Land of Hoopoe Glory!



Blackcap saying hello to a....Hoopoe! (Graeme Duncan)



Unmistakeable visitor (Graeme Duncan)

Welcome to Planet Farnes (Graeme Duncan)

Farnes birding; Hoopoe feeding in Kittiwake nests... (Graeme Duncan)

At home on Brownsman (Graeme Duncan)

Check this out...stunning! (Graeme Duncan)

Olive-backed Pipit joy (David Steel)

Present all day (David Kinchin-smith)

Mealy Redpoll invasion is on (Graeme Duncan)

Winter theme; Glaucous Gull (Bex Outram)

Tuesday 15th October comments: Good morning Farne Islands! Planet Farnes was alive and well this morning as radio communication between the two islands burst into life. “Olive-backed Pipit” went the shout from Brownsman setting the team scurrying off in all directions. Fifteen minutes later “Olive-backed Pipit relocated Inner Farne” crackled back from the inner group team.

However moments later, the Farnes froze.

The radio scream said it all “HOOPOE Brownsman north rocks”. Enough said.

This is birding like you’ve never seen it before. The world was turned upside down in the space of one crazy hour before breakfast as bird, after bird, was being discovered across the rocky archipelago. Thrushes were on the move, Great Spotted Woodpeckers remained, the Little Bunting performed well and a Glaucous Gull drifted over reminding us of winter.

However all thoughts were on the Hoopoe and soon the entire team were enjoying great views of this exotic beauty. The bird showed well feeding on worms and grubs before settling in a Kittiwake nest; this is the Farnes after all.

It’s been another exciting period for the Farnes and I suspect there is plenty more in the locker. Watch this space…

Today’s Highlights:

Hoopoe (first for the Farnes since 1996 and only the sixth in the last 60 years!)
Olive-backed Pipit – 8th record for the islands and fourth consecutive year of records

Mealy Redpoll - invasion with over twenty present today

Great Spotted Woodpecker - two caught and ringed with wing lengths in excess of 141mm – northern race individuals (as we suspect all our woodpeckers have).

Little Bunting - still present on Brownsman

Lapland Bunting - one feeding alongside the Hoopoe!