Farne Islands

[Boddie]

I am shortly to propose a meeting at the Farne Islands. Can someone please suggest a good time of year, and what could be expected. A number of us have already spoken about this trip and initial numbers look very promising.

Dates / seasons appreciated thanks

[Jon]

Its quite a while since I have been but I do recall May June is good. Previously I went to the Farnes and also incorporated a visit to Ailsa Craig. There are much fewer people who visit this small island and landing is only possible on fairly smooth water days. I think we were dropped off whist the boat went to other islands and we were picked up on the way back thus offering more time for photography.
I would be interested in going to the Farnes this year, I can recommend it highly. Jon

[smartie]

Mid May - early June probably the best times. The breeding season goes through to July but it gets a bit busy after mid-June with tourists. You need to be aware that there are restricted landing times on the islands - I think Staple in the morning and Inner Farne in the afternoon. Plant life is quite interesting as well as the birds.

[smartie]

You might find this site useful to show you what boat trips are available. The bird-watchers' one, which will give you maximum PUFFIN time, is near the bottom of the page. Other boat firms are available, as the BBC would say, but I used to know Billy Shiels' dad and granddad!

Seahouses - Farne Islands Boat Trips

We'll be up there from 12-19 May and will definitely join the trip if it is then. May join it anyway even if it's later

If you can get to Lindisfarne (Holy Island) as well (may depend on the tides) I'd recommend that.

[Boddie]

Fantastic. Thanks Smartie

[Blackdog]

Count me in for this one please. I've not been before and would love the chance to visit, particularly with a few other WABers

[Elizabeth B]

We visited the Farne Islands on June 23rd 2005, using the company mentioned above. I had booked in advance for the All Day Bird Watch - and I think if we had just turned up on the day, we may have found it fully booked. It was a beautiful day, flat calm, clear blue sky, and the boat was packed - Canons of every description on all sides!

A hat of some sort is essential on Inner Farne during the breeding season - I was wearing a fairly sturdy baseball cap, and envied the people who wore builders' hard hats!

There are two photos of the attacking Arctic Terns on the second page of my husband's website:

Trip to Farne Islands - June 2005

[eeyore]

i'm definitely in for this one - assuming it fits in with work ,

[Hobjob]

Any date yet?

[John]

If I were to come it would have to be the week after I come back from Lesvos so that makes it May 26th onwards. I would be very interested in this trip if it goes ahead.

I look forward to a defined date.

John

[peterjclarke]

I went out with Billy Sheil on the all day birdwatching trip as mentioned above in June 2006. The weather was too rough to land on Staple Island but we did get three hours on Inner Farne. It was good but very busy with about 200-250 people on the island at peak times. I can highly recommend it and would go again.

[almostnormal]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth B

We visited the Farne Islands on June 23rd 2005, using the company mentioned above. I had booked in advance for the All Day Bird Watch - and I think if we had just turned up on the day, we may have found it fully booked. It was a beautiful day, flat calm, clear blue sky, and the boat was packed - Canons of every description on all sides!

A hat of some sort is essential on Inner Farne during the breeding season - I was wearing a fairly sturdy baseball cap, and envied the people who wore builders' hard hats!

There are two photos of the attacking Arctic Terns on the second page of my husband's website:

Trip to Farne Islands - June 2005

on this subject, i'd be up for the farne's, but i'm unlikely to make it, my schedule for may/june is very full, and that's the best time of year to go.

on the above, a baseball cap with a cardboard lining works really well, but hard hats are definitely the best! you can pick them up in b&q pretty cheap!