Owl-packed Farnes

Olive-backed Pipit for second day on Brownsman (DavidSteel)



Creeping around the vegetation (David Steel) 



Peek-a-boo Short-eared Owl (David Roche)

One of three Short-eared Owls on the Farnes today (David Roche)

Thursday 16th October comments: Today brought much promise but delivered so little. The easterly winds continued and despite the occasional rain shower, very little new arrived on the Farnes. The Olive-backed Pipit remained for a second day on Brownsman (and showed well!) whilst a new Yellow-browed Warbler arrived (joining one from yesterday).

Interestingly three Short-eared Owls were discovered across the outer group as they moved westwards to winter in Britain from Scandinavia whilst two Lapland Buntings were discovered on Inner Farne.

Tomorrow should, at long last, see a drop in the winds and hopefully we’ll welcome our first visitors of the week (and we can restock on food and water!). Then we’ll be taking a closer look at our Grey Seal pups….

Today’s highlights: Short-eared Owl 3, Olive-backed Pipit for second day, Yellow-browed Warbler 2, Mealy Redpoll 1, Lapland Bunting 2 (first of the autumn)