Country Diary: Northumberland

The recent heavy rain has had a serious effect on wildlife. Last week, I found that two muddy clay nests had finally collapsed from under the eaves of this old house, where swifts and house martins have come to breed for many years. Both had smashed eggs, but there are still others intact, so I hope we get no more downpours. Puffins' nests have been washed away in the storms of heavy rain on the Farne Islands, flooding the birds' nesting burrows, washing away eggs and drowning a few chicks. Arctic tern nests were also hit by flash flooding, and the resident wardens have done a great job gathering up eggs and putting them temporarily in egg boxes, as well as digging up paving stones to create effective drainage channels. The salvaged eggs had to be returned to the right nests, although nearly 20 were lost or beyond repair.

I was glad to hear that most of the birds have now returned to their nesting sites, and the rescued eggs. June is a busy time of every year on the Farnes because hundreds of visitors come then, and over the last few years several of my friends have arranged a day trip to these islands to celebrate a birthday, rather than hosting a party. This is a great idea, so long as the weather does not let them down, causing the adventure to be canceled, which has happened to two of my contemporaries this summer.

Generally, the month of June is the most rewarding time to visit the Farne Islands: many avian species can be studied at close range and also nests, eggs, and chicks as well. Despite the rains, insect pollination seems to have been productive and there should be a good yield of hips and elderberries. So I am hoping to make some elderberry wine again - my father called this drink "the countryman's port".