Encore

Repping two time on the blog in as many days...well almost. Not sure what is wrong with me! Or maybe it's because the warmer, unsettled weather has encouraged some birds to venture beyond the Med! 

Summer hits the Farnes...male Wheatear doing his thang.

Yesterdays sunny blustery conditions seemed far from ideal in terms of fall potential but throughout the day birds slowly built up leading to a fantastic summery crescendo of fly-by Sand Martin while watching the years first Willow Warbler just after seeing my first Ring Ouzel and Swallow! Then just to juxtapose the sitch the appearance of Black Guillemot and Glaucous Gull brought a maritime winter effect to proceedings. Great moments. 

Seeing birds like this is part of the Farnes magic...

An interesting coloured bird...just look at those wings!!

Other migrants peppering the islands included 4 Teal, Wigeon, Dunlin, Woodcock, Snipe, 11 Wheatear, 5 Mipit, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, 4 Robins, Black Redstart, Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 4 Blackbird, 2 Linnet, Goldfinch and Siskin all visibly being visible which was very nice indeed! While the weather is set to stay mostly unsettled with westerlies hope are high that forecast southerlies bring an overshoot Firecrest or similar spring chicken, and, well it's still early! First major fall last year being 19th April. Bring. It. On!

Crazy Wigeon 'fresh in'

Spot the Glauc! (Hint it's dead centre)..

Crazy combos...Wigeon and Black Guillemot hanging with Eiders

Terrible shot of a ringed blinder! Male Ring Ouzel posing at distance

No prize for geussing why this is a Black Redstart..

More classic Farnes birding with Chiffs feeding in Rockpools... 

Goldcrest - trapped and ringed and looking bonny!

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Goldfinch, a real Farnes scarcity, making the most of our limited vegetation!

The storm continues to rage, white water and sea-spray, bins on and into the fray!!