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher (same bird at Houll), 3 Robin, 7 Whinchat, 216 Wheatear (including several 'Greenland' birds), Dunnock, 154 House Sparrow (the highest post-breeding count for several years), 'Blue-headed Wagtail' (male at South Harbour then Houll), 4 Grey Wagtail, 45 alba wagtails (including 5 Pied and 31 White), 3 Tree Pipit, 1032 Meadow Pipit, 219 Rock Pipit, Linnet, 198 Twite, 3 Lapland Bunting.
Other wildlife:
5 Red Admiral
Year list: 192
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Thursday 7th September
Weather: SSE2-3, increasing to 4 then calming in the evening. Cloudy throughout, with spells of heavy prolonged rain in the afternoon.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Buff-breasted Sandpiper: again present on the north end of Buness
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile still at Chalet
Other Sightings:
Greylag Goose, 65 Wigeon (including several flocks past South Light), 34 Teal, 4 Mallard (moving with Wigeon off South Light), Common Scoter (North Haven), 4 Red-throated Diver (off South Light), 11 Sooty Shearwater (South Light), 2 Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk (juvenile female trapped in the Vaadal), 67 Golden Plover, 74 Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 138 Turnstone, 11 Ruff, 3 Sanderling, 24 Dunlin, 68 Redshank, 4 Puffin (off South Light), 424 Razorbill (South Light), 29 Guillemot (South Light), 43 Kittiwake (South Light), 42 Common Gull, Short-eared Owl, Kestrel, 3 Merlin, 3 Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, 2 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher (Schoolton; first of the month and just the third of the autumn), 2 Robin, 4 Whinchat, 75 Wheatear, Dunnock, 'Blue-headed Wagtail' (male still at Houll), 50 alba wagtails (including 7 Pied and 15 White), Tree Pipit, 1517 Meadow Pipit (including many moving south off South Light), 168 Rock Pipit, 3 Linnet, 410 Twite, 4 Lapland Bunting.
Year list: 191
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Wednesday 6th September
Weather: SW 3-5, very cloudt at first with heavy showers, but clearing somewhat later
HIGHLIGHTS:
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile still at Chalet
Common Rosefinch: one still at Burkle
Other Sightings:
Greylag Goose, 6 Wigeon, 18 Teal, Common Scoter (North Haven), Great Northern Diver (off South Light in the morning), 2 Sooty Shearwater (South Light), Manx Shearwater (South Light),
Grey Heron, 3 Sparrowhawk, 4 Golden Plover, 3 Lapwing (first of the month), Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 107 Turnstone, 6 Ruff, Sanderling, 8 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 7 Puffin (off South Light), 55 Razorbill (South Light), 2 Common Tern, 2 Short-eared Owl, 4 Kestrel (including one seen heading south off South Light), 2 Carrion Crow, 3 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Robin, 8 Whinchat, Dunnock, 'Blue-headed Wagtail', 45 alba wagtails (including 2 Pied and 15 White), Tree Pipit, 1000 Meadow Pipit, 4 Linnet, 276 Twite, 7 Lapland Bunting.
Other wildlife:
2 Red Admiral
Year list: 191
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Tuesday 5th September
Weather: SSE 3-4, occasionally 5, cloudy at first but clearing later, cool.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 2; one still present on Buness, with sightings in the afternoon at Chatham's Land then Hoini thought to relate to a new individual.
Honey-buzzard: a dark-phase bird picked up over South Light then wandered around the south for a short while before heading south-east over Da Burrian and out to sea
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile at Chalet
Barred Warbler: an unringed 1CY at Burkle
Common Rosefinch: an unringed bird at Burkle
Other Sightings:
10 Wigeon, 35 Teal, 2 Pintail (passed South Light in the morning), Common Scoter (still in North Haven), Red-breasted Merganser, 7 Red-throated Diver (passed South Light in the morning), 4 Sooty Shearwater (3 off South Light and one from the Good Shepherd), Manx Shearwater (off South Light),
5 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (North Haven), Sparrowhawk, 7 Golden Plover, Whimbrel, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, 168 Turnstone, 19 Ruff, Sanderling, 18 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Arctic Skua, 80 Razorbill (passed South Light), 3 Common Tern, 210 Great Black-backed Gull (a couple flocks starting to gather on the island top), Swift, 5 Kestrel (including one seen heading south off South Light), 2 Carrion Crow, 3 Chiffchaff, 13 Willow Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackbird, 3 Robin, Pied Flycatcher, 7 Whinchat, Dunnock, 'Blue-headed Wagtail' (male at Midway), 80 alba wagtails (including 5 Pied and 31 White), 1058 Meadow Pipit, 202 Rock Pipit, 3 Linnet, 271 Twite, 7 Lapland Bunting.
3 Red Admiral
Year list: 191
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Monday 4th September
Weather: SSE 5-7, occasionally gusting stronger. Heavy rain fairly persistently throughout the day.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Buff-breasted Sandpiper: still present on Buness
Other Sightings:
15 Wigeon, 26 Teal, Common Scoter (still in North Haven), Cormorant, 5 Grey Heron, Slavonian Grebe (North Haven; first of the autumn), 2 Sparrowhawk (male and female at Schoolton), 2 Golden Plover, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ruff, Sanderling, 13 Dunlin, 15 Common Tern (in North Haven; highest count since 1997, when a few pairs still bred on the island), 44 Common Gull, 2 Kestrel, 2 Carrion Crow (still at Utra), Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock.
Year list: 191
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Sunday 3rd September
Weather: S or SE 5-6, gusting stronger at times, dry with good visibility and plenty of sunshine
HIGHLIGHTS:
Buff-breasted Sandpiper: a smart juvenile was found on Buness in the afternoon, where it proved somewhat mobile, but showed well at times. The 16th record (17th individual) for the island and the first since 2014. All bar one of the previous records also occurred in September.
Barred Warbler: 2; one still at Chalet and another around the Plantation, which was trapped and ringed in the evening
Common Rosefinch: one at Burkle
Other Sightings:
5 Wigeon, 7 Teal, Common Scoter (North Haven), Sooty Shearwater (one from South Light), 3 Grey Heron, 14 Golden Plover, Whimbrel, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Sanderling, 9 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Puffin, 26 Razorbill (South Light), 2 Kestrel, 65 Skylark, 2 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackbird, 2 Robin, Whinchat, 30 Wheatear, Dunnock, 86 alba wagtail (including 30 White and 4 Pied), 1,013 Meadow Pipit, 6 Linnet, 241 Twite, 4 Lapland Bunting.
Other wildlife:
3 Red Admiral
Year list: 191
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Saturday 2nd September
Weather: S, SW or SE 2/3, although increasing later, cloudy but dry with good visibility
HIGHLIGHTS:
Barred Warbler: one at Chalet
Other Sightings:
Greylag Goose, 3 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 67 Storm Petrel (trapped overnight, including 53 'new' birds), Grey Heron, 2 Golden Plover, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Ruff, 2 Sanderling, 18 Dunlin, Razorbill (off South Light), Woodpigeon, 2 Kestrel, Peregrine (immature male), Goldcrest (one in the Wirvie Burn; first of the autumn), 63 Skylark, Chiffchaff, 11 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackbird, 3 Robin, Whinchat, 32 Wheatear, 85 alba wagtail (including 20 White and 4 Pied), 1212 Meadow Pipit, 177 Rock Pipit, 3 Linnet, 256 Twite, 7 Lapland Bunting.
Other wildlife:
6 Red Admiral
Year list: 190
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Friday 1st September
Weather: W or SW 2/3, occasionally 4, cloudy at first but clearing, although light showers later
HIGHLIGHTS:
Common Rosefinch: one at Skadan
Other Sightings:
Greylag Goose, 4 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 53 Storm Petrel (52 trapped overnight, including 46 'new' birds plus one from the Good Shepherd), 2 Grey Heron, 2 Golden Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Ruff, Sanderling, 22 Dunlin, Arctic Skua, Woodpigeon, Swift, 2 Kestrel, Carrion Crow,74 Skylark, 2 Swallow, Chiffchaff, 11 Willow Warbler, Blackcap (female, Obs), Garden Warbler, Reed Warbler, 2 Robin, 2 Whinchat, 45 Wheatear, Dunnock, 103 alba wagtail (including 46 White and 4 Pied), 1100 Meadow Pipit, 157 Rock Pipit, 2 Linnet, 222 Twite, 4 Lapland Bunting.
