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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Some nice birds in the garden the last couple of days, Wryneck and Common Rosefinch pictured here. One of the many benefits to living in Fair Isle! #UKbirding

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Prior to yesterday, Small Mottled Willow had only been recorded twice in Fair Isle, both times partially-emerged adults found dead in peppers! Last night, I caught 8 (eight). Other Isle rarities in our trap included 2 Cochylis atricapitana, Rusty Dot Pearl and 4 Agriphila tristella. #TeamMoth

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Any help with this one from Fair Isle that was in the trap a couple of nights ago would be greatly appreciated thanks. Highly likely it's one of our regular species that I'm struggling to remember! #TeamMoth

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Painted sugar on a post and the brush was quickly covered in moths - got to be a good sign for the night... First Udea lutealis of the year in the garden, seems to be the earliest Fair Isle record by a couple of days. #TeamMoth

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

There are lots of pictures of the Fair Isle Trumpeter Finch, but maybe not many of its droppings? That seems to be a bird that's adapted to wasting as little moisture as possible, resulting in a very neatly stacked and structurally sound doing. #ukbirding

Habitat shot of Trumpeter Finch dropping.

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

I do love Fair Isle, and I do enjoy mothing here, and I don't want to complain, but the contrast between your night and our single Silver Y in the MV overnight is quite something!

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

That is exactly the sort of thing that happens when birding Teeside! Some great birds to see there, but we nearly always chose to go up to the Northumberland coast rather than down there!

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Double-crested Cormorant. Found out about it from the local news. Didn't really know where we were going, but Dad called into a fire station for directions. I remember feeling old when I first discovered I was birding with people who had lived their entire lives without a DCC being seen in the UK.

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

I did wonder that, but I'm not entirely sure the best way to distinguish them?

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

These tiny, shiny moths on Rosa rugosa in our garden in Fair Isle today are presumably Micropterix aruncella (the only Micropterix species known to occur in Shetland I think)? Not a group I know much about though, so it'd be good to get people's opinions. #TeamMoth

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Anything with you yet? A distinct lack of American passerines here so far...

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

I carefully cropped the screenshot to make sure you couldn't see any of Orkney! I'm banking on that north-bound urge (and greater attractiveness of Fair Isle 😉) meaning they'll come to us. We'll find out tomorrow!

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

A couple of large vessels passing the south end of Fair Isle from New Orleans and Newfoundland. We're the first land to the north any stowaway sparrows keen to continue their migration will have seen, so I'll be chucking out extra seed in the garden just in case! #ukbirding

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Didn't have to go far for #SuperSeabirdSunday this morning when this Fulmar got itself stuck in the garden. It's now back out to sea and I smell of Maalie vomit #StinkySeabirdSunday

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

I'm not entirely sure, a few will have got lost with the adoption of Avilist and new ones are still getting added at a remarkable rate (Spoonbill as well as the Parula this year). There can't be many 3 square miles with a bigger list in the UK!

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Superb views of @tomwright1.bsky.social's Parula earlier. More importantly though, by viewing from the north west corner of the Houll, I was able to get it on the croft list! Species 218 for the croft, joining Pochard, Coot and Spoonbill as additions so far this year.

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Too wet for the trap tonight, but the sugar attracted its first two months of the year; Fair Isle's 15th (and earliest ever) Bright-line Brown-eye and a Shears. #TeamMoth

Shears, a regular 'early' moth in Fair Isle

Bright-line Brown-eye, an irregular migrant to Fair Isle, previously recorded between 18th June and 4th September

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

This female Bluethroat was a pleasing visitor to the garden in recent days, spending time around the ponds and veg rigs. With a few migrants in the recent south-easterlies, my #PWC2026 Fair Isle list is up to 125 species for the year, with 107 of those on the croft year list. #BirdingScotland

Female Bluethroat on lichen and moss covered rock.

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

I've been complaining about the lack of moths so far in 2026 in Fair Isle, so I thought I should celebrate my first catch of the year, this rather lovely Dark Sword-grass. #TeamMoth

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Three moths? Luxury! I've only seen two species all year (White-shouldered and Brown House Moths) and I'm still waiting for my first moth of 2026 outside!

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

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

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

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.

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Fulmar at Fair Isle earlier in the week for #SuperSeabirdSunday

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

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

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

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!

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

*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!)

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

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!

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

...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

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

... 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)

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!

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

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)

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

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

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

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!

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

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

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

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.

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

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.

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

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

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

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

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

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

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

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

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.

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

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

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

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?

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

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?

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Same in our garden if that helps Andy?!

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

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

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

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...

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

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

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

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

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David Parnaby @parnaby.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

He was roosting in exactly the same spot last night!

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