Red, White and Blue

Inner Farne's stunning Bluethroat (David Kinchin-Smith)

Feeling Blue? Not with one of these around!

Collared Dove - An uncommon visitor (David Kinchin-Smith)

Sheltering under Mum - our first Eider ducklings of the year

The first nest of many - Arctic terns now on eggs

Tuesday 20^th May comments: Today has been another action-packed day on planet Farnes. With an easterly flavour to the wind there came a very welcome passage of birds, with the highlight coming in the form of a Red Throated Pipit over Staple Island. The bird was identified by its very distinctive call as it was not seen on the ground, but a fantastic record nonetheless and the first of this species since 2009! The day continued strongly as later in the afternoon a stunning male Bluethroat was spotted on Inner Farne and was soon giving both visitors and rangers alike fantastic views!

A Collared Dove on the mainland would not give too much cause for excitement, but on the Farnes they are an uncommon visitor. Last year there were only two records of this species, and today we had our first record of 2014 with an individual perched in the old veg patch of Inner Farne. With other birds of note including Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher and Tree Pipit, it was a very good day for our passage visitors.

As far as our breeding birds our concerned things are really starting to kick off. Arctic terns are now busy laying eggs left, right and centre, after discovering our first egg last Thursday. Today we also welcomed our first Eider ducklings of the year on Inner Farne. After around six weeks of incubation Shag chicks are now starting to hatch underneath their parents and can be seen around the islands.

Eggs are being laid and eggs are hatching. This is the Farnes at its best so come and share it with us!

Today’s totals: Jack Snipe 1, Roseate Tern 3, Collared Dove 1, Whitethroat 4, Chiffchaff 5, Willow Warbler 4, Sedge Warbler 1, Spotted Flycatcher 2, Wheatear 1, Robin 1, Bluethroat 1, Tree Pipit 1, RED THROATED PIPIT 1