Fair Isle Day 6 (Sunday)

Hello

This blog refers to our adventures on Fair Isle on Sunday...

The morning trap round produced a few birds for ringing which included Goldcrest, Song Thrush and Brambling. After breakfast we decided to venture up to the north of the island, with a freshening southerly wind-stream on our backs. We quickly notched up the island's Merlins and Peregrines as we marched over the moorland and dodged the menacing Bonxies as they swooped down towards us.

A good look around indicated that the White's Thrush from the previous day had probably gone and we flushed up several Jack Snipe and many Snipe as we checked various depressions and damp patches. A bright and bouncy Yellow-browed Warbler flitting around on the peat and heather was a treat, this little warbler seemingly coping with the lack of foliage. A Ring Ouzel was next and a climb up to Ward Hill produced plenty of Song Thrushes and Redwings and other common migrants. An inspection of the old buildings by the Mast led to the discovery of a Black Redstart.

We then zig-zagged down the hill, locating plenty of Golden Plover, pipits and Wheatears as we did so.

After a splendid Fair Isle Sunday dinner, we yomped up to Pund and managed just brief views of the long-staying Bluethroat. The Hen Harrier argued with a Peregrine over the centre of the island and Lapland Buntings called from nearby wet bogs. A couple of flocks of Whooper Swans patrolled over-head and Pink-footed Geese and Greylags ensured there was plenty of noise too!

The south end of the island hosted plenty of waders but despite our best efforts we couldn't find anything unusual in the ever-increasing windy conditions and arrived back at the obs just before dusk at 7pm, just in time for Fair Isle High Tea. I could easily become used to this!

Regards

Neil M

Meadow Pipit

Starling

Pink-footed Geese