Display day

Fulmar squabble with Pele Tower in background (Andy Denton)

Advanced second-summer Mediterranean Gull displaying

Cormorants displaying (Andy Denton)

Sunday 8th April comments: Easter Sunday brought more cool, unsettled weather although the sea state remained reasonably calm to allow boats to sail. The breeding seabirds continued to settle although the Auks are still hit and miss at present - Puffins were here first thing but gone by mid-afternoon - typical behaviour at this time of year (it won't be long before they settle).

On the East Wideopens (one of only two Cormorant colonies on the Farnes), up to 49 pairs have nests and birds were seen displaying. Sandwich Tern numbers continue to increase (it won't be long before our first Arctic Tern arrives) and Fulmars are very evident across the breeding ledges.

Highlights: Red-throated Diver 9N, Sandwich Tern 312 at roost, Mediterranean Gull second-summer displaying with Black-headed Gulls, Song Thrush 7, Blackbird and Lesser Redpoll west.