Duck of the day.

Although Barred Warblers can be amongst the skulkiest of migrants, on Fair Isle they often show more readily - as this bird photographed from the kitchen window shows.

No sign of the Arctic Warbler today and there appeared to be not too much new in on the passerine front, although there were 3 Barred Warblers around the island, including a showy bird at the Obs. Tree Pipits increased to 6 and a few other migrants remained including Pied Flycatcher, 4 Whinchat and 2 Reed Warbler amongst a scattering of others.
Technically the bird of the day was a juvenile Shoveler that arrived on the Obs scrape in the afternoon, the first of this species to be seen on Fair Isle this year. There was an increase in some of the commoner waders, with Ringed Plover increasing to 52 and Dunlin to 20, whilst 6 Ruff, Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank and a Whimbrel were also seen.
The calm seas allowed the best day of cetacean watching so far this year from the island, with 5 White-sided Dolphins off Buness, 2 White-beaked Dolphins off Meoness and a scattering of Porpoise around the island totalling at least 24 animals, including several small calves.
A drier night tonight looks like it should be ok for Storm Petrel ringing, so we're about to head out and try our luck...