23rd August: Birds moving on again

The Island is relatively quiet just now, between the breeding season and the start of the Autumn migration, but the annual influx of geese and other migrant wildfowl may well start turning up at the end of this month!

Flocks of geese have already been seen at Budle Bay, and heard flying over the nearby coast. It won't be long before one of our most special visitors, the light-bellied Brent geese, begin to arrive in their thousands. They will be joined by pink-footed geese, barnacle geese and a host of other wildfowl such as wigeon and teal.

Last year's Barnacle geese on the flats - this will soon be a common sight again!

For the birds that still remain here, there is still plenty of food for them to fuel up before their long migrations. The Reserve is full of flies and caterpillars just now, great food for swallows and warblers before they undertake their epic journeys back to Africa for the winter.

22nd August: Late summer blooms

The special orchids of Lindisfarne are now setting seed, but there is still an amazing array of fascinating plants and flowers in bloom to be seen among the dunes.

Here are just some of the beautiful plants you can still see:

The beautiful white flowers of the Grass of Parnassus - this is not actually a true grass. Also known as 'bog star', this plant flourishes in damp conditions; the wet dune slacks of Holy Island is perfect habitat.

The tiny, bright pink flowers of the Seaside Centaury deserve a much closer look. It can be confused with Common Centaury, but the leaves of the two species are completely different - Seaside Centaury has much more narrow, strap-like leaves. 

This little plant is Eyebright - this species has many tiny flowers, and is abundant among the dunes right now. It grows in various habitats, being semi-parasitic and feeding off the roots of grasses. You can see it next to paths so watch out for it when walking through the dunes of Holy Island.

In addition to some fantastic plants, there are many more interesting sights among the dunes, for example this empty pupa case of a burnet moth, with part of the caterpillar still attached:

21st August: Upcoming guided walk, this Sunday

Join John Woodhurst, a very knowledgeable and entertaining local historian, for his penultimate guided walk and talk, 'St Cuthbert - Lindisfarne's First Nature Warden', is happening this Sunday, 25th August, starting at 12pm outside the Window on Wild Lindisfarne building.

John leading the group to St Cuthbert's Island on his previous walk

Come along to learn more about the amazing man behind the legends surrounding St Cuthbert, and hear some wonderful stories of his relationship with the animals of Lindisfarne and the surrounding coastline. Discover more about his life, and how he is much more than the Patron Saint of Northumbria!

A mother Common Eider or 'Cuddy's Duck', named after St Cuthbert, and her ducklings

This walk is also a great chance to explore parts of Holy Island whilst listening to John tell stories of St Cuthbert and the surrounding area - the walk will take you past the harbour, up to the Heugh to view the Farnes, and down to St Cuthbert's Island.

You can find more details and how to book your place on our Events page.

John's final walk will be a very special event on September 4th - more details coming soon!

16th August: A warm welcome to our new volunteer guides

If you haven't visited the new Window on Wild Lindisfarne building yet, now is the perfect time! Some of our friendly Reserve volunteers have kindly offered to be guides in these buildings, there to chat to the public about the NNR, upcoming events, and what can be seen in the flooded fields opposite the building - soon to be filled with geese!

A busy Window on Wild Lindisfarne complete with sign inviting visitors inside... Our volunteers are brilliant but they can't control the weather!

Look out for the notice board outside the Window on Wild Lindisfarne - this means there is a volunteer here ready to answer your questions about the wildlife of the Reserve. Binoculars and, sometimes, a telescope are available for you to view the nearby birds in more detail. Pick up a Reserve leaflet from the building, which has details of the self-guided nature trail and more information about the Reserve.

12th August: Amazing Lindisfarne Sketch Book Event

John Steele's second Lindisfarne Sketch Book walk on Saturday 10th August went fantastically well! The small but incredibly enthusiastic group learned about many different forms of life among the dunes and how to sketch them. John was great at encouraging us to pick out the individual characteristics of each plant and insect.

Some of John's stunning field sketches from a recent visit to Lindisfarne NNR

In the words of John:

"Anyone interested in the natural world could do no better than to carry a sketch pad and pencil with them on each and every adventure outdoors.

 This basic equipment allows you to start to record a personal impression of something that attracts your attention, no matter how briefly you spend making marks on the paper.

By spending just a few minutes or even seconds sketching an insect, plant or bird, your moment of observation can quickly turn into heightened fascination and understanding and can be recorded and cherished for latter reference.

Moving creatures are a challenge to even the experienced but its always worth putting down in just a few marks the impression of the flying bird for your own pleasure. Remember these are not finished paintings, just your personal visual diary.

Try sketching a small part of a plant in your garden over the growing season, if sketching in public seems uncomfortable. You will very quickly spot subtle changes to the flowers and leaves over the weeks, right through to the seed pods bursting and some of the amazing creatures that visit it from time to time.

 I have little doubt that you will be inspired and learn so much from this seemingly simple 

process, if you once give it a go." 

John is incredibly knowledgeable and the perfect natural history guide. We will be delighted to welcome him back for another art event in the Spring!

The Reserve warden's attempt at sketching various plants and creatures of the dunes

If you missed this event, don't despair: John will also be on hand at our drop-in event at Budle Bay on Saturday 19th October from 11.00am, to demonstrate how you can look more closely at the various birds, plants and other subjects around the Bay. John may even bring some rather interesting props! Hope to see you then.

Peak Bird Counts - July

Some of the peak bird counts from July's Wetland Bird Survey carried out across the Reserve:

Cormorant 51
Shelduck 124
Eider 602
Red-breasted Merganser 65
Goosander 24
Oystercatcher 587
Ringed Plover 18
Lapwing 12
Dunlin 258
Bar-tailed Godwit 700
Curlew 660
Redshank 545
Black-headed Gull 1376
Herring Gull 879
Sandwich Tern 201

Some fantastic counts this month, during this quieter period at the end of the breeding season before the excitement of the autumn migration.

Fantastic Free Art event, Saturday 10th August

The second of John Steele's art events is coming up this Saturday, 10th August. The first in the Lindisfarne Sketch Book series was fantastic thanks to John, who is an exceptional artist - he illustrated the images for the Reserve signs at Beal car park and some of the hides, which are beautiful.

Our signs showcasing John's amazing talent for capturing the Reserve through the seasons

This event will involve a short walk looking at the interesting wildlife and features of the Reserve, with stops along the way to sketch anything that catches the eye. There is an amazing range of subjects to sketch on the Reserve, from seabirds and seascapes to the duneland plants, insects and animals.

Places for this event are limited, and bookings are already beginning to fill up, so be quick to ensure your place!

More information and how to book can be found on our Events page: http://lindisfarnennr.blogspot.co.uk/p/reserve-events.html