Drawings of Farne Islands

Rarities in 1989

These drawings were done on the Farne Islands from accumulated field notes on the birds in question. All BB rarities were accepted by the BBRC.

This citrine wagtail appeared on the island one afternoon when we had a boatload of visitors walking around. Once we had the island to ourselves we were able to take notes at our leisure.

Walking around the island one afternoon, having put up a woodcock and been buzzed by a short-eared owl, I heard a call like a snow bunting. Initially I was unable to locate the bird, but when it called again it was on the ground about four feet away! Obviously exhausted, it looked like a snowball, much larger and very much paler than "ordinary" redpolls. An excellent bird.

In total we had four little buntings on the islands during the time I worked there. The head details, although variable all followed the classic pattern. Little buntings remain one of my favourite birds.

We had one or two yellow-broweds frequenting the islands during the autumn of 1989. Always a pleasure to see, they livened up many an otherwise bird-free day.

Prints of all of these pictures are available.

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