There's no shortage of birders on Holy Island looking for the latest rarity blown in by the winds. And there's no shortage of pilgrims, looking to restore their soul as they walk in the footsteps of the Celtic saints. But it takes a Faith & Feathers weekend to bring the two pursuits together.
For the second year running, David Peel and friends organised a weekend full of delights and refreshment. The word is clearly spreading: this time people came from as far away as Wiltshire and Birmingham to enjoy the hospitality of our St Cuthbert's Centre and of Marygate House. Some were experienced ornithologists while others confessed themselves absolute novices - but everyone had something to bring to the weekend, and everyone went away enriched.
The birding walks took us over the familiar territory around the harbour and over the heugh, as well as to the north shore, and - new this year - to the Snook, chasing that elusive firecrest. But for those of us at the lough at the right time on Saturday afternoon, the gold crest and brambling made a maginficent joint appearance - while others of the party enjoyed fine sightings of the barn owl later in the day on the Long Lonnen. Then there were the red-throated divers out at sea, the brent geese on the far side of the sands - and everyone had a favourite bird to remember as they made their way home.
Everyone in the group had seen the peregrine sitting on the pole, marking the end of the Pilgrims' Way across the sands - and we had all seen the magnficient sight of that vast flock of wheeling waders as he flew off to do what peregrines do. And when the heavy winds on the first afternoon had kept little birds hidden, the gannets were out in force and coming in good and close, helping us recognise the markings of the immature birds.
Later that evening we shared in the excitement of the quiz night (and will say nothing of the confusion shown by some of the more experienced of the group in recalling the distinguishing markings of certain geese), while on the Saturday evening we provided the regular weekly worship slot at the Centre. There were other times for prayer and reflection too - mainly with a creation focus that helped bring the two parts of the weekend together.
At the end of it all, warm thanks were expressed to David for organising the weekend. And it's good to know that he is already planning a follow-up in the form of a spring time Birds and the Bible weekend with John Proctor in 2010.