Fetlar

We're working hard to make our nature reserves safe and ready for our staff, visitors and wildlife. Many have now re-opened in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, although some facilities are not yet available. Some reserves remain closed for now. See our COVID-19 updates page for the latest information (link below).

Address: RSPB Fetlar, Shetland, ZE2 9DJ

Grid ref: HU655900

See our updates page to see which reserves are open.

The island of Fetlar is a haven for flora and fauna, and a great place to explore. Venture along the rugged coast and you might be lucky enough to see otters. At the RSPB hide at Mires of Funzie you can see a mire habitat which supports a variety of wading birds, as well an interesting diversity of insects and plants. With patience and luck you may also see red-necked phalarope from the hide or on the nearby Loch of Funzie.

Plan your visit

Open at all times under Scottish access legislation.
Hide open from April to October, any time of day.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Children: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Facilities

Picnic area
Viewing point

Accessibility

How to get here

By road

From the ferry terminal at Hamarsness, drive six miles (10 km) east. Park at the small car park to the west of the Loch of Funzie. Walk east c100 m and follow signs to the hide, c300 m from the road.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Other ways to get there

To get to Fetlar from Mainland Shetland requires two ferry crossings. The first from Toft, Mainland to Ulsta, Yell. A 25-minute drive north to Gutcher, Yell for the ferry to Hamarsness, Fetlar. For ferry times and bookings, tel: 01595 745804.

Get directions from Google Maps

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

9 degrees, Overcast

Contact Fetlar

RSPB Fetlar, Shetland, ZE2 9DJ
shetland@rspb.org.uk
01950 460800

What will you see?

Our star species

Arctic skua

They come to Fetlar to breed but spend all their other time at sea.

Great skua

Great skuas have similar antisocial habits to their Arctic cousins.

Red-necked phalarope

Red-necked phalarope are unusual wading birds; the females are bigger and brighter, and the males care for eggs and chicks.

Red-throated diver

Look for them on the sea as they go fishing.

Whimbrel

A migratory species which spends its winters in Africa, whimbrels nest on heathland on Fetlar.

Whooper swans, goldeneyes, redshank, snipe and passage migrants on the reserve and surrounding area. Otters can be found along the coast.

Red-necked phalaropes, snipe, curlews, redshanks, lapwings and teals at Mires of Funzie. Red-throated divers can be seen at Loch of Funzie. Areas around the reserve hold whimbrels, golden plovers, dunlins, Arctic terns and great and Arctic skuas. Otters can be found around the coast.

Passage migrants in and around the reserve. Otters can be found along the coast.

Whooper swans, goldeneyes and long-tailed ducks in and around the reserve. Great northern divers and otters can be found along the coast.

About Fetlar

Habitat

The reserve consists of upland mires which are managed for breeding waders and in particular for red-necked phalarope.

Conservation

Fetlar is home to important populations of scarce breeding birds, notably red-necked phalaropes. RSPB Scotland is managing the reserve for the benefit of birds and for its broader biodiversity.

We manage this habitat by creating pools of open water and by raising water levels in the summer, then reducing water levels in autumn to encourage cattle grazing.

We also undertake a continuous programme of research and monitoring, focusing on key breeding birds, as well as water levels and plant communities.

Site information

This nature reserve is important for wildlife. RSPB Scotland welcomes responsible access, in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

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