David Parnaby

@parnaby.bsky.social

Fair Isle. Birds, moths, beachcombing, wildlife. Some sheep. Big fan of good drying days.

Painted sugar on a post and the brush was quickly covered in moths - got to be a good sign for the night... First Udea lutealis of the year in the garden, seems to be the earliest Fair Isle record by a couple of days. #TeamMoth

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There are lots of pictures of the Fair Isle Trumpeter Finch, but maybe not many of its droppings? That seems to be a bird that's adapted to wasting as little moisture as possible, resulting in a very neatly stacked and structurally sound doing. #ukbirding

Habitat shot of Trumpeter Finch dropping.Close up of Trumpeter Finch dropping.

These tiny, shiny moths on Rosa rugosa in our garden in Fair Isle today are presumably Micropterix aruncella (the only Micropterix species known to occur in Shetland I think)? Not a group I know much about though, so it'd be good to get people's opinions. #TeamMoth

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A couple of large vessels passing the south end of Fair Isle from New Orleans and Newfoundland. We're the first land to the north any stowaway sparrows keen to continue their migration will have seen, so I'll be chucking out extra seed in the garden just in case! #ukbirding

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At @rossahmed.bsky.social's excellent SBRC talk tonight, there was discussion as to whether the increase in Scottish records of North American landbirds was largely related to more birders visiting Shetland in recent years. No doubt that has helped, but if you assume coverage of Fair Isle... (1/3)

After 22+ years solid service, my Swarovski 8.5x42 EL latest repair bill would be £1000+. I'm thinking it's probably time for new binoculars instead, but having not bought any for so long, I'm after any advice. I've really liked the ELs (other than the eyecups always perishing). #birdingequipment

Young me would be amazed that I'd have 4+ Water Rails feeding in my garden one day (and so might not have spent as many hours in hides hoping for a glimpse of one!). With most gardens also holding 1-5, could Fair Isle be one of the easiest places in the UK to see double figures of them in a day?

I was very pleased to add Black-faced Bunting to my croft, Fair Isle, British, world and self-found lists yesterday and just as pleased when it was relocated at Barkland. I didn't manage any photos of the bird, but here's the twitch! #pwc2025

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With a bright moon, I'm not holding out much hope for the trap, but there's obviously migrants out there: 28 Dark Sword-grass, 4 Silver Y and Setaceous Hebrew Character on the sugar and flowers in our garden tonight (Fair Isle, VC112). #Teammoth

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Fabulous mothing in the garden last night. Rarest were these two Scarce Bordered Straws. Most impressive were the 5 Convolvulus Hawkmoth feeding on the honeysuckle. 20 Dark Sword-grass feeding in the garden. Fair Isle rarities included Frosted Orange, Lime-speck and Double-striped Pug. #teammoth

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A busy night for moths on the honeysuckle, hebe and sedum in our garden last night. Highlight was this Bordered Straw (2nd Fair Isle record), with other migrants including 2 Convolvulus Hawkmoth, 6 Dark Sword-grass and 3 Setaceous Hebrew Characters. #teammoth

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Convolvulus Hawkmoth, Dark Sword-grass and 2 Silver Y feeding on honeysuckle and hebe in the garden last night. The trap was relatively quiet (47/5), but this Lunar Underwing is the first Fair Isle (and fourth Shetland) record. #TeamMoth

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Ahead of the forthcoming south-easterlies, the net ride has been trimmed, viewing to the ponds has been opened up and the rosa and lawn have been strategically cut to allow better viewing. And now we wait...

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