Farne Islands - Question !

AndySwinden

AndySwinden

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Not quite sure where to post this, but here goes.....

I have been up to the Farne islands a few times in the past and really enjoyed it - I'm hoping to get back up this year, but I can't make it until the 24th June.

In the past, I have always gone 2 or 3 weeks earlier - will I have missed most of the action by the 24th ? I know people say that things are happening earlier and earlier !

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks :)
 
Touch and go isnt it.
Best bet is to ring either National Trust for Farne or one of the boat operators out of Seahouses and ask their opinion I reckon.

Unless someone more knowledgeable than me comes along and answers your query.
 
AndySwinden said:
Not quite sure where to post this, but here goes.....

I have been up to the Farne islands a few times in the past and really enjoyed it - I'm hoping to get back up this year, but I can't make it until the 24th June.

In the past, I have always gone 2 or 3 weeks earlier - will I have missed most of the action by the 24th ? I know people say that things are happening earlier and earlier !

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks :)
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Give these guys a ring. We booked a tour of the islands with them and the lads on the boat were fantastic. Knowledgeable and spent time showing us things

We went at the start of April last year and the bird, seals were everywhere. Some pics on my Flickr

http://www.farne-islands.com/

Jez
 
I'm going a week today and can't wait. Just hope its not a rough crossing, I'm not that good on boats, apart from the canal variety.

I only had a compact camera last time I went so I'm hoping for much better photos this time.
 
staffitaxi said:
I'm going a week today and can't wait. Just hope its not a rough crossing, I'm not that good on boats, apart from the canal variety.

I only had a compact camera last time I went so I'm hoping for much better photos this time.
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My mate who is coming with us on the 24th is worried about the same thing !!

Do you mind letting me know how you get on / how much activity there is ??

The boat people say there should still be plenty around on the 23rd 24th so fingers crossed :)
 
There will still be plenty about. I've been in July before and still gotten shots. I'm heading to the Farnes on the 21st hopefully so if I remember I'll let you know what's about

Neil
 
I've been at the end of May before and saw no puffins with sandeels, went at the end of June last year, had great weather and there were loads of puffins with sandeels flying and posing. Enjoy.
 
Nice feedback about the 24th June :) A few of us from PoTN are also going to Seahouses for a long weekend including the Islands on the 24th ~ not long now!

FWIW I found this blog by the NT wardens http://farnephoto.blogspot.com/
 
:bang::bang::bang: not sure how that happened but got a double post.....as cannot delete contents deleted :bonk:
 
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I'll be there this weekend so I'll let you know
 
Just got back from a week there.

There are loads of birds still sat on eggs, so I guess there will be activitiy for quite a while yet.

If I ever get around to sorting the hundreds of shots, I will post some. Unfortunately my biggest lens only goes to 200mm. Although you can get close a larger reach would have been better.

Hope you all enjoy your trips.

Ken
 
AndySwinden said:
My mate who is coming with us on the 24th is worried about the same thing !!

Do you mind letting me know how you get on / how much activity there is ??

The boat people say there should still be plenty around on the 23rd 24th so fingers crossed :)
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No problem, I'm so excited now.

Last time I went across it was a bit choppy but not too bad. Didn't get too wet.
 
Nikon Ken said:
Just got back from a week there.

There are loads of birds still sat on eggs, so I guess there will be activitiy for quite a while yet.

If I ever get around to sorting the hundreds of shots, I will post some. Unfortunately my biggest lens only goes to 200mm. Although you can get close a larger reach would have been better.

Hope you all enjoy your trips.

Ken
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Sounds promising - thanks for the info.
 
3 people I follow on twitter (one is a member here RichardPeters i think) have just got back from 2 days on the farnes, might be worth contacting them via twitter on @projectpuffin.
 
just got back from farnes yesterday still plenty to see bird wise and seals too if you get chance go to beadnell for rock pipts and eiders too
regards ian
 
Joe

Best bet is to book in advance. I have been in the past and I have seen first hand people getting turned away because of full boats

Neil
 
The small group I am going with, we have reserved our 5 places and been told that if due to conditions there are no tours that day we will simply be switched to the next day :)
 
We are booked in for Friday - can't wait.

In the past we have sometimes not been able to land on both islands due to weather, but have always made it to one.
 
AndySwinden said:
We are booked in for Friday - can't wait.

In the past we have sometimes not been able to land on both islands due to weather, but have always made it to one.
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If you are talking about this Friday coming, then so are "we" :clap: And likewise can't wait, so looking forward to seeing the birds especially the Puffins :love: not looking forward to the very long drive there & back :bang:
 
Joe T said:
Quick question: are people booking the boat trips in advance at this time of the year? Or are you all just turning up on the day and buying tickets from the little booth?
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When I went we just turned up on the day, but arrived early, got tickets and then went for a coffee.

Billy Shiels ran more than one boat on the all day trip that day. The first was full but the second wasn't.

I suppose it depends on time of year and weather.

Ken
 
AndySwinden said:
We are booked in for Friday - can't wait.

In the past we have sometimes not been able to land on both islands due to weather, but have always made it to one.
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I was told that Staple Island is often not capable of making a landing (was unable to land on recent trip). Inner Farne is usually OK.

