Category Archives: Islands

Long time in coming

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Not a care in the world, a Staple seal pup (David Steel)

It’s my path now, a sleeping pup (Ciaran Hatsell)

Seal team in action

Peregrine with a Song Thrush ‘kill’ (Graeme Duncan)

Birding on the Farnes (Graeme Duncan)

Thursday 3rd November comments: It’s been a while since the last update although it relects the busy times on the islands at this moment. We eventually said goodbye to our last visitors of the year on Monday as Inner Farne closed until 1st April 2012. It really doesn’t seem that long ago that we were opening up the islands back in the spring and where has time gone!?

Following the closure we’ve been packing down Inner Farne as St.Cuthbert’s chapel windows were boarded up for the winter (with protective shutters), the boundary ropes were taken down and the benches stored inside for the winter months ahead. Eventually after cleaning the Pele Tower from top to toe, the final five wardens moved onto Brownsman for our last month on the Farnes.

We’ve also managed another count of the Grey Seal pups, as we marked pups with red dye – we now have blue, yellow and red marked pups. The colonies appear to be doing well as we have now reached 704 pups – a very healthy total for the time of year.

As well as pups, a few birds have dropped in, with highlights of Water rail, Long-eared Owl, two Black Redstarts and daily sightings of Little Auks (with a peak of eight today). A partial summer-plumage Great Northern Diver is lingering whilst Black Guillemots have returned to winter with a lone individual recorded on two dates. However if you were a passerine, Brownsman was not the place to be today, as we entertained two Peregrines, a Merlin and a Sparrowhawk. Those migrating Thrushes were keeping their heads down.

Let it snow

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A stunner on Brownsman; a Twite shows well (Graeme Duncan)

A party of Snow Buntings drops in (Graeme Duncan)

Resident warden Ciaran Hatsell searching for birds

Saturday 5th November comments: Its been a very pleasant, crisp dry day on the islands, as the team enjoyed a rare day-off from the usual island activities. Despite the free-time, the team took full advantage of the settled weather and seawatched for the majority of the day, as well as searching for the odd migrant or two.

Highlights included 13 Snow Buntings (including 12 together), 2 Twite, 3 Woodcock, and a Short-eared Owl migrating west towards the mainland. Sea passage produced a scattering of Divers (including Great Northern), a double figure count of Little Gulls whilst lingering Little Auks peaked at ten. On the majestic front, two herds of Whooper Swans moved south totalling twenty-four whilst five Long-tailed Ducks were also recorded.

In general it was a very pleasant day but its back to the grind tomorrow and another Seal count. Wamses here we come…

Spray Day

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Seal pup up close (Ciaran Hatsell)

Our first ‘second coater’ of the year (David Steel)

Seal team in action (David Steel)

Beach pickings (David Steel)

Great Northern Diver in the kettle off Inner Farne (Ciaran Hatsell)

Thursday 27th October comments: The winds (and sea!) finally eased allowing a return to ‘normality’ on the Farnes. I’m not sure if the Farnes will ever be classified as ‘normal’, but it was as normal as we could have wished. The team were active from the start, as we headed to the seal colonies to continue our work counting and marking the pups. Due to visitor work (it was a busy day) we completed two island counts and will finish the operation tomorrow morning.

It was a good day with 115 born on the South Wamses since our last visit and I suspect we’ll have over 300 pups on the islands, but will bring you a full account tomorrow. On the bird front, we had a lingering Stock Dove (a rarity out here – first record since 2008), a vocal Richard’s Pipit (our second this year) and a very showy Great Northern Diver just off Inner Farne. Otherwise all well on the islands and tomorrow will be just as busy. North Wamses here we come.

Storm force

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Staple Island not open for business (Ciaran Hatsell)

The storm from Brownsman (Ciaran Hatsell)

Great Grey Shrike dinner – a Brambling speared ready to eat (Ciaran Hatsell)

Oblivious to the storm, a pup suckles (Ciaran Hatsell)

Tuesday 25th October comments: The storm raged for a second day, bringing with it huge seas, heavy rain and strong south-easterly wind. Despite the carnage, the Grey Seals got on with business as usual, with mothers protecting young pups from the might of the North Sea. On the bird front, the weather appeared to block any serious movement, with very few ‘new’ arrivals across the islands although the Great Grey Shrike remained for second day.

