Fair Isle Day 3

A stormy aspect of
South Light Fair Isle.
Eleanor McMahon

Kittiwake

Gannets

Fulmar experiencing and coping
well with strong wind gusts!

Hello

An increasingly blustery day here on Fair Isle with winds expected to be at gale force tonight. However plenty of sunshine, particularly in the morning made for a couple of pleasant excursions.

It seemed there were very few fresh birds in, the best of the lingerers for us being the Bluethroat, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling, a Lapland Bunting and more routine fare. Some ringing in the morning provided opportunities of colour-ringing Starlings as part of a 30 year study on the island, plus general ringing of species including Meadow Pipit, Blackcap and Twite.

Huge numbers of Fulmars were stalling and hanging in strong winds off the cliffs all day, joined by smaller numbers of big gulls, Bonxies and Gannets. Raptors included Kestrel, Peregrine and a male 'ringtail' Hen Harrier. A Grey Phalarope was seen by just a single observer before it flew south-west in very stormy conditions.

Twite and Brambling were again in good numbers with just a couple each of Grey Wagtail, Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer. An interesting bunting seen in flight and emitting the traditional 'rare bunting tic call' flew over early morning but wasn't re-located. Waders included Jack Snipe, Sanderling and Grey Plover.

With heavy rain forecast, we may become a little wet tomorrow!

Regards

Neil M

Bluethroat
Eleanor McMahon