The most wader-ful time of the year

Nationally important numbers of Purple Sandpipers now present 

Impressive Turnstone numbers recorded today 

Oystercatchers very evident

Monday 20th August comments: It’s been another busy but enjoyable day on the Farnes as the sun continues to shine and the flat, calm seas remain. As well as our usual work on the islands, the team participated in a complete wader count of all the islands (all 18 of them) as part of the national Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) organised by the BTO.

WeBS are carried out monthly at high tide (the best time to count waders) and as we are experiencing peak wader passage at this moment, we knew it wouldn’t be dull. Some impressive totals were accumulated especially Turnstone and Purple Sandpipers, with a few highlights thrown into the mix including five Greenshanks.

All island totals: Golden Plover 632, Turnstone 887, Purple Sandpiper 225, Oystercatcher 257, Greenshank 5, Bar-tailed Godwit 5, Common Sandpiper 4, Green Sandpiper 1, Redshank 12, Knot 22, Curlew 123, Whimbrel 19 and Dunlin 23.  Impressive!

A migrant Migrant Hawker

A Migrant Hawker Dragonfly - rare on the Farnes (Graeme Duncan) 

 Good numbers of Swifts on the move (David Steel)

Brownsman Pond looking good for waders (David Steel)

Saturday 18th August comments: It was a strange old day yesterday as the wind increased preventing visitor boats from sailing and with the added extra of rain showers the islands looked set for a major intake of common migrant birds. However the expected ‘fall’ failed to materialise with only a handful of new arrivals amongst the lingering hordes. The Farnes don’t win every time but I’m sure we’ll fight another day…

Amongst the birds lingering, the Green Sandpiper remained in residence on Brownsman pond (which looks great for waders at this moment) whilst Swifts were on the move yesterday, heading south for Africa as they leave 'what summer' we had.

The most interesting sighting proved to be a non-bird – a 'Migrant Hawker' Dragonfly, discovered in the visitor centre on Inner Farne. These powerful insects are amazing to observe but the Farnes rarely record such beauties, so it was very much appreciated by those who saw it. With lighter winds on their way, we should be back open to the public with still plenty on offer. 

Welcome Willows

Influx of Willow Warblers today (Bex Outram) 

Lesser Whitethroat checking for insects (Bex Outram)

Thursday 16th August comments: It was a day of two-halves today as the wind, swell and incoming tide produced some impressive heavy seas during the morning, but by early evening, the sea was mirror flat calm - so much was the contrast today. The south-easterly winds continued with yet more migrants arriving, most noticeably a Willow Warbler influx. The wind is set to continue in the south-east, so if you're visiting, come and enjoy our migrant birds and learn a little bit more about our special visitors. 

Today's highlights: Wigeon 1, Teal 16, Kestrel 1 still present, Green Sandpiper on Brownsman pond, Ruff on Staple Island (for second day), Common Sandpiper 3, Whimbrel 3, Bar-tailed Godwit 4, Ringed Plover 25, Knot 8, Tree Pipit, Robin, Whinchat 5, Wheatear 2, Willow Warbler 24, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Garden Warbler 2 and Pied Flycatcher 4.   

A ruff day

A fog bound Brownsman early morning (David Steel)

One of two migrant Kestrels in residence (Bex Outram) 

Our first Ruff of the autumn (Bex Outram) 

Pied Flycatcher utilising the solar panels (David Steel) 

Young Pied Wagtails ready to fledge the nest (David Steel) 

Drake Eider starting to moult out of 'eclipse' plumage (David Steel)

Wednesday 15th August comments: It’s been a mixed day on the islands as we started in thick fog, had some blazing sunshine in-between before finishing the day in torrential rain and strong south-easterly winds.