However with forecasts suggesting a drop in wind strength tomorrow could be a better day. As we head to bed tonight, the wardens are sharing the rooms with roosting Starlings, a Brambling and even a male Black Redstart which is roosting in the toilet. Welcome to planet Farnes, it really is a strange and wonderful place.

Today’s highlights: Merlin 2, Woodcock 7, Moorhen 1 adult, Pomarine Skua 1 juv, Great Skua 4N, Little Auk 2S, Short-eared Owl, Great Grey Shrike present for second day and killed another Brambling, Black Redstart 4, Blackcap 12, Chiffchaff 5, Willow Warbler and Brambling 11.

Empire Shrikes Back!

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Great Grey Shrike on Brownsman (Ciaran Hatsell)

Brambling’s beware (Ciaran Hatsell)

Its a stunner; Black Redstart caught in visitor centre (Graeme Duncan)

Pause for thought: Fieldfare on Inner Farne (Graeme Duncan)

Hammer time – Yes, that really is our jetty

Monday 24th October comments: The Farnes is back in action. Following a very quiet autumn period, the winds have finally switched to the south-east and with it, a plethora of good birds have arrived. The weekend brought a variety of highlights including six Grey Phalaropes and Corncrake amongst others.

Today more birds poured into the islands, with some noticeable highlights including a stunning adult Great Grey Shrike which was observed killing a hapless Brambling. The sea has been monstrous, the islands battered but the warden team are happy. What tomorrow will bring is anyone’s guess, but hopefully we will have more great birds to shout about. This place is rockin.

Today highlights: Moorhen (!) adult on Inner Farne – less than annual out here, Arctic Skua 7N, Great Skua 4N, Little Gull adult, Little Auk 1S, Short-eared Owl 3, Black Redstart 2 including one caught on Inner Farne, Great Grey Shrike adult on Brownsman, Lapland Bunting and Reed Bunting 5.

It’s coming…

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Ring Ouzel – surprisingly our first this year! (Ciaran Hatsell)
It may not look much, but it’s stormy! (Ciaran Hatsell)
Sunday 23rd October comments: It’s been another blustery day on the islands as the winds have increased and gradually switched to the south-east. The birders on the islands are starting to get excited (these winds could bring in some very interesting migrant birds) although its not so good from the visitor point of view (probably no boats sailing until Wednesday).

Following yesterdays seawatching highlights, today followed suite with another Grey Phalarope, the lingering Sabine’s Gull and two Little Auks all in Inner Sound. Although a scattering of migrants tried to steal the show including Black Redstart and Ring Ouzel, the real winner was a Corncrake, which exploded under the feet of an observer on Brownsman – our second of the year, but the first living specimen following the discovery of a raptor kill back in September. What tomorrow will bring is any one’s guess, but its probably going to be good. Here goes, wish us luck.
Todays Highlights: Corncrake 1 flushed on Brownsman, Grey Phalarope 1 on sea, Sabine’s Gull juvenile north Inner Sound, Pomarine Skua one juv north, Great Skua 2N, Arctic Skua 3N, Little Auk 2N, Skylark 11W, Black Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Blackbird 106W, Redwing 81W, Fiedlafre 43W, Blackcap 3, Chiffchaff 1 eastern race individual and Starling 196W (and four roosting in Brownsman cottage)

Total so far…

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Mother and pup
South Wamses Seal colony

Saturday 29th October comments: The latest Seal pup count is complete and numbers are looking very healthy on the islands. A total of seven islands now boast pups with over 400 born. The job took two days (due to weather and visitor opening hours), but we’re happy and can rest in the knowledge that all is well with the Seals on the Farnes. Just to let you know, the Farne Islands seal pups will feature on tomorrow’s evening Countryfile on BBC, so don’t forget to watch!

Latest colony counts:

South Wamses 157

North Wamses 133

Staple Island 92

Northern Hares 16

Brownsman 26

West Wideopens 1

Little Harcar 1

Total: 426

Brownsman babes

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Brownsman’s first Seal pup (Ciaran Hatsell)

Saying hello (Jamie Coleman)

Doing well; pup and mother (Ciaran Hatsell)

Tuesday 18th October comments: We were talking about it yesterday, but wasn’t expecting it for another week, but Brownsman has its first Grey Seal pup. Born mid-afternoon, the new born is doing well with mother in attendance and its a cracking start to the Seal season. Where asking people to name it, so any suggestions would be most welcome. However for the time being, the first pup of Brownsman will be spending its first night on the island – welcome to the Farnes.

