Eider Don't Believe It!

Sitting tight - Our first nesting Eider

Dressed to impress - Drake Eider looking sharp

Barnacle Geese from Inner Farne (Laura Shearer)

Male Ring Ouzel (David Kinchin-Smith)

Friday 25^th April comments: What a day it’s been on planet Farnes! We have been shrouded in thick fog all day making the islands feel very murky, but the day has been far from dull. This morning our first Eider nest of the year was discovered in the old veg patch of Inner Farne. The female was sitting tight but allowed us a glimpse of her four eggs. She will be incubating these eggs for around four weeks and then we will be welcoming our first Eider ducklings.

And the bird news continued as a Moorhen was flushed from outside the cottage on Brownsman, representing the first record of this species in two years! This exciting news was soon followed by a large flock of almost 300 Barnacle Geese spotted over the Outer Group, which headed west and were soon giving the Inner Group fantastic views as they passed through the Kettle. Another highlight included a male and female Ring Ouzel on Inner Farne, clearly grounded by the fog.  

These are the Farnes and come rain or shine there’s always something going on – so why not come and see for yourself! 

Today’s totals: Barnacle Goose 290, Shoveler 2, Wigeon 2, Teal 1, Moorhen 1, Golden Plover 1, Common Sandpiper 1, Snipe 2, Wood Pigeon 1, Meadow Pipit 3, Robin 10, Wheatear 5, Song Thrush 9, Fieldfare 20, Blackbird 2, Ring Ouzel 2, Blackcap 6, Whitethroat 1, Willow Warbler 2, Chiffchaff 20, Brambling 9, Linnet 5, Reed Bunting