Overview

One of the most northerly of the Shetland Islands, Fetlar covers an area of approximately 38 sq km and has a human population of about 60. Its grazing and crofting areas gave it its name (‘fat land’ in Old Norse), but it also has a range of habitats that include serpentine mire, heather moorland, sea cliffs and beaches. There is an RSPB reserve in the south-east, and the island as a whole is designated an Environmentally Sensitive Area, with large sections also classified as Special Protected Areas and Special Areas of Conservation.

Birds

Chance of King Eider, Red-throated Diver, Fulmar, Manx Shearwater, Shag, Merlin, Whimbrel, Curlew, Red-necked Phalarope, Great Skua, Arctic Skua, Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Puffin, Rock Dove. Also a chance of late spring migrants, including rarities.

Bird news and website

For the latest Scottish bird news, call Birdline Scotland on 09068 700234. To report sightings, call 01292 611994 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . The Nature in Shetland website (www.natureshetland.co.uk) gives a daily news update.

Map

OS maps: Landranger 1 and Explorer 470 (www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk).

Contacts

County recorder: Paul Harvey, Headlands, Virkie, Sumburgh, Shetland ZE3 9JE (email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Nature in Shetland webmaster and Shetland Bird Report editor: Mike Pennington, 9 Daisy Park, Baltasound, Unst, Shetland ZE2 9EA (email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

RSPB Shetland office: East House, Sumburgh Head Lighthouse, Virkie, Shetland ZE3 9JN.

Fetlar RSPB warden: Malcie Smith (tel: 01957 733246).

Accommodation

For information about accommodation and food, as well as flights and ferries to and from Shetland and inter-island ferry and flight timetables, see www.visitshetland.com or call 08701 999440.