Quiet Saturday

Saturday 4th April
It was a general quiet day on the islands, with very few breeding birds present and the wind was unexpectedly strong today. Inner Farne welcomed two boats during the course of the day, although only a handful of people made the journey due to the inclement weather. However before the wind had a chance to increase, a few migrant birds dropped in, including a striking Black Redstart. Other than listening to Newcastle United’s demise (not a bad thing for a Sunderland supporter), it was business as usual and the team went about completing some small tasks. The lads, most new to the Farnes, have acclimatised well to the Farnes and everyone is enjoying the experience and looking forward to the forthcoming months.

Weather: SW swinging to W 3-4 increasing to 6-7 late afternoon

Highlights: Black Redstart – a female-type showing well on dock bank on Inner Farne late afternoon, Merlin, Peregrine male over, Skylark 1 singing, Wheatear 3, Redwing, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest 6.

Breeding birds: The island remained empty of Guillemots and Puffins and the typical erratic behaviour is expected at this time of year but it won’t be long before things settle and the first eggs are laid. The breeding pair of Shelduck were seen again, whilst Rock Pipits inspect nest sites.

Foggy Days

A Farnes rare - Wood Pigeon at the Lighthouse!!

Snipe flying from the pond, Inner Farne

male Reed Bunting, singing, Inner Farne

Friday 3rd April
Our third open day and we woke to thick fog, as a result of the south-easterly winds. However the birders amongst the team were up early as the conditions were ideal for bringing in migrant birds. However despite the conditions, it was a slightly disappointing day although plenty of interesting things – the team are just getting use to birding an island – the Wood Pigeon put a smile on my face, as I know how scarce they are on the Farnes (just 5 or 6 records per year). Despite the conditions, we did receive visitors, as one boat landed mid-afternoon, although with all the Puffins and Guillemots gone, it was a slightly disappointing day!

Weather: South-easterly backing southerly wind 3-4 with thick fog all day – visibility poor throughout.

Highlights: A good scattering of migrants with the south-easterly winds although nothing rare. Highlights included: Peregrine lingering, Snipe, Purple Sandpiper 60, Wood Pigeon (scarce on here!), Wheatear 4, Fieldfare 16, Redwing 6, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting – singing male in veg garden.

Breeding birds: The thick fog prevented a count of the Sandwich Tern roost and the Auks disappeared once again, leaving the islands empty. However the breeding Shags remained with a light scattering of Kittiwakes and Fulmars. Interestingly the pair of Wrens were seen carrying nesting material, so it appears that they are going to attempt to breed again!!

Fools Day

Yesterday's Moorhen with the Puffins

Yesterdays Hooded Crow flying over the islands - heading north to Scotland!!

Photos by warden Joe Cockram

Wednesday 1st April
A new month and a new start. The 2009 season was starting for real for the team, as we welcomed our first visitors of the season to the islands, and they weren’t disappointed! However in true April fool style, I managed to get the birders amongst the team up slightly earlier than expected, as the shout of “Hoopoe” got them scrambling, until the penny dropped… Away from the tomfoolery, the fine weather remained with us and the first visitor boat landed just after 11am and it was great to share the islands with everyone. The breeding birds put on a good show, with plenty of Puffins whilst the discovery of the first Shag eggs was a major turn-up for the books. All went well and it’s just the start as things will only get better…

Weather: South-westerly backing southerly 2-3, sunny and warm

Highlights: Lapwing 2, Sandwich Tern 9 at roost, Short-eared Owl 1 west, Wheatear 4, Fieldfare 1, Robin 8, Goldfinch 1 south.

Breeding birds: Shags – first eggs discovered at Lighthouse cliff – 27 days earlier than last year! Shelduck – breeding pair returned, Mallard sitting on eggs, Puffins, Guillemots and Razorbills around and on the islands in good numbers, Ringed plover and Oystercatcher displaying, Pied Wagtails discovered checking nest sites in the stone wall.

Moorhen visitor

Tuesday 31st March Comment:
The final day of the month brought yet more settled and warm weather to the islands. Our Zodiac boat was launched for the first time and it was great to get out and about with a quick trip to the mainland (to see the real world, but don’t worry, we returned quickly!). The final preparations were made to the island and that was that, we’re ready for the big opening day which is not far away now. Thankfully all the Puffins are behaving and staying with us, so we might have a few things to show to our first visitors (fingers crossed). The mild weather brought further birding interest as a few more Sandwich Terns arrived whilst Hooded Crow and Moorhen were both recorded (and both rare visitors to the islands having not been seen since spring 2007). It’s strange when you get a bird out of context on the Farnes (we’ve only ever had two Blue Tits recorded!!) and to watch an adult Moorhen disappearing down Puffins burrows is very odd indeed!

