Early start?

Early start - Shag on nest

Impressive crest!

Lots of Shags but nothing much else

Thursday 15th March comments: It's been a very mild start to March and the settled weather continues as flat seas and sunny conditions enticed me out to the islands for a brief check of the Farnes. The visit brought a scattering of Puffins and Razorbills (although Guillemots were not present) whilst kittiwakes remain in small numbers. However a good number of Shags have built large nest structures and it appears where heading for another early start to the season (mirroring the previous two seasons). The ranger team return to the islands next week and then I'll be bringing you regular updates of the breeding season.

Highlights: Gadwall pair in the kettle off Inner Farne (scarce visitor to Farnes), Barnacle Goose 6N, Canada Goose pair on Inner Farne, Peregrine female, Lapwing 1 by pond, Skylark 1 over, Robin 3, Wren 3, Blackbird 1 and Goldcrest 2 (early migrants).

9,000 miles to go...

Stunning - adult Sandwich Tern

Tuesday 13th March comments: Just getting news that one of our Sandwich Terns has been sighted at some salt works near Swakopmund, Namibia!! The bird was seen only a few days ago having been ringed originally as a chick on Inner Farne on 25 June 2005. The bird was present in a roost of 170 birds and was discovered by Mark Boorman and reported to the BTO in the UK. The bird is currently 8,979km away from the Farnes, so it's got some travelling to do in the next few weeks!

Sandwich Terns spend the winter in West Africa and soon will be winging their way back north - this bird has some 9,000kn to cover before returning to the islands to breed this summer. This is yet another great example of the value of bird ringing and as we get more results, I'll keep you informed.

Puffins in Farne Waters

Monday 12th March comments: Look who's back! Following a visit to Seahouses today, I was informed by several boatmen that the first Puffins have arrived back into 'Farnes waters' (as predicted two months ago!). Up to eight were seen around the Farnes yesterday although these early returnees have yet to sample life back on the islands.

It'll be some time before the birds set foot back on the islands (the birds last touched land eight months ago - yes they really have been at sea since August). Puffins will gather in numbers over the next few weeks and then eventually in late March, will touch-down on the breeding colonies and life of the Farnes Puffins will begin. I'm delighted the birds are returning but what kind of winter it has been for them is unclear, as only time will tell. Fingers crossed it's been a good one and we have plenty of birds to report when the rangers arrive next week.

Further prep.

Eye-eye - A Shag up close

Not long before the first migrants arrive -like this a stunning Wheatear

Saturday 10th March comments: The seaons preparations continue as we are only a week away from the return of the Rangers to Seahouses for pre-season training. In under two weeks we'll be sailing to the islands and getting everything ready for the big kick-off on 1st April when we'll open our doors to the visitors.

For those who are considering a trip out in early April, won't be disappointed as there will be plenty to see. The seabird breeding season will just have kicked-off with thousands of Guillemots and Puffins coming and going on a daily basis, checking out old nest sites and getting use to life back on land (having spent the winter at sea).

If the season follows the trend of recent years, we'll have Shag's on eggs, whilst Kittiwakes will be present in good numbers. If the weather remains settled, the first Sandwich Terns will be arriving whilst migrant birds like Wheatear's and Chiffchaff's will start moving through the Farnes on their northward migration.

It's an exciting time of year to visit but if you can't visit - don't worry - just keep following the blog as I'll bring you island life throughout the year.

On the way

Small numbers of Guillemots on clifftops (Anne Wilson)

Small numbers of Kittiwakes back (Anne Wilson)

Clean and ready to go - Inner Farne west cliff (Anne Wilson)

Brownsman cottage looking good (Anne Wilson)

Saturday 3rd March comments: The fine weather and great start to early spring continues and the Farnes has a big month ahead. March will see good numbers of seabirds return including Puffins, some birds will even be on eggs by the end of the month whilst the rangers will be back in residence mid-month.

News from the islands yesterday included small numbers of Guillemots back on the cliff ledges, Shags and Cormorants present in good numbers, Kittiwakes have returned to Farne's waters whilst Razorbill are present. Further out to sea, Gannets are moving north whilst large numbers of Auks are waiting to head back to the islands later this month. The season has started.

Bird Ringing

Puffin ringing - bill biometrics been taken

Shag 'darvic' ring (readable in the field)

Night time Storm Petrel ringing

Thursday 1st March comments: Just like many other seabird reserves, the Farne Islands has an important bird ringing scheme in operation, led by Dr Chris Redfern, myself and the ranger team on the islands. During the summer months, a range of scientific data is collected from Arctic Tern biometrics to Puffin weights and Shag wing lengths. This data collected feeds into a national database organised by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). Over the years some interesting results have been produced and this winter was no different, as Farne ringed birds have been reported far and wide. Some of the highlights reported this winter include:

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  Shag chick ringed on Brownsman in 1982 was found dead in Eastbourne, East Sussex in September 2011 (an unusual southerly movement for this species)


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  Shag chick ringed on Staple Island on 12 June 1981 was found dead in Fife on 16 June 2011 - this exceeds the current UK longevity record for a Shag by just over a month


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  Puffin ringed on Brownsman in 1981 was found locally in Northumberland in April 2011


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  Fulmar chick ringed on Brownsman in August 2010 was recovered dead on the shoreline at Texel, Holland after a period of violent weather on 25 May 2011


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  Other interesting news has included reports of three Kittiwakes discovered breeding elsewhere having been ringed on the Farnes. These sites included Isle of Scilly, Anglesey and Denmark!


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  Ringed Plover ringed as a chick on Brownsman in June 2010 was recovered at Beadnell on 30 April 2011 as a result of predation by a Gull.

Flying over

Early season preparation - visitor boats out of the water

Wednesday 29th February comments: Everything is in place now as we cross the 't's and dot the 'i's. In eighteen days time the rangers will return to Seahouses and soon after we'll be heading back to the Farnes for another season. Time has gone so quick but with a few final things to do, it's almost time to open our doors.

At present the visitor boats have been lifted clear of the harbour, as each one receives its annual spring clean and safety inspection ready for another year at sea. They'll soon be bringing the daily visitors and more importantly our supplies and post! Life on 'Planet Farne' will start again and for me, I'm about to start year twelve on the rock. I must be mad.

Early indications suggest that more birds are returning to Farne waters with an increase in Razorbill and Guillemot numbers whilst the first Puffin sighting will not be far away. Harbour Porpoise have already been reported in recent days whilst Fulmars occupy the cliff ledges. Soon seabird city will be alive and well and you must come and visit, it's one unbelievable place, and who better to tell you than me.