I collected Richard and Chris, Anne and Howard and Paul and Julie from Seahouses and we headed a little way down the coast to visit the Arctic and Little Tern colony before heading back to Seahouses for a trip across to Inner Farne…
The dunes were a hive of activity in the warm sunshine; Common Blue butterflies, Yellow Shell, Cinnabar and burnet moths and an impressive display of our county flower, Bloody Cranesbill, before we reached the terns. After lunch it was time to board Glad Tidings and head towards the ‘Galapagos of the North’. Eiders were escorting their chicks around the harbour and the first Puffins and Guillemots were sitting on the sea just out of the pier ends. As we approached the islands, in a strengthening breeze, the number of birds increased dramatically with lines of Guillemot and Puffin, and the odd Razorbill, streaming back to their nests and hungry chicks. Gannets soared by and the sound, and smell, of a cliff full of Kittiwakes was an all-out assault on the senses. Grey Seals were lazing on the rocks and we landed on Inner Farne with it’s remarkably obliging Shags, Guillemots, Puffins and Sandwich, Arctic and Common Terns.
What can we say about the Farne Islands? If you haven’t already visited them, start making your plans 🙂
2 responses to “Wet and windy; Farne Islands Safari 15/06/17”
The trip to the Farne islands on 15/06/17 was a great day out accompanied with a trip to see the tern nesting colony plus the picnic overlooking bamburgh castle and the gannets hunting for food. The only small negative was for keen birders, we were only allowed an hour on the Farne islands on a safari like this.
The “Grill on the Hill” is definately worth a visit in Berwick upon Tweed.
Our day long safari was excellent, well organised and very enjoyable. We have always had a very keen interest in woodland birds but now thanks to Martin and Northern Experience find we appreciate and enjoy spotting and watching sea birds just as much. Also a real highlight for us was when we sailed really quite close to grey seals as they appeared to just be there relaxing on the rocks – amazing.