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Fair Isle: Spring on the Magical Isle
Tour Code: GBR356A 10-day tour including week's spring birding at the legendary Fair Isle Bird Observatory
£2,495 (Inc ferry)
£2,345
Highlights
Summary
Lying isolated in the North Atlantic between Shetland and Orkney, Fair Isle is world-renowned as a magnet for migrating birds. In spring, its position on major flyways makes it the perfect landfall for birds arriving from the south, east and even further afield, while its compact size means every corner of the island can be explored in a day’s walk. With croftland, moor, cliffs and sheltered geos, the variety of habitats ensures that each morning brings fresh arrivals and the tantalising possibility of something unexpected.
A stay at the Fair Isle Bird Observatory (FIBO) places us at the very centre of the action. From here, guests enjoy comfortable accommodation as well as immersion in the island’s ornithological life, with ringing, migration monitoring and daily news from the observatory staff. Over 380 species have been recorded on Fair Isle, and in spring the mix of passage migrants and rarities is unrivalled. Falls of thrushes, warblers and flycatchers often pepper the crofts and dykes, while drift migrants from Scandinavia and beyond can include Bluethroat, Red-backed Shrike, Wryneck, Thrush Nightingale or Icterine Warbler. Eastern gems such as Red-throated Pipit and Collared Flycatcher have occurred, while ultra-rare species such as Thick-billed Warbler and Palllas's Reed Bunting remind us that anything can turn up.
With Great and Arctic Skuas returning to breed, seabirds filling the cliffs, and the constant excitement of migration, spring birding on Fair Isle is both exhilarating and unpredictable, a true pilgrimage for rarity hunters.
- The privilege of a week in Britain’s premier rarity hotspot
- Highly sought-after eastern & southern vagrants are possible
- The chance of finding a truly rare bird and common migrants in numbers
- Staying at the legendary Fair Isle Bird Observatory
- Chance of Orca and other cetaceans
- Aurora borealis is often seen
- Experience island life and culture
Dates & Prices
2026
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