Weather: W 2-3, warm and sunny

Highlights: Moorhen 1 adult (first since April 2007), Hooded Crow 1 north (first since April 2007), Corvid Passage including Rook 2 west, Jackdaw 3 west, Carrion Crow 8 west, Sandwich Tern 7 at roost, a light westerly passage of Linnet, Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipits.

Breeding Birds: Its all go and everything is back (for the time of year). The Puffins were scattered across the islands in full show whilst Guillemots were ranked on the cliff tops. Let’s hope they stick around for the grand opening.

Nice Sandwich!

Monday 30th March Comment
The weekends northerly wind was long forgotten as calm, sunny weather reached the Farne Islands. The team enjoyed a day of warm weather combined with a flat sea, ideal for working outside and finding the occasional interesting bird. The final touches to the island were being made in anticipation for Wednesday’s big opening to the public, as the final jetty was scrubbed clean and boardwalks repaired. The highlight of the day was without doubt the return of the Sandwich Terns – all four of them and I’m sure the next few nights will bring even more. The birds, having spent the winter off Africa, are the first to return and the Common and Arctic Terns will follow mid-April. Its an exciting time to be on the Farnes.

Weather: Southerly 2-3, warm and sunny spells

Highlights: Sandwich Tern 4 at the evening roost on Knoxes Reef also: Whooper Swan 12N, Red-throated Diver 1, Goldeneye 4, Chiffchaff 1 (our first of the year), Rock Pipit 1 littoralis race (from Scandinavia), Redwing 1.

Breeding Birds: Everything returned! The sunny calm conditions brought huge numbers of Guillemots to the cliff ledges along with Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Shags nest building and Puffins to the islands. At least two Wren’s were singing (we only got our first ever breeding record last year, so fingers crossed for some more!

As Cold as Ice

Saturday 28th March Comment
No messing this time. Forget the north-westerly winds, the forecasters got it right, as the islands were hammered by a northerly backed wind, and boy did it blow!! Any wind from the north results in ‘heavy seas’ and a very low chill factor, and yes it was cold, very cold (but were rough tough wardens, so I won’t complain too much…grumble grumble). However the team were cheered up by the appearance of a cracking Iceland Gull and some Long-tailed Ducks, although the chill factor reminded us that spring wasn’t with us just yet. As for work, the team took their foot off the pedal (at the bosses orders) as we relaxed listening to footy and catching up on other bits and pieces.

Weather: N 6-7 occasionally 8, very cold!

Highlights: ICELAND GULL first-winter showed well all afternoon feeding in the ‘kettle’ just off Inner Farne and then going to roost – our first Iceland Gull on the Farnes since April 2007. Others: Red-throated Diver 2, Long-tailed Duck 12, Goldeneye 3, Purple Sandpiper 72.

Breeding Birds: Nothing. The strong winds from the north have moved everything on including the Puffins and now the Shags, and it feels a very quiet island. It’ll take a while for everything to return and thoughts of potential early nesting have long since evaporated.

Windy Days

Its hard to believe, seven days ago the team were departing Seahouses...

Sunday 27th March Comment
Another day, another windy day, but this time even stronger! The shipping forecast mentioned “gales in all areas” and it wasn’t wrong, as the wind whipped across the North Sea and battered the islands. Looking ahead, there appears no change for Saturday, so it’s a case of keeping those hatches battered down. Despite the wind, the team went about business, getting on with bits of work including painting the dormitory (where painting everything at the moment, but jobs inside were high on the agenda), as well as other bits including scrubbing jetties and sorting the visitor centre out.

Weather: NW 8 occasionally 9 (that storm force!!) with bright sunshine

Highlights: Once again, the weather dominated and bird highlights were few with a bit of seawatching bringing Red-throated Diver and Common Scoter, otherwise it was quiet.

Breeding Birds: The Puffins remained on the islands including an individual with complete white wing tips!! Despite this, apart from the Shags, no other breeding seabirds were present and it still feels very quiet and we’re still waiting for our first Sandwich Tern.