A damp start today and a cool wind this morning which then changed to a breezy but sunny afternoon. Wildfowl were on the move first thing as we notched up Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose. As they over-flew the island, some of the patrolling Bonxies pursued them and a Pink-foot was forced down to the ground, seemingly unharmed but most indignant! Yesterday's estimate of a hundred Bonxies on the island was well short of the true number which must be nearer three hundred and far more than I remember from my last visits.
A patient wait at the derelict croft of Pund paid off with views of the elusive Bluethroat. A Snow Bunting and a Lapland Bunting also revealed themselves and there was a further influx of thrushes with particularly large numbers of Song Thrushes flushing up from vegetation and cliff-faces. A couple of Ring Ouzels showed during the morning and the Twite flocks included reasonable numbers of Bramblings. Small numbers of Blackcaps showed themselves today but warblers were generally few in number. A possible Pechora Pipit and a locustella warbler sp were seen briefly by other birders.
The sea around Fair Isle is a jumble of hundreds and hundreds of Fulmars and Gannets, still here in very large numbers. Eider, Black Guillemot, Shag and small numbers of common waders are normally visible from any cliff-top scan.
The Meadow Pipit is probably the most common passerine on Fair Isle currently, but Rock Pipits are common too and of course there are Fair Isle Wrens to look out for too!
Regards
Neil M
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| Skylarks |
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| Twite |
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| Bonxie |
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| Wheatear |
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| Fulmar |
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