David Parnaby

First Pied Wagtail of the year in Fair Isle as well today. I love a bit of synchronised arrival!

We were lucky enough to get a visit from three Killer Whales on Wednesday. They often hug the coastline around the Isle, so when they're found, you can sometimes get ahead of them - it worked this time, with a couple of them coming into South Harbour.

Fulmar at Fair Isle earlier in the week for #SuperSeabirdSunday

Great bird. Possibly my first visit to Blyth as well!

Veery and American Robin are (along with Siberian Blue Robin), birds on the Foula and North Ronaldsay list that haven't made it to Fair Isle yet...
I remember that RWB, as our prediction for the day was a Catharus given the weather system - so we couldn't even argue 'escape' with any conviction!

*relatively consistently! There's been changes in e.g. census routes, staff numbers, visitor numbers, timings of coverage, ringing effort..., but it's still probably got the best long-term data set in Scotland (come at me Isle of May @steelyseabirder.bsky.social and @northronbirdobs.bsky.social!)

That's some list, how long before you've overtaken Fair Isle for number of American landbirds do you think - surely just a few years at that rate!
I'm sure increased coverage has helped (Barra must be the best example), but maybe weather has also changed and you picked a good time to start visiting!

...to be significant, but I thought I'd chuck it out there in case it's of interest. Massive thanks to @steelyseabirder.bsky.social, @fatpaulscholes.bsky.social, @scottishbirding.bsky.social and everyone else involved in running a very entertaining event. (3/3) #BirdingScotland

Graph showing individual records of North American passerines in Fair Isle per decade from the 1950s to present day (divided into spring and autumn records). Note that there are still four years left in the 2020s, which will show whether the apparent increase is continuing. If it does, it hopefully won't all be Buff-bellied Pipits!

... has been consistent (it hasn't, but it's maybe as close as you'll get in UK terms) it does appear there could have been a genuine increase in recent decades. This is hastily put together, so may not be 100% accurate and the numbers involved (41 individuals) is too small ... (2/3)

At @rossahmed.bsky.social's excellent SBRC talk tonight, there was discussion as to whether the increase in Scottish records of North American landbirds was largely related to more birders visiting Shetland in recent years. No doubt that has helped, but if you assume coverage of Fair Isle... (1/3)

I've never been happier that a bird just missed Fair Isle - I was at a fire training course in Teeside at the time!

I still think that 2013 Ovenbird only just got snagged by Papa Westray - a few hundred metres further north, it would have missed Orkney and been swept along to join the Red-eyed Vireo we had that day in Fair Isle!

A Water Rail feeding in the garden pond whilst I'm having lunch. The Water Rail had been a regular sight during the winter, the sunshine definitely hasn't. #ukbirding #FairIsle

I wouldn't blame them!

After leaving North Ronaldsay in 2018, the Orkney bird spent a few days in Fair Isle. It was accepted by SBRC as a Black Kite, but BBRC rejected it as an 'Eastern' BK. I'd asked for feedback, as there seemed a fairly solid case for it being an integrade, but didn't get any back.

Hopefully whatever I get will see me good for 20+ years again (if I last that long) and I don't want to lower my standards from the ELs, but I'm not really sure where that would put me in budget terms.

That's the quote. They're currently enjoying the festive period in Austria.

After 22+ years solid service, my Swarovski 8.5x42 EL latest repair bill would be £1000+. I'm thinking it's probably time for new binoculars instead, but having not bought any for so long, I'm after any advice. I've really liked the ELs (other than the eyecups always perishing).
#birdingequipment

Still waiting for our first here in Fair Isle...

Grey Seals, North Haven, Fair Isle. 22.11.2025. In Shetland, selkies can come ashore at night and remove their seal skins to reveal a human form underneath. You can control a selkie by stealing the skin, which prevents them from getting back in the water, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Plenty of selkies in the North Haven yesterday, including these two having fun in the shallows.

I've tried (thought I was in with a chance with a skulky juv a couple autumns ago)! But I'll keep checking...

This is one of the 'herd' of up to five regularly feeding on short grass at Barkland. I wonder what the total wintering population in the Isle is?

Young me would be amazed that I'd have 4+ Water Rails feeding in my garden one day (and so might not have spent as many hours in hides hoping for a glimpse of one!). With most gardens also holding 1-5, could Fair Isle be one of the easiest places in the UK to see double figures of them in a day?

Same in our garden if that helps Andy?!

I didn't get one I'm afraid. I think I've seen Tommy post one on Facebook from when it was trapped.

It feels immensely rare this morning and, with four Goldcrest in the garden so far, I'm hoping for something even stripier by the end of the day...

I really try not to rely on Sunderland for my enjoyment of a weekend! Mind, I've been saying that for nearly 40 years...

I was very pleased to add Black-faced Bunting to my croft, Fair Isle, British, world and self-found lists yesterday and just as pleased when it was relocated at Barkland. I didn't manage any photos of the bird, but here's the twitch! #pwc2025

He was roosting in exactly the same spot last night!

I was checking the honeysuckle for moths and accidentally woke up this roosting male Blackcap. He didn't fly off though, so he'll hopefully still get a good night's sleep.