Category Archives: Islands

Northerly wind blows

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Friday 16th October comments:

A quiet day on the islands today as a strengthening northerly wind pounded the islands resulting in no boats sailing and the team being cut-off. Northerly winds at this time of year can produce some interesting bird sightings, but alas, it remained quiet despite our best efforts. Thankfully the low number of seal pups (a total of six born so far) will not cause them too many problems. However the teams focus went back to the new Brownsman boardwalk and hopefully we'll be boasting a new walkway by the end of the season. We'll be on the Seal colonies tomorrow morning, so I'll bring some photographs of our first pups born across the Farnes.

Highlights: Sooty Shearwater 3N, Manx Shearwater 3N, Great Skua 2N, Arctic Skua 1N, Richard's Pipit - both still present on Brownsman - their enjoying the islands having been here since 11th October! Chiffchaff 2, Garden Warbler, Goldcrest 3, Re2d Bunting.

Migrants role in…

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A cracking male Firecrest on Inner Farne (by Davy Still)
Red-breasted Flycatcher Inner Farne (by Davy Still)
One of todays Yellow-browed Warblers

Saturday 10th October comments:
Welcome back! and what a welcome - its been a cracking day on the islands as a huge 'fall' occurred with a few rarities adding to the spice. The blog is up and running again and I'll be bringing you all the news from the Farnes over the next two months and read tomorrow as I'll bring you news of our first Grey Seal pup of the year....

Today's highlights:
Pintail 1N, Great Skua 4N, Sparrowhawk 1 on Longstone, Short-eared Owl 1 on Staple, Peregrine 1 on Brownsman, Jack Snipe 2 (Inner Farne and Staple), Woodcock, Quail 1 on Brownsman and then Staple Island - 2nd record of the year and latest ever Farnes record, Skylark 9, Wheatear, Redstart 4, Whinchat, Robin 37, Dunnock 11, Redwing 3,567 west, Blackbird 75, Ring Ouzel male on Inner Farne, Garden Warbler, Blackcap 15, Lesser Whitethroat, Yellow-browed Warbler 2 - singles on Inner Farne and Breownsman, Willow Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 18, Goldcrest 3, Firecrest male on Inner Farne - first since 2007, Red-backed Shrike immature on Inner Farne, Red-breasted Flycatcher 1st winter on Inner Farne, Brambling 16, Greenfinch 12, Chaffinch 14, Snow Bunting 5 and Reed Bunting 4.

Recent highlights:

Friday 9th October
Seawatching: Red-throated Diver 1N, Manx Shearwater 244N, Sooty Shearwater 71N, Arctic Skua 35N, Great Skua 64N, Pomarine Skua 4N – all adults, Puffin 2, Ring Ouzel - 1st winter on island, Snow Bunting 1 on island.

Thursday 8th October
Long-tailed Skua 1 adult north, Great Skua 4N, Snow Bunting on island

Monday 5th October
FEA’S (type) PETREL 1N at 18:00 – skirting past Crumstone and then Brownsman – 5th for the Farnes following accepted records in 2002, 1999, 1996 and 1993.

Pups away!

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Blackbird's on the move - heading west to winter in the UK
In coming - Redwing on the Farnes
Sunday 11th October comments:
Following yesterdays avalanche of birds, the wind switched direction and increased in strength, almost reaching gale-force from the north-west. The result was an almost complete clear-out of passerine migrants from the Farnes although the day brought one surprise. As the team were about to start work on building some new boardwalk on Brownsman, a Richard’s Pipit, a rarity from Siberia, dropped in and showed well before flying off to nearby Staple Island. The bird was refound on Staple by the team before it returned to Brownsman later in the day, the 18th Farnes record.

Whilst I was away on the South Uists (meeting no fewer than three ex-Farne wardens – great to see you boys!), the team recorded the first Grey Seal pup of the year! The pup was born on the South Wamses on 4th October and both mother and pup are doing well. So the first (of no doubt many) have been born and it'll probably be another roller-coaster of a ride over the next six weeks, so stay tuned - the Seals are taking over and weather is on its way...