Other wildlife:
5 Red Admiral
Year list: 190
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31st August
Weather: NNW 2-3, cloudy with a couple of heavy showers in the morning, but otherwise fine
HIGHLIGHTS:
Common Rosefinch: an unringed 1CY caught at the Obs in the evening
Other Sightings:
3 Greylag Goose, 3 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 125 Storm Petrel (124 trapped overnight, including 111 'new' birds plus one from the Good Shepherd), 8 Golden Plover, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Ruff, 2 Sanderling, 27 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, 3 Arctic Tern (from Good Shepherd), Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl, 2 Kestrel, Merlin, 73 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 29 Willow Warbler, Blackcap (female, Obs), Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Fieldfare (Dronger), Song Thrush (Obs), 2 Robin, Whinchat, 99 Wheatear, Dunnock, 148 alba wagtail (including 55 White and 3 Pied), 2 Tree Pipit, 1447 Meadow Pipit, 158 Rock Pipit, 2 Linnet, 287 Twite, 2 Lapland Bunting (Wester Lother).
Other wildlife:
Risso's Dolphin - a group of at least 12 off Meoness started moving slowly up the east coast, although appeared quite content to hang around for a while
5 Red Admiral
Year list: 190
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30th August
Weather: a moderate or strong SW wind fading throughout the day and fairly calm by the evening. Sunny spells.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Common Rosefinch: one still present
Other Sightings:
Greylag Goose, 3 Wigeon, 3 Teal, Grey Heron, 7 Golden Plover, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, 7 Ruff, Sanderling, 41 Dunlin, 0 Arctic Skua (first blank day of the autumn for this species), 11 Black-headed Gull, 184 Lesser Black-backed Gull (a rather high count - most days in the last fortnight have seen single figure counts), Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl, Swift, Kestrel, 63 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 12 Willow Warbler, Blackcap (female at the Obs; first of the autumn), 3 Garden Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Fieldfare (still on Dronger), Song Thrush (Obs), Spotted Flycatcher (Obs), Robin, 3 Whinchat, 117 Wheatear, Dunnock, 190 alba wagtail (including 60 White and 5 Pied), 1714 Meadow Pipit (one of the highest FIBO counts. This represents the birds seen on census - with passage seemingly occuring throughout the day, the actual total passing through the island during may well have been much higher), 160 Rock Pipit, 2 Linnet, 256 Twite, Lapland Bunting (one near Meadow Burn; first of the autumn).
Other wildlife:
15 Red Admiral
Year list: 190
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29th August
Weather: SW 5/6, gusting stronger at times, mostly sunny.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Common Rosefinch: 2 (adult and 1CY) still present and were trapped in the Vaadal in the afternoon
Other Sightings:
Greylag Goose, 2 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 2 Grey Heron, 16 Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, 9 Ruff, Sanderling, 26 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 2 Swift, Kestrel, Peregrine (male in the north), Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 19 Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackbird, Fieldfare (one on Dronger; first of the autumn), Spotted Flycatcher (still at Obs), Robin, 2 Whinchat, 76 Wheatear, Dunnock, 361 Meadow Pipit, 3 Linnet.
Year list: 190
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28th August
Weather: SW 5/6, gusting stronger at times, mostly cloudy although some brighter spells. Heavy rain at first, with showers later.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Pectoral Sandpiper: a 1CY on Hoini apeared freshly arrived and was later seen flying south over Stackhoull. The 35th island record and the first since 2015
Common Rosefinch: 2 (adult and 1CY) still present
Other Sightings:
Greylag Goose, 2 Wigeon, 6 Teal, Sooty Shearwater (one close in past South Light; the first land-based sighting of the year), Cormorant, Grey Heron, Lapwing, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Ruff, Sanderling, 24 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, 3 Puffin (off South Light, including a juvenile on the sea), Woodpigeon, 2 Swift, Kestrel, Wood Warbler (ringed bird still at North Shirva), 3 Chiffchaff (including one 1CY bird), 23 Willow Warbler, 3 Garden Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher (one still at Obs and Haven), Robin, 3 Whinchat, 71 Wheatear, 242 Meadow Pipit, 2 Linnet, 262 Twite.
Year list: 190
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27th August
Weather: ESE2/3 backing more southerly and increasing, variable cloud.
HIGHLIGHTS:
ARCTIC WARBLER: still present at Chalet where it showed well at times
Barred Warbler: one again at North Shirva
Common Rosefinch: 2 in Boini Mire with a large Twite flock, an unringed adult and a fresh 1CY bird
Other Sightings:
6 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 58 Storm Petrel (trapped overnight, including 52 'new' birds), 7 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk (male), Lapwing, 2 Whimbrel, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Ruff, 2 Sanderling, 22 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 0 Puffin (the first blank day of the autumn), Woodpigeon, Turtle Dove (Meoness), Swift, 2 Kestrel, 3 Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, Wood Warbler (the ringed bird still at North Shirva), 2 Chiffchaff, 33 Willow Warbler, 4 Garden Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher (one at the Obs; just the second of the autumn), Robin, 2 Whinchat, 106 Wheatear, 34 alba wagtail (including 7 White and 4 Pied), 332 Meadow Pipit, 165 Rock Pipit, Linnet, 201 Twite.
Other wildlife:
Risso's Dolphin - a single off Lerness.
3 Red Admiral (and also caterpillars found at Quoy, a very rare breeding occurence for the Isle)
Year list: 189
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26th August
Weather: NE 3/4 calming and becoming variable, cloudy at first but clearing to sunny spells.
HIGHLIGHTS:
ARCTIC WARBLER: an adult at Chalet will be the 91st record for Fair Isle (if accepted) and the first since 2015 (2016 was only the 10th blank year in the last four decades for the species on the Isle)
Red-backed Shrike: 2; juveniles at Chalet and Wester Lother
Wryneck: one in the Vaadal in the morning was probably the same bird seen at Hill Dyke later
Quail: one at Midway
Arctic Warbler, Chalet (David Parnaby)
Other Sightings:
Greylag Goose, 6 Wigeon, 14 Teal, Storm Petrel (Good Shepherd), 9 Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk (juvenile male trapped in the Vaadal; first of the autumn), 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ruff, 2 Sanderling, 28 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 2 Puffin, Woodpigeon, Swift, Kestrel, 2 Carrion Crow, Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 2 Wood Warbler (the ringed bird relocated to North Shirva, with another on Meoness), 3 Chiffchaff (including the first autumn migrant), 32 Willow Warbler, 5 Garden Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler (Meadow Burn and Lower Stoneybrek), Sedge Warbler (Pund), 2 Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Robin, 3 Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Whinchat, 236 Wheatear, Dunnock, flava wagtail, Grey Wagtail (first of the autumn), 75 alba wagtail (including 31 White and 6 Pied), 451 Meadow Pipit, 150 Rock Pipit, 2 Linnet, 165 Twite.
Other wildlife:
10 Risso's Dolphin lingering off South Light and Skadan in the early evening.
3 Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Silver Y
Risso's Dolphin, off Skadan, (David Parnaby)
Year list: 189
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25th August
Weather: E or NE 3-4, generally cloudy with a few brighter spells later, but improved visibility (and the first planes since Tuesday)
HIGHLIGHTS:
Wryneck: a series of widely spaced sightings referred to at least two individuals, including one that was trapped in the Plantation
Icterine Warbler: one in North Gunnawark (first of the autumn)
Red-backed Shrike: juvenile at Chalet (first of the autumn)
Barred Warbler: 2, including one trapped and ringed at the Plantation
Common Rosefinch: one at Burkle
Other Sightings:
3 Greylag Goose, 6 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 9 Grey Heron, 13 Golden Plover, 53 Ringed Plover, 16 Black-tailed Godwit, 93 Turnstone, 8 Ruff, 7 Sanderling, 27 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 36 Redshank, Puffin (still small numbers), 69 Common Gull, Woodpigeon (first of the autumn), Short-eared Owl, Swift, Kestrel, Merlin (first of the autumn), 3 Carrion Crow, Sand Martin, Swallow, Wood Warbler (one trapped and ringed at Chalet), 4 Chiffchaff (all adults), 50 Willow Warbler, 7 Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat (Stackhoull; first of the autumn), Grasshopper Warbler (Meadow Burn), Sedge Warbler (Pund), 4 Reed Warbler, Blackbird, 3 Robin, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 105 Wheatear, flava wagtail, 77 alba wagtail (including 26 White and 4 Pied), 2 Tree Pipit, 427 Meadow Pipit, 195 Rock Pipit, 2 Linnet, 351 Twite.
Other wildlife:
A fin seen just beyond the North Haven breakwater just before dusk may have been from Killer Whale.
