Nothing to be Cross About

Juvenile Crossbill...our first since 2009 (David Steel)

Feeding in the hemlock (Will Scott)

Showing well as we dont have trees! (David Steel)

First Brambling of the autumn (David Kinchin-smith)

Wildfowl galore (David Kinchin-smith)

Nine Pintail heading over (David Kinchin-smith)

Tuesday 24th September comments: People often ask when is the best time to witness bird migration in action. The spring can be good but the autumn, especially September and October can be brilliant. With an estimated four billion birds moving from the northern to the southern hemisphere for the winter, there is a lot of birds on the move and with a bit of luck (and some help from the weather) things can get very exciting. 

Everything from the largest of swans to the smallest of warblers are on the move and any protruding headland or spit of land can attract birds. The Farnes is arguably one of the best sites on the east coast and today showed just why; a good array of common migrants including an impressive seven Yellow-browed Warblers (all the way from Siberia) and a very tame Crossbill, the islands first since September 2009. Tomorrow could bring more exciting birds so why not join us and see what you can see….

Todays highlights: Velvet Scoter 2N, Pintail 9N, Shoveler 3N, Jack Snipe 3, Greenshank, Skylark, Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit 80+ moving though, Redwing 4 (first of the autumn), Ring Ouzel (first of the autumn), Song Thrush 8, Redstart 2, Wheatear 2, Garden Warbler 2, Sedge Warbler 2, Yellow-browed Warbler an impressive 7 (Brownsman 4, Inner Farne 3), Chiffchaff 12, Willow Warbler 3, Whitethroat 2, Blackcap 3, Goldcrest, Pied Flycatcher, Brambling 21 (first of the autumn), Chaffinch, Snow Bunting 2 (first of the autumn) and Reed Bunting.