It wasn’t just Brownsman getting in on the act, as Staple Island now has four (the first was born only yesterday) so the Seal season is well and truly upon us. Where hoping for the wind to ease by Thursday and then we’ll be on our first mission to all the colonies and will bring you even further news. A great day with many more to follow.

Staple First Born

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Monday 17th October comments: You can tell Seal season is upon us. The team are living on Brownsman, there are a scattering of Seal pups across the colonies and we’ve got storms, raging westerly storms battering us. Business as usual then.

The westerly gales have cranked up a notch today and as darkness fell over the islands, the wind was battering Brownsman and the tiles on the 18th century cottage are rattling tonight. On the bird front it was quiet (as expected) as the Bluethroat has moved on although a Merlin kept us entertained mid-afternoon.

On the Grey Seal front, Staple Island welcomed its first pup of the autumn (we’ve now got them on three islands) and next week we should welcome our first on Brownsman. However that’s where you all step in – we would like to name it, so any suggestions would be great! We’ll keep you informed of the first pups progress as well as the entire colony throughout November, so don’t go anywhere. Keep reading.

Wonder from the Wood

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Speckled Wood butterfly (Ciaran Hatsell)

A cheeky migrant Chaffinch (Ciaran Hatsell)
Sunday 16th October comments: Its been a stunning day on the Farnes as unseasonal weather brought mild, warm conditions. The mild weather encouraged birds to depart the islands as the number of common migrants declined. Even the lingering Richard’s Pipit was noted flying west towards the mainland early in the day although the Bluethroat remained resident on Brownsman.

The most noticeable highlight of day was in the form of a Speckled Wood butterfly, a rarity for the Farnes. The weather encouraged other butterflies to the wing as we also recorded small numbers of ‘White’s', Red Admiral’s and Small Tortoiseshell’s. It almost felt like summer but without Arctic Terns attacking our heads…oh how I don’t miss that!

Boy its coming

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Monday 17th October – just a quick midday update – another storm due and wasn’t expecting it! However the Shipping Forecast has just crackled across the airwaves…

South-west; force 8 imminent increasing to Storm force 10 soon.

That will do it!

Paul McCartney Spends Honeymoon on Private Islands

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Paul McCartney HoneymoonLegendary musician Sir Paul MCCartney is reported to have taken his new wife Nancy Shevell to the exclusive private island of mustique.

It is believed that the former Beatle borrowed Mck Jaggers luxury villa on the exclusive West Indies Island.

The Japanese inspired beachfront mansion called Stargroves, is reported to cost $10,000 a week.

McCartney reportedly loves the island and feels there is not better place to spend a honeymoon. The sprawling villa which overlooks L’Ansecoy Bay, has stunning views of nearby islands, a hot tub in the master befdroom with its own sea view, plus a butler and private chef.

Source: zee news

NYC’s Rat Island Off the Market

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Rat Island New YorkThere was a fury of excitement when Rat Island went on the market. The small, rocky island with an unfortunate name had one big advantage…it was just a stones throw away from New York City.  The island is located off city island in the Bronx and is approximately 2.5 acres in size at low tide.

The island reportedly sold at auction at the beginning of the month for $160,000. Real estate agent Ozzie Crisalli says he does not know what the buyer (who remains unnamed) has planned for the island

But the island sold at auction Sunday for $160,000. Real estate agent Ozzie Crisalli says he doesn’t know what the buyer has planned for it.

Source: Forbes

Little Grey’s of Sunshine

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WHAT a day for Grey Phalaropes on the Farnes

‘Neil the Seal’ sticking his tongue out (Ciaran Hatsell)

That’s better, Neil doing well (Ciaran Hatsell)

The boys enjoying the seawatching and Grey Phalarope spectacular

Saturday 22nd October comments: It’s been an enthralling day on the islands as we’ve seen it all. The day began with a southerly breeze and a rush of excitement as resident warden Ciaran broke the silence with the shout of “TWO GREY PHALAROPES SITTING ON THE SEA!” Moments later I joined him to enjoy this stunning sight, as the birds were feeding just 20 metres offshore from Brownsman, not a bad way to start the day!

