Unbridled.......well, relief.......

19 July - A long day, to Northumberland, and arriving in plenty of time for the boat to Inner Farne revealed a perfect day for a boat trip. I joined a surprisingly large number of birders on Serenity for the afternoon crossing to Inner Farne, and we disembarked at 1.30pm. By 3, we were beginning to feel despondent, but at 10 past 3 there was a cry of "there it is!" And panic ensued until everyone had got onto the superb adult Bridled Tern that has been around the northeast coast for several weeks. A very smart bird, with black/brown upper parts and a white supercilium extending behind the eye. It remained on view for nearly half an hour, on the rocks and in flight (1-4). Definitely worth the trip. Also seen - 2 stunning Roseate Terns (5-6), 100s of elegant Arctic (9-11) and Sandwich Terns (7-8) - and auks, with Razorbills (14-15), Guillemots including a few Bridled birds (13), dapper Puffins (16-19) Kittiwakes (12) and Fulmars, all now with young after my last trip in June. An Arctic Skua also cruised past. A fantastic day in a northeast heatwave, photos JM.