4 Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Silver Y
Year list: 188
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24th August
Weather: E or NE 3-4, cloudy with rain throughout, heavy at times. Visibility moderate or poor.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Common Rosefinch: the ringed adult was seen at Stackhoull, Chalet and Gully
Barred Warbler: 1CY birds at North Shirva and Lower Stoneybrek were thought to both to be the same individual, presumably the lingering bird
Marsh Harrier: a juvenile roamed the island; the 4th of the year of this increasingly regularly recorded species, although most sightings are in the spring
Other Sightings:
Greylag Goose, 7 Wigeon, 27 Teal, 4 Storm Petrel (Good Shepherd), 9 Grey Heron, Grey Plover (a breeding plumaged adult over Meoness was the third of the year), 6 Golden Plover, 62 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 17 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Ruff, 11 Sanderling, 33 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, 40 Redshank, 43 Snipe, Puffin (still a few around), Common Tern, Short-eared Owl, Swift, Kestrel, 2 Carrion Crow, Swallow, Wood Warbler (an unringed bird at Schoolton), 3 Chiffchaff (all adults), 32 Willow Warbler, 5 Garden Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler (singles at Meadow Burn and Gully; first of the month), Sedge Warbler (Pund), 4 Reed Warbler, Blackbird, 3 Robin, Pied Flycatcher (Field; first of the autumn), 2 Redstart (Vaadal and Muckle Geo o' Hoini; first of the autumn), Whinchat (Meadow Burn; first of the autumn), 110 Wheatear, Dunnock, flava wagtail, 47 alba wagtail (including 9 White and 1 Pied), Tree Pipit (Quoy; first of the autumn), 390 Meadow Pipit, 162 Rock Pipit, 3 Linnet.
Other wildlife: a large blow from a cetacean was seen just inside Fair Isle waters from the Good Shepherd, Red Admiral
Year list: 188
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23rd August
HIGHLIGHTS:
Common Rosefinch: an adult trapped and ringed in the Plantation then lingered around the traps for the rest of the day
Other Sightings:
Greylag Goose, 5 Wigeon, 11 Teal, Red-throated Diver, 'blue' Fulmar (South Light), 7 Grey Heron, 3 Golden Plover, 56 Ringed Plover, 16 Black-tailed Godwit, 121 Turnstone, 4 Ruff, 3 Sanderling, 22 Dunlin, 62 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, 5 Common Tern, Kestrel (first of the autumn), 2 Carrion Crow, Swallow, Wood Warbler (an unusual record concerned one found in a car at North Haven, it was ringed and released at the Obs; first of the autumn), 2 Chiffchaff (all adults), 24 Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler (Pund; first of the autumn), 2 Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Robin, 76 Wheatear, Dunnock, flava wagtail (a roaming individual; first of the year), 68 alba wagtail (including 6 White and 2 Pied), 447 Meadow Pipit, 186 Rock Pipit, Linnet.
Other wildlife: Green Lacewing (one at the Obs)
Year list: 188
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22nd August
Weather: E 2-3/4, light, patchy cloud
Sightings:
Greylag Goose, 2 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 'blue' Fulmar (Good Shepherd. Also, fledged Fulmar chick in Homisdale), 162 Storm Petrel (trapped overnight, including 154 'new' birds), Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 5 Golden Plover, 53 Ringed Plover, 17 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ruff, 5 Sanderling, 14 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, 3 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff (all adults), 22 Willow Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Robin, 119 Wheatear, Dunnock, 73 alba wagtail (including 19 White and 1 Pied), 370 Meadow Pipit, 163 Rock Pipit, Linnet.
Other wildlife: Eel (Utra), Red Admiral, Silver Y
Year list: 188
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21st August
Weather: N2 becoming variable and lighter, with a light NE breeze picking up overnight.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Red-necked Phalarope: two juveniles on Da Water
Other Sightings:
2 Greylag Goose, Wigeon, 6 Teal, 11 Cormorant, 11 Golden Plover, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, Ruff, 7 Sanderling, 22 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, 58 Redshank, 41 Snipe, Collared Dove (first of the month), 2 Short-eared Owl, 3 Carrion Crow, 3 Swallow, 4 Chiffchaff (all thought to be summering adults), 16 Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, 85 alba wagtail (including 31 White and 6 Pied), 348 Meadow Pipit, 231 Rock Pipit, 2 Linnet.
Other wildlife:
Minke Whale (one off Buness; the first land-based record of the year), Risso's Dolphin (4 distantly off Skadan), 6 Harbour Porpoise (3 off Skadan and 3 off North Light).
2 Silver Y
Year list: 188
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20th August
Weather: WNW 4-5 (occasionally gusting higher), cloudy with occasional light patchy showers.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Barred Warbler: still present at North Shirva
Red-necked Phalarope: juvenile on Da Water
Other Sightings:
Greylag Goose, 7 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 4 Grey Heron, 3 Golden Plover, 17 Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, Ruff, 4 Sanderling, 21 Dunlin, 36 Purple Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 78 Redshank, 2 Swift, 2 Carrion Crow, House Martin, Chiffchaff, 15 Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler (first of the autumn), Robin, Dunnock, 36 alba wagtail (including 8 White and 3 Pied), 504 Meadow Pipit, 5 Linnet.
Year list: 188
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19th August
Weather: WSW3-4, cloudy at first with showers (some prolonged), but clearing to a dry afternoon.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Woodchat Shrike: a smart juvenile around Pund and the base of Hoini will be the 32nd record for Fair Isle if accepted and is the first juvenile since 2006
Barred Warbler: one at North Shirva then flew south; first of the year
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Woodchat Shrike, Pund (Max Hellicar)
Other Sightings:
4 Wigeon, 6 Teal, Pintail, Sooty Shearwater (one from the Good Shepherd), 8 Storm Petrel (from the Good Shepherd), 2 Grey Heron, 3 Golden Plover, 17 Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, 3 Sanderling, 25 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Swift, 2 Carrion Crow, House Martin (first of the month), Chiffchaff, 15 Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, Blackbird (summering female), Robin, 235 Wheatear, Dunnock, 113 alba wagtail (including 45 White and 8 Pied), 503 Meadow Pipit, 2 Linnet, 178 Twite, Mealy Redpoll (Obs).
Year list: 188
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18th August
Weather: SSE 3-4, sunny at first but clouding over later and raining in the afternoon, heavily at times.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Red-necked Phalarope: 2 juveniles on Da Water
Leach's Petrel: one trapped in the early hours of the morning.
Other Sightings:
Pintail (eclipse male on Da Water), 94 Storm Petrel (trapped in the Haven overnight), Grey Heron, 7 Golden Plover, 67 Ringed Plover, 16 Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, 2 Ruff (mobile in the south then on Da Water), Sanderling, 42 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, 120 Common Gull, Short-eared Owl (Da Water), 2 Carrion Crow, 11 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff (summering birds), 2 Willow Warbler, Whitethroat (Setter; first of the autumn), Blackbird (summering female), 2 Robin, 185 Wheatear, Dunnock, 80 alba wagtail, 455 Meadow Pipit, 200 Rock Pipit, 230 Twite, 2 Mealy Redpoll (Obs).
Other wildlife:
2 Red Admiral
Year list: 187
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17th August
Weather: SSE 3-4, cloudy with showers early am, but dying out to a sunny day, although cloudy over again in evening and one or two showers late on.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Red-necked Phalarope: two juveniles in South Harbour
Other Sightings:
5 Teal, Manx Shearwater (Good Shepherd), 2 Grey Heron, Golden Plover, 83 Ringed Plover, 16 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Knot, 3 Sanderling, 50 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, 78 Common Gull, 7 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff (summering birds), Willow Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler (singles at Pund and Plantation), Blackbird (summering female), Robin, 187 Wheatear, Dunnock, 90 alba wagtails (including 36 White and 6 Pied), 436 Meadow Pipit, 170 Rock Pipit, Linnet, Mealy Redpoll (male at Obs).
Other wildlife:
4 Red Admiral, Silver Y
Year list: 187
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16th August
Weather: SW 3 increasing S 5-6, with cloud increasing through the day.
Sightings:
Greylag Goose, 5 Teal, Red-throated Diver, Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Golden Plover, 35 Ringed Plover, Whimbrel, 13 Curlew, 17 Black-tailed Godwit, Sanderling, 32 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper (Gully; first of the month), 2 Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Arctic Tern (first sighting since 13th), 14 Black-headed Gull, 13 Swallow, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler (juvenile trapped in the Gully), 2 Robin,72 alba wagtails (including 12 White), 326 Meadow Pipit, Linnet.
Other wildlife:
3 Red Admiral, Silver Y
Year list: 187
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15th August
Weather: heavy rain overnight clearing my late morning, then sunny and mild in afternoon. SW3-4.