Migrant birds continue to be a feature as more new arrivals were noted including an immature Ruff on Brownsman (the first this year) which showed well on the pond and then the nearby ‘flats’ area of the island. The first Lesser Whitethroats of the autumn also arrived whilst a scattering of Flycatchers kept things ticking along. On the breeding bird front, a family party of Pied Wagtails are ready to fledge whilst Eider numbers start to increase once again, with drakes starting to moult out of 'eclipse' plumage (their summer moult dress). With yet more south-easterly winds (and rain this evening), we suspect we haven’t seen the last new arrival on the islands…

Today’s highlights: Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, Ruff on pond and then Brownsman ‘flats’, Snipe 1 on pond, 2 Kestrel including one killing a Starling, Swift, Tree Pipit, 3 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, Grasshopper Warbler, Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Willow Warbler, 4 Pied Flycatcher and Spotted Flycatcher. 

More migrants

The mighty Brownsman cottage towards sunset (David Steel) 

Lingering Kestrel (Bex Outram) 

Several Whinchat remain (David Steel) 

Fieldfare (Bex Outram)

Tuesday 14th August comments: Another day on planet Farnes, another stunning one (the sun was shining) and migrant birds were still present in good numbers. The forecast suggests we may even get more birds, but time will tell. On the migrant front, the early Fiedlfare remained along with plenty of migrants including six Whinchats, eight Pied Flycatchers and four Garden Warblers amongst others. A Green Sandpiper on Brownsman Pond was the most noticeable passage wader highlight along with a flock of six Whimbrel.

Despite the migrants, we haven't forgotten our seabirds as we had a late Puffin chick fledge today and reasonable number of Sandwich Terns remain. Small numbers of Shags and Kittiwakes are still present on the cliffs, but otherwise its thinning out even more. Noticeably winter plumage Guillemots have been sighting in Farne waters...winter already.....not quite. 

Field day on the Farnes

The first autumn Pied Flycatchers arrive (Andy Denton) 

Whinchats arrive (Andy Denton) 

A grainy shot of our first autumn Fieldfare - early!! (Andy Denton) 

Waders on the move - Dunlin on the pond (Andy Denton) 

One of two Sanderling on Inner Farne beach (Bex Outram)

Monday 13th August comments: Its a busy time on the islands again as our seabirds have been replaced by the autumn passage migrants. Birds heading south to winter in Africa are stopping off and using the islands as a service station, filling up on 'fuel' (lots of insects) before making the big journey south. It wasn't just birds heading south as we had a VERY early Fieldfare (a young bird) on Brownsman - just two months sooner than we expect on here!

The most noticeable highlight proved to be an Icterine Warbler discovered on Inner Farne although was elusive at times. In a normal year we'd have been really happy with this discovery, but with five spring records, its now just the 'norm' for this season. Its great to see these birds and if you visit the islands, we'll be happy to show these interesting migrants. Its never dull on the Farnes and I suspect we'll have more to shout about in the forthcoming days.

Todays highlights: Common Sandpiper 8 (including 5 together on Brownsman pond!), Sanderling 2, Snipe, Kestrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover 350, Green Sandpiper 3,  Fieldfare (early), Whinchat 4, Garden Warbler 2, Grasshopper Warbler, Willow Warbler 6, Chiffchaff 1, Icterine Warbler 1 on Inner Farne, Pied Flycatcher 9 and Spotted Flycatcher.  

Summer time

Longstone and the North Sea looking stunning 

Stunning sunset over Inner Farne 

Whimbrel on passage 

Made it; fledged Shag chick

Friday 10th August comments: Its been a stunning week on the Farnes as we've had the weather we only dreamt about a few months ago. The season will long be remembered for its total wash-out, with heavy rain throughout causing problems. However its all change (typical, just after the seabirds have gone) but at least we are experiencing some form of summer.

Lots of birds have fledged but the Farnes still offer plenty, with the tranquil Inner Farne beach now open and some great things to see including our aquarium with various interesting sea critters on show including lobster (and no, we don't eat them!). The forecast suggests more good weather, so bring it on and come out and visit, you'll not be disappointed.