Farne Islands: Puffins

Puffins are the bird that attracts most people to the Farne Islands. They nest in the soil of Inner Farne in their thousands using burrows to raise their chicks.

These comical little 'sea parrots' are a photographers dream.

Farne Islands: Eider ducks

 Eider duck are Britain's largest and fastest flying duck species. They are common around the coast of Scotland down as far as Northumberland.

They can easily be seen in the harbour at Seahouses where the boat leaves for the Farne Islands.

Adult female eider 

Adult female eider

First summer male eider

Adult male eider in eclipse plumage

Farne Islands: Bridled Guillemots

There is a form of common guillemot (not considered a sub-species) known as the bridled guillemot. They number less than 5% of the birds on the Farne Islands but their numbers increase further north towards the Arctic circle.

Their white eye-rings and a line behind the eyes give the impression of spectacles.

Farne Islands: Possible roseate tern

A pair of roseate terns have been on the Farne Islands all summer, I'm not sure if they have attempted to nest.

Here is a photo (I think) of one of them with an arctic tern behind for comparison.

The key points to note are:

• Overall whitish colour to upper parts
• Tail streamers that extend well beyond wing tips
• Dark edges to outer primaries

The bill and leg colour is clearly different to the arctic tern, but the bill should be black with a possible red base. In this bird the bill appears to be a 'dirty' red colour throughout its length.

I would be interested in anyones comments, currently I have this down as a 'rosy'.

Farne Islands: Common seals

As I said before I go cross eyed trying to tell common seals from grey seals. I think these are common seals.