Sightings:
Red-throated Diver, 3 Grey Heron, Golden Plover, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, Sanderling, Greenshank, 3 Linnet,
Year list: 187
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14th August
Weather: SSE3 increasing later, cloudy with heavy rain from midday, visibility falling to moderate in the afternoon.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Red-necked Phalarope: juvenile again at Utra, although flighty
Other Sightings:
4 Teal, 2 Grey Heron, Golden Plover, 16 Black-tailed Godwit, Sanderling, 37 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Short-eared Owl (Da Water), 2 Carrion Crow, Sand Martin (first since 18th July), 6 Swallow, Robin, Dunnock, 14 White Wagtail (along with 10 Pied and 37 alba wagtails), 306 Meadow Pipit, Common Crossbill (juvenile at Schoolton).
Other wildlife:
Red Admiral (the first butterfly of the month)
Year list: 187
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13th August
Weather: moderate westerly wind, with the afternoon bceoming sunny and warm. It's about time for some easterlies really...
Sightings:
2 Greylag Goose, Wigeon (male Da Water; first of the autumn), 2 Teal, Storm Petrel (162 trapped overnight, including 136 'new' birds), Grey Heron, 8 Golden Plover, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper, 2 Carrion Crow, 2 Robin.
Other wildlife:
Killer Whale: two bulls were cl;ose in off Meoness in the late afternoon before heading towards South Light
Year list: 187
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12th August
Weather: WSW 3/4, alming later, cloudy at first with sunny spells and pleasantly mild.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Red-necked Phalarope: a juvenile still showing very well on Utra Scrape
Other Sightings:
3 Greylag Goose, 6 Teal, 2 Grey Heron, 55 Oystercatcher, 3 Golden Plover, 40 Golden Plover, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 76 Turnstone, 6 Knot, 47 Dunlin, 41 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, 38 Redshank, 3 Carrion Crow (the lingering pair at South Light and one on Dronger), 7 Swallow, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, 2 Robin, 137 Wheatear, 12 White Wagtail (along with 16 Pied and 15 alba wagtails), 180 Meadow Pipit, 143 Rock Pipit, 3 Linnet (a amle and two juveniles at Wirvie, including one food-begging juvenile, which suggests that the pair that had a failed nesting attempt in the Gully and then moved to Wirvie were successful in raising a brood from their second attempt; the first successful breeding attempt for Fair Isle), 103 Twite.
Other wildlife:
Minke Whale: one from the Good Shepherd
Year list: 187
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11th August
Weather: SW 6/7 decreasing 3/4, cloudy at first but with some sunny spells later. Rain at first with some showery weather later.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Red-necked Phalarope: three juveniles on Utra Scrape
Other Sightings:
2 Greylag Goose, 6 Teal, Manx Shearwater (one off South Light), 3 Grey Heron, 6 Golden Plover, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Knot, Sanderling, 49 Dunlin, 56 Purple Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 34 Redshank, Swift, 2 Carrion Crow, Swallow, Chiffchaff, Blackbird (lingering moulting female at Obs), 5 White Wagtail.
Year list: 187
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10th August
Weather: WSW 4/5, increasing later, cloudy with occasional showers
HIGHLIGHTS:
Red-necked Phalarope: a juvenile on Utra Scrape
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Red-necked Phalarope, Utra (David Parnaby)
Other Sightings:
3 Greylag Goose, 2 Teal, 4 Storm Petrel (from the Good Shpeherd), 2 Cormorant (first record since June), 2 Grey Heron, 5 Golden Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 140 Turnstone, Knot, 53 Dunlin (including 50 from the Good. Shepherd), 41 Purple Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 2 Carrion Crow, 2 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 2 Robin, 4 White Wagtail.
Year list: 187
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9th August
Weather: a brisk NW wind, cloudy at first with a couple of light showers in the morning then sunny in the afternoon.
Sightings:
79 Storm Petrel (trapped in an hour overnight, including 74 'new' birds), 3 Grey Heron, 2 Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit (juvenile), Green Sandpiper (Swey), Greenshank (Easter Lother Water), 3 Swallow (still around Barkland), Robin, White Wagtail.
Other wildlife:
Harbour Porpoise: 2 off Buness
Year list: 187
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8th August
Weather: sunny and a pleasant day with a light NW wind, increasing in the evening
Sightings:
2 Greylag Goose, 231 Storm Petrel (trapped overnight, including 183 'new' birds), Grey Heron, Short-eared Owl (one sat in a freshly mown field at Setter), 11 Swallow, Willow Warbler (juvenile, North Shirva).
Other wildlife:
Harbour Porpoise: 2 off Landberg
Year list: 187
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7th August
Weather: a fresh ENE breeze and cloud (with occasional showers) gave way to calmer winds and sunshine.
Sightings:
Teal, 206 Storm Petrel (including 172 'new' birds, trapped overnight), Grey Heron, Green Sandpiper, Willow Warbler (juvenile trapped in Plantation), Garden Warbler (Lower Stoneybrek), 2 Robin, Dunnock (adult in Gully).
Other wildlife:
Minke Whale: from the Northlink in Fair Isle waters
Harbour Porpoise: 3 from the Northlink in Fair Isle waters
Year list: 187
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6th August
Weather: SW3 calming then backing SE 2-3, gusting stronger at times, later. Largely sunny.
Sightings:
Grey Heron, 51 Purple Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper (Vaadal), Greenshank (Buness), 3 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, Song Thrush (Obs), 2 Robin (Obs, including an unringed bird), Black Redstart (juvenile at the Obs), Dunnock (ringed adult in the Gully, presumably a summering bird), White Wagtail (one trapped at the Obs).
Purple Sandpipers, South Light (David Parnaby). There are two distinct peaks of autumn passage, one in July/August and another in October/November.
Other wildlife:
Harbour Porpoise: 8 off Buness in the afternoon.
Year list: 187
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5th August
Weather: NW4-5, mostly grey with light showers later, although mild with occasional sunny patches
HIGHLIGHTS:
Rose-coloured Starling: the adult was relocated at Haa and was at Quoy again later
Other sightings:
Teal, Grey Heron, Whimbrel, Ruff (juvenile male at South Light; first of the autumn), Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, 3 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff (all summering birds), 2 Willow Warbler (singles at the Obs and Chalet), Robin.
Year list: 187
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4th August
Sightings:
Red-throated Diver, Grey Heron, Golden Plover, 3 Knot, Dunlin, Greenshank (Utra then Field; first of the autumn), 29 Redshank, 2 Carrion Crow, Swallow, Willow Warbler (juvenile trapped in the Gully; first of the autumn), Robin, Dunnock (Gully)
Year list: 187
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3rd August
HIGHLIGHTS:
Leach's Petrel: one bird retrapped in the early hours of the morning.
Other Sightings:
263 Storm Petrel (trapped overnight, including 211 'new' birds), Robin, Black Redstart (still at Obs),
Year list: 187
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2nd August
Sightings:
332 Storm Petrel (trapped overnight, including 265 'new' birds; possibly the best ever catch on Fair Isle for a single trapping site in one night), Swift, Robin, Black Redstart (Obs).
Other wildlife:
Diamond Back Moth (one at Obs)
A good variety of jellyfish and comb-jellies were noted during seabird work in the Obs boat, with Aequorea forskalea and Neoturris pileata both being the first records of these species for Fair Isle.
Year list: 187
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1st August
HIGHLIGHTS:
Leach's Petrel: 2 trapped in the early hours of the morning.
Other Sightings:
3 Teal (Da Water), 241 Storm Petrel (trapped overnight, including 193 'new' birds), 181 Turnstone, 2 Knot, Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 62 Purple Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper (Gully), 26 Redshank, Swift, 2 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff (all summering birds), Blackbird (still at Obs), Spotted Flycatcher (Gully), Robin.
Year list: 187
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29th-31st July
HIGHLIGHTS:
Leach's Petrel: 2 caught (including one retrapped from earlier in the season) in early hours of 30th and another new birds on 31st (along with the retrap again), taking the total ringed in July to eight, a high count.
Other Sightings (counts without specific dates are the maximum for the period):
3 Teal (31st), Storm Petrel (large amounts continued to be trapped at the Haven, with over 2000 ringed in July), Grey Heron, Oystercatcher (fledged chicks noted from 29th), Whimbrel (2 on 30th, with 4 on 31st), 100 Turnstone, 8 Knot, Sanderling, 7 Dunlin, 88 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper (29th), 2 Green Sandpiper, 29 Redshank, Kittiwake (fledged juvenile seen at South Light on 29th), 5 Black-headed Gull, 266 Common Gull (29th), Cuckoo (adult on 31st), Short-eared Owl (singles on 29th-30th, with 2 on 31st), Swift (30th), Swallow (the fledged bird and its parents still around Barkland), Chiffchaff (still 2 at Obs), Garden Warbler (an early migrant was at the Obs on 31st), Blackbird (female still around the Obs), Spotted Flycatcher (the first of the autumn was at the Obs on 31st), Robin (Obs),
Other wildlife:
KILLER WHALE: a large bull and a smaller animal were off North Light on 30th
Year list: 187
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15th-28th July
HIGHLIGHTS:
White-winged Black Tern: a stunning adult was found on Buness on 21st, but was only present briefly. The fourth island record, with the others involving adults in June 1973, May 1982 and July 2011.
