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Predictably Fair Isle didn’t disappoint, and within seconds of landing on the island we heard the immortal words, ‘yes the LANCEOLATED WARBLER is still showing’, so we forgot lunch!
17th Sept:
The Lancey showed in a small strip of potatoes at less than 2 metres, but was easily lost in the furrows. Field sketching this bird was impossible because although I saw it lots it never showed for very long! Often seeing just a tail or the head, and I spent most of the time trying to note the important ID features, as it crept away from me.
18th Sept:
A long walk up to North Light produced 100's of Wheatears and good views of sea birds. 2 really nice Ortolans showed very well and a Honey Buzzard was also seen, heralding the start of the huge invasion seen over the rest of the UK.
4 Little Bunting seen in one day, we could only be on Fair isle. I was impressed with the number of Twite I was seeing, and grabbed a number of quick field sketches. The Twite showed really well and were very approachable.
Severe Gale-force winds, a case of identify that very fast flying bird.
21st Sept:
Very strong winds and grey skies welcomes several flocks of Barnacle Geese to the Island. One immature bird took up residence on the beach at North Haven, and allowed very close observation. It's amazing to think that it had just flown from Spitsbergen, I was probably the first person that this bird had seen.
After all the gales and strong SE of the previous few days the morning of the 22nd and our last full day on the island offered so much. Finding a Barred Warbler increased the speculation, until the Red Flag appeared over the horizon. A Great Snipe showed well, another Fair Isle specialty.
23rd Sept:
Time to leave Fair Isle….what so soon.
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