Tom Wright

Wow! A Northern Parula @FI_Obs! A massive surprise when this stunner flicked over my shoulder and landed in front of me at Vaila's Trees. After being a bit mobile it thankfully settled down, showing well for everyone on the isle.

@Juddhunt1 @LukeMarriner_1 @PBOprof @FI_Obs @BirdGuides Thanks, Judd!

@LukeMarriner_1 @PBOprof @FI_Obs @tom_wright16 @BirdGuides Excellent find, Tom! Well done mate

Northern Parula @FI_Obs found by @tom_wright16 @BirdGuides

This gorgeous Thrush Nightingale was a lovely start to census. A right bugger to see, mostly skulking in dense bushes in the Setter garden. @FI_Obs

@EvanAtk09382591 @LukeMarriner_1 A different bird. Different moult limits in the median and greater coverts.

@tom_wright16 @LukeMarriner_1 Is this possibly the same bird that was on the mainland a few days ago or is it different?

After seemingly endless northerly winds a switch to southerlies delivered straight away with @LukeMarriner_1 finding this smart Red-throated Pipit at Field.

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!

This lovely White-billed Diver was a nice early season find by @AlexPenn_1. It showed well on the sea off Hesswalls in the afternoon once the hail showers subsided and the sun swung around to a better angle.

@npaulroberts Mad!! Nice pics.

A remarkable record today of five drake American Wigeon (with two Eurasian Wigeon) at Ogmore Estuary!

@bernieatpwll @FI_Obs Yes, arrived a few days ago.

@tom_wright16 @FI_Obs Another season on Fair Isle Tom ?

This lovely Greenland White-fronted Goose has been showing well for the last couple of days at the south end of the isle. A couple of Hen Harriers and Merlins the best of the rest. @FI_Obs

A great afternoon rockpooling at Oxwich with Tate and Holly. This Spiny Squat Lobster was the highlight. A Bull Huss, Conger Eel, Ballen Wrasse, and a couple of Lobsters were other nice finds.

Some Albatross close-ups from New Zealand. Pelagics from Kaikoura and Stewart Island offered incredible close views of 6 different species.

An incredible experience cage diving with Great White Sharks at the Titi Islands. This shark was tagged here in early 2025 and has since been up to Fiji and returned back to the Titi Islands just a few days before my trip. Incredible animals.

New Zealand is known for its unique and rare birdlife. Many species are vanishingly rare on the mainland with predator free reserves and islands being the only reason some avoided extinction. Here are a few of my favourites. Species and location in the ALT.

@PaulScarborou19 Thanks Paul. No I didn’t visit the airfield, you need to book on a tour to access. I managed to see a couple in and around Oban on nighttime wanders.

@tom_wright16 Great black stilt photos and the kiwi on ulva Did you go to Stewart Island airfield for the kiwis as well ?

Back home after a fantastic few months travelling around New Zealand. So many amazing birds and even more photos taken. Species and location written in the ALT.

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!

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.

@_jdbirder @KentishPlover Awesome!!

Patch gold this morning when I found this RADDE’S WARBLER at King George Park! Skulking in the undergrowth, it eventually showed itself nicely, magic! ebird.org/checklist/S279…

A lovely showy Black-throated Diver spent the afternoon fishing in The Havens. A surprisingly rare bird @FI_Obs, with todays bird being just the 8th isle record.