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL: a female was on Hoini on 22nd before flying south over Gorsons Geo and disappearing into the fog. The 28th record (59th individual) for the Isle and first since 2013.
Rose-coloured Starling: a fine adult found at Quoy on 24th lingered there and Shirva until 28th, often feeding on New Zealand Flax flowers. The 46th record for Fair Isle and the fourth consecutive year of occurence.
Little Gull: a juvenile hawking over Meoness on 28th dropped into South Harbour and was later seen over Da Water in the evening. Just the 32nd island record (only the second in July) and the first since January 2014.
Red-necked Phalarope: a pair at Utra on 18th.
Leach's Petrel: 2 caught on 18th, another on 25th, 3 more on 26th and one heard on 27th.
Other Sightings:
Greylag Goose (22nd-28th), Teal (female on Da Water), Red-breasted Merganser (female in North Haven on 21st), Red-throated Diver (24th), 2 Sooty Shearwater (Good Shepherd, 15th), Manx Shearwater (singles from the Good Shepherd on 15th and South Light on 16th), Storm Petrel (large numbers caught on several nights during the period and one from the Good Shepherd on 15th), Grey Heron (present from 20th, with a peak of 4 on 21st and 24th), Grey Plover (Hesti Geo, 28th; the second of the year), Golden Plover (at least one adult still present at the breeding site in the north, with one on South Light on 18th), Whimbrel (a good period of passage from 19th onwards peaked at 13 on 26th), Black-tailed Godwit (adult on 20th), Bar-tailed Godwit (adult on 24th), 96 Turnstone (28th; the peak count during the period), Knot (present from 20th onwards, peaking at 12 on 28th), Sanderling (peak of 5 on 20th), Dunlin (present throughout, peaking at 12 on 25th), Purple Sandpiper (a flock gathering at South Light from 17th peaked at 83 on 27th), Common Sandpiper (27th-28th), Green Sandpiper (27th, with 2 on 28th), 37 Redshank (15th; the peak count for the period), Arctic Skua (first fledged juvenile on 28th), Great Skua (first fledged chick on 25th), Common Tern (20th then two on 23rd), Arctic Tern (first fledged youngsters seen on 21st, although it has been generally a poor breeding season), Black-headed Gull (peak of 18 on 21st), 687 Common Gull (peak count on 21st), Collared Dove (22nd), Cuckoo (juvenile at Plantation on 26th and Quoy on 27th), Swift (up to four present almost daily), Carrion Crow (22nd-23rd), Sand Martin (18th), Swallow (a single chick fledged from Barkland on 24th), House Martin (25th), Chiffchaff (at least 5 summering birds still present), Willow Warbler (an adult from 22nd-28th), Grasshopper Warbler (one at Quoy on 27th was the earliest ever autumn occurrence and only the second ever July record), Blackbird (female lingering around the Obs), Song Thrush (18th), Robin (at least one still at the Obs and another in the south), 2 Linnet (Obs, 28th), Common Redpoll (23rd), Common Crossbill (a male at South Green on 22nd with 3 over Buness on 23rd), 2 Siskin (15th-16th).
Other wildlife:
KILLER WHALE: 6 moved north off Buness on 25th.
Harbour Porpoise: 3 off Ditfield on 25th.
Red Admiral: 2 on 21st
Silver Y: 21st
Year list: 187
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7th-14th July
HIGHLIGHTS:
GREEN WARBLER: the presumed Green Warbler was still present in the Obs on 7th.
SWINHOE'S PETREL: one trapped at Skadan in the early hours of 14th. It was the returning bird that was ringed in 2013 and seen again on the island in 2016.
Leach's Petrel: one heard and seen as it flew around the nets in the Haven on 11th- first of the year.
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Swinhoe's Petrel, 14th July (Ciaran Hatsell)
Other Sightings:
Teal (female), Pintail (a female over South Harbour and Skadan on 12th), Tufted Duck (male on Goorn on 8th), 2 Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Diver, Grey Heron, Golden Plover (the breeding pair and at least three chicks present), 3 Whimbrel, 22 Turnstone, Sanderling (a colour-ringed bird at Mid Geo on 13th), Dunlin (up to 3, including a pair alarm-calling at Mire of Vatnagaard on 12th, presumably indicating succesful breeding), 2 Purple Sandpiper, 23 Redshank, 3 Black-headed Gull (including a juvenile on 8th), Common Gull (the first fledged bird on 14th), Woodpieon, 2 Collared Dove, 2 Swift (8th), 2 Carrion Crow, 5 Chiffchaff, Blackbird, 2 Robin, Dunnock, 'Mealy Redpoll' (Obs 12th, with a redpoll sp? over Schoolton on 13th), 2 Siskin (Obs, 14th).
Sanderling (with colour rings) at Mid Geo, 13th July (Andy Denton)
Other wildlife:
KILLER WHALE: a group of around ten were seen off the east coast on 8th, with presumably the same group present the next day off Meoness. Their behaviour was very different from the other group seen recently, with these animals seemingly fishing, generally staying further offshore and spending more time below the water. It continues a very good year for Killer Whale sightings from Fair Isle.
Killer Whale off Skadan, 8th July (David Parnaby)
Harbour Porpoise: 3 off Buness on 10th with 2 there on 13th.
Painted Lady: 13th
Red Admiral: singles on 10th and 12th
Magpie Moth: 3 on 13th, along with several records from the Obs moth trap
Jellies: A large wreck of Eutonina indicans (transparent button-like jellies) occurred in North Haven 11th, just the second record for Fair Isle. The same evening, there was also an occurence of cross jelly Staurophora mertensii, which is also just the second Fair Isle record.
Year list: 182
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2nd-6th July
HIGHLIGHTS:
Green/Greenish Warbler: a phylloscopus warbler trapped at the Obs just before 9pm on 4th was one of the 'Greenish-type' warblers, with the yellow colouring to the face and underparts suggesting it may be Green Warbler. It was not heard to call (which may have helped clinch the identification), but may be identified for certainty from a DNA sample. It remained until 6th, although could be elusive at times.
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probable Green Warbler, Obs (David Parnaby). A selection of photos have also been posted on Facebook.
Other Sightings:
2 Greylag Goose (3rd), Teal (female), Tufted Duck (male on Da Water on 4th then north over Buness on 5th), Long-tailed Duck (female), Red-throated Diver (one circling on 4th), Storm Petrel (28 in the Haven and 10 in the Skroo on 4th, 43 in the Haven on 5th, whilst a rare land-based sighting was noted from Pietron on 4th), Fulmar (first chick, in Hesti Geo, 4th), Shag (fledged young seen at Lericum, 5th), Grey Heron (6th), 3 Lapwing, Whimbrel (3rd), 11 Turnstone (peak count), Dunlin (3rd-4th), Purple Sandpiper (one throughout on the Obs scrape), Common Sandpiper (the first of the autumn was heard in the Haven during a petrel ringing session on 4th), 12 Redshank (peak count), Razorbill (fledged chick at South Naaversgill on 5th), Guillemot (fledged chick at Lericum on 5th), Black-headed Gull, 2 Woodpigeon (4th), 2 Collared Dove (one on 5th, 2 on 6th), 2 Carrion Crow, 4 Chiffchaff, Starling (28 flew north off North Light on 5th), Blackbird (female, 6th), Spotted Flycatcher (Mast, 5th), Robin (2 throughout at Obs, 1 at Mast on 5th), Dunnock (at least one still at the Obs), Linnet (4th), Twite (fledged chicks noted from 3rd).
Other wildlife:
10 Risso's Dolphin's seen from the lounge then Ditfield as they headed south
Painted Lady (3rd)
Year list: 180
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Saturday 1st July
Sightings:
Long-tailed Duck, 2 Red-throated Diver (circling the north of the island calling), 24 Storm Petrel (11 trapped overnight in the Haven, 12 trapped at the Kirn o' Skroo and one from the Good Shepherd), Grey Heron, Golden Plover (the pair in the North seen with at least two chicks; the first chicks seen on the island since a breeding attempt in 1970. The only other breeding record since then was a pair that were suspected of nesting in 1989), Whimbrel, Purple Sandpiper (Obs scrape and Haven), 2 Carrion Crow, 4 Chiffchaff (all believed to be summering birds), Robin (at least one still at the Obs), Dunnock (one still at the Obs; Dunnocks last bred on the island in 1989 and the only records in July since then were in 2012, when a pair lingered at Schoolton), Pied Wagtail (fledged young at North Light and a pair carrying food in the North Haven), Rock Pipit (an interesting record concerned one that alighted on a yacht a couple of miles south of Fair Isle and hitched a lift to the island), 2 Linnet (pair at Restengeos), 'Mealy Redpoll' (Obs).
