Shetland has always been synonymous with exciting birding. The islands are nationally important for their 21 species of breeding seabirds, and other extremely rare or sporadic British breeders such as the Red-necked Phalarope and Snowy Owl. They are also much-visited by passage migrants. In particular, Fair Isle rivals the Isles of Scilly as THE place for keen listers to go in the autumn, and this picturesque little island, with its famous bird observatory, regularly hosts extreme rarities.


Following the style of the popular Birds of Norfolk and Birds of Suffolk, this new avifauna looks in depth at the status, distribution and abundance, past and present, of every bird recorded in Shetland. Population trends for breeders and regular visitors are analysed, and a detailed breakdown of all Shetland records is presented for the rarities.


This book will make fascinating reading for all those interested in Shetland's birds, and will be a key resource for those studying the birdlife of this special group of islands.