Farne Islands

14 June 2009

I love the Farne Islands and have been a few times. Boat trips depart from Seahouses and take you across to the Farne Islands for a brief tour around them before allowing passengers onto Inner Farne. There are from about fifteen to twenty-eight islands, depending on the tide. The prinicpal island is Inner Farne and others include Staple Island and Brownsman. Inner Farne and Staple Island are major sanctuaries in the United Kingdom for breeding sea birds. During the nesting season there are twenty different species of breeding birds including Guillemots, Razorbills, Eider Ducks, Terns (Common, Sandwich and Arctic) and Puffins. The Terns often make themselves heard and felt when 'dive-bombing' visitors who walk close to their nests. There is also a large colony of Atlantic or Grey Seals. A thousand seal pups are born each Autumn.

Longstone Lighthouse stands on the outer group of the Farnes. It was made famous on 7 September 1838 by Grace Darling when she and her father rescued nine survivors from the Forfarshire, a paddle steam ship which ran aground.



Sandwich Tern

There were lots of Terns flying around the boat as it arrived at Inner Farne. They were diving into the sea looking for food and this bird was just about to dive.



Puffin

This Puffin was standing on the rocks as I got of the boat onto Staple Island. It was really close to the walkway and had a mouth full of sand eels. It was an ideal opportunity to capture a lovely photograph in the sunshine.

Bridled Guillemot

This was quite a difficult photograph to take as I was on the moving boat at the time so trying to keep focused on the bird was very challenging as the sea was quite rough. At the last moment another Guillemot swam into view and this in a way spoils the photograph.

Arctic Terns

These birds have a ferocious reputation but in truth they are only protecting their nests and their young. They are very noisy birds and actually peck visitors on the head.

Guillemot

As there are so many birds it is very difficult to take a photograph of one bird by itself. Again, as you can see, there is a bird in the background.

Puffin

The Puffins were the main birds I went to see. They fly in carrying sand eels in the beaks. On this occasion, this bird had no eels but the sight of seeing them fly in is amazing.

Lesser Black-backed Gull

There were two Lesser Black-backed Gulls attacking the Puffins as they flew in with sand eels. When I took the photograpg the bird had been unsuccessful in stealing any sand eels.