Year list: 179
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Friday 30th June
Sightings:
Long-tailed Duck, 2 Red-throated Diver (circling the island calling), Storm Petrel (one dead in the gully having probably been predated by a cat), 2 Whimbrel, Purple Sandpiper (Obs scrape), Collared Dove, Swift, 2 Carrion Crow, Blackbird (female at the Obs), Robin, 2 Linnet (pair at Wirvie), 2 Siskin (Obs).
Other wildlife:
Harbour Porpoise: one was seen in Fair Isle waters from the Good Shepherd in what has been a disappointing year for the species so far
Year list: 179
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Thursday 29th June
HIGHLIGHTS:
Common Rosefinch: at the Plantation
Sightings:
Long-tailed Duck, Storm Petrel (one dead in the gully having probably been predated by a cat), 2 Whimbrel, Purple Sandpiper (still on the Obs scrape), Collared Dove, 2 Carrion Crow, Lesser Whitethroat (one at Lower Leogh; first sighting since 25th June), Spotted Flycatcher (one trapped in the Vaadal), Redwing (Obs), Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail (one male over Gilsetter then the Gully), 2 Linnet (Meadow Burn), Redpoll sp., Siskin (Obs).
Year list: 179
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Wednesday 28th June
HIGHLIGHTS:
Common Rosefinch: at the Obs briefly in the early afternoon
Sightings:
Long-tailed Duck, Red-throated Diver, 2 Golden Plover, 2 Whimbrel, Purple Sandpiper (Obs scrape), Collared Dove, 2 Carrion Crow, Blackbird (female Obs), Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail (male singing in the Gully), 2 Linnet (in the south).
Other wildlife:
Killer Whale: at least 8 (including at least two bulls and two females with calves) came into the North Haven, where they stunned a seal then headed to South Harbour where they made a kill. A cracking encounter, with photos showing that most (possibly all) of the group were the same animals that had visited the island on 15th June, and at least two of them having visited Fair Isle on 1st November 2013.
Killer Whale '27' (identification number from the Scottish Killer Whale catalogue) with a calf. Lots more pictures (and video) are available on the FIBO Facebook page.
Year list: 179
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Tuesday 27th June
Sightings:
2 Greylag Goose, Long-tailed Duck, Golden Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 20 Turnstone, 9 Redshank, 7 BLack-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Peregrine, 2 Carrion Crow, Blackbird (female at Obs), 2 Robin, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail (fledged birds at Easter Lother and near Utra).
Year list: 179
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Monday 26th June
HIGHLIGHTS:
Common Rosefinch: a first-summer male singing at Chalet
Marsh Warbler: one trapped at Chalet
Sightings:
6 Greylag Goose, Teal (female), Mallard (8 ducklings on Da Water), Long-tailed Duck (female), Red-throated Diver (off Landberg), Golden Plover, Whimbrel, 4 Redshank, Arctic Tern (chicks in the Buness colony), Collared Dove, 2 Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail (one male over Gilsetter then the Gully).
Year list: 179
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Sunday 25th June
Sightings:
14 Greylag Goose, 3 Teal, Long-tailed Duck (female), Golden Plover, Lapwing (6 fledged chicks at Burkle, presumably from two broods at Kirki Mire), Purple Sandpiper (one on the slope between the Obs and Dumlin's Sink was an unusual record), 3 Redshank, Collared Dove, 3 Carrion Crow, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, Linnet, Redpoll sp. (Obs).
Top: Lapwing, Burkle, a newly fledged chick (David Parnaby)
Bottom: a colourful adult Rock Pipit (top bird) with a newly fledged juvenile, South Haven (David Parnaby)
Year list: 179
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Saturday 24th June
Sightings:
18 Greylag Goose, Long-tailed Duck (female), 13 Manx Shearwater (from a seawatch at South Light; the first record of the year and the third highest ever Fair Isle count!), 4 Redshank, 2 Carrion Crow, 3 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler (Gully), Pied Wagtail (carrying food in North Haven, indicating a successful breeding attempt), Linnet (female still incubating).
Year list: 179
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Friday 23rd June
Sightings:
Teal, Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter, Grey Heron, 3 Dunlin, 4 Redshank (the first signs of autumn wader passage?), Collared Dove, Swift, 3 Carrion Crow, 3 Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Linnet (a female with a brood patch trapped and ringed at the Plantation in the evening may have been part of the breeding pair, or possibly there are more than one pair present on the island).
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Long-tailed Duck, South Harbour (Richard Cope)
Other wildlife:
Red Admiral.
Year list: 178
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Thursday 22nd June
HIGHLIGHTS:
Quail: still singing at Pund
Sightings:
Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter, Golden Plover, 2 Collared Dove, Short-eared Owl, 3 Carrion Crow, 11 Swallow (including pairs at the Water Treatment Works and the Mast), House Martin, 7 Chiffchaff, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Robin, Dunnock, Linnet, 2 Redpoll sp.
Other wildlife:
11 Red Admiral, 2 Painted Lady, Silver Y, Diamond-back Moth.
Year list: 178
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Wednesday 21st June
HIGHLIGHTS:
Glaucous Gull: a 2CY bird over the Obs before wandering round the south of the island
Sightings:
5 Greylag Goose, Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter (male in Furse), Golden Plover, Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, Carrion Crow, 7 Swallow (including the breeding pair at Barkland and another possible breeding pair at Skerryholm), House Martin, 6 Chiffchaff, Robin, Dunnock, 2 Linnet (the first confirmed breeding record for Fair Isle, with the long-staying pair found with a nest).
Other wildlife:
3 Red Admiral.
Year list: 178
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Tuesday 20th June
HIGHLIGHTS:
Quail: again singing at Pund
Sightings:
Greylag Goose, Common Scoter (male in Furse), Guillemot (first chicks seen at Pietron and elsewhere, a worryingly late date which suggests a poor breeding season), 13 Black-headed Gulls, Carrion Crow, 5 Swallow, 4 Chiffchaff, Blackbird, 2 Robin, Dunnock, 2 Mealy Redpoll (Obs).
Year list: 178
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Monday 19th June
Weather: W3, occasionally 4, rain and low cloud in the morning clearing to a brighter afternoon.
Sightings:
Greylag Goose, Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter (male in Furse), Red-throated Diver, Cormorant (off North Light), 2 Golden Plover (a pair with a clutch of 4 eggs in the North represents a very rare breeding record for the island, with the only previous nesting attempts occuring in 1924-1926, 1970 and 1989), Whimbrel, Dunlin, 3 Woodpigeon, Turtle Dove (Obs), Swift, 4 Swallow (including one at the Mast), 4 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Blackbird, 2 Robin, 2 Dunnock, Linnet.
Year list: 178
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Sunday 18th June
Weather: W or SW 3 occasionally 4, cloudy at first then clearing later, although light rain in the afternoon.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Icterine Warbler: one singing at the Obs
Marsh Warbler: one singing at Schoolton in the morning was presumably the bird seen at Haa yesterday, and was therefore the same individual back there in the evening
Quail: one in the Lower Stoneybrek garden
Sightings:
Greylag Goose, Long-tailed Duck, 2 Golden Plover, Whimbrel, 2 Dunlin, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove (Schoolton then over the School), Carrion Crow, 6 Swallow (including a bird seemingly incubating at Barkland), House Martin, 9 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, Blackbird, 2 Robin, Dunnock, 'White Wagtail' (Muckle Uri Geo), 2 Linnet, 'Mealy Redpoll' (Obs).
Year list: 178
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Saturday 17th June
Weather: SW or WSW 3 or 4, cloudy with light rain in the morning.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Marsh Warbler: one singing at Haa and Skerryholm
Quail: 2; including one still singing near Pund
Sightings:
Red-breasted Merganser, Storm Petrel (Good Shepherd), Golden Plover, Whimbrel, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove (Gilsetter), Swift, 8 Swallow, House Martin, 9 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 2 White Wagtail' (Da Water), 2 Linnet.
Year list: 178
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Friday 16th June
Weather: SW or WSW 3 or 4, cloudy with light rain in the morning.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Woodchat Shrike: a first-summer male found at Mire o' Vatnagaard was mobile along the west cliffs. The 31st Fair Isle record.
