Ort-umn Starts Here!

Migrant cracker; Ortolan Bunting (David Steel)

Showing well on Brownsman (David Steel)

First since 2010 (David Steel)

Present late afternoon on Brownsman (Laura Shearer)

Thursday 11th September comments: It’s September and anything can happen. This is the Farne s and boy when it happens, it can happen, and today was one of those days…

Today witnessed a continuation of the recent mild weather with warm conditions and flat seas. A few migrant birds were on the move as three Pied Flycatchers, Reed Warbler and Garden Warbler all arrived but then Brownsman pulled it out of the bag.

Just after 4pm, an obliging first-winter Ortolan Bunting was discovered feeding along the east rocks of the island and showed well to the admiring ranger team. This represents the first record on the islands since three were together in September 2010 and is this just a sign of things to come? Watch this space…its about to get interesting…