@AlexPenn_1

Birder and @_BTO S Permit Ringer | Head of Ornithology @FI_Obs | Fair Isle 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏳️‍🌈🦉

Joined May 2012
  • Tweets1.7K
  • Following607
  • Followers5.4K
899Media
For anyone in need of some calming Twitter content, here's 140 seconds of Puffin antics @FI_Obs, feat. snoozing, stretching, billing, burrow-digging and grass-collecting, to a soundtrack of lots of Puffin groans. Bliss!
144
423
61
2,980
FIBO is pleased to announce that 'The Birds of Fair Isle' is now available to pre-order. This richly illustrated two-volume avifauna celebrates 75 years of FIBO survey work. The set is offered for a limited time at £70 plus postage. For details: fairislebirdobs.co.uk/bofi
20
1
60
6,524
I originally decided to make one of my little seabirds because I wanted one for myself, but I quickly fell in love with making them. Because each one is hand sculpted and painted, every piece is unique in its own little way, yet together they make lovely flocks.
31
193
7
1,974
33,504
Assuming a journey at sea, a Storm Petrel ringed at Portland Bird Observatory at 02:00 yesterday, and with us at 02:45 this morning, had put in a pretty swift 450km
8
28
241
7,242
Not often we have our air tests interrupted by the shout of “Orca!!” -but things happen differently on the Fair Isle! Everyone runs to the headland to look! Superb accommodation from @FI_Obs and a place that’s been on my list to visit for a while. Highly recommend a visit for you
4
26
1,774
A ghost amongst the Oystercatcher flock @FI_Obs
13
94
7
1,000
19,158
A dream realised!! SCOPS OWL trapped in the Gully @FI_Obs today 🤯
17
65
9
907
30,071
Not many words to adequately sum up today! A spring male Pallas’s Reed Bunting was the perfect reminder of what a magic place Fair Isle is, and of the brilliant people I get to share these birds with. 5th for Britain 3rd(!) for @FI_Obs
13
30
1
502
15,311
PALLAS’S REED BUNTING @FI_Obs!!!
19
47
2
650
19,221
This absolute peach of a Red-throated Pipit livened up an otherwise very quiet walk around the north @FI_Obs today - they don't come much better than this!
11
22
1
446
8,476
It is now six years since a fire totally destroyed the Observatory and we are delighted to announce that the Observatory and Hotel is now open for guest bookings for 2025! Please read our website for prices and terms: fairislebirdobs.co.uk/accomm… We look forward to welcoming you soon!
3
38
2
199
10,104
Bee-eater!! One of my most-wanted birds @FI_Obs after missing a couple in the last few years. Impossibly beautiful things!
8
38
1
573
8,158
Fair Isle got in on the Subalpine Warbler action when this fine male Eastern appeared @FI_Obs today - what a stunner!
5
14
1
310
6,270
My first full day @FI_Obs. The massive cliffs and big seas made for an awe-inspiring walk around the south end. A few nice birds around too, with four Snow Buntings and lingering adult Iceland Gull the highlights. Looking forward to the rest of the season here!
10
5
165
4,289
Twite are returning to @FI_Obs with some signs of early spring movement in recent days. This bird was 'chortling' away happily in the sunshine today 🔊🎶
2
23
256
5,164
Still a wintry theme @FI_Obs, with Iceland Gull and two Russian Whitefronts the recent highlights. Signs of spring are beginning to appear though, with the first Mistle Thrush, Stonechat and Pied Wagtail in the last week, and numbers of Ringed Plover and Skylark building
1
6
118
3,154
FIBO's Head of Ornithology & Hospitality Manager arrived on the island yesterday, ready to get stuck into preparations for the 2025 season. The Obs' refit continues and we hope to welcome our first guests in the spring fairislebirdobs.co.uk/accomm…
4
9
78
3,970
A drake Long-tailed Duck soaking in the last rays of the sun on the Peedie Sea in Kirkwall - there can't be many town 'duck ponds' with displaying Long-tailed Ducks a regular feature!
4
119
2,011
It's been a quiet winter for Short-eared Owls in Orkney, perhaps unsurprising after such poor autumn passage through @FI_Obs. Extra special then to bump into a roadside group of three birds - hunting, chasing and occasionally bickering with a passing Hen Harrier
1
6
118
2,272
A handful of 'borealis' Eiders were present in a several-hundred-strong flock near Kirkwall this morning, looking that bit more flamboyant than the locals, with their brighter bills and pointed 'sails'
1
9
175
5,440
Purple Sandpipers were living up to their name for once in Orkney today - their mantles, wings and even crown feathers gleaming iridescent purple in the low winter sun
31
434
7,891
Load more