Highlights: Woodcock, Snipe, Richard’s Pipit – one on Brownsman at 11:30 moved to nearby Staple Island before returning a few hours later, Whinchat, Wheatear, Redwing 14 west, Chiffchaff 3, Greenfinch 4, Chaffinch 9, Reed Bunting 3, Snow Bunting male lingering. Sadly Inner Farne was not checked due to the severe weather.

Lanced…

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The one - its not a great image but enough - Lancy on the rocks
(well done lads for snapping this in difficult conditions and fading light!)
Wednesday 30th September comments:
Its been a while since I updated the blog so here goes…

It’s been a long, slow September for the birders on the islands, as a series of westerly winds has produced very little in the way of bird migration. In fact nothing. I suppose it’s a bit harsh as we’ve had a Black-headed Bunting amongst others, but it’s been slow going at times.

However that changed on Tuesday and I should have known. I walked off the islands on Monday evening to attend an all-day ‘conflict and resolution’ training course on Tuesday as part of my job. After weeks (it has felt like an eternity) of westerly winds, I decided to leave on the only day an east wind decided to blow and that proved to be a big mistake, a real big mistake...

As forecast, the wind switched and by Tuesday morning, the islands were full of common migrants, as Skylarks and Pipits were present in their hundreds, Brambling and Chaffinch arrived from the east and the occasional oddity was discovered including a Lapland Bunting on Inner Farne. Then it happened.

The lads decided to check the most easterly island as time slipped away, as they arrived on Longstone (some 4.5 miles out from the mainland) at 18:30 and were greeted by a small number of migrants feeding amongst the lichen covered rocks (which is always an odd sight). The rain was falling and light was starting to fade but in the gloom, the team picked up on a small creeping warbler as it ran around on the open bare rock. The bird, small in appearance with the odd behaviour of preferring to walk rather than fly, was seen well by the lads and then the penny dropped. The team had discovered a ‘Lancy’ – (also better known as LANCEOLATED WARBLER) a very rare warbler from eastern Siberia.

Unlike anything else this season, this was a real rare – less than 120 records in the UK and most of those are from the Northern Isles of Scotland. Even Northumberland only boasts two previous records – on the Farnes in 1995 and Tynemouth in the late 1980’s. As light disappeared, the lads returned to Brownsman, to celebrate, but in the knowledge the world would be watching.

Due to a set of unforeseen circumstances, the internet ‘dongle’ was on Inner Farne and photos of the bird could not be forwarded to an anticipating head warden. Eventually the pictures were sent to me (I’m still mainland-bound at this moment) and the discussion began. At this stage, I got Ian Fisher, a very knowledgeable and well respected Northumberland birder ‘in on the act’ and following a review of the photographs (not the best of quality due to fading light and poor conditions), everyone was happy and the bird was a Lancy (not that my team had any doubts!).

It was great news for the lads (brilliant work team – that’ll be something you’ll not forget for a long time!), great news for the Farnes and the County, but not such good news for myself and many other birders who would have loved to have seen it!! To their credit, the team were on the Longstone complex very early Wednesday morning, but sadly the bird was gone.

So WHAT a bird, what a bird to miss...

Leaving day

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Joe with his trusty camera - the blog will miss his photos!

Paul at his best - in a zodiac boat

Thursday 17th September comments:
It’s been an eventful week on the islands, as we’ve experienced huge whales, rare birds and some stunning weather. However today was a sadder day, as we said goodbye to two members of the team. With the autumn well on its way the island team is reduced as warden’s move onto pastures new.

Today Joe Cockram and Paul McDonald said goodbye to the Farnes after a great season, having spent the previous six months living and working on the islands. Both lads brought a lot to the Farnes and I’m certain neither one will forget an amazing experience. Joe will start at Bournemouth University in the very near future and we wish him well – it’ll certainly be very different to island life. Paul will begin a year’s adventure touring Canada, so I’m certain island life will probably have trained him well for the wilderness of North America.

We wish them both all the very best and, lads, if your reading this, a big thank-you for all your hard work and great company. Despite there departure, I’m sure they’ll be back in the future and already we look forward to their return. Tonight the atmosphere has been subdued, they’ll be missed.

