For
more than 50 years the internationally renowned Fair Isle Lodge and Bird
Observatory has done scientific research on bird migration and the island's
magnificent seabird breeding colonies. All guests are most welcome, many
dedicated birdwatchers coming to sec the spring and autumn migrations.
Lying on the
intersection of major flightpaths from Scandinavia, Iceland and Faroe, Fair
Isle can produce impressive numbers of common species but is also famous for
the rarities that can appear.
Visitors are
welcome to accompany the wardens on early morning rounds of the bird traps,
and to contribute to daily observations. The island is an internationally
important seabird breeding site. From April to August the cliffs are busy
with the sound (and smell!) of thousands of fulmars, kittiwakes, razorbills,
guillemots, black guillemots, gannets, shags and puffins, while skuas and
terns fiercely defend their nests on the moorland.
Fair Isle is one
of the best places in Europe to view puffins as they waddle to within feet
of a quiet observer. Grey and common seals are frequently seen, with harbour
porpoises mostly sighted in summer.
Whales and dolphins
sometimes cruise close inshore, white beaked Atlantic white sided dolphins,
killer whales (orcns) and minke whales are often spotted from the mail boat
"Good Shepherd" on passage to and from Shetland.
