An introduction to bird observatories

This week, a guest blog by Peter Howlett and Mike Archer, two of the editors of our most recent title, Bird Observatories of Britain and Ireland.


Since the first observatory was set up in 1933, on the island of Skokholm, bird observatories have played a central role in monitoring bird migration in Britain and Ireland, and have contributed much to our understanding of this phenomenon. The daily recording of migrants at observatories has revealed patterns and trends that can be put to real use in conservation.

Full-board accommodation is offered at the observatory at Twingness on North Ronaldsay (Kevin Woodbridge).

The character of each observatory varies enormously, from the wild heather-topped terrain and huge sea cliffs of Fair Isle, the wind-swept marshy fields and dunes of Holme, and the calm tranquillity of Bardsey or the Calf of Man, to the beach-hut studded fields surrounding the observatory at Portland. Each has its own character, which will come to the fore during a stay; first appearances can be very deceptive and should, in some cases, be ignored! They are exciting spots where anything could happen – the next dramatic fall of migrants, or a major rarity lurking in the next bush.

The nature of each observatory also has an impact on the daily birding routine. Take Fair Isle, for instance. The island is unique amongst the observatories in that  weather and landscape have reduced the importance of mist-nets for trapping migrants to almost the incidental. The bulk of trapping is done using fixed Heligoland traps. So instead of the frequent net rounds of the other observatories there are periodic drives of the traps. The remote location of Fair Isle also means that major arrivals tend to occur later in the day, so really early starts aren’t necessary – probably just as well with dawn at around 3.30–4.00am in May. At Dungeness the public nature of the trapping area means mist-nets can’t be left in place and need to be put up and taken down each day. The net round also involves a not-inconsiderable walk over shingle, a stark contrast to the five-minute walk around the permanently-sited nets in the gardens at Portland, Bardsey and the Calf of Man.

The new observatory building on Fair Isle, completed in 2010 (Deryk Shaw).

In spring and autumn, like-minded people are brought together in the unique ‘obs’ atmosphere, all hoping to witness one of the spectacular avian events for which the observatories are famed. What better time for an up-to-date and comprehensive second edition of the Poyser monograph on the bird observatories of the British Isles? This new book, with personal accounts by wardens, staff and volunteers, provides a detailed account of the history and work carried out at each of the 18 observatories.

We hope you may be enticed to visit one.



Bird Observatories of Britain and Ireland is available through our website. Click the cover below to find out more.