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!

art-angels.co.uk/blogs/news/fai… @LisaHooper20 ’s artwork features on the covers of our new Birds of Fair Isle volumes. Her ‘Puffins and Sheep Rock’ design is also available as a card (soon to be on sale at the Observatory).

A lingering male Goldeneye in the Haven and some smart breeding-plumage Great Northern Diver in the south have kept things interesting through a quieter period, along with a handful of year ticks. Read more at fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightin… 📸 A Penn

A quieter few days, with the highlights a Shelduck on Da Water and the presumed reappearance of the Short-toed Lark. Read more at fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightin… 📸 A Penn

Fair Isle’s first ever record of Spoonbill caused a stir yesterday afternoon, with two dropping into Da Water for a short while, followed by a Short-toed Lark along the road not long after. Read more at fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightin… 📸 T Wright

Spoonbills! These two dropped out of the sky as I was walking around Da Water, stayed for a mere 15 minutes before departing south. A first for @FI_Obs!

The sixth spring Fair Isle record of Olive-backed Pipit and a male Blue-headed Wagtail have been the picks of the past few days. Catch up on what else has been around lately over at fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightin… 📸 T Wright

We have a new numbered magnet system for our Latest Sightings board in the boot room at the Observatory, along with a very detailed map of Fair Isle on which the magnets go! Here’s Assistant Warden Luke talking through how it works.

After a 3 year absence, the Ranger’s Blog is back! You can read what Ranger Carla has been up to over on fairislebirdobs.co.uk/ranger_blog.ht… New blogs will be shared at the end of each month.

The best of the past few days have been the lingering White-billed Diver, a handful of Ring Ouzel, an increase in Wheatear numbers, and the first Fair Isle breeding record of Greylag Goose, with a nest with eggs discovered yesterday! Read more at fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightin… 📸 A Penn

@MaryJasper2 @mrrmike All the details are here fairislebirdobs.co.uk/bofi.html

@mrrmike @FI_Obs How do I buy this please?

My first post for a while,exciting arrival @FI_Obs

@mrrmike @FI_Obs Just had mine not properly looked at it yet but looks an absolutely monumental effort!! Congratulations to all involved!

We are delighted to announce the publication of our new island avifauna, The Birds of Fair Isle, by Ian Andrews, Roger Riddington, Paul Harvey, Will Miles and Rebecca Nason. For details on how to purchase a copy from our limited print run, please visit: fairislebirdobs.co.uk/bofi.

A lingering Woodlark at Springfield and a male Marsh Harrier roaming the north have been the highlights in recent days, alongside several more year ticks and a steady increase in Wheatear numbers. Read more at fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightin… 📸 A Penn

A clear highlight of the past couple of days was the 9th isle record of White-billed Diver. Read more at fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightin… 📸 A Penn

We are pleased to announce that copies of ‘The Birds of Fair Isle’ are now on sale at The SOC, Waterston House, Aberlady, East Lothian at £85. @ScottishBirding

A break in the wind saw 7 new additions to the 2026 year list yesterday, including Blackcap, Siskin, Sand Martin and House Martin. Puffins are also making their return, with multiple groups sat on the sea recently. Catch up on our latest sightings over at fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightin…

Thanks to Will Miles for dropping off my contributor's copies of 'The Birds of Fair Isle' today. An exceptional new publication and very much looking forward to reliving some of the many memories of birding and guiding on this island 'mecca' over the last 35+ years, a few of which are here ⬇️

Last few days to apply - applications close on 7th April!

The prepublication offer price of £70 plus postage will be valid for orders received up to 27th March. After this, the price will be £85 plus postage. ORDER NOW