The morning started just fine today as the second we got out of the harbour we saw 2 Great Northern Divers fly south over the boat and then a little bit further on 10 baby Guillemots feeding in the water just before the islands.
As we arrived to the islands and i was just about to start my speech when i noticed a Peregrine sitting on the West Wideopen watching all the birds fly around and then all of a sudden up she went and bang, she caught a pigeon. I did not even get a chance to tell the customers about the bird and she flew away with the bird in her mouth.
As we steamed across the Staple Island we saw a few male Cuddy Ducks back to their full colourful plumage.
About half way to Longstone Island we saw a few Gannets, Terns and Gulls feeding then all of a sudden we saw 2 Minke Whales break the surface. We turned and headed towards the Crumstone Island to get a closer look at these beautiful creatures up they came again but there was not 2 but 3. We think it was Mam, Dad and young calf but we were not totally sure as they were a bit away and with the seas a little to choppy. As they headed south we had to turn back as they were getting to far away.
Oh well its supposed to be a bit better weather over the next few days so hopefully we might get a chance to see them again. Finger crossed.
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
When the west wind blows
Well it was blowing a gale again today but this time it was from the west but we still got to sea. Not to say it was the best but after the S.E. gales last week, west was good and we have had a lot of birds over the last few days.
Over the last few days i have never had my binoculars of my eyes as their has been so many things to spot. The only thing that is really bugging me at the moment is that my new camera has broken so it's off to be repaired.
I have lost how many times i have turned around automatically to pick up the camera to get a good shot then realize its not there. Dooh!!
Today must have been the worst day for not having the camera as the wardens went over to Staple Island to see how many fulmers chicks had been eaten by our Eagle. Up it went over to Brownsman Island.
As the wardens went back to Brownsman Island the bird flew back to Staple but as the winds were really strong the bird landed right beside the waters edge.
As we slowly moved the boat towards the bird i quickly got on the phone to tell the other boat to come quickly. When they arrived they were amazed how big he was and then all of a sudden he got up and flew up high just as if he was showing off.
Oh what a amazing sight. I looked over to the other boat and all i could see was these cheesy grins on their faces. Yes they were pleased.
Well here is a list of all the other birds we have sighted over the last few days.
Over 500 Golden Plovers
1 Peregrine Falcon
1 Rockpipit
Over 60 Artic Terns
Over 50 Oystercatchers
10 Curlews
20 Redbreasted Maganzers
7 Great Northern Divers
20 Godwits
2 Artic Skuas
4 Dunlins
10 Guillmots
16 Pint Footed Geese
2 Puffins
2 Harbour Porpoise
Over the last few days i have never had my binoculars of my eyes as their has been so many things to spot. The only thing that is really bugging me at the moment is that my new camera has broken so it's off to be repaired.
I have lost how many times i have turned around automatically to pick up the camera to get a good shot then realize its not there. Dooh!!
Today must have been the worst day for not having the camera as the wardens went over to Staple Island to see how many fulmers chicks had been eaten by our Eagle. Up it went over to Brownsman Island.
As the wardens went back to Brownsman Island the bird flew back to Staple but as the winds were really strong the bird landed right beside the waters edge.
As we slowly moved the boat towards the bird i quickly got on the phone to tell the other boat to come quickly. When they arrived they were amazed how big he was and then all of a sudden he got up and flew up high just as if he was showing off.
Oh what a amazing sight. I looked over to the other boat and all i could see was these cheesy grins on their faces. Yes they were pleased.
Well here is a list of all the other birds we have sighted over the last few days.
Over 500 Golden Plovers
1 Peregrine Falcon
1 Rockpipit
Over 60 Artic Terns
Over 50 Oystercatchers
10 Curlews
20 Redbreasted Maganzers
7 Great Northern Divers
20 Godwits
2 Artic Skuas
4 Dunlins
10 Guillmots
16 Pint Footed Geese
2 Puffins
2 Harbour Porpoise
Thursday, 9 September 2010
We are back
Well it's been 4 days since we have been to sea and it seems to be a long 4 days.
We have had some huge sea's from the South East which has battered the islands. It was followed by heavy a swell which made it impossible to get out to sea.
As the days have gone by the winds have dropped but the swell was still there. We watched the seas today as the tide changed and decided today was the day.
