Mallard Chicks

After gale force winds we have had over the last few day's I've just looked at the weather for the rest of the week and it's looking good, so if your planning to join me this week please get booked as it will be busy.

As I have not been to sea over the last few day's I have just been playing catch up at home. Oh I hate paper work. Never mind it has to be done, so with my head down in paper work, I  got a knock at the door and it was my neighbour. She asked me if I knew anything about Mallard chicks. "A little but not alot I said" Well I have six and I don't know what to do with them as they don't have a mother.

The look on her face said it all, and I just knew what was coming next. I don't suppose you could look after them as your the only person I know who knows anything about birds. Deep down I really did not want the hassle but after seeing them and my daughter Charlie tugging on my leg saying "Please Daddy Please" how could I say no.

So there we have it. I'm now a Dad to six mallard chicks.

After a few calls to make sure I'm doing the right thing and a quick look on Google, I now have them in a box keeping them warm in my living room.

They are cute but even my dog  Bud was looking at me as if to say "What have you done" I know mate but it's only for a while.

To be honest I'm pleased they are in the house, because the way the wind was last night they would never lasted and now at least they have a sporting chance.
They also a little lucky that we don't have any cats around and I have a walled garden which is really protected so they can wonder around without any worries.

Even though the wind was strong today they were very happy in the garden, eating flies, bits of grass and drinking water. I even got a dustbin lid to make into a pond for them.

I'm now the best Daddy in the world, so they better survive or I will be the worst Daddy in the world.

Anyway I will keep you updated throughout the coming weeks on their progress and hopefully its a happy ending.

   

Tufted Duck

I have only seen a Tufted Duck in the harbour a few times but they are really nice to see. When I got back today it was still there so I grabbed a few pictures in different types of light and I was very pleased with the outcome.

Here's my Tufty and the colours are just beautiful.

Egg Time

With lots of bird activity going on around the Islands at the moment and I noticed lots of Guillemots are sitting eggs now. We also have lots of other birds on eggs to, but we still are waiting for the Artic Terns and Kittiwakes but I don't think it will be long for them either.

We watched the Kittiwakes collecting muddy grass and frantically stamping it down in a hurry to build their nests. Some of the lucky Kittiwakes that have their nests high up the cliff faces, don't have to do a thing as their nests are still perfect from last year.

I also noticed the Yellow Billed Guillemot was back. I would love to know how old this bird was as I have seen it in the same place now for over 4 years. Speaking of Guillemots, we saw the Orange Ringed Guillemot from last year again and I found out how old it was thanks to the BTO.

  Guillemots one eggs

 Kittiwake building their nests

Pairing Razorbills

Lone Guillemot looking for love

              Yellow billed Guillemot      

                         

The Guillemot we found again the other day and it was ringed on the Isle of May, Fife as age nesting on the 21st June 2009 but sex was unknown. It's really pleasing to see the bird again after all the bad weather we have had lately. Fingers crossed we see this bird for many years to come.

Angel of the North

Since it's the year of the Puffin on the Farnes this year I thought I would just post some pictures. Enjoy the pictures and don't forget to join me on Serenity II this year and watch out for some fantastic trips to coming up throughout the year.

Blood Bath

The other day I was out with some guests and we stopped to see the seals. As I was telling them all about the seals I noticed there was a dead seal draped over a rock. I continued with my speech hoping that know one would see it, but unfortunately you could not miss it.

After looking at the seal for a while we noticed that it was only fast asleep and was just exhausted from fighting. Boy oh boy what a mess. The blood was everywhere but as long as the seal was okay that was the main thing.

Here are some pictures of the seal and you can see why we thought it was dead when we first saw it.

Getting Settled

Today was the first time I have noticed all the birds starting to get settled and all we need now is for the weather to behave itself and let our birds get one with the job and put smiles on many a face.

The Shags are building their nests now. Birds are pairing off and we have even seen some mating going on. Its all starting to happen now and I'm really starting to get excited, so fingers crossed they all have a great breeding season.

Today was extreme weather and one that will stick in my mind for some years to come. We had it all, from sun to rain, then cold from the northerly wind, and back to sun again and to add a little bit extra to the fun we had thunder, lightening, snow and hail stones. I must admit I've not seen weather change so much as it did today, so god knows what our poor wildlife thinks of it all.

We never get a dull day at the Farne Islands onboard Serenity.

The Guillemots are back in their thousands again.

 
Puffins everywhere on the water and on the Islands. They are all cleaning their burrows ready for the newborn's

A Shag on it's nest

The rain pouring down on the Inner Farne

Black clouds ahead

A pair of mating Kittiwakes

Watch out lads it's his first time landing

Pairing Puffins

Pairing Eider Ducks

We even got a Tufted Duck on our return to the harbour.

Playful Seals

I noticed a couple of seals fighting today and the first thing that came into my head was to grab my camera as this was going to be a bloody battle.

It was not the battle I expected but it was total play fighting and they were having so much fun doing that they did not care about me one little bit. In fact I think they were enjoying the attention they were getting and started to show off a little.

Never mind here is some of the pictures I got so enjoy them.