However as we watched, the two took flight and decided to track north which wasn’t such a good idea as one of our resident Merlin’s decided to try its’ luck. Astonishingly the Merlin pursued its quarry over the sea and in a bold attempt to escape, the Phalarope gained height and when we lost the pair, both were specs way above Brownsman. The outcome of the chase was not known but minutes later, we did see a Merlin return empty taloned. That was one lucky Phalarope.

Seawatching throughout the day was very productive as we recorded all four Skua species, a juvenile Sabine’s Gull, a very late Arctic Tern, and two lovely Little Auks. It was all go on the islands. The excitement didn’t finish there as mid-afternoon a total of six (YES SIX) Grey Phalaropes were seen on the sea together, all in the same field of view. The birds were feeding together and this represents a new Farnes record count and an incredible sight in British waters. Six of the best!

On the Seal front, Brownsman now boasts six pups (each day brings more and more) and our first, now named ‘Neil the Seal’ is doing well, being cared for by its attentive mother. During the process of checking the Seals, we came across a pup being born, a truly amazing sight rarely seen on the islands (I’ve only ever seen this on a handful of occassions in eleven years). What a day, roll on tomorrow.

Highlights: Grey Heron, Teal 27, Wigeon 6, Knot 2, GREY PHALAROPE 6 (SIX) on the sea together (Farnes record), Little Gull adult north, Great Skua 27N, Arctic Skua 6M, Long-tailed Skua juvenile north at 10:10, Pomarine Skua juvenile north at 15:13, Sabine’s Gull juvenile north, Arctic Tern adult north, Little Auk 2N, Puffin, 3, Fieldfare 24, Brambling and Snow Bunting.

Spotted Dick

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Richard’s Pipit on the islands (Jamie Coleman)

Special flight – Richard’s Pipit in flight (Jamie Coleman)

Classic Farnes; Yellow-browed Warbler on Longstone Lighthouse (Graeme Duncan)

Good numbers of Short-eared Owls (Graeme Duncan)

Friday 14th October comments: Its been a terrific few days on the Farnes as the winds have switched to the south-east and brought a deluge of common migrants with it (along with a few rarities). The boys returned from Fair Isle on Thursday morning, just in time to enjoy the bird bonanza.

Today produced a Richard’s Pipit on Brownsman (the Farnes 21st record) which was enjoyed by a lone observer before it took flight and (thankfully) was relocated minutes later as it was watched landing on Inner Farne (and enjoyed by all wardens and visitors present). A flighty Yellow-browed Warbler lingered for two days on Brownsman whilst another was discovered pottering around the complex of the Longstone Lighthouse – great views in a concrete jungle and classic Farne Island birding.

Other highlights included a Farnes day record count of eight Short-eared Owls which included five together (a cracking sight), good movement of Thrushes (Blackbirds, Redwings and Fieldfare), Jack Snipe, 4 Snow Buntings and a scattering of other migrants as well as wildfowl passage including four Long-tailed Ducks. All in all, a good few days.

On the seal colonies, things have started promisingly well, as we now have sixteen pups which are all doing well. Yesterday BBC Countryfile were filming on the islands, so watch out for our Seal pups on TV come the 30th October….

Just like the Farnes…

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Fair Isle Bird Observatory

Monday 10th October comments: A quick update from the northern isles. We’ve (Steely and Jamie) have now been on Fair Isle for a week and its been tough going. The winds have generally been gale force from the west, with occasional switches to the south-west; In other words, not very good for migrant birds! Despite this, highlights have included the islands first ever Lesser Scaup, along with Short-toed Lark, Rose-coloured Starling and a smattering of migrants. However not all is lost, with six ex-Farne Island wardens present, were finding plenty of time to catch-up.

Otherwise it’s just like the Farnes except bigger in all ways – a fantastic observatory (with some great staff!), a brilliant island and a real sense of wilderness (with the odd good bird thrown in) – I recommend everyone to visit at some stage. The only thing it lacks is a successful seabird colony. It’s been another desperate year for Fair Isle seabirds, as numbers of certain species have dropped and the number of young fledged almost non-existent. It’s heartbreaking to hear just how depressing seabird seasons are becoming in the northern isles and will we ever see a reverse in fortunes? I suspect sadly not and it just shows the importance of places like the Farne Islands in a national context to seabirds. Long may our breeding seasons continue to be successful and Fair Isle to have a change of fortune, sooner rather than later.