As people started to arrive at the harbour you could see that they wanted to get out to the islands as they had been here all week and never got a chance to get out.
At last we were out of the harbour and our first port of call was The Staple Island.
All we could here is wow as the eagle had moved and the customers could not believe the size of the bird. I think we had caught it in the middle of his lunch as his wings were flapping around and then they were curled around his head to hide his meal. A shag or a fulmer who knows but he seemed to be enjoying it.
After that we headed off to The Longstone Island were we seen about 200 Golden Plovers take off. Two seconds later we were face to face with a big Heron. On Longstone Island alone we encountered Golden Plovers, a Heron, Purple Sandpipers, Turnstones, Dunhils and Knots.
If this is what the wind brings to the islands then who knows what we will see. I bet the wardens have seen loads over the past few days.
As we steam off towards the The Inner Farne we come upon loads of Grey Seals all taking shelter on the north side of the islands. There must have been about 100 which is always nice to see.
After we landed on the Inner Farne for an hour we slowly take an wonder back to Seahouses harbour.
I would like to say thank you to all of our guests who chose to join us today and i hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
From everyone at Serenity.
We have had some huge sea's from the South East which has battered the islands. It was followed by heavy a swell which made it impossible to get out to sea.
As the days have gone by the winds have dropped but the swell was still there. We watched the seas today as the tide changed and decided today was the day.
As people started to arrive at the harbour you could see that they wanted to get out to the islands as they had been here all week and never got a chance to get out.
At last we were out of the harbour and our first port of call was The Staple Island.
All we could here is wow as the eagle had moved and the customers could not believe the size of the bird. I think we had caught it in the middle of his lunch as his wings were flapping around and then they were curled around his head to hide his meal. A shag or a fulmer who knows but he seemed to be enjoying it.
After that we headed off to The Longstone Island were we seen about 200 Golden Plovers take off. Two seconds later we were face to face with a big Heron. On Longstone Island alone we encountered Golden Plovers, a Heron, Purple Sandpipers, Turnstones, Dunhils and Knots.
If this is what the wind brings to the islands then who knows what we will see. I bet the wardens have seen loads over the past few days.
As we steam off towards the The Inner Farne we come upon loads of Grey Seals all taking shelter on the north side of the islands. There must have been about 100 which is always nice to see.
After we landed on the Inner Farne for an hour we slowly take an wonder back to Seahouses harbour.
I would like to say thank you to all of our guests who chose to join us today and i hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
From everyone at Serenity.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
It's back
The white tailed eagle is back to the islands. Hope it stays for a while but at the moment the only people that will see it will the wardens, as we have south east gales at the moment. I think this will be here for a while. when the wind drops the seas will still be big so hopefully we will get out on Thursday.
I bet the wardens are having fun out there (not). At least they will be able to watch some birds flying past and not have the boatmen hassling them with catching ropes. In saying that it will be like having a few days off enjoying what they love to do. (Bird watching)
I bet the wardens are having fun out there (not). At least they will be able to watch some birds flying past and not have the boatmen hassling them with catching ropes. In saying that it will be like having a few days off enjoying what they love to do. (Bird watching)
Saturday, 4 September 2010
Eagle Update
Well the Eagle has put smiles on a great many peoples faces over the last few days, but to our disappointment it left late Thursday afternoon.
Tthe Fulmars are probably relieved as he had been eating them.
I say HE as i have just found out that's what the birds sex is. He is about 4 months old and is the smallest of them all from the litter. 19 Birds were released on the 20th Aug from the East Coast of Scotland and the strong winds that came from the north on Saturday had pushed him down to The Farnes.
We also had a Albino Shag on Wednesday which was just amazing as it is just once in a life time opportunity to see.
If the Eagle comes back i will let you know asap.
Tthe Fulmars are probably relieved as he had been eating them.
I say HE as i have just found out that's what the birds sex is. He is about 4 months old and is the smallest of them all from the litter. 19 Birds were released on the 20th Aug from the East Coast of Scotland and the strong winds that came from the north on Saturday had pushed him down to The Farnes.
We also had a Albino Shag on Wednesday which was just amazing as it is just once in a life time opportunity to see.
If the Eagle comes back i will let you know asap.
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