Fair Isle Bird Observatory

It is now six years since a fire totally destroyed the Observatory and we are delighted to announce that the Observatory and Hotel is now open for guest bookings for 2025! Please read our website for prices and terms: fairislebirdobs.co.uk/accommodation.… We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Look no further if you'd like to find out more about staying with us and how to get to Fair Isle youtube.com/watch?v=sEuCNe… #RuthAisling

We're excited to announce a brand new partnership with @WestMidBirdClub, offering the chance to for two aspiring conservationists to visit the Obs for two weeks in August this year! For more details and how to apply, see fairislebirdobs.co.uk/opportunities.…

Avoid disappointment - order now - this special offer price will only be available for a limited period and the print run is not large. Publication is due in March.

FIBO is pleased to announce that 'The Birds of Fair Isle' is now available to pre-order. This richly illustrated two-volume avifauna celebrates 75 years of FIBO survey work. The set is offered for a limited time at £70 plus postage. For details: fairislebirdobs.co.uk/bofi

The new FIBO library has arrived. With a huge effort from John & Marian Ginnever & generosity of many donors, 80 boxes of books now replace & expand the library lost in the 2019 fire. Huge thanks go to DHL, Streamline & the crew of the Good Shepherd for their generosity and help

After a fire in 2019, the newly reopened Bird Observatory on the remote Fair Isle in Shetland is an excellent facility to stay and learn about the amazing birdlife on the island. ▶️ northlinkferries.co.uk/shetland-blog/… #shetland #findyourshetland #fairisle

@jussyblade77 Our website has information on prices, travel and the booking process. There are also contact details. fairislebirdobs.co.uk

@FI_Obs What are the charges for the rooms and who can we book with and also is it flights or boat onto the island please dm me

Still wondering whether to visit the new Fair Isle Bird Obs in 2026? We are open for bookings 20th May to 31st October. Although there is only limited availability in May-July, we still have plenty of space from early August until the end of October. Details on our website.

Left Fair Isle (and the most amazing Bird Obs team @FI_Obs) today :(

Black-Faced Bunting showed much better today after it was found in the rain and darkness of yesterday by @DavidParnaby2 nice to get in on the action after a few records nationally this year. A nice Mega to finish the @FI_Obs season off!

Highlights of the last few days of the season were Little Bunting, Firecrest, Barred Warbler and Long-eared Owl, but the best of the week waited until a day after the last census of the year, a Black-faced Bunting at Shirva! Read more at fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightin… 📸 A Penn

Amazing to see this gorgeous Long-eared Owl nestled on the south coast cliffs @FI_Obs. It's precarious choice to rest shown in the second image with crashing waves behind it!

Yesterday we trapped a Norwegian ringed Goldfinch, which was originally ringed on 6th August this year at Jomfruland Fuglestajion by a young girl, pictured with the bird. The map shows Fair Isle in blue & Jomfruland in red, a movement of over 600km! 📸 Alex Penn & Ola Nordsteien

A wild couple of days limited birding ability, but bought with it Little Auk and Waxwing. Some more pleasant weather yesterday resulted in a clear-out of birds but also presented an opportunity for catching some Jack Snipe. Read more at fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightin… 📸 L Marriner

On a wet and windy day like today, the floor to ceiling windows around the bar make the obs the perfect hide for watching birds while staying warm and dry. It doesn’t get much better for garden birds than this one, a Waxwing that’s spending the afternoon enjoying an apple feast!

Things have really picked up the past few days, with thrushes, Blackcap and Goldcrest everywhere and highlights in the form of Pallas’s Warbler, Isabelline Wheatear and Paddyfield Warbler, as well as a few Northern Bullfinch today. Read more here fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightin… 📸 A Penn

Woodcock everywhere @FI_Obs, with a grand total of 85 birds counted across the isle. Many birds were sheltering in the geos along the west coast allowing for amazing views of this cryptic species.

Recently, ranger Carla wrote a blog about the new Observatory building and what it means to the staff and the island. You can read that blog and see some of the stunning photos taken by the @PromoteShetland team here: shetland.org/blog/fair-isle…

After a quiet few days, yesterday’s winds bought in a few new birds including a Bluethroat trapped at Double Dyke, a Turtle Dove, the first Long-eared Owl and Goldeneye of the autumn and the first Greenfinch of the year. Read more at fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightin… 📸 T Wright

An elusive and mobile Richard’s Pipit and a lingering Black-throated Diver have been the recent highlights, along with a Purple Sandpiper ringed in Svalbard earlier this autumn. Read more at fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightin… 📸 T Wright