AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT

Following a period of consistent W/NW winds from the Atlantic, Fair Isle attracted an AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT to the island.

It was discovered late afternoon of 23rd in Suka Mire, adjacent to the airstrip, and remains there today and represents the second island record following one on 17th September 1953 (Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 1953: 13; Scottish Naturalist 1954: 53; Thom 1986; Dymond 1991; Evans 1991).

Elsewhere ther were 5 Pinkfooted Geese, a Common Scoter, 2 Swallow, Grey Wagtail, Redwing, 2 Barred Warbler, 5 Common Redpoll, Common Rosefinch, 6 Lapland Bunting and 27 Snow Bunting.

See photographs by Deryk Shaw & Mark Breaks on the Fair Isle Bird Observatory website.