Rare bird spotted in Fair Isle on first recorded visit to Shetland

A ‘SHETLAND first’ sighting of a rare bird took place in Fair Isle last week, causing “major excitement” in the birding community.

The sighting of the Northern Parula was recorded by Tom Wright in Fair Isle on 23 May.

Local birder Rebecca Nason said it is “exceptionally rare” to see the American (Nearctic) warbler in Britain.

It was said to be the first ever spring record for Europe, the first record entirely for Shetland, and only the second for Scotland.

Nason said it caused excitement in the birding world “especially because spring American passerines in Shetland are far scarcer than autumn records”.

“The bird has lingered on Fair Isle for several days, allowing a number of visiting birders and islanders to enjoy prolonged views,” she said.

“The Northern Parula breeds across eastern North America and normally winters in Central America and the Caribbean.

“For one to reach the North Atlantic islands in late May is extraordinary, likely linked to unusual weather systems and strong transatlantic displacement.”