As October draws to a close, the seasons are beginning to shift here around the Farne Islands. The last few weeks have been truly special — a reminder of why this place never fails to amaze me, no matter how many years I’ve spent out here.

We’ve had some lovely bird sightings lately. Golden Plovers and Whimbrels have been moving through, along with Curlews calling across the rocks. A few Purple Sandpipers have started to arrive too, their plumage blending perfectly with the shoreline. But the real highlight for me was a Short-eared Owl on Inner Farne. What a beautiful bird — those golden eyes are absolutely mesmerising, like molten amber catching the sunlight. They always look so alert, scanning every inch of ground for the slightest movement. To see one here, resting before it carries on its journey, is something truly special.

We also had a visit from a Yellow-browed Warbler, a tiny but stunning little migrant that always causes excitement when it appears. The Rock Pipits are busy along the cliffs as ever, and one of the most surprising spots of the season was a Kingfisher — only the fourth ever recorded on the Farnes! That flash of electric blue darting across the rocks was a real treat.

Offshore, the skies have been busy too. We’ve seen Skuas and Great Skuas heading both north and south, always up to their usual tricks — chasing other birds for their food. I do love them, but they can be cruel at times! Nature at its most ruthless, I suppose. And then there’s the Blue Fulmar — such a stunning bird. I could watch fulmars for hours as they glide effortlessly along the water, their stiff wings barely moving. There’s such grace in the way they ride the wind, unbothered by the chaos around them.

And of course, the dolphins have been around again — always a crowd favourite. No matter how many times I see them, they bring a smile to my face. They love to play around the boat, weaving in and out of the bow wave, and then with one powerful flick of their tails, they vanish into the deep. I never tire of watching them.

The weather’s been great up until this week, but as we near the end of October, we can’t really complain. It’s been one of the better seasons in memory. Recently, we’ve been taking out a few diving groups, and as always, the seal encounters have been mixed — some days full of activity, other days quieter. That’s nature for you.

I did post a video on Facebook of divers playing with the seals, and to be honest, some of the negative comments really got to me. The divers come here because of the beauty of the islands — the visibility, the wrecks, the wildlife. And anyone who’s dived here will tell you: often it’s the seals who approach the divers, not the other way around. They’ll tug on fins, nibble a glove, or nudge a shoulder — curious and playful by nature. It’s an amazing experience, something most people never get to do in their lives.

Seals are clever creatures. If they don’t want to play, they won’t — they’ll take one look and disappear. But if they do want to interact, they’ll make it known. They are the true bosses of the water, and any encounter happens on their terms.

To those who say, “You shouldn’t be in the water, leave them alone,” I understand your concern, but please remember that divers have been exploring around the Farnes long before social media existed, and there’s never been a serious incident. Yes, sometimes a seal might nip a little too hard, and that’s not something we encourage, but once the divers leave the boat, it’s out of my hands. All I can do is advise them on how to behave respectfully.

So to the online critics — please, don’t spoil the joy in this world. There’s already enough sadness out there: wars, suffering, illness, loss. When you see a diver surface from the water with a grin from ear to ear, it’s something pure and uplifting. You never know what’s going on in that person’s life, and a simple encounter with a seal might be the moment that makes their whole week — or even their year.

Yes, people can go too far at times, and that’s not okay. But sometimes I think we all need to take a step back and let others find happiness in small, beautiful moments. Life’s too short to be miserable. Out here on the Farnes, surrounded by nature, I’m reminded every day that joy still exists — if we let ourselves see it.