Highlights: Common Rosefinch present for its fourth day on the islands, otherwise very quiet for migrant birds.

Look who’s back…

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Monday 21st September comments:

The weekend produced mixed weather, as Saturday brought a spot of rain strong southerly winds, whilst Sunday was as good as we could have hoped for mid-September- plenty of sunshine and calm conditions. The resulting weather brought very little in the form of migrant birds although our first Pink-footed Geese started moving west towards the mainland, as they migrate to wintering grounds in deepest north Norfolk. Otherwise a very quiet few days and even quieter for the team, as we've now lost Paul and Joe.
However one noticeable visitor reappeared around the islands on Saturday - the monster returned, as the Humpback Whale was seen again!! Just after midday, reports started filtering out that the beast had been seen off Newton Point (about four miles south of here) and as we waited, the animal moved north, eventually reaching Crumstone just after 3pm. However it then went quiet and no-doubt disappeared back into the depths of the North Sea. It'll be interesting to see if the animal lingers and what a sight that would be for the daily visitor! Otherwise all quiet and the first seal pup can't be too far away...

No Bunting Mistake

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Black-headed Bunting, Brownsman (by Joe Cockram)
One step forward, the Bunting on a Brownsman wall (by Joe Cockram)

Proof I was there - me and the Bunting (nice one Joe!)

Bluethroat, Staple Island (by Joe Cockram)
Barred Warbler, Staple Island
Monday 14th September comments:
The Farnes had just experienced a noteworthy day the previous day as a Humpback Whale was discovered north of the islands, the first ever encounter with the islands. Today was just as interesting, in fact for the birders amongst us, even better!!!

Following a very quiet start, a Barred Warbler was discovered on Staple Island before three Risso Dolphins quickened the pulse. This was only the fourth ever Farnes record of this large scar-headed dolphin, as three animals moved south through Staple Sound allowing good views for the wardens.

However this was just the beginning. Myself and Jason decided to leave Inner Farne and meet up with the Brownsman wardens (Joe and Adam) and take a look at the very showy Barred Warbler. The bird, a big gem, showed well but seconds later, we were distracted as a Bluethroat graced our presence. Here we were, on an island in the North Sea, watching Bluethroat and Barred Warbler – another good day for the Farnes. However things just got better.

Onto the furthest easterly island, Longstone and following the discovery of a few migrants including the autumns first Goldcrest feeding in seaweed (this is the Farnes after all), we discovered a Common Rosefinch. What a crazy few hours. Eventually after some celebrating, we headed back to Brownsman to take a look at some more of Joe’s quality photographs.

However the day wasn’t finished as the four birders headed up to Brownsman cottage, and then it happened. A bird sprung from the vegetation onto a wall and BANG, a Black-headed Bunting!! All four birders stopped, disbelieving and watching, looking at the bird. It was a Black-headed Bunting, a very rare eastern migrant which should be heading to Asia but is now on the Farne Islands!! This represents the fifth Farnes record and after some great views, note taking and photos, the lads celebrated. The Farnes strikes and what an amazing few hours. Something the four of us will not forget. Black-headed Bunting. Whatever next….role on tomorrow.

Whale of a time…

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Tail fluke of a monster - Humpback Whale (phots by Julie Forrest)

Humpback off the Farnes, on Monday 13th September (photos by Julie Forrest)

Wednesday 16th September comments:

Following the euphoria of Monday evening, the following few days have been more settled as most of the migrant birds departed overnight with no sign of the Black-headed Bunting on Tuesday morning. The only bird of interest lingering for a second day was the Common Rosefinch, which moved from Longstone to nearby Brownsman.

On the cetacean front, following the spectacular sightings of the Humpback Whale and Risso’s Dolphins, things were back to normal, although photographs of the whale have now emerged. Julie Forrest, a local diver, was lucky enough to be onboard Glad Tidings, when the whale was originally discovered. Many thanks to her for forwarding the photographs – I superb record shot of an impressive beast in Farnes waters. For those who witnessed the whale, it will long stay in the memory.

Otherwise the islands remain quiet, as small numbers of visitors arrive daily and the team await the first Seal Pup of the year – it’s surely just around the corner…

It’s a Cory’s!

