Fair Isle in Autumn: Migrants, Merlins and Island Life

by Craig Round

It was great to be back on Fair Isle with a group again this autumn, staying at the wonderful new Bird Observatory! The food and accommodation at the new ‘Obs’ were great and, during the week, we explored the island from top to bottom on foot each day to see what new migrant birds had arrived.

Our walks also took in the island’s breathtaking coastal scenery, with stunning, dramatic cliffs and sea views, as well as the softer croft land and gardens in the south of the island.

Sadly, we didn’t get any of the favoured easterly winds that can bring drift migrants to Fair Isle. The winds were strong at times and mainly from the west, but even so, a good selection of small migrant birds continued to make landfall. These included common autumn migrants such as Wheatear, Pied Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, Meadow Pipit and White ‘alba’ Wagtails.

The numerous passage Meadow Pipits and Wagtails also attracted the attention of several migrant Merlin, which we encountered hunting around the island.

We had good views of some scarcer migrants during the week too, including Barred Warbler and Yellow-browed Warbler. A flock of five Lapland Buntings gave us lovely close views as they fed on the ground, while a fantastic group of Common Rosefinches in the garden at Burkle produced another highlight, with four birds perched together on a nearby fence!

It was also great to see the first Pink-footed Geese arriving from Iceland, with several skeins flying over the island and heading out to sea.

Waders were moving through in good numbers too, with great views of Knot, Common Snipe, Sanderling, Ringed Plover, Redshank and Golden Plover. There was also a flock of more than 70 Turnstone, often feeding right outside the Obs!

Despite the winds not quite being on our side, Fair Isle still delivered a wonderful week of autumn migration, birding and island scenery.

If you would like to join our next trip to the Fair Isle, you’ll find further information and bookings here. Please email us or phone 01479 812498 if you have any queries.