Having been out there in a kayak I know it can get very rough in Staple Sound, but the landing on the Inner Farne is sheltered.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

Ken
 
Had a fantastic day yesterday. Still plenty of everything to see except the Eider Ducks as they have pretty much all left.

Still loads of puffins bringing food in. Also lots of Tern chicks which were exceptionally cute but make sure you remember your hat as the parents were very protective. One man put his hand up to protect his head and ended up with a nasty cut. My thick thinsulate hat seemed to work a treat.

Definitely book the boat, it was absolutey packed out yesterday.

Andrea
 
Hi Andrea

Likewise many thanks for the 'on the ground' update, much appreciated. Some clement weather and suitable light would be a nice order of the day :D
 
maninsuitcase said:
3 people I follow on twitter (one is a member here RichardPeters i think) have just got back from 2 days on the farnes, might be worth contacting them via twitter on @projectpuffin.
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Yep we had a fantastic couple of days on the Islands last week and will definitely go again next year (or 'maybe' Skomer). Had no idea there was a TP meet there last weekend, but we were only there the Wed/Thur.

staffitaxi said:
Had a fantastic day yesterday. Still plenty of everything to see except the Eider Ducks as they have pretty much all left.
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There were a few still in the seahouses harbour with chicks :)
 
Just back from the Farnes today. Interesting day.

We were the only boat that went out (about 18 people) and it was very very wet. I have never been before in bad weather so it was fun in that respect. Flight shots were out due to the grey bland sky/low light.

We only got onto Staple Island and we were n't even there for 2 hours. We left early because the swell was getting up. The NT closed Inner Farne because of the rain. The reason was that the Terns rise off the chicks to attack people as they walk past. By doing this the chicks are uncovered and they are so small at the moment that they risk getting soaked and dying. Seems a good reason for me not to allow folk on. We were refunded part of our boat fee.

On to the birds. Plenty of Puffins flying and sitting about. Shots with Sand Eels were hard because they were darting down their burrows to stop the gulls stealing their catch. Also plenty of Guillemots and Kittiwakes with a few Fulmar and Razorbill about too. I'm not sure what stage the Guillemots are at because I didn't fancy walking over the slippy rocks to find out. The Shag chicks are quite big and wont be around for too much longer I don't think. We went to Inner Farne and from the boat you could see that there were plenty of Terns about.

Hope thats of some use, any questions just ask

Neil
 
@ Neil ~ thanks for the report :) We have been keeping an eye on the weather forecast and so far it suggests some variability but all being well Fri & Sat both still look promising though one forecast says heavy rain on Sat another says light showers??? Can only surmise the closer we get the better the forecast picture will be...........I hope!
 
I hope so, today was pretty grim. That said I have some shots I'm quite pleased with that are a bit different.

The warden said that there were over 300 people on yesterday compared to our small group today.

Neil
 
da_nige said:
I hope so, today was pretty grim. That said I have some shots I'm quite pleased with that are a bit different.

The warden said that there were over 300 people on yesterday compared to our small group today.

Neil
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Do post a few when you can as always nice to get some inspiration & encouragement :)

Incidently, what is the ground like under foot i.e. after rain do you need wellies or just stout shoes/trainers???
 
I'm going on the 24th August, will there be anything worthwhile to look out for?
 
-halli- said:
I'm going on the 24th August, will there be anything worthwhile to look out for?
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I sincerely hope so as we are booked for that day........having said that I sumise you mean something specific? :)
 
Box Brownie said:
I sincerely hope so as we are booked for that day........having said that I sumise you mean something specific? :)
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:lol: Yes, would be nice to see more than just poop stained cliffs ;)

EDIT: Oh, and it is August when I'm going, not this weekend coming. (unless you are going in August too)
 
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-halli- said:
:lol: Yes, would be nice to see more than just poop stained cliffs ;)

EDIT: Oh, and it is August when I'm going, not this weekend coming. (unless you are going in August too)
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Oooops! missed the August part :bonk: so I will defer to others who have the insight about August???

I found this blog by the wardens http://farnephoto.blogspot.com/ not sure but as have not checked by maybe a link to ask them???

Edit - found their blog for August 2010 incase that helps http://farnephoto.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html
 
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-halli- said:
:lol: Yes, would be nice to see more than just poop stained cliffs ;)

EDIT: Oh, and it is August when I'm going, not this weekend coming. (unless you are going in August too)
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By checking through a few editions of Birds of the Farne Islands, i think by August 24th most of the birds will be back at sea, although its very dependent on many things.

There will still be birds around, but not in great numbers. ive always visited around the second and third weeks in June so cant really comment for certain on whats available this late in the season.

Very worthwhile reading the Farne Island Blogger mentioned earlier, it could be your visit coincides with a rarity or good migration.
 
Cheers for the blogs - I think :/

"Thursday 26th August comments:
It’s been a quiet few days"

:cry:

Ah well, it's a trip organised by the special needs service in Northumberland, and I reckon my son will enjoy it just for the experience (He's a keen kayaker/canoeist so likes the water/boat aspect of the trip and is a budding photographer - two "birds" with one stone, let's hope a third "Bird" aspect is present!)

I've not been since I was in Middle School! (about 27 years ago)
 
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