Another good day...

Merlin on the prowl (Graeme Duncan)

Get off - a resident Gull chases the Merlin (Graeme Duncan)

Saturday 2nd April comments: It’s been a cracking start to the season with some noticeable highlights and a cheeky Great Auk…or maybe not. However we can’t deny the team have enjoyed their start and it got even better today, with an Osprey! The bird drifted over the nearby West Wideopens and like the Buzzard the week before, upset the local nesting Gulls before eventually heading westward over Inner Farne. The wardens couldn’t complain, as it drifted within 60ft of the team – impressive to say the least. Despite a bulging UK population, they still remain a rarity on the islands, as it represents our 15th ever and the first since 2009. It also represented our earliest ever, taking 22 days off the previous record. As well as the Osprey, there were good movements of common birds, especially Meadow Pipits and the first Sand Martin and Swallows of the year. Today’s highlights: OSPREY (15th for the Farnes), Canada Goose 3 on West Wideopens, Red-throated Diver 1N, Merlin female hunting, Bar-tailed Godwit 9, Grey Plover 8, Purple Sandpiper 35 , Sanderling 1, Knot 48, Dunlin 4, Turnstone 29, Redshank 15, Sandwich Tern 51 at roost, Swallow 1N (first of the year), Sand Martin 1N, Meadow Pipit 351N, Pied Wagtail 8N, Wheatear 8, Fieldfare 1, Linnet 15N.