Product Review - Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report for 2006
Less than ten months after the end of the year, the 2006 Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report landed on my desk this week - one of only a few 2006 bird reports thus far published. Once again, it is a bumper edition, at 160 pages long. A total of 204 species were recorded on the ‘Magic Isle’ in 2006 including one addition - North American Black Duck, whilst other highlights included Eurasian Scops Owl and Blyth’s Pipit. As ever, the daily log recorded the numbers and dates of all migrants, continuing the island’s invaluable 60 year database. The Fair Isle seabirds had a much better year than of late, with a record population of Great Skuas as well as more than 800 pairs of Arctic Terns.
Mark Warren and Deryk Shaw provide a very detailed monthly summary of sightings on pages 37-51 and this is followed by the First and Last Dates for Summer Migrants 2006 and a typically detailed and highly informative Systematic List (pages 53-101). As usual, this is enhanced by the inclusion of some wonderful full colour plates, featuring the impressive works of Rebecca Nason, Paul Baxter and Deryk Shaw. Highlights include the October White-rumped Sandpiper (4th record), May Scops Owl, September Woodchat Shrike, a page-full of rare pipits including Pechora, Olive-backed and Blyth’s, September Aquatic Warbler, August Melodious and Greenish Warblers, Lanceolated Warbler, October Scandinavian Arctic Redpoll, May Ortolan Bunting and April Hawfinch.
The Ringing Report by Paul Baxter provides details of the 6,599 birds of 112 species trapped and ringed on the island during 2006 including a 26 year old Fulmar, a 21 year old Shag, 17 year old Storm Petrel, 15 year old Arctic Skua, 29 year old Guillemot, 27 year old Razorbill and a Swedish ‘Northern’ Bullfinch that had moved 1,283 kms in 26 days.
At the back of the report, there are scientific papers on the Fair Isle Starling and Wren populations, along with the fully detailed Lepidoptera report pages 133-142), Mammal Report (143-145) and complete checklist.
This latest report can be obtained (priced £7.00 including p & p) from Deryk Shaw at
Fair Isle Bird Observatory Fair Isle Shetland ZE2 9JU
See also - _http://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/index.htm
Tags: bird reports, rare birds, scarce birds