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Distant but distinctive: Farnes 13th Cory's Shearwater (by Joe Cockram)
Cory's Shearwater heads north, Farne Islands
Saturday 5th September comments:
It’s not been a great start to the month for those wishing to visit the islands, following two open days, Saturday proved to be the third consecutive day we were closed, as the beefy North-westerly winds had whipped up enough swell to prevent boats from sailing. However we should be back open for business tomorrow (Sunday) but with rain forecast, it'll probably be grim (as they say).

It was another interesting day for sightings, as eyes were trained on seabird movement as the majority of migrants including yesterdays Icterine Warbler, had departed. The morning produced the biggest surge of records as a few hundred Manx Shearwaters were recorded, alongside the occasional Sooty Shearwater, but then news broke of a Cory’s Shearwater off Newbiggin-by-the-sea, flying north at 09:40 (Newbiggin lies about 20 miles south of the Farnes). Within the hour, the team were celebrating the successful sighting of the Farnes 13th Cory's Shearwater, as it skirted north around the islands, close to Inner Farne and then Brownsman (and was seen by the majority of wardens).

Even Joe managed to grab a few snap shots of the bird, certainly the first time we've ever had a photographed Cory's off the Farnes and probably Northumberland!! Interestingly the bird was seen soon after at nearby St.Abb's Head at 11:30 and was then possibly the same bird recorded off Fife Ness late in the afternoon.

Seawatching: Cory’s Shearwater north at 11:00 (second this season), Manx Shearwater 297, Sooty Shearwater 5N, Velvet Scoter 3N, Common Scoter 9N, Teal 50N, Great Skua 5N and Arctic Skua 2.

Highlights: Common Sandpiper 2, Greenshank, Snipe 2W, Meadow Pipits 35, Robin, Wheatear 18, Willow Warbler 10, Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler 2 and Whitethroat.

There she blows!

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Sunday 13th September comments:
This was no ordinary day on the Farnes. The islands have been going through a lean spell whilst other east coast headlines having been cashing in on some interesting bird migrants. But this wasn’t a day about birds, as the headlines were stolen by a cetacean. Just after midday, William Shiel (Glad Tidings) phoned me to tell me he had just seen a Humpback whale near Longstone Island. In complete disbelief, the shock stopped me in my tracks but then pandemonium was let loose as the warden team raced to the top of Pele Tower to start scanning for the whale.

After a few frustrating minutes (during which time the animal was showing well to a visitor boat within the area), the animal revealed itself. First a column of water from its blow hole followed by a show of its tail fluke as it dived deep into Farnes waters.

Then nothing. Nothing at all...

The hundreds of Gannets remained overhead, swirling above the animal but we couldn’t see it, but that was all about to change. In true spectacular style, the animal started breaching, flinging its huge body into the air before smashing down onto the North Sea with a huge crash, bang, wallop. WHAT a sight. The animal, in excess of twelve metres, was then seen for over an hour breaching and feeding just north of the islands as it plunged the depths for fish.

Humpback Whales are rarely seen within the North Sea although numbers of the North Atlantic populations appear to be on the increase following years of decline and sightings from the west coast are becoming increasingly regular, but this was the North Sea. More recently, an animal spent late summer around the Shetland Isles and it is feasible the same animal could be involved - this is the first record for the Farnes and first in modern day history for the north-east of England. This was a staggering sighting.

I did tell you that this was no ordinary day. Humpback Whale off the Farne Islands – who would have thought!

Seawatching: Red-necked Grebe 1N, Gannet 1,585N (one hour count), Brent Goose 14N (pale bellied), Teal 9N, Wigeon 8N, Manx Shearwater 191N, Sooty Shearwater 32N, Great Skua 5N and Arctic Skua 3N.

Bye bye Whale

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Monday 14th September comments:

Latest news: no sign of Humpback Whale day (sadly) but news breaking of photographs taken by a diver on the visitor boat which originally found it. I'm currently tracking them down, so watch this space - or the blog, as photos will be published!!!

Migrants: Barred Warbler on Staple Island today with a scattering of migrants - more news will follow tonight!

