I Need a Collar...

A stunner: male Blue-headed Wagtail on Inner Farne (David Kinchin-smith)

Showing well...(Will Scott)

A cracking male Pied Flycatcher

Only on the Farnes.. Whinchat and Puffin

...and the male Collared Flycatcher at Low Newton - successfully twitched by the team

Wednesday 8th May comments: It’s been another epic day on the Farnes as the wind switched to the south-east bringing plenty of summer migrants, yet more seabird progress and then early evening drama.

As the day developed, south-easterly winds increased bringing the arrival of a good number of common migrants including up to 29 Willow Warblers and a stunning Pied Flycatcher. However the real star was a male ‘Blue-headed Wagtail’ which was seen on Inner Farne during the morning before departing west.

On the breeding seabird front, we discovered our first Razorbill eggs alongside the first Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher eggs. At long last, Kittiwakes started frantically nest building, so it won’t be long before they join the ‘egg club’. It’s now all go and our seabird city is very much alive and kicking.

And finally news broke of a cracking male Collared Flycatcher at Low Newton (just a few miles south of Seahouses) so the team were up and off to see this European beauty during the early evening. All-in-all, another good day and role on tomorrow…

Today’s highlights: Whimbrel 2, Purple Sandpiper 104, Common Sandpiper 2, Wood Pigeon 2, Blue-headed Wagtail male on Inner Farne – first since 2008, Meadow Pipit 4, Black Redstart 2, Wheatear 3, Whinchat 2, Skylark, Redwing 2 (late individuals), Collared Dove (second of the spring), Dunnock, Garden Warbler (first of the year), Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap 3, Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler 3, Chiffchaff 6, Willow Warblers 29, Pied Flycatcher male and Goldfinch 2.