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The Shetland 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 Scilly Isles as the place for keen birdwatchers to go in the autumn, and this island, with its famous bird observatory, regularly hosts extreme rarities.
Following on from 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 Shetland records is presented for the rarities. Introductory chapters present an overview of Shetland's geography, land-use history and general ecology, plus a history of birding, ornithology and conservation on the islands.
The authors are all prominent and active members of the Shetland Bird Club with many years of research and ornithological knowledge between them.
The Birds of Shetland is a tome to treasure and complements Black's earlier work in the Poyser series. The Scots Magazine (Feb 2006) "The Birds of Shetland is a model and example for any would-be author of a county avifauna, the best of its kind and it can be warmly recommended to a wider readership." The British Ornithologists' Union (2006)
