Saturday 23 July 2011

Out of the Storm

Puffins chilling on the rocks (Will Scott)


Calm in the storm - a Small Tortoiseshell (Will Scott)


Saturday 23rd July comments: It’s been an impressive day as the north wind has battered the islands and the huge sea prevented boats from sailing for a second day. Many people ask what we get up to when we are cut off from the outside world…well the answer…we work!

The team have taken full advantage of a visitor free period with lots of strimming of vegetation on Inner Farne (and there is a lot to do!) whilst the Brownsman team have been pond digging. However our attention turned to the open sea later in the day and we produced an impressive 27 Storm Petrels, moving north involving some great views – one was even chased by a juvenile Arctic Tern!! Its been an impressive spell and I suspect tomorrow will bring further sightings and no visitors. What has happened to July?

23rd July highlights: Storm Petrel 27N, Sooty Shearwater 3N, Manx Shearwater 13N, Arctic Skua 2N, Great Skua 3N

22nd July highlights: Red-throated Diver 1South, Sooty Shearwater 3N, Manx Shearwater 32N, Arctic Skua 8N, Great Skua 2N, Roseate Tern 4, RB Merganser 1N, Knot 193, Curlew 30, Bar-tailed Godwit 3.

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