Here Comes The Bridled-traditionally late of course!

A trip to Inner Farne with Samuel and Dave. We left about 3 a.m. this morning and headed up to Seahouses where we arrived a little after 8 o'clock. Not bad progress with a couple of quick stops on route. Whilst making our way to the ticket booths on the harbour side we heard the familiar voice of LGRE calling "Dave-Dave" he was delighted to see Dave and had just returned from the island and had enjoyed "crippling" views of the Bridled Tern before he saw it fly off. We paid our £13 for the return crossing and waited until after 9 o'clock when we boarded our boat for the 25 minute journey to Inner Farne.
On arrival no sign of the Bridled Tern but Razorbill, Guillemot, Puffin, Kittiwake, Fulmar, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern, Shag kept us occupied for a while but our target bird was nowhere to be seen. After a couple of hours everyone was getting anxious as we only had limited time on the jetty. Then a strange turn of events. Another birder called an Arctic Skua but as Dave looked out to sea he got straight on the Bridled Tern. He called it out as it flew over the jetty and then out of site. Some birders got on it and some didn't. Dave and Samuel did and I didn't. Dave and Samuel could not stop laughing they thought it was hilarious! A bit harsh considering I was doing all the driving I thought.
This sighting seemed to re-focus the assembled birders attention and nearly all were scanning the Terns in flight and after about 10 minute's someone called the Bridled Tern as it flew towards it's favourite resting spot. It landed on the rocks and we enjoyed great views for over half an hour as it rested for a few minutes then moved a short distance away and rested again. It did not look too settled and seemed to call a couple of times and on one occasion was harassed by a Puffin.  It then took flight again appearing to perform some kind of display flight before disappearing from view. By now our ferry was back and we had to leave the island. A trouble free return journey completed a gruelling but most enjoyable day.
A few nice pics and an account from the rangers perspective on their blog here http://farnephoto.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/here-comes-bride_3.html