Icterine Warbler: 2; one at the Obs and another at Schoolton
Quail: still singing near Pund
Top: Woodchat Shrike, South Naaversgill (David Parnaby)
Bottom: Icterine Warbler, Obs (David Parnaby)
Sightings:
23 Greylag Goose (flew south in the morning), Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Golden Plover, Dunlin, Common Tern (one flew south over Burkle; first of the year), 4 Collared Dove, Turtle Dove (one over the Obs then around Setter), 4 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 5 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 2 Blackbird, Robin, 'White Wagtail' (Da Water), 2 Linnet.
Year list: 178
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Thursday 15th June
Weather: SE veering SW 3, largely cloudy with light rain in the morning.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Quail: one singing at Pund
Sightings:
Wigeon (male Barkland), Teal, Red-breasted Merganser (first of the month), Great Northern Diver (a non-breeding plumaged bird off Landberg), Storm Petrel (from the Good Shepherd), Golden Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 28 Turnstone, 3 Dunlin, Great Skua (first chick seen, on Swey), Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, 2 Carrion Crow, Sand Martin, 9 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 9 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, 'White Wagtail' (Da Water), Tree Pipit, 2 Linnet (pair still in Gully), Common Crossbill (one over Buness).
Other wildlife:
Killer Whale: a remarkable day, with two seen off Ditfield at 0520hrs then a group of six that showed well from 0700hrs through the morning as they patrolled the east coast. In the afternoon, the number increased to at least 10 (perhaps as many as 14) and we're still going through photos to try to work out how many animals were involved. In the afternoon they spent at least 30 minutes directly under the cliffs off Buness giving amazing views. An incredible experience - there are more photos on Facebook.
3 Red Admiral, Painted Lady.
Year list: 176
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Wednesday 14th June
A rather busy day, with the last of the Guillemot plot counts conducted before breakfast then a whole-island count of Arctic Terns and Gannets, along with the regular productivity monitoring of Guillemots and Kittiwakes and a visit to Easter Lother to monitor the Razorbill colony there. Amongst the regular daily activities there were trap rounds and a few nice birds.
Weather: S2-3, largely cloudy.
HIGHLIGHTS:
RUSTIC BUNTING: a male at North Light
Quail: one at Pund
Sightings:
Greylag Goose, 7 Barnacle Goose, Wigeon (male Da Water), Teal, Oystercatcher (first chicks noted at Muckle Uri Geo and Kiln o' Skroo), Whimbrel, 32 Turnstone, 3 Dunlin, Arctic Tern (a whole-island nest count produced a total of 322 occupied nests; the highest total since 2010 and 3rd highest count in the last 16 years), 23 Common Gull, 4 Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, 5 Carrion Crow, 5 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 7 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Blackbird (female in Haven), Robin, Dunnock, 'White Wagtail' (Da Water), Linnet.
Other wildlife:
7 Red Admiral, 2 Painted Lady, Silver Y, Rush Veneer, White-tailed Bumblebee (Upper Leogh).
Year list: 176
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Tuesday 13th June
Weather: SSW 2/3. largely cloudy with a bit of rain in the morning
HIGHLIGHTS:
Icterine Warbler: 2; singles at Stackhoull and Schoolton
Sightings:
2 Greylag Goose, 7 Barnacle Goose, Teal, 2 Storm Petrel (from the Good Shepherd), Golden Plover, Whimbrel, Dunlin, Collared Dove, Long-eared Owl (Obs), Carrion Crow, 5 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 5 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Blackbird (female at Obs then Double Dyke), 2 Robin (including a 'new' bird trapped in the Gully), Dunnock, 2 Linnet, Siskin.
Year list: 176
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Monday 12th June
Weather: WNW 2-3, cloudy with a few spits of rain in the morning and low cloud over the hills.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Red-necked Phalarope: a pair still on Da Water.
Common Rosefinch: one singing at the Obs in the morning again
Icterine Warbler: one at Lower Leogh
Sightings:
11 Greylag Goose, 7 Barnacle Goose (including blue darvic '7C', which was ringed as a gosling near Aviemore on 11th July 2016. It was in Norway on 11th May this year before being seen on Fair Isle with another Barnacle Goose on 1st-2nd June. Where it has been in the meantime is an interesting puzzle, has anyone else in the Northern Isles had a small group of Barnacle Geese around them recently?), Teal, Storm Petrel (6 trapped in the Kirn o' Skroo, including 3 new birds, a Norwegian-ringed individual, one that was probably ringed in the Western Isles in 2012 and a bird ringed as an adult with a brood patch in the Kirn on 8th July 2006), Golden Plover, 2 Whimbrel, Sanderling, 4 Dunlin, Stock Dove (Shirva), Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo (female trapped at the Plantation), Long-eared Owl (Obs), 3 Carrion Crow, 6 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 8 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Blackbird (female at Field...), Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 2 Linnet, Siskin.
Barnacle Geese, Stackhoull (David Parnaby)
Garden Warbler, Lower Leogh (David Parnaby)
Other wildlife:
Porpoise: 1 off Skadan (first sighting of the year)
3 Red Admiral, 2 Painted Lady, Silver Y.
Year list: 176
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Sunday 11th June
Weather: SW becoming SE 2/3. Light rain at first then brightening before clouding over later.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Red-necked Phalarope: 4; a pair were found on Da Water before being joined by another pair in the afternoon briefly (with one of the pairs moving up to Watery Brae on Swey). These were the first records since 2014, but the first in spring since 2005. There have only been 23 previous records of this species on the Isle (of 25 individuals), with two previous records of two birds (including a pair at Golden Water in 1968 that were noted behaving in courtship behaviour for a few days).
Honey-buzzard: a distant raptor seen travelling up the west coast and seemingly heading north off the isle was thought to be this species, and what was presumably the same bird was seen in southern Shetland later in the afernoon.
Common Rosefinch: a first-summer male singing at the Obs in the morning was later seen at Schoolton and Shirva (the third of the spring)
Icterine Warbler: 3; a tail-less bird still present, with what were thought to be seperate individuals at Lower Leogh and Burkle.
Red-necked Phalarope (pair), Da Water (Ciaran Hatsell). A distant record shot of the first pair looking quite at home on the marshy, fly-filled waters of Da Water.
Sightings:
14 Greylag Goose, 5 Teal, Pintail (a male circling Da Water before landing there briefly), 3 Red-throated Diver, Whimbrel, Dunlin, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Long-eared Owl (Obs), 11 Carrion Crow, 7 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 6 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, 2 Dunnock, 2 Linnet.
Other wildlife: .
White-beaked Dolphin: at least 8 photographed off North Light
14 Red Admiral, 4 Painted Lady, 2 Silver Y, Scaeva pyrastri (Obs): this migratory hoverfly is a scarce migrant to Fair Isle, usually in June or July.
Year list: 176
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Saturday 10th June
Weather: E1/2 becoming SE3/4, cloudy with visibility decreasing from good to moderate
HIGHLIGHTS:
Icterine Warbler: one (with a tail) at Lower Leogh
Sightings:
5 Teal, Red-throated Diver, Storm Petrel (10 trapped overnight at a breeding colony), 2 Golden Plover, Whimbrel, 3 Dunlin, Pomarine Skua (a pale adult off the Good Shepherd in Fair Isle waters; first of the year), 137 Arctic Tern, Collared Dove, Cuckoo (Parks), Long-eared Owl (Obs), Swift, 7 Carrion Crow, 12 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler, 6 Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, Black Redstart (an immature male singing at Dumlin Sinks), Dunnock, House Sparrow (first fledged young of the year seen, at the Obs), 'White Wagtail', Meadow Pipit (fledged young in the Wirvie), 2 Linnet (including a singing male at Quoy).
Other wildlife: 4 Red Admiral, 2 Painted Lady, Silver Y.
Year list: 174
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Friday 9th June
Weather: NW4-5 becoming SE2, cloudy throught with heavy rain overnight gradually fading out throughout the morning.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Blyth's Reed Warbler: one briefly at Hesti Geo before being chased off by a Rock Pipit and not relocated
Marsh Warbler: 2; birds still present in the Gully and Schoolton
Icterine Warbler: the tailless bird still at Lower Stoneybrek
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Blyth's Reed Warbler, Hesti Geo (Ian Cowgill)
Sightings:
3 Greylag Goose, 3 Teal, Red-throated Diver, 3 Golden Plover (including a male on Suka Mire), Whimbrel, 149 Arctic Tern (highest count of the year), Woodpigeon, Long-eared Owl (Obs), Peregrine (first record of the month), 5 Carrion Crow, 5 Swallow, House Martin, 9 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, 2 Dunnock, 'White Wagtail', Rock Pipit (first flegded young seen at Furse), 3 Linnet (including a singing male at Quoy).
