Double celebration

Bobby with granddaughter Grace

Friday 9th September comments: There was double celebration in Seahouses recently as two well known boatmen had plenty to cheer. Mad keen Newcastle United supporter Bobby Person celebrated becoming a Grandad as his daughter, Becky, gave birth to a healthy baby girl; Grace, two weeks ago. As you can see, it hasn't taken Bobby long to get Grace kitted out in a Newcastle shirt, much to the disgust of this Sunderland supporting head warden!

Even more great news followed on Tuesday, as William and Rachel Shiel welcomed their second child, a baby daughter, Matilda Rose. I'm sure a few sleepless nights are expected but everyone connected with the Farnes wishes them all well.

Ear today, gone tomorrow

Little Egret once again on the Longstone (Andy Denton)

Wheatears on the move

Over 71 today on the islands

Thursday 8th September comments: Its been a slow period for passage as westerly winds have dominated (up to gale force at times). However today brought a decrease in wind strength. allowing a small movement of birds through the islands.

The juvenile Little Egret returned to Longstone, once again, as it fed happily in rocks pools on the far eastern outcrop of the Farne Islands. A total of 71 Wheatears were counted across the islands (the highest ever day total) whilst 4 Whitethroats reminded us that there is autumn passage on. Throw in a female Sparrowhawk, a lingering Peregrine and a Kestrel, it hasn't bee a bad day on the islands. However the wind is due to increase once again, so here we go again...

Tweet

The world of social media has reached the Farne Islands as we've branched out to the world of Twitter. For those who 'tweet', you can follow the daily movements of head warden David Steel on the islands throughout the autumn (with plenty of updates about our Grey Seals) on @NTsteely.

Although this is fairly new (to me) we already have other unofficial twitters on the islands. resident warden Wez Smith can be followed on @FarnesWardenWez (well worth a look, he's been tweeting all season) as well as local boatman Andy Douglas on @thefarnes.

Therefore if you're bored and want to follow the daily lives of Farne Islands wardens, get tweeting...

lined Gannet

Gannet up close and personal (Bex Outram)

Cutting line (Bex Outram)

Nearly free (Bex Outram)


Ready for release (Bex Outram)

Saturday 3rd September comments: Its been a quiet spell on the islands as the prevailing wind has prevented any major migration passage although the first autumn Brent Geese moved through yesterday whilst small numbers of wildfowl are now on the move.

The hazards of discarded fishing gear raised its ugly head again recently as the team had to rescue two immature Gannets off Brownsman, which had entangled themselves together with fishing line. Amazingly the birds had managed to twist fishing line around their beaks and no other part of their bodies, so it was time to send in the wardens to the rescue...

The birds were soon caught and the line removed and thankfully no harm had been done to either bird, so they were released unharmed to fight another day. To have these large, powerful birds in the hand was such a privilege but at the end of the day, it was just another day for Farne Island warden team. Role on tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Will!

25 today...Will Scott

Tuesday 30th August comments: An early blog post as we are celebrating yet another birthday on the islands, this time Will Scott is 25 today. The boy from the Isles of Scilly (he's a long way from home!) has enjoyed his first season on the islands as an Inner Farne warden and I suspect it won't be his last.

On a bird front, seawatching has continued this morning with 162 Manx Shearwaters, 18 Sooty Shearwaters and 8 Great Skuas all heading north before 10am today. Happy days!

Eyes to the sea

Manx Shearwater in full flow

Monday 29th August comments. The strong north-west winds resulted in a second day without boats but all eyes were trained to the sea as seawatching produced some reasonable totals.

Today's totals: Sooty Shearwater 33N, Manx Shearwater 357N, Great Skua 15N 9S, Arctic Skua 3N 15S and Storm Petrel 2N.

Not a bad result with a few waders noted included Greenshank, Whimbrel 2 and Common Sandpiper. It'll be interesting to see what tomorrow brings.

Never mess with a Fulmar...

A Fulmar chick ready to fledge (Ciaran Hatsell)

Fulmar saved by warden Will Scott (Anne Wilson)

Saturday 27th August comments: After the last few days excitement, the islands have gone quiet again, as the winds have switched to the north-west and yesterday's Wrynecks have moved on. However we've still got plenty to do and that includes helping our birds.

The Fulmar population is at record levels (almost 300 pairs nesting on here) and their chicks are now just fledging (yes, it takes a long time for them to fledge!). Yesterday the team spotted one such newly fledged bird, struggling out at sea and soon the bedraggled bird was rescued and placed in a box to allow it to dry. Although it never really thanked us for this act (it just tried to oil us), the bird was soon recovering and was returned to its nesting area, to try again. This time, try not get waterlogged Mr Fulmar!