Farne Islands WAB Meet June 2010

[pressld2]

There's a few of us who have been recently or are going shortly and quite a few more who have said they'd love to go. So how about a WAB meet on the Farne Islands in the breeding season?

Date: Wednesday 9th June 2010.

This is the week after half-term so it shouldn't be too crowded (I'm avoiding weekends for the same reason).

Likely cost: about £40 plus accommodation.

This year, the "All-Day Birdwatch" trip from Billy Shiels with landings on both Staple Island and Inner Farne cost £25. There is also a £5.80 National Trust landing fee on each island (although if you're an NT member you won't have to pay this) bringing the total cost to £36.60. Bound to be a bit more next year. If there are enough of us we may be able to do a private charter but I'll look into that when I have an idea of the number of people interested.

Accommodation: There are a lot of B&Bs in and around Seahouses. I stayed in a very nice one in North Sunderland, about a mile and a half away for £40, single occupancy. If sharing, the price per head would be a little lower. There is a campsite about half a mile outside of Seahouses on the road to Bamburgh and I will be staying there, definitely for the Tuesday and probably the Wednesday night as well.

The Wildlife:







Most of these are very used to the visitors and are extremely approachable. You'll be using a wide angle lens almost as much as your telephoto!

So please form an orderly queue and add your names here if you'd like to come along.

Dave P.

[smartie]

Sounds like an excellent idea to me, but having just come back from a week in Bamburgh followed by a week on the Isle of Mull I'm a bit hazy about the timing of my visits to the north next year. We usually have a week in Bamburgh at some point, but we were talking about a winter trip next year to see the migrants. Still, we could always stay with Derek's mum in Newcastle for a couple of days in June

Put Derek and I down as strong possibles and we'll let you know definitely as the arrangements firm up.

[NicolaB]

Put me down as a strong possible as well...suspect the boyfriend would like to come too

[Hobjob]

Yes, I'm up for that Dave - In my diary.

Only significant family events will get in the way
(or health).

Will you block book the boat?
I shall allow enough time to hang around for day or two,
just in case the first day is rough - and probably then go up
to Scotland to see bro-in-l.

I'll even get my missus on this one!

[Tormentil]

Put me down too.

Last week I stayed at St Aidans Hotel the night before our trip (£53). Its right on the seafront and 5 mins walk from the harbour. The owner let us leave our car in the hotel grounds while we on the Islands.

Oh, and they do a great brekkies; best bacon I've tasted fer ages.

[Kayleigh]

I would be interested if someone was willing to car share I don't think I could drive all that way anyway I would never get there on my own as I have no sense of direction as some WABbers will know from experience..

[jerryh]

Put me down, too, Dave.
With any luck I can combine the trip with my usual May sojourn to The Lakes.

Jerry

[smartie]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

I would never get there on my own as I have no sense of direction as some WABbers will know from experience..

As long as you can find the A1 you'll be fine. You just keep going straight up it until you see a sign for Seahouses.

[Gill Catton]

I'm a maybe I'm afraid and may not know for certain until next year

[NicolaB]

I'm quite happy to carshare with anyone who is en route, or any of the fellow Welsh WABbers

I'd probably be wanting to stay at least a couple of nights though, as it's a long way from home!