Jumpling Time

Its that time again when the Guillemot chicks start taking that leap of faith of the edge of the cliff faces around the Farne Islands. They are known as “Jumping’s”, as they jump of the cliffs and its one the most amusing things to witness. While I think it’s funny and great to see, I bet it’s so scary for the little tiny seabirds to do. No wonder the mother tries to encourage the chick to jump off. Well that’s what we are leading to believe but I bet the mother gets sick of waiting and give the little one a slight nudge over the edge.

I can picture it now…. The father is waiting in the water patiently (as fathers do) giving the call to the little jumpling as if to say, don’t worry son/daughter I’m waiting for you it will be okay. While mother tries her best to persuade the chick to jump off. After an hour or so both parent’s patience is starting to ware thin and you can imagine them giving each other a wee wink and then suddenly, the mother thinks “stuff it” and her wing comes out and accidently touches the chick and it falls off the cliff face while the father sings to himself that famous song by R. Kelly “I believe I can fly”. Suddenly, the chick hits the water and thinks, boy that was lucky. While the father looks up to the mother, gives her a little wink and says, see you next year babes, same time, same place and off the father and jumpling go into the north sea.

If that was true it would be great….

Here is a few pictures of the little chicks and it will not ne long now until they leave in their thousands and it will be another year before we see it all over again. Don’t worry it will be a while yet.

Nature is Cruel

Mother nature is very cruel at times and we hardly get bad weather during the summer so when we get big tides combined with strong N.E. winds you just know its all going to go pear shaped.

About 2 weeks ago all the Kittiwakes that were doing so well have gone and only the ones further up the cliff faces have survived even though they look scruffy they should be fine.
The ones that built their nests close to the waters edge unfortunately did not survive which is such a crying shame. I know they take a risk doing this but usually we only one or two kittiwakes building there nests so close but this year there was loads of them doing it and in my heart of hearts I thought we were going to have a great summer as so many were doing it, but how wrong was I.

It breaks my heart really as we see then build there nests, mate and then we wait and then the first sight of an egg we are chuffed to bits for them. After that we wait and wait until we spot a chick and then we get to see it grow day by day until they leave the nest for pastures new.
Its great to see our seabirds in such a manner but when mother nature is so cruel it quickly takes the smile of your face.

I'm not sure about the puffins but with all this rain we have had I don't suppose it will be good news for them either. Yes I know what goes around comes around but sometimes I wished we just had fine weather for the breeding season and a real summer and then a proper winter and at least we know where we stand. My boy is 5 now and never seen snow yet but then again I don't think he has seen a summer either. Well that might be a bit OTT.

The Rangers on the Inner Farne did all they could with the Arctic Terns and put fish boxes on the beach with sand in them so that the terns nest were higher than the water but the weather was that bad when they woke up the next day all the boxes and chicks were gone.

We all love the islands and when we get home we talk about what we saw but sometimes we never give them a thought during a rain storm or gales and when they dive bomb and peck you on the head, we complain because it hurts but know one ever thinks that have had to protect their chicks during gale force winds through the night and the last thing they need is us going to close to their chicks.
We would do the same for our kids so when the rangers do their best to make sure they will be okay there is nothing they can do to save the chicks during weather like we have had.

Fingers crossed its a one off and everything will be okay at the end of the season.

We found this Kittiwake struggling in the water today and Andy and myself tried to save it. A friend was onboard and told us to keep it warm and get some food into it but unfortunately we tried but failed.

 This was the scene on the Inner Farne beach before the waves took the boxes away. When the rangers woke in the morning they saw the boxes float away. Its such a shame.

These 3 little fellas were healthy enough but just needed a good clean but I suppose they would get that when they eventually jump off the cliff.

Hopefully this post is the only bad one and all the rest are good from now. 

Once again thank you for reading our blog. 

OVER AND OUT

New Life

The noise is unreal at the moment from all the seabirds and the noise level has increased as the chicks are calling at the top of their voices too.

Its great to see new life at the Farnes and doing so well too but as I write this blog the seas are terrible and it feels more like a winters day than it does a summers day. I do hope all the seabirds will be ok during this dreadful weather we are having. On a plus note the Farnes had its 1st ever mega bird pass through the Staple Sound today (29/06/17) a Black-Browed Albatross. This a mega bird and I bet the rangers who saw it will be having a party tonight and who could blame them.

The season is now ticking away and it will not be long before all the seabirds will be gone and another season is over. I don't really like this feeling but I suppose I get it every year and you would think I would be used to it by now. Don't get me wrong we still have a few week to go but we are starting to see gaps appear on the rocks now.

I have noticed this year that the Kittiwakes have done really well and they have had more than just one chick too.

The Guillemots have been jumping loads, which is great for all of our guests to see. Jimmy, (one of the lads that works for us) caught a jumpling on film the other day which was great to see. We also saw the Luecistic Guillemot again and it looks in really good health. I thought it would not survive but it seems to be doing just fine which is great news. 

New Life is just a wonderful thing to see and its hard to believe that in a few years time they will be back looking for their own partners and starting their families too.

Nature is such a wonderful thing and every year it gives thousands of people enjoyment, including myself.

Lots of the seabirds are doing really well and they can become very aggressive towards other seabirds if they think they are going to harm their chicks.
The other day Andy (my crewman) and myself witnessed a shag trying to kill a guillemot as it must have got to close to her chicks. It was in some ways fascinating to watch but then in another way it was sickening. The guillemot got away but the fear in the other guillemots eyes as she was trying to protect her chick at the same time was awful. Lucky for her the shag just went back to her chicks and never bothered her but she must have been so frightened in case she did but then further along the cliff was a young razorbill peaking out of its mother wing thinking I'm glad I'm over here and not there.

There has also been lots of feeding frenzies going on which is great to see and it feeds lots of hungry seabirds too. The seals have enjoyed the sun and we have had some really nice sunset cruises too.

We also have had some great views of the Bottlenose Dolphins and their young too and they always aim to please. Its also great to see the smiles on peoples faces after they see the dolphins as its unexpected and most people don't ever think they will see them in the uk.

Overall everything has been coming on nicely but lets hope this weather has not knocked them back to much.

 Once again thank you for reading 

 OVER AND OUT

Time to Jump

Well it's that time of the year again as the Guillemot chicks are starting to jump.
On Tuesday evening, during our sunset cruise we watched the chicks take that leap of faith of the cliff faces and into the water.

I know I have said this before but for those who don't know or those who are new to this blog then this is what happens to the guillemot chicks.

Firstly they are called "Jumplings" and this is simply because they jump of the cliffs around the farne islands. Some from a great height and some as a little wiser than others.

When the jumplings are about two weeks old they are ready to leave the farne islands and head out into the big bad world called the "north sea". They are encouraged by their mother to jump of the cliffs into the water were their father will be waiting from them. He will escort them out to sea where he will teach them how to feed and fend for themselves until they are about five years of age and then they will return to the farnes and look for a partner of their own.
After a year in the north sea growing big and strong, the jumpling starts life on his/her own as their father leaves them and returns to the farnes to prepare for the breeding season once again.

Its a tough old world being a seabird and you have to take your hat of to them for doing it.

You will be probably wondering how the jumpling does not hurt itself it they hit the rocks on their way down. Well they are light enough to bounce and their bones are not properly formed so it does not hurt them. Clever eh.....

Anyway here is a few pictures of those cute jumplings.