Pup Parade

Seal pup putting on weight

New born on Brownsman

Mum keeping a watchful eye

Cow and pup together

Wednesday 21st November comments: Its been a good day on the islands as following two days of strong southerly winds, the weather eased and we took full advantage and entered the seal colonies. Thankfully the gales appeared to have done very little damage as seals young and old were well placed and were enjoying the settled weather.

The birth rates on the colonies are gradually slowing, as the peak has past and today brought 103 'new' pups, bringing the islands total to 1,366 born since the first in late September. The ranger team still have a few weeks on the islands so the overall population may yet reach 1,500 but only time will tell.

Birding has been generally quiet recently (as expected in westerly and southerly gales) although a Black Guillemot was discovered today - our first wintering bird back, whilst three Little Auks were seen in Staple Sound - almost 'standard' for the Farne Islands at this time of year.