Farne Islands WAB Meet June 2010

[Ukwildlifeo]

Put me down as a definate as possible this long away

[Fourwings]

As we have already discussed you can put me down as definate for this one Dave, the Farnes are now number 1 on my "to do" list.

I've also made it a "sticky" as requested pal.

[Richard G.]

Blimey, WAB will be booking out the whole boat at this rate!
That week seems to have become our annual pilgrimage north of the border, so fear I'll not be joining you, but I'll make a note of the date just in case. Great place for a meet though...

[Vectisbirder]

Count me in. I have never been to the Farne Isles and am planning to go next year anyway.

[John]

I'm a strong possibility for this one Dave. I will PM you as well.

John

[WhiskyBottle]

It's a long way off, but if I'm not working I'll come.

At least it won't cost a fortune in film like it has in the past.

Don't forget your padded hats and protective lens filters, the birds can be 'very tame'

[acherontia]

Pencil in me and OH please. We were supposed to go last month but had to cancel .
OH went with his college last year - I've never been as yet () but he says it's wonderful!

Acher

[DavyG]

This should be a really good trip, unfortunately it's unlikely we could attend due to my work commitments.

We returned from the Bamburgh area last Friday, having spent 6 days there, the objective having been to have at least three days on the islands to improve our photography skills.

We managed to get to both Staple Island and Inner Farne on the Sunday and had around 5 hours between both islands, it was a good day.

We then tried again, each day from Tuesday through until and including Friday, due to rough sea conditions the boats weren't going out, it was a tad disappointing but that's UK weather for you.

This is the second year in a row that this has happened, last year we went at the end of May and managed to get one day on the islands out of seven days.

On both trips a lady called Marta, in the Billy Shiels booking office, was extremely helpful, I would recommend contacting her for bookings and forecasts.

The Farne's are definitely worth the journey but check the long range forecast, it may save you a long trip.

Dave

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by acherontia

he says it's wonderful!

He's not wrong! This year was my second visit and the first time in the breeding season. Even though we couldn't get to Staple Island because of the weather it was still a fantastic trip.

The list so far (of people interested - no commitment! )...

Smartie + Derek
NicolaB + b/f
Hobjob + missus
Tormentil
Kayleigh
jerryh
Gill Catton
Ukwildlifeo
Fourwings
Vectisbirder
John
WhiskeyBottle
Acherontia + OH

And me of course! That's a possible 18 already with plenty of time for others to join in.

I made some enquiries about block-booking and was told that the smallest boat they have takes 40 so they would just charge 40 times the standard price, or £1000, to charter it for the day. As there's no cost saving for doing a group charter I think we're better off just booking on the standard trip. That way if anyone has to drop out closer to the date there'll be no cost. I'll do a block-booking early in the new year for however many are interested by then, plus a few spare places in case anyone else wants to join in. Then I'll confirm final numbers with them a couple of weeks before we go.

As Davey says, the trip is always at the mercy of the weather. This is why I shall be spending at least two nights there, so that if we can't go on the 9th we can try again on the 10th.

I will also make sure that we have a variety of alternative sites to visit just in case, such as Morpeth for the red squirrels...



Dave P.

[PMG]

I'm pretty sure I will miss this - we already have our 2010 hols booked for 'you know where' and I'm almost sure this date falls slap bang in the middle ..... I'm actually not sure which two weeks I have booked but will be re checking while out there again in less than 10 days time .......... ooooh!!!