Shear Greatness



Manx Shearwaters galore (Bex Outram)



Wednesday 20th August comments: It’s been an interesting week as we remain cut off due to the heavy seas and strong winds. However things are gradually improving and we’ll be back in business before we know it. Despite the lack of visitors, we’ve been recording and monitoring as usual and it’s been a good few days…

On Tuesday a GREAT SHEARWATER was tracked up the Northumberland coast and just after 14:30 we discovered the bird flying north trough Staple Sound. This rare visitor was only the thirteenth record for the Farnes and the first since 2007. Also of note were the number involved as today produced 507 Manx Shearwaters and 6 Sooty Shearwaters north past the islands.

Other noticeable highlights included an adult Pomarine Skua (with full ‘spoon’s’) along with plenty of Great and Arctic Skuas. Its not just sea passage as waders are also on the move with four Ruff, Green Sandpiper and Greenshank seen on the Farnes today. It’s never dull!