Shag - part 1

Another common bird on the Farne Islands is the Shag. Similar to the perhaps more familiar Cormorant, the Shag is smaller and all dark apart from a yellow patch at the base of the bill. It also lacks the white patch on the face that the Cormorant has. Although small numbers of cormorants are found on the Farnes, they are generally seen from the boat trips as they travel round the islands. Shags, on the other hand, are abundant on both Staple Island and at one end of Inner Farne, where you can get really close to them indeed.

This first set of images is of simple portraits.

ShagFarne Islands, Northumberland

ShagFarne Islands, Northumberland

ShagFarne Islands, Northumberland

ShagFarne Islands, Northumberland

The juvenile birds are fluffier and a distinctive brown colour, in contrast to the bottle green adults.

ShagFarne Islands, Northumberland

This last image is more of a family portrait!

Shag with chicksFarne Islands, Northumberland