Over the Spoon!

A male Eider at his best

One flew over Brownsman - adult Spoonbill heading north

And don't come back...a Herring Gull see's off the Spoonbill


Sunday 19th April
It was a good weekend, as warm sunny conditions prevailed over the islands resulting in plenty of breeding bird activity although surprisingly, not that many visitors. The team enjoyed the pleasant conditions and we even managed to escape to the mainland for a few well deserved pints on Saturday evening (hence the lack of blog details yesterday and oh yes, my footy team won!).

However the announcement comes in the form of the first annual football match between the Wardens and Seahouses boatmen has been arranged. The game has been scheduled for this Wednesday evening in Seahouses, kick-off 18:30 and there’s plenty at stake, especially the local bragging rights, so I’d best get my team into training – for those who know me, they’ll tell you I don’t like losing, especially to the boatmen…. Let battle commence!

Back to island action and we had some….A Spoonbill!!!! The bird was discovered at 07:50 this morning drifting over the south end of the islands before heading north towards Holy Island. This spectacular visitor has been recorded on the Farnes on seven previous occasions involving ten individuals and this was the first since two flew south through Staple Sound on 19 August 2006. Records for the Farnes have increased in recent years following the first in 1988 with other records in 2002, 2003 and 2006.

Weather: S 3-4 with bright sunshine and warm conditions

Highlights: Spoonbill north at 07:50, Gannet 1,194 north in one hour count, Whimbrel 1 (6 yesterday), Wood Pigeon on Longstone, ‘White Wagtail’ on Longstone, Wheatear 6, Song Thrush 1, Robin 17, Willow Warbler 13, Chiffchaff 5, Blackcap 3, Grasshopper Warbler 1 still on Brownsman, Carrion Crow 20 – good passage, Goldfinch 3. Evening roost: Sandwich Tern 310, Arctic Tern 2, Common Tern 1 and Common Gull 97.

Breeding Birds: Puffins very settled on islands, Guillemots – the first eggs were discovered on Inner Farne, Eider at least five females now nesting (700 to go then!), Black-headed Gull settling at nesting colony on Inner Farne, Wren carrying nest material, Pied Wagtail with 5 eggs using nest box near Lighthouse.