Still no go

Brownsman's latest arrival

Stand clear - a Bull seal keeping his ground

Monday 26th October comments:
So it goes on. The wind direction may have changed but where going nowhere. Just over a week ago, a south-easterly weather front battered the islands and it’s not stopped since. Today, at long last, the wind switched direction swinging to….the north. Things don’t get much better, as instead of a hammering from the south-east, we’ll just take it from the north. However it’s all change again tonight as we head back to south-easterly gales. Role on some calm westerly’s… Despite the storms, the teams morale is still good although with sugar and milk running low, it may change in the near future (the lads aren’t keen on long-life milk…)

On the islands, the number of seal pups increases daily and we’ve had several new arrivals on Staple Island whilst two more pups have been born on Brownsman. The storms appear not to be causing many problems however where still a few weeks away from peak birth rates and peak time for storm season. It’s going to be interesting.

Highlights: Richard’s Pipit 2 remain on Brownsman having originally arriving from the east on 11th and 13th October respectively – these really are record breakers for the islands – they don’t want to leave! Willow Warbler, Firecrest – a new arrival on Brownsman, the 4th this autumn, Goldcrest 2, Snow Bunting 2, Reed Bunting 1.

Look who's back...

Battered - the wind returns

Saturday 24th October comments:
Was it over? Had the wind eased, were we going to escape for vital food supplies and would the islands be open to the public?

No. short and simple.

Overnight the wind had returned and within a few hours of daylight, the huge breaking waves hammering the islands had returned. We’re not getting out of this in a hurry. The islands have been battered since Monday evening and yesterday we experienced a calming off period when we thought our chances of escaping was good. How wrong could we be. Looking at the forecast, its going to be a tough week ahead and we could, possibly, be looking at next weekend before its calm enough to leave. Rationing water supply and food has just reached top of the agenda. Its storm season and don’t we know it.

Away from the storm, the Grey Seals continue pupping, as just since yesterday, five new pups have been born on Staple Island but we’re not due to make an official count until Tuesday. Otherwise all is well and the pups are keeping clear of the turbulent seas and the madness that is the North Sea. Migrants were few and far between today, as lashing rain and gale force winds made viewing very difficult. However it was obvious that we’d had a clear-out as most birds had disappeared and moved on.

Highlights: Jack Snipe on pond, Richard’s Pipit – no surprise the two birds still remain, Chiffchaff 2, Willow Warbler, Firecrest lingering, Goldcrest 3 and Snow Bunting 2.

Sealing mission

Mum and pup sticking close together on Staple Island

Stand clear - an angry mum warning us off

Grey Phalarope feeding Staple Sound (Brownsman in distance)
sorry for photo - taken on my phone!

Friday 23rd October comments:
Dawn on Friday, the end is neigh; the storm is over.....or is it? As the first rays of daylight streamed across the Farnes, the team were up and about although we had a few ‘over-night’ guests to release as both a Goldcrest and surprisingly, the Firecrest had taken advantage of the warmth of the building. Its not every day that you share a room with some migrant birds, but nothing should surprise us anymore. This is planet Farnes after all.

Although the open sea remained mountainous, the wind had eased enough to allow us access to the nearby Seal colonies. So Friday was a busy day as the team went about spraying, counting and tagging the young pups on the islands and we’ve now got a respectable 96 new pups (only 1,200 to go.....).

On the way back we discovered a Grey Phalarope feeding on the surface of the sea – a great little bird which showed well by our Zodiac inflatable. However due to the lack of cameras on board, I had to use my phone to sneak a few 'record shots' of this unusual visitor. 'Grey Phals' are annual on the Farnes although still remain rare elsewhere - it's the beauty of sticking four miles out in the North Sea! However as darkness fell, all was not well. The windows were rattling, the wind had increased once again from the south-east and here we go again, there is no escape.

Highlights: Grey Phalarope 1 in Staple Sound between Inner Farne and Brownsman feeding on the sea by boat! Lapwing 1 west, Woodcock 2, Richard’s Pipit 2 yet again, Fieldfare 16, Redwing 38, Song Thrush 9, Blackbird 27, Wheatear 1 lingering, Robin 15, Redstart 2, Black Redstart 2 (Inner Farne and Brownsman), Blackcap 2, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff 8, Firecrest 2 (Brownsman and Inner Farne), Goldcrest 11 and Reed Bunting 4.

Grey Seal pup population: population counts so far
North Wamses 52
South Wamses 38
Longstone 1
Brownsman 2
Staple Island 3

Total 96

Storming over

Morning world - the Brownsman seal pup says hello

On the move - small numbers of Redwing

Its a small world - Goldcrest looking for food

Thursday 22nd October comments:
It’s not over and we know it. Day three and there was no let up. The day witnessed a drop in the wind, but the booming south-easterly swell was still producing waves big enough to crash over the Pinnacle stacks, which tower 80ft above the surface of the sea. This is some storm season and the wardens understand one thing about this time of year; there is no escape. As darkness fell, the wind was whipping back up and the stormy seas were angry once again, where in it for the long haul.

Despite the storm, the Grey Seals just get on with daily business as if nothing is happening. The bulls have moved up onto Staple to defend important colonies, whilst young pups, few in number, cling onto shingle banks hoping the next big wave is not their last. Thankfully all seals appear fine and well, as Staple Island now has two pups whilst Brownsman has just got the one. Hopefully the team will be able to visit the satellite colonies soon, as we should have a few more to report.

