Rain keeps falling on my head

From sunshine to flooding in ten minutes! 

Safe, but only just...Arctic tern chicks sheltering 

Brownsman bathroom visitor...

Tuesday 19th June comments: Just a quick morning update - the islands have been basking in glorious sunshine over the last 24hours (it makes a lovely change) but this morning we had a freak heavy downpour which lasted all of ten minutes. In that time, the pathways were flooded and the Terns were in shock. Even the Puffins were sheltering in our bathroom, but as I type, the sun is back out and all is forgotten. This British summer keeps on changing...

Jump around

Video of guillemot chicks jumping (Ciaran Hatsell)

Happy parent; adult and chick Guillemot (Will Scott) 

Youngster waiting to go (Will Scott) 

Monday 18th June comments: Guillemots are amazing birds. They nest on the Farnes in their thousands, laying a single egg and incubating it under their feet (Penguin style!). Once hatched, the young chick is raised and then at 20 days old, the chick is called down to the sea and the adult male takes the youngster out into the North Sea where it grows its flight feathers, learns how to fish and discovers what life is like as a Guillemot. It’s an amazing strategy which works- the Farnes increasing population is testament to that.

On calm nights, late in the evening, the first thing that becomes apparent is the noise increase. With both adults and chicks constantly communicating, it is not long before the whistling and jabbering creates an absolute cacophony, echoing off the cliff faces and carrying across the water. This is the pinnacle of activity in the seabird city that is the Farne islands. A month of incubation and a further 20 days of tending to the chick culminate in this spectacular evening event.

The video above gives a snap shot of the first ‘jumplings’ filmed last night by Ciaran and I suspect over the next few weeks, we’ll have many more following. Despite the weather, the Farnes is bouncing back.

Rares on the Hares

Chicks sheltering under mother 

Its wet outside..adult Arctic Tern on nest 

.

Day three for our Tern chick - his sibling has now hatched 

Big Harcar Cormorants on nests 

Gull chicks staying warm together

Our third Red-breasted Flycatcher of the spring!

Saturday 16th June comments: It’s been another interesting day as the weather has continued to dominate life on the islands. Overnight rain had cleared bringing brighter conditions in the morning but then we were back to the ‘usual weather’ as the rain had moved back in and by late afternoon, it was raining heavy. Life on the Farnes this season has been tough and that’s no exaggeration.

Interestingly spring migration continued with the discovery of our third Red-breasted Flycatcher of the spring, found on the eastern rocky outcrop known as the Northern Hares. The bird, a female, showed well (the island is just rock – no vegetation so it was always going to show well) and considering the Farnes only boasts five previous spring records of the species, three this year is very unusual!

One story we’ve been meaning to bring was the discovery of a roosting Nightjar on Brownsman on 12th June. The bird was discovered on the north end of the island and later found by the main Kittiwake colony near the cottage, but sadly no photographs were taken. Despite this, it was a great discovery – the islands first since 1995! Its been a brilliant spring for migrant birds but that may be the only positive coming out of the islands this spring... 

Survival

Its grim outside - view from the kitchen window, Terns sheltering 

Adults sitting tight on small young 

Hatched yesterday - Arctic Tern chick...

...and today looking healthy



Friday 15th June comments:  The weather forecasters made no mistake today as strong easterly winds combined with driving rain has made the day very grim for everything and everyone connected with the islands. The breeding birds have had it tough this season and it continues to challenge them as the conditions have been far from perfect. However with just very small young, many birds may just get away with it, as chicks can shelter under parents and escape the worst of it. We could just do with it brightening up and staying that way for a few months, then we might be happy!

Across the Arctic Tern colonies, small chicks continue to hatch and without disturbance, will be fine under their parents. The weather appears to be clearing as the rain clouds are predicted to be moving on, so hopefully life will return to 'normal' on the islands. I keep saying it, but what a summer we've had so far. Will it ever improve? Fingers crossed (yet again) as we move into mid-June.

Theres a storm brewing...

Saying hello to the world...Arctic Tern chick 

In evening light; Kittiwake with chicks 

Guillemots galore on Staple Island

Wednesday 13th June comments: No-one will argue that its been a tough year so far, as unsettled weather over the last few months have made it a challenging season for the islands. The ranger team have found it difficult, the visitor boats have found it tough (one of the worst ever years for the number of lost sailing days) and without doubt the seabirds have found it tough. Heavy rainfall in April flooded Puffin burrows whilst strong winds and heavy seas washed off cliff nests in May.

So welcome to June and welcome to our next storm. The forecasts suggest that Thursday night and all day Friday will bring easterly gale force winds with heavy rain. The storm will only last 24hours, but how bad it will be is anyone guess. It's the last thing the newly hatched chicks need and I'll bring you all the news as it happens, but start preparing yourself for the worst. The Farnes don't need this at this moment in time, but where getting it and there is nothing we can do to stop it. Disaster? It could be...

Mint and co starting to grow! 

 Lettuce doing well

Life in the garden of inner Farne

Monday 11th June comments: On occasions, it's nice to report something away from the hustle and bustle of the seabird city and I thought I would bring you an update on our new vegetable garden. Last month a team of hard working, dedicated gardeners from Nunnington Hall restored the old vegetable garden on Inner Farne for the resident ranger team. One month on and the garden is looking good as the first sign of life has started to appear. 

A number of plants are now growing and although the team have been watering the garden daily, the weather has also helped (at least something has been benefiting from the rain on the islands!). The hope of producing some editable produce looks a real possibility and with a little more help (a bit of weeding and thinning out is needed), I suspect the ranger team will be a happy bunch come the autumn.  

On the up

Razorbill with chick 

Big and strong; Shag chicks 

Getting ready to leave - Guillemot chicks 

Kittiwakes with young 

Veg garden growing well

Sunday 10th June comments: The weather has turned for the better although it has left its mark on the Farne Islands. The heavy seas and wet conditions over the previous few days has resulted in the loss of small young, but we have to turn our attention to the living and hope there is no repeat of what we have already experienced. On a lighter note, the islands are back open and the forecast looks promising, so hopefully things are on the up. However only time will tell, so keep reading and we'll keep you informed.