The last two days have been blowy. Somewhere between being in the vicinity of a helicopter and sticking your head in a massive speaker. Meaningful passage has therefore kind of dried up, while the westerly flow of wind only accentuates this. However birds are clearly impatient and this climatological hiccup is not deterring them!
This Rook was one of two battling into the westerly gales. One of which got smashed into the West Cliff by a rogue gust.
So the avian diversity has been more of a nationalist selection of Britain's finest, string vests on, looking for a fight1
Sparrowhawks are becoming slightly more frequent hinting at migration or breeding in the general Farnes vicinity.
A seriously sexy Pipit, often under-rated. Looking at that colour you can see why it's Anthus petrosus.
Classic summer usher. Swallows have been regular but sparse in their appearances so far, surprising considering the strong offshore winds we have been experiencing.
Evidence of the blow - Gulls playing in the wind over the Wides.
Farnes scarcity times two. These Goldfinch have been capitalising on our feeding station...still waiting for the Hawfinch!! nb. Lindisfarne in the background #arty
Total surprise yesterday afternoon! Red Sword-grass, a really rare moth here, that I found semi-hibernating in the Pele Tower.
Other migrants have been lingering with Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler nigh on daily along with Goldcrests and the likes. Obsessive compulsive scanning of Knoxes paid off once again last night when one of them Med Gulls put in an appearance giving the some stonks as it preened away!
Today dawned much as yesterday darkened. Windy! However some sunshine seemed to encourage birds to get diurnal allowing a nice build up of 12 Wheatear, including a corr-blimey long-winged magdaddy Greenland type.
Classic Farnes...Shag and Wheatear.
The sheltered Cuthberts Cove was a hotspot for frog-hopping Wheatears.
To Greenland or not to Greenland? That is the question. I think the wings can help...
Fantastic rusty immature male Black Redstart
Further highlights came in moody shades as the imm male Black Redstart was caught and ringed, posing in the process and i went all ninja on the Black Guillemot, obtaining spanking views!
WHAT a bird!
BUT STILL the breeders tepidly linger around our peripheries, unsure whether its really healthy or safe to breed in these conditions. My gut tells me this season got be a bonanza of food for the few birds that actually breed. But I'm an optimist so reckon they're going all clever on our ass's, bring on the bussling cliffs!
Displaying Oystercatcher...c'mon! Get your breed on!
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