Empire Shrikes Back!

Great Grey Shrike on Brownsman (Ciaran Hatsell)

Brambling's beware (Ciaran Hatsell)

Its a stunner; Black Redstart caught in visitor centre (Graeme Duncan)

Pause for thought: Fieldfare on Inner Farne (Graeme Duncan)

Hammer time - Yes, that really is our jetty

Monday 24th October comments: The Farnes is back in action. Following a very quiet autumn period, the winds have finally switched to the south-east and with it, a plethora of good birds have arrived. The weekend brought a variety of highlights including six Grey Phalaropes and Corncrake amongst others.

Today more birds poured into the islands, with some noticeable highlights including a stunning adult Great Grey Shrike which was observed killing a hapless Brambling. The sea has been monstrous, the islands battered but the warden team are happy. What tomorrow will bring is anyone's guess, but hopefully we will have more great birds to shout about. This place is rockin.

Today highlights: Moorhen (!) adult on Inner Farne - less than annual out here, Arctic Skua 7N, Great Skua 4N, Little Gull adult, Little Auk 1S, Short-eared Owl 3, Black Redstart 2 including one caught on Inner Farne, Great Grey Shrike adult on Brownsman, Lapland Bunting and Reed Bunting 5.