Army Ornithological SocietyFair Isle - Day 6 & Extraction
Thu 4 Oct 12
The team’s final day on Fair Isle although only partial, being scheduled to fly out mid-afternoon. Most team members, instead of heading out on any recces, opted to use the pre-breakfast period for a little bit of a lie in and to pack before having to vacate rooms.
Just before heading out for the final morning patrol, the FIBO Administrator relayed a request from the Shetland Inter-Island Air Service that the team be split over the two flights scheduled for the day with the first stick to depart on the morning flight. The request was based on weather conditions, ie strong westerly/south-westerly winds, and the load carrying capacity of the aircraft or, rather, lack of it. Various options were considered but, in the end, the two team members with the more pressing travel deadlines were dispatched on the morning flight, there being no guarantee that the afternoon flight would depart.
After the first stick departed the morning patrol commenced returning to FIBO in time for lunch and final preparation for the flight out. The patrol report reads, ‘Nothing Significant to Report’. The second stick left Fair Isle at 1540 and was on the ground in Lerwick by 1600.
The team was reunited at Toab, on Shetland South Mainland, where a search for an Isabelline Shrike was conducted until the light failed and all members were tired, cold, wet and grumpy, especially cold and wet! There followed the move back to Lerwick and taking over of accommodation at the Islesburgh House Hostel and, once changed and warmed up, headed out for a celebratory meal before dispersal. The team opted for a traditional Scottish venue, namely the Ghurkha Kitchen!
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