Visiting the Farne Islands

Africa · #1 (**permalink**) 21-01-2012, 03:36 PM

I am not sure if this is the right forum, but I want to take my family for a few days to the Farne Islands to see the bird colonies. I was thinking easter (1-14 April). Is it too early to see the birds breeding? Any other tips would be much appreciated.

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 21-01-2012, 03:51 PM

May would be the best month, all of the species will be around their peak breeding numbers by late May (with perhaps the excption of the terns). There will still be plenty to see in April but you may see reduced numbers of species like roseate tern, kittiwake which lay a little later, early april will also have low puffin numbers. The North sea seabird colonies do tend to breed slightly earlier than in other areas, which will work in your favour. Either way you should still see loads of birds around early April, including migrants. Most species wont be breeding in early April though.

Africa · #3 (**permalink**) 22-01-2012, 08:40 PM

Thank you Dogghound. We might go on the 2nd week of April to increase of chances. Constrained by school holidays.

Jonners · #4 (**permalink**) 22-01-2012, 08:48 PM

If school holidays is a factor, you could do the summer half term around the end of May. I took my boys a couple of years ago and it was absolutely wonderful

DOXHOPE · #5 (**permalink**) 22-01-2012, 09:54 PM

Hi I live 30 minutes away from Seahouse where you will sail from..April is a bit too early, I go mid June, and have been on the islands every year for the last 10 years..try and get up later, it will make all the difference, loads of activity....

Elizabeth B · #6 (**permalink**) 23-01-2012, 09:15 AM

We were there in mid-June 2005 and had a wonderful day - flat calm sea and brilliant sunshine. I was glad I was wearing a fairly thick baseball cap - but attacks like this still hurt (some people were wearing builders' hats)!!!:

You can see more of my husband's photos here: The Farne Islands - June 2005

aeshna5 · #7 (**permalink**) 23-01-2012, 03:40 PM

Hope to make a return trip this summer- a fabulous place!

Africa · #8 (**permalink**) 23-01-2012, 05:20 PM

Thanks everybody for the tips. I can't wait to go, but may postpone until the June half term!

nursiebernard · #9 (**permalink**) 23-01-2012, 05:24 PM

It is certainly worth seeing

galanthophile · #10 (**permalink**) 24-01-2012, 11:11 AM

I've lived next to the NE coast all my life but had never been to the Farnes until last June and I was blown away. It was fantastic. Puffins about 2 feet away, Shags and gulls nesting and feeding their young right next to you. May/June is the perfect time but any time would be worth a visit I think! I hope you enjoy it whenever you do go, I'm sure you will!