Many Happy Re-terns!

St.Cuthbert's Chapel cleaned and open

The big clean up begins

Scrub down of the Visitor centre

Toilets getting a good spring clean

David with his line-drawing



Sunday 23rd March comments: It's been a good weekend for the Farnes team as the mild weather has allowed us to get on with opening up the buildings and giving the place a good spring clean. We have one week to get everything ready before we open to the public so plenty to do before then.

The new members of the team are just finding their feet (living and working on an island takes some adjusting!) but everyone is in good spirits as we enter our first week on Planet Farnes. New ranger David is even trying his hand at some line-drawings....so watch this space!

On the bird front, westerly winds have blocked any real migration although tonight we welcomed our first Sandwich Tern of the season (second earliest ever record) whilst a nice adult Mediterranean Gull was a welcome sight. Seabirds have also been very evident with Puffins making landfall for the first time whilst Guillemots and Razorbills have been well represented. 

The Farne's season is well underway!

Welcome home!

That's a lot of stuff to move...

...and a boat full ready to sail

Full boat and happy team

Boat lands at Inner Farne

Unloading starts

Welcome home...a Peregrine on St.Cuthbert's Chapel

herd of Whooper Swans north

Welcome home; the Pele Tower

Saturday 22nd March comments: We made it. Friday 21st March was a big day as the team moved everything from personal kit to boardwalk timber to Inner Farne to start life on the islands. The team will live and work on the Farnes for the next nine months and we had to bring everything with us as we prepare the islands for opening on 1st April.

The day was long and hard (plenty of stuff moved) but the team celebrated on the island that evening as life on Planet Farnes begins yet again. On the bird front, two herds of Whooper Swans flew north (flocks of 28 and 39) whilst a Peregrine was noted killing a Woodcock. A few seabirds were present including good numbers of Shag’s with well constructed nests.

So welcome back everyone….here we go again; are you with us?

St.Cuthbert's Day!

St.Cuthbert



His final resting place in Durham cathedral



Thursday 20th March comments: Happy St.Cuthbert's Day! The final day of mainland training is now with us and what a day; St.Cuthbert's day. The northern Saint lived and eventually died on Inner Farne on 20th March 687 before his body was taken to various parts of the north-east of England before finally resting in Durham cathedral. St.Cuthbert was the first 'warden' of the Farne Islands as he protected the local nesting Eider ducks; hence the local name 'Cuddy Ducks'. I'll be raising a glass to the mighty Cuthbert tonight as we prepare for life on an island; tomorrow morning we move back to the Farne Islands and then the real fun begins....BRING IT ON!!!!

Day Three and counting

Training week: Team hard at work

Deep in tought...rangers Lana and David

Everything you need to know about the National Trust



Male Crossbill; one of a flock of 32 seen at Gibside (David Kinchin-smith)

Wednesday 19th March comments: Three days down and we’re almost there. The team have been based at Gibside National Trust (well worth a visit!) learning and preparing for the new season ahead. Returnees and new faces amongst the team are gearing up for life on an island and they can’t wait!

With a First Aid course to complete tomorrow, the team will be ready and on Friday morning we’ll (hopefully) be sailing to the islands…weather permitting. It’s been a good start with everyone settling in well and the base at Gibside has given us the chance to catch up with some of its stunning wildlife including up to Five Dippers, 32 Crossbills and several red Kites. The Farnes season has begun!

Look who's back...

Monday 17th March comments: Look who’s back. Today marks the start of the ‘Farne Islands Season 2014’ as the team are gathering to spend the next five days on the mainland. During this time we’ll be training and preparing for another nine months on the ‘rock’ as the Farne Islands season is just about to start.

This year sees a few changes as a few old faces have moved on (to bigger and better things; but more to follow later), whilst the new staff are probably wondering what they have let themselves in for…

This is the Farnes, brace yourself, we’re heading back…Welcome to Planet Farnes!

Puffins Return

Puffins return to Farne waters

Very early; Shags with nest structures

Guillemots galore on the cliff-tops

Inner Farne looking mighty fine

Thursday 13th March comments: A brief visit to the Farne Islands yesterday produced more than expected as a lot of our seabirds have returned early. A good number of Puffins were discovered bobbing about the sea under the cliffs of Inner Farne whilst thousands of Guillemots were present. Even more surprising, Shag's were on next structures; all of this in complete contrast to last year.

The mild weather of recent has helped encourage birds back early and only time will tell if it's been a good move. March can still throw some poor weather our way, so I would not be surprised if these early returnees moved off again soon. However its a good sign and now we will all start asking the question; just how early will this season be?

Are You Ready?

Dawn of a new Farnes season (Graeme Duncan)

Rise and shine Inner Farne

Seabirds coming to an island near you!

Saturday 8th March comments: Are you ready? The team are preparing, the seabirds are returning and soon the Farne Islands will be alive with the sights, sounds and smells (!) of thousands of seabirds. We open our doors to the public on 1st April but we have some way to go before then.

In the next three weeks we have to prepare and train on the mainland before eventually moving out to live and work on the islands. As ever we’ll be bringing you all the news and views from the islands via the blog (or twitter: @NTSTeely) so stay tuned. Fasten your seatbelts, get ready, Planet Farnes is alive and kicking. Bring it on.