Green Machine!

The little Green Machine! (Ciaran Hatsell)

Playing hide and seek! (Ciaran Hatsell)

Eastern Gem, wouldn't stay still! (Ciaran Hatsell)

Awful record shot of the Common Rosefinch! (Ciaran Hatsell)

Tree Pipit showing well, on the cottage roof! (Ciaran Hatsell)

Garden Warbler stops for a rest! (Ciaran Hatsell)

Grasshopper Warbler Farnes style, not a reedbed in sight! (Ciaran Hatsell)

Pied Flycatcher perches up (Ciaran Hatsell)

Spotted Flycatcher showing well (Bex Outram)

Another shot of yesterdays Citrine Wagtail! (David Steel)

Saturday 24^th August 2013 comments: And then, they came!

The last two days have seen a deluge of migrant birds invading the Farnes, from the common to the rare, it’s been something for everyone to enjoy. Both Rangers and visitors alike have been experiencing the miracles of migration, as light easterly winds and rain brought birds to the islands.

It all started yesterday with a stunning Citrine Wagtail found on Inner Farne, the fourth ever record for the islands! A good omen. If that wasn’t enough, this morning then saw the discovery of a fantastic Greenish Warbler on Brownsman Island, which was found feeding amongst seaweed, bouncing around the island like a tennis ball! It was very active and just wouldn’t say still, finding plenty of food and fuelling up before a long migration south. The bird represents just the 11^th record for the islands and the second in two years for this eastern gem.

In addition to this a great variety of migrants were present on the islands, including several that were caught and ringed as part of ringing demonstrations happening on the islands throughout the autumn. We’ll blog about these soon!

To cap off the fall, a Common Rosefinch was discovered on Brownsman late evening, the first since 2011 and a cherry on top of a nice migrant cake! With more light winds forecast, who knows what will happen next?! Keep your eyes on Planet Farnes, it’s about to go intergalactic!

Today’s Totals: Greenish Warbler 1, Common Rosefinch 1, Pied Flycatcher 8, Spotted Flycatcher 3, Redstart 1, Whinchat 8, Garden Warbler 5, Whitethroat 1,  Grasshopper Warbler 1, Willow Warbler 19, Tree Pipit 4, Wheatear 5.