Counting continues

Counting the veg garden on Inner Farne

Transect lines down

Lines being set

Counting with some attention

More ropes to lay

Counts in

Monday 10th June comments: Our seabird counting cranked up a notch on Sunday as the team went about an all-day island count of Inner Farne. The purpose of all the counting is to establish the exact number of ground nesting seabirds including Sandwich, Arctic and Common Terns, alongside Eiders, Mallards and Black-headed Gulls. 

The island is divided up and all areas are walked, with any nest discovered, logged and counted. Each nest is equal to a pair of birds, so plenty to count! After a full day counting, the team were exhausted but happy in the knowledge they had contributed to yet more scientific data for the islands. We'll be bringing you the full low down on all the results, once we have completed the job, which will hopefully be later this week. We've had some long days but very rewarding and we'll share it all very soon. I'm certain the team will be counting seabirds in their sleep!

Visitors welcome

Icterine Warbler in the visitor centre (David Kinchin-smith)

What's this in the veg garden....

...no pea's growing this year!

The 'class of 1973 and 1974 visit for a reunion

Saturday 8th June comments: I'm almost starting to sound like a stuck record, as the weather continues to remain settled with high temperatures and flat seas becoming the 'norm' (please note - we're not complaining!). In complete contrast to last year, we're having a great summer (so far) and things are looking good, so fingers crossed for another few months of this! 

Today was another eventful one, as we got on with our main populations counts across the islands early morning whilst we had a few unexpected visitors today. An Icterine Warbler was discovered on Inner Farne in the visitor centre before flitting out - but was never seen again! More accommodating was the Farne wardens of 1973-74 who were having a reunion on the islands; a lot has changed behind the scenes since then, so it was great to catch up and share stories about times on the Farnes from yester-year.

On the seabird front, our first few Puffin chicks have hatched, more Guillemot young are now present, whilst our two breeding waders; Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover are both now proud parents. Tomorrow Sunday) we undertake our biggest count of the year 'nest count' on Inner Farne starting at 5am, which will hopefully reveal the health of our Eider, Sandwich, Common and Arctic Tern populations. It never rains, just pours....

Rosy Summer

Roseate Terns showing well on Inner Farne

Potential breeders?

Friday 7th June comments: This morning the team went about the 'usual' routine of counting the nesting seabirds (six counts down - which is great news) as the glorious spell of weather continues. On Inner Farne a pair of Roseate Terns have arrived and although I suspect a breeding attempt will not be made (boo), it's great to have the birds around. Top tip: Anyone visiting the island should check the roost areas near the jetties, as the birds often loaf amongst other Terns.

How many?

How many Guillemots?

Not as easy as it looks...more Guillemots

Thursday 6th June comments: People often ask us what we do early in the morning on the Farne Islands and at this time of year we count. As a rule of thumb, we count everything. So how easy is it? Well time to give it a go - how many Guillemots can you see on these two photos? These were taken this morning during our counts, so go on, give it a go.....good luck!

Biting the hand that feeds you...

Hands down burrows for the ranger Sam

Some of our scientific work...ringing and measuring Puffins

....but getting its own back! Ouch!

Puffin cam on Inner Farne - sitting on egg

Wednesday 5th June comments: Another day and another count completed! It's been an amazing spell of weather (apart from the odd fog patch) but it has allowed us to continue our Puffin census and cliff population counts. It's still early days (only got a few hand scars) but the counting is going well and we're turning up some interesting results.

As well as the survey, our scientific work remains strong and ringing Puffins (as well as taking vital measurements and weights) are all part of the day job. If anyone is interested in our work or Puffins, then visit the islands  as you may be pleasantly surprised. Its Puffin season time on the Farnes, so don't miss it.

Early birds

Early starts and population counts begin!

1, 2, 3....several thousand....

Ciaran in count mode

...but not forgetting our head bangers...

Guillemots now with chicks!

Spectacular...Noctilucent Cloud over Inner Farne

Tuesday 4th June comments: You can tell its getting very busy on the Farnes as the blog posts become fewer, but this is June and its one crazy roller coaster of a month! The team have got some long days ahead of them as the Farnes are in full swing and its all go.

The population counts of the cliff nesting seabirds have begun (so 6am daily starts!) whilst monitoring and ringing continues. With the glorious weather still dominating (a few sun burnt rangers on the island!), visitors have been coming out in there droves to enjoy the spectacular wildlife on offer, so we've not had much time to write about it! 

However we aren't the only one's who are busy as our seabirds are full of activity. Guillemots, Eiders and Shags have finally hatched chicks and it won't be long before all our other seabirds have chicks. However its counting month and we had best get back to those cliff tops....calculator anyone? 

Mad Month!

Sea Swallow...our Arctic Terns are now pecking hard!

Guillemot eggs to hatch any day soon

Sandwich Terns on Inner Farne

Our Red-breasted Merganser are back...amongst Eiders

At least two pairs of Shelduck breeding

Saturday 1st June comments: The year progresses and we have now reached June (where has time gone!?). The breeding seabirds are about to enter their next stage of the breeding cycle as chicks galore will start hatching over the next few weeks. We suspect both Shag and Guillemots will have chicks this week coming whilst everything else will be hatching over the next fortnight.

For the team, it's also the busiest month in the calender as over the next three weeks, we'll be counting all the seabird populations across all the islands (some 81,000 pairs to count) on top of all our Puffins. We'll also be doing lots of scientific work from bird ringing to monitoring, so some long days ahead and I suspect some tired faces amongst the team. Welcome to June and if you've never visited before, then this is the month to visit. the Farnes...you'll not be disappointed.