NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND

See also the site: www.fairisle.org.uk

The ornithological wealth of Fair Isle is exceptional: 350 species were observed on this ocean reduction. Like any rocky island in the North Atlantic, Fair Isle is home to many seabirds: over 20 000 puffin nest at the top of the cliffs, while the interior of the island is occupied by beautiful colonies of Arctic terns. It has a sub-species of caves found nowhere else, distinct from the endemic Shetland subspecies.

But Fair Isle is especially famous because it attracts a very large number of migrants, unusual or even lost from everywhere: North America, Siberia, etc. Bird traps, harmless, have been installed to identify rare species, which are observed especially during migration.

Even in summer, small passereaux can be captured, such as a crimson finches from Lapland, or a croisé of trees that live commonly in coniferous forests, particularly in the Alps. In summer, the breeding bird banding, young and adult of all species, is the main activity of a day at Fair Isle. The operation consists of capturing the bird, by means of a net, if it is an adult capable of flying and passing around a small ring of metal with the registration to identify it. Nearly 250 000 birds with more than 250 species were banded to Fair isle.

Fair Isle is also renowned for the traditional manufacture of wool sweaters among the most beautiful in the Shetland.