Returning to the island

Ranger stands watch on the Farne Islands, observing Fulmar swooping

The islands are beginning to stir with noise and nest building once more now that Spring has arrived.

On Inner Farne the Shags are gathering sticks and stealing debris from one another, peering over the cliff edge we witnessed many of them sitting on bright white eggs.

Is this your stick or mine?
Two shags have a stick between their beaks
Is this your stick or mine?

The good weather has brought lots of the puffins back and although they have not all taken to the land, from the boardwalk we noticed dirty bills and muddy fronts from more eager members of the colony. Hidden in a corner resting in the shade we found our first Eider Duck nest. The proud and calm mother was sitting tight on her clutch as we peeked over the Vegetable garden wall.

The first Eider to nest
Eider hiding in a corner sat on her nest
The first Eider to nest

At the outer group Fulmars swoop in low to look at us whilst we do our rounds and the Guillemots are returning to their perches on the cliffs.

Fulmars resting in the sunshine
Two Fulmars resting on a wall
Fulmars resting in the sunshine