Other wildlife: 4 Red Admiral, Painted Lady, White-tailed Bumblebee (one at Lower Stoneybrek)
Year list: 173
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Thursday 8th June
Weather: NW4 becoming ESE 2, cloudy throughout, with some light rain ealy on, although rather pleasant by the afternoon with excellent visibility.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Marsh Warbler: 4; singles trapped at the Plantation and the Obs, with at least two around Lower Leogh and Schoolton
Icterine Warbler: one at Lower Stoneybrek (which has now lost its tail)
Sightings:
6 Greylag Goose, Red-throated Diver, Grey Heron, 164 Oystercatcher, 3 Golden Plover (including one in an potential upland territory), 3 Whimbrel, 6 Sanderling (first of the month), 7 Dunlin (including one on Mire o' Vatnagaard in potential breeding territory), Woodpigeon, 3 Collared Dove, Long-eared Owl (Obs), 11 Carrion Crow, 8 Swallow (including a possible breeding pair at Barkland), 2 House Martin, 11 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat (Kenaby), Redwing, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, Black Redstart (2CY male singing at the Mast), Dunnock, 3 Linnet (including a pair at the Obs apparently carrying nesting material), Redpoll sp., 3 Siskin.
Other wildlife: 13 Red Admiral, 7 Silver Y
Year list: 172
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Wednesday 7th June
A foggy start delayed proceedings then seabird monitoring was priority, but reasonable coverage of the island was still achieved, with some new migrants having clearly arrived. There was also a reasonable lepidoptera arrival, so perhaps tomorrow will see a Nightjar or something else following its prey! With the FIBOT directors' meeting this weekend, there are going to be plenty of experienced eyes scouring the island and with some easterlies in the forecast, there may yet be a last hurrah to come from this spring.
Weather: ENE2/3 beomcing a stronger (4/5) NW later. Foggy at first, then clearing but clouding again in the afternoon, when there was some drizzly rain.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Marsh Warbler: 3; one singing at Lower Leogh with others at the Obs and Schoolton.
Icterine Warbler: one at Lower Stoneybrek then Stackhoull.
Common Rosefinch: the adult male still singing (on the Hall roof).
Sightings:
Greylag Goose, Golden Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 4 Dunlin, Razorbill (first chick seen at Easter Lother), Cuckoo, Long-eared Owl (at Obs), 2 Swift, 4 Carrion Crow, 2 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 9 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap (females), Whitethroat (Brecks), 2 Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, Dunnock, 2 Linnet.
Other wildlife: 12 Red Admiral, 2 Painted Lady, 5 Silver Y
Year list: 172
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Tuesday 6th June
A wash-out of a day, with weather preventing full census.
Weather: scattered showers from early on became heavy and persistent rain from early afternoon until well into the night, with a E or SE wind.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Common Rosefinch: a fine adult male (the first 'red' Rosefinch on the Isle since 2013) was singing in the Plantation in the morning before transferring to the School, where it showed well during the rest of the day. The species has gone through several quiet springs recently and this is just the second record of the year.
Common Rosefinch, School (David Parnaby)
Sightings:
Red-throated Diver, Puffin (first individual seen carrying fish, indicating chicks have starting hatching), Cuckoo (Obs), Long-eared Owl (Obs), 4 Swallow, 6 Chiffchaff, Redwing, Robin, Dunnock.
Year list: 171
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Monday 5th June
Weather: SE 3/4 decreasing slightly later. Largely cloudy with light rain in the morning and heavy showers in the afternoon.
Sightings:
2 Greylag Goose, 6 Teal, Red-throated Diver, Grey Heron, 2 Golden Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlin, Long-eared Owl (Obs), 7 Carrion Crow, 7 Swallow, House Martin, 12 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler (Obs), 2 Whitethroat, Song Thrush, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, Black Redstart (male at the Mast), 2 Dunnock, 3 Linnet.
Other wildlife: Painted Lady
Year list: 171
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Sunday 4th June
Weather: E2/3 decreasing later. Cloudy throughout with rain and fog in the morning clearing later.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Icterine Warbler: again at Lower Leogh although mobile and elusive
Common Rosefinch: seen again at Schoolton
Grey-headed Wagtail: a male flying over Furse and Roskillie
Sightings:
3 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Greylag Goose, 2 Teal, Red-throated Diver (again circling the island calling), Grey Heron, 3 Golden Plover, 5 Whimbrel, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Dunlin, Purple Sandpiper (one in Hoini), 137 Arctic Tern, Woodpigeon, 3 Collared Dove, Turtle Dove (at Quoy), Cuckoo (female on Buness), Long-eared Owl (still at the Obs), 4 Carrion Crow, 7 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 10 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap (both females), 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackbird, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Robin, Black Redstart (Kirn o' Skroo), Dunnock, White Wagtail, Linnet.
Other wildlife: 3 Red Admiral, 2 Silver Y
Year list: 171
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Saturday 3rd June
Weather: ESE 2/3, bright and sunny at first but clouding over later with heavy rain the afternoon.
Sightings:
3 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Greylag Goose, Teal, Red-throated Diver (one circling the island, calling), Grey Heron, 2 Golden Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Dunlin, Purple Sandpiper (still in the Gully), 77 Arctic Tern (including the first eggs on Buness), 2 Woodpigeon, 5 Collared Dove, Cuckoo (singing male on the School climbing frame then touring the island), Long-eared Owl (the oiled bird still at the Obs), Swift, Kestrel, 5 Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 13 Chiffchaff (including 3 new birds ringed), 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap (including a singing male at Skerryholm), Sedge Warbler, Ring Ouzel (one at the Raevas), 3 Blackbird (all at Field, including a singing male - perhaps a breeding attempt is on the cards), 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Robin, 2 Dunnock,'Mealy Redpoll' (plus one other redpoll).
Other wildlife: 4 Red Admiral, Painted Lady.
Year list: 171
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Friday 2nd June
Weather: W3/4, decreasing to a S2 later, low cloud and drizzle at first, clearing to a sunny afternoon when visibility increased
HIGHLIGHTS:
Icterine Warbler: 2; a mobile individual at Lower Leogh which then moved to Midway and a more settled bird at Skerryholm
Common Rosefinch: seen briefly again at Haa
Quail: 3; one again at North Park and others at Lower Leogh and Chalet
Sightings:
3 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Greylag Goose, 2 Barnacle Goose (one of which is darvic ringed), Gadwall (male still), Water Rail (one flushed from the stream above Klinger's Geo), 5 Golden Plover, 3 Whimbrel, Dunlin, 2 Purple Sandpiper (including one in the Gully again), 2 Woodpigeon, 4 Collared Dove, Long-eared Owl (the oiled bird still at the Obs), Carrion Crow, 2 Swallow (including one seen coming ni off the sea at Meoness), House Martin, 9 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, Blackbird, Song Thrush, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Robin, 2 Dunnock, flava Wagtail (the same male possible hybrid Blue-headed x Grey-headed on Da Water), 2 Tree Pipit, Linnet, 'Mealy Redpoll'.
Other wildlife: 4 Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Silver Y, 2 Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Year list: 171
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Thursday 1st June
Weather: SE4-5 decreasing to 1-2 later, cloudy throughout and quite cool, with low cloud drifting over the hills later on and a little rain in the evening
HIGHLIGHTS:
Common Rosefinch: a 'brown' individual at Schoolton; first of the year.
Red-backed Shrike: a male found near the School then wandered in the south.
Quail: 2; singles at South Light (presumably a newly arrived migrant as it flushed from near the wall onto the rocks by Shalstane) and Buness, with the latter presumably the one seen at the Obs later on.
Sightings:
3 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Greylag Goose, 2 Barnacle Goose, Gadwall (male on Da Water then near Hesti Geo), 3 Teal, Goosander (a female off Hesti), 4 Storm Petrel (just after midnight in the colony at Kirn o' Skroo, including one ringed there as an adult in 2006 and another ringed at Skadan in 2014; first of the year), Gannet (the first chicks of the year were seen on Dronger), 3 Golden Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 9 Dunlin, Purple Sandpiper (one in the Gully), 3 Woodpigeon, 7 Collared Dove, Long-eared Owl (an oiled bird at the Obs), 6 Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Fair Isle Wren (fledged chicks at Furse; apparently the joint-earliest fledging date for the species), Starling (first fledged chick seen at Kenaby), 2 Blackbird, Redwing, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, Whinchat (male still at Da Water), 2 Dunnock, flava Wagtail (a male that appeared to be a hybrid Blue-headed x Grey-headed), Linnet, 2 'Mealy Redpoll'.
Other wildlife: Buff-tailed Bumblebee
A Red-backed Shrike pellet, found at Chalet on 22nd May 2017, was analised by Nick Riddiford and was found to contain fragments of: one sexton beetle Nicrophorus humator, one carabid Nebrla salina and at least six Vine Weevils Otiorhynchus sulcatus, an interesting insight into the diet of a migrant.
Year list: 171
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