News at Ten

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A pregnant female patiently waits on the Wamses (Ciaran Hatsell)

Our second seal pup, a little muddy but still doing well! (Graeme Duncan)


Only a couple of days old and already curious (Ciaran Hatsell)

Three lingering Long-tailed Ducks (Graeme Duncan)

Tuesday 11th October comments: And we’re off. The seal pups are starting to appear in greater numbers now, with ten having been born as of yesterday’s count. This means a total of seven have arrived since our last count only 3 days earlier, a sure sign that we’ll soon be right in the middle of pupping season and knee deep in the cute fur-balls! South Wamses is the bigger colony at the moment with six pups, four of which can be easily viewed resting on the shingle beach.

Our first pup is still doing very well, and now at 14 days old it will most likely be under a week before he moults into his adult coat and will be able to take to the water for the first time! Pups two and three are growing well and all three now have very attentive and protective mothers keeping an eye out for them.

In non-seal news, the islands have continued to have good wildfowl passage, with an adult Whooper Swan flying low over Inner Farne today, along with 213 Pink-footed Geese. Sunday’s moderate winds brought good movement of ducks, with large numbers of Wigeon, Teal and Scoter recorded flying across the sea, along with 23 Red-throated Divers. Three Long-tailed Ducks, a male a juvenile and female, showed well in the kettle on the 10th.

Sunday 9th October highlights: Wigeon 651, Teal 304, Red-throated Diver 23, Great Northern Diver 3, Brent Goose 58, Barnacle Goose 82, Common Scoter 104, Velvet Scoter 2, Red-breasted Merganser 1.

Tuesday 11th October totals: Pink-footed Goose 213, Whooper Swan 2, Redwing 5, Song Thrush 3, Blackbird 1, Skylark 1, Dunnock 1, Robin 1, Wren 1, Goldcrest 1, Siskin 1, Peregrine 1.

Blue is the Colour

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The Richard’s Pipit takes flight once again (Jamie Coleman)

Hey there Mr Blue… (Jamie Coleman)

Bluethroat shows well on Brownsman (Graeme Duncan)

Saturday 15th October comments: The Farnes never fails to disappoint! After the jubilation of yesterday’s Richard’s Pipit, the team were yet again jumping for joy after the discovery of another Farnes speciality: a Bluethroat! A stunning bird was found in the morning on Brownsman, briefly showing well but becoming very elusive at times! The Farnes has become one of the best places in Britain to see this Scandinavian stunner, especially during the autumn as of later years; today’s sighting marking the sixth consecutive year in which it has been recorded.

Inner Farne’s Richard’s Pipit was spotted briefly again today, sticking close to the species’ famously annoying behaviour of refusing to perch or pose on the ground for cameras.

With just a few other common migrants, these two birds really were the star of the show. The warden team are hoping that one or two more surprises will appear shortly to add to the birding bonanza that is the Farne Islands.

Fair Isle update

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Flying to Fair Isle (in a gale!)

Not exactly Heathrow – Fair Isle airport

Tuesday 4th October: A quick update from the northern Isles as myself (David Steel) and assistant warden Jamie Coleman are visiting Fair Isle for the week. Its been an interesting start as Jamie touched down on Fair Isle on Saturday but I was delayed on Shetland until Monday. However between that period, the wind had notched up a level and I eventually departed Shetland for Fair Isle in southerly gales on Monday morning. As I’m not the best of fliers, this certainly went down as an ‘experience’ I’ll never forget…

Now on Fair Isle the birding has been generally quiet (due to westerly winds) although it’s been great to catch up with lots of friends. Ex-Farne Islands warden David Parnaby is now the main warden of Fair Isle whilst Jason Moss works alongside him as assistant. Other Farne Island connections included visiting ex-wardens Chris Dodd, Micky Mahar and Matthew Smith, so we’re not short of topics to discuss. I’ll keep you updated from the northern isles but keep tuned into the Farne Islands and more news about our Grey Seals.