This Great Reed Warbler was found in the obs garden this afternoon, and though it has shown itself only a couple of times since, it’s given some very nice views out of the bar windows for a small group of observers! A very nice bird, and so much bigger than I thought they’d be!

A double whammy! The wind finally dropped enough for us to catch the Great Reed Warbler in the Observatory Garden. Then, a short while later, this lovely Greenish Warbler was trapped in Gully! Fair Isle Bird Observatory

Two rather nice birds ringed at the obs yesterday afternoon! First, the Great Reed Warbler from the previous day went into the obs garden nets, closely followed by a Greenish Warbler caught in Gully. Both very cool birds to see up close, the Great Reed Warbler is huge! Fair Isle Bird Observatory

It’s been a mixed few days weather wise, and numbers of migrant birds remain low. However, we’ve had some excellent highlights the past few days, including Greenish Warbler, Eastern Subalpine Warbler and Great Reed Warbler. Read more at fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightin… 📸 T Wright

There was a great atmosphere last week when all the islanders, guests and staff were invited to toast the newly opened Obs. Douglas Barr, Roy Dennis and Eileen Thomson spoke of the importance of the Obs to the birding and island communities. We all raised a glass to the new Obs!

You can now make a late autumn visit to the newly opened Obs with a special deal with prices from £99 per person per night (full-board, en suite accom) during the whole of Oct 2025. 25% discount for 7-13 nights 33% discount for 14+ nights See all our prices on our website

Crossbills seem to be omnipresent around Fair Isle Bird Observatory at the moment with high single figures seen most days. The Obs garden is a favoured spot for them, where they occasionally make their way into one of the mist nets, allowing for a rare chance to admire them upclose.

A ghost amongst the Oystercatcher flock Fair Isle Bird Observatory

This lovely Marsh Warbler was heard singing at Chalet this afternoon and later caught. Fair Isle Bird Observatory

Friends of Fair Isle will be able to make accommodation bookings for 2026 from Friday 1st August 2025. General booking will open on 15th August. Prices will be published at that time. Discounted rates may also be available for certain periods in 2026.

A trio of gorgeous Dunlin chicks Fair Isle Bird Observatory. Shortly after ringing and releasing the chicks, one of the adults came over and brooded them just a few metres away!

As usual, FIBO will be at the Global Birdfair at Rutland this weekend. Why not come along and hear about the new observatory building and some special offers. There are vacancies for this autumn and bookings for 2026 open for Friends of Fair Isle on 1st August.

Orca!!! When one of the pier workmen casually mentioned there was an orca in the harbour, none of us quite believed him at first, but sure enough there they were! They attracted quite a crowd as they made their way around Buness. My first orca and they did not disappoint!!

An incredible experience watching a pod of 6 Orca Fair Isle Bird Observatory yesterday evening. Amazing to watch them skirting the cliffs around Buness before heading south.

Not often we have our air tests interrupted by the shout of “Orca!!” -but things happen differently on the Fair Isle! Everyone runs to the headland to look! Superb accommodation from Fair Isle Bird Observatory and a place that’s been on my list to visit for a while. Highly recommend a visit for you

Hulk and Nott paid us a visit on Fair Isle this morning, with a swim by the obs! Our second orca sighting in the past 9 days! Fair Isle Bird Observatory

Left my GoPro in with the Puffins while I went and did a Shorewatch yesterday and this was the result! Such curious little birds! Fair Isle Bird Observatory

A seabird summer Fair Isle Bird Observatory. It has been great to see so many species having a productive breeding season.

Recently we’ve been busy carrying out plenty of seabird work, monitoring lots of our breeding species. We’ve also had a couple of Orca sightings! Read more of what we’ve been up to lately over on fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightin… 📸s - A Penn

This years class of Arctic Skuas have taken to the air Fair Isle Bird Observatory over the last week. They vary from dark chocolate, to ginger fringed birds. Its great to see them having a successful breeding season.