FAIR ISLE 13TH - 20TH SEPTEMBER 2008

Our Fair Isle tour in 2008 soon became our Fair Isle and Shetland tour as bad weather meant we were delayed on the mainland for two days. A record total of 121 species was noted with many highlights. For rarity value out third Lanceolated Warbler in as many tours took star prize, but the supportng cast of a Western Bonelli's Warbler, a stunning Honey Buzzard that allowed scope filling views as it sat exhausted on a hill top, a full adult male Red Spotted Bluethroat, a Wryneck, two Yellow-browed Warblers, two Barred Warblers, a Red-backed Shrike and a brief Thrush Nightingale for one of the group were also much appreciated. Lapland Bunting, Twite, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Whooper Swan, Slavonian Grebe, Osprey, four Sooty Shearwaters, Pink-footed Geese, Wood Warbler and Short-eared Owl were also seen, while a major fall of Pied & Spotted Flycatchers, Whinchat, Common Redstart, Willow Warblers, Northern Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroats and Grasshopper Warblers involving hundreds of birds was a spectacular sight. We also enjoyed amazing views of an Otter at Sumburgh Head that seemed totally oblivious to our resence until it reached approximately five metres distance and a pod of at least three Atlantic White-sided Dolphins joined us briefly onthe way home from the Good Shepherd. We are still uncertain about whether we will be able to run a tour in 2009 as the observatory is due to close for refurbishments, but if you wish to put your name forward for a provisional tour with dates to be announced early in 2009, please contact the office.