Fair Isle 2010 New Observatory and I'm going!!!

Rael, Mark about to release a Sparrowhawk, Ashley (AW's)
and Tim Loseby

New born Lambs

The Good Shepherd IV

Fair Isle Knitter

Church

Bonxie

Drake Eider

Beach Scene at North Haven

Puffins

North Haven

ALL PHOTOS ABOVE ARE DIGITAL IMAGES TAKEN FROM SLIDES
AND WERE TAKEN IN 2005/2006

(copyright of Penny Clarke)

So excited as I have just booked to go to Fair Isle end of May, beginning of June.

As a little girl, when I spent time with my father, Peter Jackson and Richard Richardson at Holme Bird Observatory, all I ever heard them talk about was Fair Isle and the Good Shepherd, the beauty of the island, the birds, the flowers etc - I especially remember Peter Jackson chuckling about the Good Shepherd - I never really fully understood why at the time! I always vowed to visit the magical, much talked about island and this I did in 2005 and again in 2006. It certainly is a magical island and draws you back time and time again.

For anyone going for the first time, make sure you lose weight before you go as the food is first class and plenty of it, including cakes and hot chocolate at 9pm to coincide with bird log!
Information below:

Deryk Shaw - Warden of Fair Isle Bird Observatory: http://fibowarden.blogspot.com/

Fair Isle Bird Observatory: http://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/index.htm

Island News: http://www.fairisle.org.uk/

Accommodation on Fair Isle:

www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/accommodation.htm
www.kathycoull.com
www.extramilescotland.co.uk
www.southlightfairisle.co.uk
http://www.go-bedandbreakfast.co.uk/...housefairisle/
http://www.go-bedandbreakfast.co.uk/...ofthousebandb/

(this information also on www.fairisle.org.uk:)

Weather and webcams: http://www.northisles-weather.co.uk/

Travel to Fair Isle: see www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/index.htm OR www.fairisle.org.uk/

Note: Good Shepherd IV Ferry Service - do not be put off by the 3 hours boat trip from Grutness Pier to Fair Isle, I have done 3 return trips now and have found the answer to surviving the trip. My first trip was lets say an unforgettable experience to say the least. My skin turned green and I aged by at least 50 years by the end of the very rocky trip and lost a stone!!! The sink was rocking in the my room in the obs for the next couple of days!!! BUT I was brave enough/mad enough to make the return trip after finding out from the locals that the tip is to lay down on the bench seat at the back of the rows of seats, lay your head on a pillow, close your eyes and do not open them until end of the trip! (pillows and blankets provided by crew). This actually does work and I was not s**k once!!!!! The crew are fantastic and its only £2.60 each way! bargain for those of us counting pennies!

Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36644808414