Wildlife at the Long Nanny tern site

As the breeding season draws to a close, Ptolemy, McKinnon one of the assistant rangers at the Long Nanny tern site reflects on some of the wildlife highlights of the season.

 As well as terns and plovers, the site attracts an array of other wildlife. I have been lucky enough to see Arctic skua, curlew sandpiper and white-winged black tern on site. Stonechat and reed bunting are resident, adding to the variety of bird species seen here. The terns have been disturbed by the usual suspects such as kestrel and gulls, but three disturbances stand out: little egret, great white egret and short eared owl. Once discovering the cause, watching the Arctic terns chase the innocent bird flying by has left me and the other rangers stunned.

©Ptolemy McKinnon

Botanically, the area is fantastic. On site, pyramidal orchids are currently in flower. They are beautiful plants and add to the wide spectrum of colour summer brings. The salt marsh has provided lovely pink tones with thrift growing there. Bird foot's trefoil, red clover and bloody cranesbill also add to the wonder of the site. Many offer food for insects. Narrow bordered 5-spot and 6-spot burnet moths feed on the ragwort and common blue butterfly on the bird's foot trefoil.

Five-spot burnet moth on a pyramidal orchid ©Ptolemy McKinnon

On sunny days when topping up the sun cream, common lizards can be seen sun bathing along with plenty of insects. Some of the highlights include cinnabar moths, red-tailed bumblebee, drinker moth caterpillars and heather shieldbugs. Even at night, there are interesting insects. Recently, a moth trap on site attracted a fantastic selection despite it being a clear, cold night. The highlights were golden spangle, garden tiger, single-dotted wave and drinker, all great to see, even with bleary eyes.

Drinker moth from moth trapping ©Ptolemy McKinnon

When wanting time away from the site or in particular to get a shower, the walk to the office through Newton Links has produced some great spectacles. There are many common bird species such as linnet and sedge warbler which are a joy to listen to on the way. I have also seen species which I did not see growing up in Perthshire such as wall butterfly and yellow wagtail. The most amazing sight was one warm day earlier this month, as I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of a hummingbird hawkmoth hovering around white campion. This was the first time I had ever seen one and this sighting plus the others mentioned has added to the magic of the area.

wall butterfly at Newton Point ©Ptolemy McKinnon

Stormy days on the Farnes!

As strong northerly winds prevented boats from sailing recently, it seemed a good opportunity to reflect upon the Farne Islands season so far. Rachelle Regan is a first-time Farnes Assistant Ranger and part of the team looking after the outer group of islands including Brownsman and Staple.

© Rachelle Regan

"I had the privilege last year to work at the National Trust Long Nanny Tern site and, just as it was there, I am learning that day to day life for the seabirds and the Rangers of the Farnes is very much influenced by the weather!

The start of June brought strong winds and rain, unfortunately coinciding with our seabird cliff counts. Rough sea conditions made getting out in the zodiac difficult despite our efforts and it was a tight call to get the minimum of 5 counts done. We made it however, just as we were seeing the first few Guillemot ‘jumplings’, so in the nick of time! Despite a couple of wet and cold mornings we were rewarded with some beautifully clear and calm ones.

Brownsman Island rangers during early morning cliff counts
 © Sarah Lawrence



Aside from cliff and nest counts, seabird productivity monitoring is well underway with breeding in full swing. Most of the Eiders that have successfully hatched eggs have left, leading their chicks to Seahouses harbour where they can be seen forming crèches of Eider ducklings, sharing babysitting duties between females. We have had the first Shag fledglings on Staple Island seen hanging around the jetty and chasing each other in the water like typical teenagers. The Kittiwakes and Arctic Terns aren’t far behind and the cliffs are becoming progressively sparse as the Guillemots and Razorbill chicks make their epic jump and move out to sea.

Shag chicks on Staple Island
© Rachelle Regan

Black-legged Kittiwake with eggs and chick, Staple Island
© Rachelle Regan 

Parents can be seen bringing in fish thick and fast with Puffins disappearing down burrows with bills full of sandeels and Arctic Terns bringing in up to 26 fish in one hour to feed a brood of two hungry chicks.

A hungry Arctic Tern chick!
© Rachelle Regan

Arctic tern chicks, Brownsman Island
©Rachelle Regan

The recent weather has been challenging for all of the birds; unfortunately we have noticed a few flooded Puffin burrows and a few Shag nests on the lower ledges of the cliffs have been washed out. However the resilience and persistence nature of the adults is admirable, whether they are sitting tight on chicks to protect them from the rain or out at sea battling against winds and low visibility to find fish, there is still plenty of activity and it is a joy to observe.  Fingers crossed for some more favourable weather these coming weeks!"