We are hiring seasonal hospitality staff! These are exciting opportunities to relocate seasonally to Shetland, working with a close-knit hospitality team at our guesthouse on the UK’s most remote inhabited island. More details on our website fairislebirdobs.co.uk/index

Purple Sandpipers were living up to their name for once in Orkney today - their mantles, wings and even crown feathers gleaming iridescent purple in the low winter sun

A handful of 'borealis' Eiders were present in a several-hundred-strong flock near Kirkwall this morning, looking that bit more flamboyant than the locals, with their brighter bills and pointed 'sails'

It's been a quiet winter for Short-eared Owls in Orkney, perhaps unsurprising after such poor autumn passage through Fair Isle Bird Observatory. Extra special then to bump into a roadside group of three birds - hunting, chasing and occasionally bickering with a passing Hen Harrier

A drake Long-tailed Duck soaking in the last rays of the sun on the Peedie Sea in Kirkwall - there can't be many town 'duck ponds' with displaying Long-tailed Ducks a regular feature!

FIBO's Head of Ornithology & Hospitality Manager arrived on the island yesterday, ready to get stuck into preparations for the 2025 season. The Obs' refit continues and we hope to welcome our first guests in the spring fairislebirdobs.co.uk/accommodation

Still a wintry theme Fair Isle Bird Observatory, with Iceland Gull and two Russian Whitefronts the recent highlights. Signs of spring are beginning to appear though, with the first Mistle Thrush, Stonechat and Pied Wagtail in the last week, and numbers of Ringed Plover and Skylark building

Twite are returning to Fair Isle Bird Observatory with some signs of early spring movement in recent days. This bird was 'chortling' away happily in the sunshine today 🔊🎶

My first full day Fair Isle Bird Observatory. The massive cliffs and big seas made for an awe-inspiring walk around the south end. A few nice birds around too, with four Snow Buntings and lingering adult Iceland Gull the highlights. Looking forward to the rest of the season here!

Fair Isle got in on the Subalpine Warbler action when this fine male Eastern appeared Fair Isle Bird Observatory today - what a stunner!

Bee-eater!! One of my most-wanted birds Fair Isle Bird Observatory after missing a couple in the last few years. Impossibly beautiful things!

It is now six years since a fire totally destroyed the Observatory and we are delighted to announce that the Observatory and Hotel is now open for guest bookings for 2025! Please read our website for prices and terms: fairislebirdobs.co.uk/accommodation.… We look forward to welcoming you soon!

This absolute peach of a Red-throated Pipit livened up an otherwise very quiet walk around the north Fair Isle Bird Observatory today - they don't come much better than this!

PALLAS’S REED BUNTING Fair Isle Bird Observatory!!!

Not many words to adequately sum up today! A spring male Pallas’s Reed Bunting was the perfect reminder of what a magic place Fair Isle is, and of the brilliant people I get to share these birds with. 5th for Britain 3rd(!) for Fair Isle Bird Observatory

A dream realised!! SCOPS OWL trapped in the Gully Fair Isle Bird Observatory today 🤯

A ghost amongst the Oystercatcher flock Fair Isle Bird Observatory

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

Assuming a journey at sea, a Storm Petrel ringed at Portland Bird Observatory at 02:00 yesterday, and with us at 02:45 this morning, had put in a pretty swift 450km

I originally decided to make one of my little seabirds because I wanted one for myself, but I quickly fell in love with making them. Because each one is hand sculpted and painted, every piece is unique in its own little way, yet together they make lovely flocks.