Mighty May

Sunset over the Farne Islands (Graeme Duncan)

Mallard family on pond (Jamie Coleman)

Little Terns - up to 25 at roost (Jamie Coleman)

Lingering Black Redstart for third day (Jamie Coleman)

Swallows breeding back on Longstone (Jamie Coleman)

Monday 2nd May comments: How quick time fly’s when your having fun! Its crazy to think its now May – it only seems a few weeks ago we returned and here we are ready for the Arctic terns to settle! The season advances by the day and since the last update we’ve celebrated our first Kittiwake eggs and our first Shag chick! Alongside this success the first Sandwich Tern eggs have been found whilst Common and Arctic Terns continue to descend onto the islands daily and it won’t be long before they are settling on eggs themselves. More female Eider ducks are nesting whilst the cliff nesting species are more settled, with the majority of Auks now on eggs. On the visitor front, its been an amazing start as we’ve not lost a single day to bad weather in April whilst one or two ex-wardens have visited to say hello.

First egg dates:

Kittiwake 28th April
Razorbill 25th April

Puffin 15th April

Eider 12th April

Guillemot 10th April
Shag 23rd March

Recent bird highlights
Sun 24th Hooded Crow 1 west, Whitethroat (first of the year), Kestrel male and Pink-footed Goose 298 north in one skein

Tues 26th Sparrowhawk female, MARSH HARRIER female west towards the mainland

Fri 29th Manx Shearwater 5N (first of the year), Sparrowhawk male, Greylag Goose 8S, Whimbrel 2S (first of the year) and Tufted Duck 3N

Sat 30th Yellow Wagtail male, Chiffchaff 2, Willow Warbler 5, Black Redstart, Blackcap 3 and Lesser Whitethroat