Farne Island & Northumbria - Advice Please.

[DavyG]

We are planning a week long trip to Northumbria at the end of May, our intention is to visit the Farne Islands, at least once, to photograph the Puffins and other birdlife.

I'd be grateful for any advice regarding visiting the Farne Islands and any guidance about other places in the region for photographing wildlife, particularly if there are any good Dragonfly/Damselfly sites.

Thanks for all advice offered.

Dave

[ChrisJB]

Hi Dave

When me and the missus went last autumn, we just turned up at Seahouses, weighed up the various boat trips by the harbour and picked one. It was great! We were too late in the year for puffins, but the seawatching was good, with streams of sooty and manx shearwaters going past.
Coquet Island further south is good for roseate terns and of course Lindisfarne is a must. If you do go there, cross the causeway just before high tide cuts you off, then return to the mainland when the tide goes out again, it will be quieter then. The dunes there are botanically very rich.
You could also go up into the Cheviots too, or visit the 'wild' white cattle at Chillingham.
Yes. it's a splendid area.

Regards, Chris

[DavyG]

Thanks for the information Chris.

I'll certainly take your advice and visit Lindisfarne, I'll also look up Coquet Island as I've never heard it mentioned before.

Thanks for taking the time to offer some guidance, it's appreciated.

Regards,

Dave

[ChrisJB]

Dear Dave,

Sorry, should've said, boat trips round Coquet Island go from Amble. On account of the rarity and vulnerability of the nesting Roseate Terns, I don't think you can alight on the island, but you should get great views of the terns and other birdlife.
When we went last August, it was our first time and we really fell in love with Northumberland. There is also a beautiful walk along a stunning beach, from Craster to Low Newton (past Dunstanburgh Castle).

Regards, Chris

[NicolaB]

Hi Dave, I'd definitely recommend getting a boat to the Farnes a couple of times during your trip, as the boats seem to land on different islands on different days (well, they did when I last went there about 10 years ago).

You'll definitely want to experience both Staple Island and Inner Farne. Inner Farne is more grassy and has the Arctic Tern colonies (hat definitely recommended!!) and with Staple you get amazing views of seabirds nesting on cliffs and bare rock, including Shag, Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill and others. you can also see Roseatte terns on the Farnes as well.

I can also recommend the Dunstanburgh walk...absolutely stunning!! Must go there again myself!

[DavyG]

Chris and Nicola:

Thanks for the further information, I really appreciate it.

We're looking forward to the trip and would like to do as much as possible in the week.

The Dunstanburgh walk is now high on my to do list, hopefully I'll get some decent pics to post.

I think the suggestions regarding the boat trips are good also, two trips to the Farnes sounds excellent to me!

Thanks again for your input.

Dave

[pressld2]

I was there in August 2006 and concur with all the above comments but would offer a small word of caution about just turning up at Seahouses. None of the trips run if the sea is too rough so unless you're staying very close to Seahouses I would phone first. We were there for a fortnight and I phoned up on the Wednesday of the first week just to ask if I needed to book. They told me I didn't but that there were no sailings because of the swell. It wasn't until the Thursday of the following week that any boat trips were running. On several of those intervening days the weather seemed quite mild on land but there was still too much of a swell for any sailings.

I would love to visit the Farnes, or Bass Rock, in the breeding season but am very worried that I'd drive all that way, spend on accommodation, and never get there because of the weather.

Dave P.

[jennyb]

We went to the Farne Islands last June and really enjoyed it. You cannot book far in advance because you need to know what the weather is doing, but I think it is advisable to book a day or so ahead.

We had a half day trip and it was not enough so definitely 2 days would be better or at least a full day.

It was wonderful! I would love to go back.

I love Northumberland and especially Bamburgh Castle. Not wildlife related but the castle is well worth a visit.

You should also visit Holy island, but it can be very busy with tourists, so avoid weekends.

If you venture over the border (by about 12 miles), go to St Abbs village and St Abbs Head Nature Reserve for seabirds and some stunning scenery. This is not actually in Northumberland but well worth a visit anyway. Here is a taste....



Jenny

Jenny

[DavyG]

Originally Posted by pressld2

I was there in August 2006 and concur with all the above comments but would offer a small word of caution about just turning up at Seahouses. None of the trips run if the sea is too rough so unless you're staying very close to Seahouses I would phone first. We were there for a fortnight and I phoned up on the Wednesday of the first week just to ask if I needed to book. They told me I didn't but that there were no sailings because of the swell. It wasn't until the Thursday of the following week that any boat trips were running. On several of those intervening days the weather seemed quite mild on land but there was still too much of a swell for any sailings.

I would love to visit the Farnes, or Bass Rock, in the breeding season but am very worried that I'd drive all that way, spend on accommodation, and never get there because of the weather.

Dave P.

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the advice.

We are staying less than 10 miles from Seahouses, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

I agree that it's a bit of a risk but the weather in UK is always unreliable, I'd rather be in the area and get one good day in the week than not go and miss the opportunity.

If the weather is pleasant on land, there are always other places to go, I understand the area we are staying in also has a small lake and river, we'll go dragonfly hunting.

Hopefully we'll hit lucky and get good weather, if not, I'm sure we'll still enjoy ourselves.

Dave

[DavyG]

JennyB:

That's a lovely pic, I'll add that area to my list.

We've been told to visit St Abbs Head and Bamburgh Castle by friends, it's good to hear confirmation from other people.

I'll also have a look at Holy Island, we intend to spend the first weekend relaxing, that should help avoid the tourists!

Thanks for your advice, it's appreciated.

Dave