'Confused' seabird the only gannet on island

THE Farne Islands may be home to 23 breeding species of seabirds, but one resident returning for its second year is still a rare sight.

- DANIEL HALL

Nestled among guillemots on Inner Farne’s sheer cliffs sits a large, white and lone gannet.

Though gannets are often spotted along the Northumberland Coast, they do not breed or nest on the Farnes - so this mature bird has island rangers stumped.

Named Stevie, the seabird is miles away from the nearest gannet colonies at Bass Rock, North Berwick, to the north; and Bempton Cliffs, North Yorkshire, to the south. Rangers believe that Stevie has ended up on the island after surviving bird flu and “getting confused”.