Migrants birds have continued to filter through the islands with a few interesting arrivals. However the day belonged to a cheeky Goldcrest which roosted overnight in the dormitory in the cottage before being released unharmed as dawn broke over Brownsman. The little bird, Britain’s smallest, has probably crossed the North Sea from Scandinavia and a little rest bite and warmth in the cottage was probably most welcome. Interestingly, the bird returned tonight and we’ll be heading to bed later with a Goldcrest sleeping alongside us for a second night...

Highlights: Water Rail 1 on Staple (first of the year – a rarity out here), Lapwing 3, Jack Snipe 1, Snipe 2, Woodcock 5, Wood Pigeon (rare out here!), Richard’s Pipit 2 STILL remain on Brownsman, Skylark 29W, Black Redstart 1st winter, Redstart 2, Wheatear, Robin 21 (influx), Firecrest 1 fem/imm for second day, Blackcap 3, Chiffchaff 4, Yellow-browed Warbler 1 at dusk (5th this year), Goldcrest 10, Red-breasted Flycatcher 1st winter – 2nd this season, Brambling 15, Chaffinch and Reed Bunting 7.

Storm season

Brownsman only Seal pup - safe and well

Staple Island being battered

Wednesday 21st October comments:
Day two of the storm and it remains real, it remains big. The south-easterly weather-front has remained constant and the sea has increased in size as two days of strong winds has ensured some impressive swell which is smashing itself into the islands. Although the Farnes are only 4 miles off the north Northumberland coast, that gap may as well be wider, as we’ll not see anyone else for some time. Forecasters are looking at next Tuesday, maybe. As the storm rages, the Shags look bemused, the Seals don’t care and the wardens look in awe. Welcome to the Farnes, this is storm season.

As for the seal pups, although few in number, they know when to keep their heads down and shelter out of reach of the vicious North Sea. The mothers are street-wise, they’ll know how to keep the youngsters safe and that’s a good thing. Migrant birds have also been dropping in today, somewhat bedraggled, as our lingering Richard’s Pipit remain, whilst a Firecrest was the pick of the rest.

Highlights: Woodcock 2, Short-eared Owl, Richard’s Pipit 2 STILL remain on Brownsman – the first of these two arrived over eleven days ago! Skylark 21, Black Redstart 1st winter, Ring Ouzel 1st male, Firecrest 1 fem/imm (2nd of the season), Blackcap 2, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest 5, Brambling 7, Chaffinch and Reed Bunting 4.

Storm time

Big waves battering Brownsman

Lonely and bleak - Longstone Lighthouse

Under siege - Jason inspecting Staple Island from Brownsman

Tuesday 20th October comments:

Good morning world, its storm time. I woke just after 3am to the sound of ‘dancing’ roof tiles – the storm was starting to bite and by dawn it was evident the forecasters had indeed not got it wrong. The south-easterly wind had kicked in during the night and it was raging and things did not change during the day - the wind and sea just battered the islands, relentlessly. The forecast is indicting that we’re due to be battered until at least Sunday – that’s five days away, so where in for a long haul.

Despite the weather life continues as normal on the Farnes, as the team got on with a few bits of practical work, whilst the first Grey Seal pup was born on Brownsman, well away from danger at the north end of the islands. We also had the bizarre sight of male Eiders, now back in their striking full summer-plumage (having been in moult during the late summer) starting to display. So there we had the surreal sight of displaying male Eiders in huge mountainous seas - what a crazy world, but then again this is the Farnes and its no ordinary place...

Highlights: Peregrine, Woodcock, Fieldfare 11, Redwing 73, Richard’s Pipits 2 – both still here, there going nowhere in this! The birds remain vocal and flighty at times, but appear very settled on the island (maybe linked to the lack of predators – raptors have been few and far between and we’ve got no other ground predators on the Farnes), Ring Ouzel 2 (male and first-winter), Blackcap male, Brambling and Reed Bunting 2.

Siege!

Calm before ther storm - a calm Brownsman south end

Zodiac boats secured and away from the jetty

Jason with vital supplies - the beers!

Monday 19th October comments:

The siege is on. It’s the autumn and only one thing keeps us on our toes – storms, big blasting storms and its coming. The forecast has been building it, the isobars are getting tighter and the wind is increasing. Next stop – mayhem.

The islands are expecting a battering as a raging south-easterly storm which, if forecasters are to be believed, will last the week and not much is going to stand in its way. The wind will blow across the North Sea, and stop at the first thing in its way – the Farne Islands. Expect trouble. Today has seen some important work – planning for a siege. The local Co-op was happy with the teams arrival today as we spent over £200 between four of us but we’re fully stocked and ready. The islands boats and equipment have been moved and secured, the storage areas lashed down and entrance signs removed. It’s going to be brutal but we’re ready.

As for the Seals, where up to 26 pups as the team made it onto the colonies yesterday and their all doing well, but then again in calm conditions its what we'd expect. Hold on to your hats, its not just the wardens about to experience a battering, the big seas might just cause the Seals a few problems…watch this space.

Highlights: Brent Goose 2 pale-bellied lingering, Richard’s Pipit 2 remain – still present together on Brownsman – will they ever leave? Chiffchaff, Blackcap male, Brambling and Reed Bunting 2 – generally quiet