Carla Hill

Ranger at @FI_Obs. Trainee ringer, Uni of Exeter BSc and MSc grad, birder, cetacean lover

[Carla Hill @CarlaHill99]

Left my GoPro in with the Puffins while I went and did a Shorewatch yesterday and this was the result! Such curious little birds! @FI_Obs

[Tom Wright @tom_wright16]

After seemingly endless northerly winds a switch to southerlies delivered straight away with @LukeMarriner_1 finding this smart Red-throated Pipit at Field.

[Tom Wright @tom_wright16]

Spoonbills! These two dropped out of the sky as I was walking around Da Water, stayed for a mere 15 minutes before departing south. A first for @FI_Obs!

[Fair Isle Bird Observatory @FI_Obs]

After a 3 year absence, the Ranger’s Blog is back! You can read what Ranger Carla has been up to over on https://t.co/XNPpDO6OPf New blogs will be shared at the end of each month.

[Carla Hill @CarlaHill99]

Nice to spend a while watching the Ludham Bridge Black-winged Kite on Monday as it hunted in the distance between periods spent perched. Lots more good birds on offer too, including Barn Owl, SEO, Hen Harrier, Kingfisher, Marsh Harrier and Crane.

[Carla Hill @CarlaHill99]

This afternoons Black-faced Bunting certainly gave people the runaround, but eventually settled for long enough at Barkland to give everyone present some nice views in some pretty miserable weather! @FI_Obs

[Fair Isle Bird Observatory @FI_Obs]

Recently, ranger Carla wrote a blog about the new Observatory building and what it means to the staff and the island. You can read that blog and see some of the stunning photos taken by the @PromoteShetland team here: https://t.co/jUpY591ldm

[Carla Hill @CarlaHill99]

Had some insane minke whale views this morning, with them coming very close in to where I was sat! The day then got even better when I also got to see my first white-beaked dolphins, which, though distant, put on a show breaching repeatedly!

[Tom Wright @tom_wright16]

This gorgeous Wryneck was caught in Vaadal @FI_Obs mid-afternoon. It's a species I'd wanted to see in the hand for a long time. The cryptic brown plumage is just amazing!

[Fair Isle Bird Observatory @FI_Obs]

Book your 2026 trip to Fair Isle Bird Observatory now. We have kept the prices the same as this year plus there are cheaper rates during spring and autumn “Migration Specials”. The single and twin rooms are all en-suite and prices include all meals. See https://t.co/LyTMs371yC

[Fair Isle Bird Observatory @FI_Obs]

Last nights Storm Petrel ringing session ended with a total catch of 263 Storm Petrels ringed and 18 retraps, including a Portuguese-ringed control. The highlight of the night, however, was a Leach’s Petrel, shown with a European Storm Petrel for comparison!
📸 A Penn

[Tom Wright @tom_wright16]

This years class of Arctic Skuas have taken to the air @FI_Obs over the last week. They vary from dark chocolate, to ginger fringed birds. Its great to see them having a successful breeding season.

[Carla Hill @CarlaHill99]

@ilovetaichung @FI_Obs Fair Isle!

[Carla Hill @CarlaHill99]

Left my GoPro in with the Puffins while I went and did a Shorewatch yesterday and this was the result! Such curious little birds! @FI_Obs

[Carla Hill @CarlaHill99]

@DaveHenahan @FI_Obs All look like adults to me! The chicks won’t have the colourful bill and have a much darker face

[Carla Hill @CarlaHill99]

Little Tystie takes on a big Butterfish!! Didn’t get to see if it won the battle as we were on our way to take a look on board the Flying Dutchman, a rather impressive tall ship that had just arrived in the harbour!

[Carla Hill @CarlaHill99]

Hulk and Nott paid us a visit on Fair Isle this morning, with a swim by the obs! Our second orca sighting in the past 9 days! @FI_Obs

[Carla Hill @CarlaHill99]

@4VictoriaBC1 I’m on Fair Isle, so part of Shetland yeah! They really are the best, I’ve been waiting patiently for them to visit since I first arrived here a few months ago!

[Carla Hill @CarlaHill99]

Orca!!! When one of the pier workmen casually mentioned there was an orca in the harbour, none of us quite believed him at first, but sure enough there they were! They attracted quite a crowd as they made their way around Buness. My first orca and they did not disappoint!!

[Tom Wright @tom_wright16]

An incredible experience watching a pod of 6 Orca @FI_Obs yesterday evening. Amazing to watch them skirting the cliffs around Buness before heading south.