Training begins

Boats and equipment being prepared for the islands

Roseate Tern boxes and boardwalk timber ready for Friday

Formal training with the team

Tuesday 20th March comments: So the season has begun. The rangers returned to Seahouses on Sunday and we've now completed two days of training as well as preapring various kit and equipment for the islands. We won't sail to the Farnes until Friday with further training planned, including fire fighting and customer care amongst others. A lot of work goes in behind the scenes on the Farnes, but it is well worth it and on Friday we'll sail to start life back on the islands.

And so it begins....

Dawn of a new season

Preparing for the season - Inner Farne

Brownsman cottage and old lighthouse

Sunday 18th March comments: Today marks a very significant day in the Farnes calender as it's the start of a new season. The rangers are travelling from far and wide, from Preston and Nottingham to as far away as Solihull and Hertfordshire. We've even got one member of staff heading up from the Isles of Scilly!

Today we'll be meeting and catching-up, having not seen each other since early December (I'm sure a beer or two tonight will be in order). This week we'll be mainland bound, using Seahouses as a base whilst we train and prepare for the forthcoming season. Then on Friday 23rd March (weather permitting!) we'll be sailing back to the islands to start the season for real. Here we go again...

Early start?

Early start - Shag on nest

Impressive crest!

Lots of Shags but nothing much else

Thursday 15th March comments: It's been a very mild start to March and the settled weather continues as flat seas and sunny conditions enticed me out to the islands for a brief check of the Farnes. The visit brought a scattering of Puffins and Razorbills (although Guillemots were not present) whilst kittiwakes remain in small numbers. However a good number of Shags have built large nest structures and it appears where heading for another early start to the season (mirroring the previous two seasons). The ranger team return to the islands next week and then I'll be bringing you regular updates of the breeding season.

Highlights: Gadwall pair in the kettle off Inner Farne (scarce visitor to Farnes), Barnacle Goose 6N, Canada Goose pair on Inner Farne, Peregrine female, Lapwing 1 by pond, Skylark 1 over, Robin 3, Wren 3, Blackbird 1 and Goldcrest 2 (early migrants).

9,000 miles to go...

Stunning - adult Sandwich Tern

Tuesday 13th March comments: Just getting news that one of our Sandwich Terns has been sighted at some salt works near Swakopmund, Namibia!! The bird was seen only a few days ago having been ringed originally as a chick on Inner Farne on 25 June 2005. The bird was present in a roost of 170 birds and was discovered by Mark Boorman and reported to the BTO in the UK. The bird is currently 8,979km away from the Farnes, so it's got some travelling to do in the next few weeks!

Sandwich Terns spend the winter in West Africa and soon will be winging their way back north - this bird has some 9,000kn to cover before returning to the islands to breed this summer. This is yet another great example of the value of bird ringing and as we get more results, I'll keep you informed.

Puffins in Farne Waters

Monday 12th March comments: Look who's back! Following a visit to Seahouses today, I was informed by several boatmen that the first Puffins have arrived back into 'Farnes waters' (as predicted two months ago!). Up to eight were seen around the Farnes yesterday although these early returnees have yet to sample life back on the islands.

It'll be some time before the birds set foot back on the islands (the birds last touched land eight months ago - yes they really have been at sea since August). Puffins will gather in numbers over the next few weeks and then eventually in late March, will touch-down on the breeding colonies and life of the Farnes Puffins will begin. I'm delighted the birds are returning but what kind of winter it has been for them is unclear, as only time will tell. Fingers crossed it's been a good one and we have plenty of birds to report when the rangers arrive next week.

Further prep.

Eye-eye - A Shag up close

Not long before the first migrants arrive -like this a stunning Wheatear

Saturday 10th March comments: The seaons preparations continue as we are only a week away from the return of the Rangers to Seahouses for pre-season training. In under two weeks we'll be sailing to the islands and getting everything ready for the big kick-off on 1st April when we'll open our doors to the visitors.

For those who are considering a trip out in early April, won't be disappointed as there will be plenty to see. The seabird breeding season will just have kicked-off with thousands of Guillemots and Puffins coming and going on a daily basis, checking out old nest sites and getting use to life back on land (having spent the winter at sea).

If the season follows the trend of recent years, we'll have Shag's on eggs, whilst Kittiwakes will be present in good numbers. If the weather remains settled, the first Sandwich Terns will be arriving whilst migrant birds like Wheatear's and Chiffchaff's will start moving through the Farnes on their northward migration.

It's an exciting time of year to visit but if you can't visit - don't worry - just keep following the blog as I'll bring you island life throughout the year.

On the way

Small numbers of Guillemots on clifftops (Anne Wilson)

Small numbers of Kittiwakes back (Anne Wilson)

Clean and ready to go - Inner Farne west cliff (Anne Wilson)

Brownsman cottage looking good (Anne Wilson)

Saturday 3rd March comments: The fine weather and great start to early spring continues and the Farnes has a big month ahead. March will see good numbers of seabirds return including Puffins, some birds will even be on eggs by the end of the month whilst the rangers will be back in residence mid-month.

News from the islands yesterday included small numbers of Guillemots back on the cliff ledges, Shags and Cormorants present in good numbers, Kittiwakes have returned to Farne's waters whilst Razorbill are present. Further out to sea, Gannets are moving north whilst large numbers of Auks are waiting to head back to the islands later this month. The season has started.