An Icky Day

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Icterine Warbler, Brownsman (by Joe Cockram)
Icterine showing well - Brownsman (by Joe Cockram)

Friday 4th September comments:

The day was almost a repeat of the previous, as a north-westerly wind blasted the islands and once again, we were closed to visitors. However the rain moved on and it allowed the birders on the island to find more migrant birds including a stunning Icterine Warbler - the first this year (a rare visitor - although almost annual on the Farnes - from the near-continent). However its not all about birding, as the team painted the bathroom on Inner Farne and caught with paperwork - the results are showing its been a stunning breeding season the islands, but more of that later.
Seawatching: Red-throated Diver 1S, Sooty Shearwater 3N, Manx Shearwater 29N, Teal 15N 32S, Wigeon 7N, Arctic Skua 16S, Great Skua 3N 3S.

Others: Grey Heron 3, Dunlin 5, Snipe 2, Greenshank, Whimbrel, Golden Plover 310 on Longstone, Common Sandpiper 4, Tree Pipit, Redstart male for second day, Whinchat 1 on Staple, Wheatear 8, Willow Warbler 8, Icterine Warbler - 1 on Brownsman, first this year, Garden Warbler 2, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler 2, Whitethroat 2 and Spotted Flycatcher.

Private Islands: South China Sea Style

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mengalum island The tropical climate of Malaysia and the warm breezes of the South China Sea make this area of the world one of the best places on the planet to own an island.  Mengalum Island is a rare opportunity to own an island in the South China Sea, and at almost 1,000 acre’s in size Mengalum is one of the largest islands in the region. Mengalum Island is situated in the South China Sea 30.4 nautical miles northwest of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah’s capital city.

Access to Mengalum Island is available via high speed catamaran or helicopter. The history of Mengalum Island has long been associated with voyaging of Ferdinand Magellan who sailed the waters of the South China Sea during the 16th century. The link is tied to a large metal anchor located in the south- western corner of the island near the shoreline. Although there is no recorded documentation as to when and how the anchor was placed on the island, many people, including local fishermen, believe that the anchor is from Magellanâ’s or one of his fleet vessels.

Mengalum Island is suited for tourism, resort and leisure development.  The island is relatively close to Kota Kinabalu CBD (35 miles). The island resort can therefore tap upon the municipality’s population as a source of employment and support services. Its distance from Kota Kinabalu can give island guest the feel of a remote tropical island paradise and yet provide the comfort of knowing that the city mainland can be easily accessed if the need arises

For more information on this unique island opportunity visit Private Islands Online.

The Best of Fiji

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NukubatiTravel Bite.uk recently released their list of the best resorts in Fiji, and it comes as no surprise that a number of private island resorts made it onto the list. Included on their list of the best resorts of Fiji is Nukubati a stunning 108 acre private islands located on the Great Sea Reef, off the north coast of Vanua Levu. This little-known private island is about as exclusive as you can get. There are just four bungalows and three bures  which translates into only about 14 guests at one time.

Also on the list is Taveuni Island Resort, aka Garden Island. Travel Bite heralds Taveuni Island Resort as one of the mnost beautiful places to stay in Fiji. Situated on the east coast of Vanua Levu, the island boasts some of the best diving in the world.  With just 12 luxury ocean-view bures and one Oceanfront Villa with stunning views of the Somosomo Straits, guests can rest assured of five-star personal treatment. 

Source: Travel Bite 

High Cay: Bahamas

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high cay bahamasThe Bahamas is without a doubt the most popular destination in the world to own a private island. A beautiful climate combined with easy access to the US along with comparatively straightforward purchase and development laws makes the Bahamas the ideal Private Island destination.

One of my favorite new islands on the market is High Cay. The white cliffs of High Cay on the Ocean side were the first sighting of land by Christopher Columbus in 1492 on his historic journey of discovery. High Cay boasts three beaches and a great sand spit that protrudes off the western side of the island. It is one of a few private islands in The Bahamas that has great elevations and wonderful beaches.

