Tuesday 21 June 2011

Farne Islands 20-6-11

With the weather looking good for a short break to Northumberland and a day on the Farnes,we booked the train and B & B and set off on Sunday morning arriving at Almouth Station late afternoon.
With our hosts coming out to pick us up from the station and take us to the B & B at Seahouses which was good of them saved us getting a taxi,we arrived at the B & B around 16.00 so after getting settled in Mandy and Myself decided on taking a walk down to the harbour to see how long it would take us and see what we could find.
After a 20 minute walk or so we got to the harbour and had a look around for the Eider which we found a few females with young but no Males,must say the tamest Eider I have ever seen,with hunger setting in it was off for a big Gammon Steak each followed with a nice walk back to base.
Monday morning it was up and ready for the trip to the islands with a big cooked breakfast down the hatch we made our way to the harbour giving us plenty of time to spend with the Eider before getting one of Billy Shiels boats out to the islands.
On the islands was the usual seabirds but closer than I had ever been before a real magic place to do some photography.
With the 2 hour nearly up on the first island we made our way back to the landing area and spent time watching the Puffins when I got a tap on the shoulder and was asked if I was Richard Dawkins on turning round and replying yes the chap said thought it was not recognising him straight away he told me his name Richard Bedford and said we had met before with Dave Hutton somewhere and I replied yes it was at Cley photographing the Spoonbills,The Farnes was the last place I thought I would be asked my name and he said that both Mandy and myself had been busy,Not forgetting Amanda Hayes ( if your reading this ).
Arriving at Inner Farne we were warned to wear hats due to the attacks of the Tern but I only pecked twice so thought I was lucky unlike one poor chap a Tern made his ear bleed.
Well what a sight more Terns than I have ever seen all in one place it was brilliant the 2 hours soon went by again always does when your having fun and was time to leave :(
This is my first visit to these magical islands would recommend it to anyone who's never been before
Thanks to Mandy my gorgeous partner for making it happen xx
Hope you enjoy the pics 95 of them :)
Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern
Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Common Tern

Eider

Eider

Eider

Eider

Eider

Eider

Eider

Eider

Eider

Eider

Eider

Eider

Eider

Eider

Eider

Eider

Eider

Eider

Guillemot

Guillemot

Guillemot

Guillemot

Guillemot

Guillemot

Herring Gull

Kittiwake

Kittiwake

Kittiwake

Lesser Black Backed Gull

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Razorbill

Razorbill

Razorbill

Razorbill

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Shag

Shag

Shag

Shag

Shag

Shag