The island would be ideally suited for the creation of a wonderful showpiece dwelling set high on the bluff with 360 degree views with pathways to the beaches and a dock that could be built in the protected lee of the island.Transportation to High Cay would be via San Salvador International Airport, that has a runway capable of landing transatlantic Jets.

This island really is one of a kind. For more information on this property visit Private Islands Online.

The World: Back on the Market

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the-worldNakheel’s luxury man made private island development The World is set to return tot he market in the second half of next year according to reports out of Dubai. Work on the man made archipelago was postponed in the wake of hte financial crisis. 

However, with the markets bouncing back under-construction apartments and villas will go on sale as, it is hoped, an appetite for real estate investment will return. The World consists of 254 islands of which 175 have been sold and 33 handed over to developers.

click here for more information

The Island Market is Back

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Isla Cebaco, PeruWith the global economic crisis nearing its end the island market is showing signs of life. Recently I have noticed a flood of new properties coming on the market. What is astounding about this boom in the island market is the islands are all highly marketable and desirable. Over the next week or so I am going to be featuring a wide variety of new islands on the market, from the affordable to the affordable only for the very rich.  So stay tuned and as always to check out the world’s biggest selection of Private Islands for Sale visit Private Islands Online.

Haunted Halloween Island

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PovegliaAlthough most of the world doesn’t celebrate Halloween, here in North America it’s the spookiest day of the year! Of course this isn’t to say the rest of the world doesn’t have their share of terrifying places. Considered one of the most haunted places in the world Poveglia is a haunted island near Venice, Italy.

This island isn’t messing around either, it’s darkened shores are strewn with polished human bones and it is reputed to be so scary that no tourists are ever allowed to set foot on it.  In the late 1500’s when the plague ravaged Italy, and bodies were piling up by the thousands, city officials took the drastic step of sending the sick and dying, including children and babies, to the island of Poveglia and thrown into the pits of rotting corpses, where they were left to die in agony. As many as 160,000 tormented bodies were dumped there over the years.

The whole island is still covered in a layer of ash, the remains of all the burned bodies. Before long, local people began seeing strange things and hearing strange sounds coming from the haunted island. In light of the islands dark history, in 1922 they did the only logical thing…they built a mental hospital on the island!

The hospital was run by an excentric doctor who experimented on live patients. Lobotomies were performed using a basic hand drill or just a hammer and chisel. After years of these horrible experiments, the doctor himself began seeing ghosts. It is said they led him to the top of the bell tower, and forced him to throw himself off. It is rumored that the mental patients then bricked up his body in the bell tower. There his ghost remains, haunting the empty tower for all eternity. HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Ambergris Island Property

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ambergris-cay-1Although owning a private island is the dream for many, the idea of purchasing and maintaining an island vacation property can seem daunting. For those of you who are interested in fractional island ownership Amerbgris Cay may be the perfect solution.

Ambergis Cay, located in Turks and Caicos is offering the sale of a fantastic piece of beach on one of the most exclusive islands in the world.  With the largest private jet runway in the Caribbean and state of the art infrastructure in the middle of aqua marine waters, this is the place of serenity and tranquility.

This half acre property is currently on the market for $525,0o0. For more information visit Private Islands Online.

Paradise Sinking

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sonevaEnvironmentalist and island lovers have been talking for quite some time about the Maldives, which has become the front line in the battle against global warming and the higher tides that it brings. However, ever since the President of the Maldives gave an impassioned speech in front of the UN last month the world has begun to take notice that this island paradise is in serious danger of being lost to the world.

Recently abc.com reported on the state of the tourism business in the Maldives, which is the lifeblood of the Maldivian economy. The article essentially is encouraging travellers to visit the island not only because it is in danger, but because despite of all it’s challenges it is still one of the most beautiful places in the world.  Here is what they had to say about Soneva Fushi.

At the high-end, the Soneva Gili and Soneva Fushi , both part of the Six Senses chain of resorts, take Robinson Crusoe living to a five-star scale. They offer the iconic Maldivian water villas, luxury suites perched on wooden platforms above turquoise ocean that are often large enough to accommodate a family of four. If you can stand the hotter weather, the best rates turn up from March to October – an off-season that includes the monsoon rains of late summer.

To read the full article visit abc.com