I want to photograph puffins

[pressld2]

This was taken from one of the viewing areas at Bempton Cliffs...



(It's actually a composite of two images as I didn't have good enough light to allow a smaller aperture that would get both birds in focus at the same time.)

I needed the 400mm end of my zoom for that one but on the Farnes I only used 400mm for in flight shots.

If you didn't manage to get there last year there is a WAB meet planned for June 9th - see Farne Islands WAB Meet June 2010

Dave P.

[RobSutton]

For a another alternative trip - train to Oban and then a company called Turus Mara run day trips to Staffa and Lunga, both have puffins that are very approachable - I use a 70 -200 zoom quite often for shots there. The trips start by catching the ferry from Oban to Craignure on Mull and then they pick you up and drive across Mull to Ulva Ferry where their boats go from the trip thend spends an hour on Staffa (of Fingal's Cave fame) before going onto Lunga for "Puffin Therapy".

Turus Mara ~ Wildlife & Seabird Cruise-Tours Scotland

Not the sort of trip you'd do in a day but combined with a holiday on Mull with Sea Eagles and Otters to see it might be worthwhile. On Mull there is quite a good bus service and there are people doing wildlife tours around as well so it would be possible to get around using public transport.

[GallenWolf]

Hey everyone!
Thank you for the valuable tips! I didn't manage to make it down last year - couldn't find suitable accommodation during the period - everything was booked up! I will make a booking earlier this year. The other sites are also very very tempting! I'll see how my work schedules and budget rolls, all of them sound very interesting!

Thanks again!

Regards,
Alvin

[John]

Hi Alvin

The Farnes will be by far and away the place to go for photographing Puffins as you can virtually walk amongst them. There is a thread on WAB for a meet there between members and here is a link to it.
Farne Islands WAB Meet June 2010

I would suggest that you give this thread a read and if you were interested you may find someone that could pick you up from London or perhaps a meeting point somewhere along the route.

I would definitely consider this meet as you won't get a better chance than this.

John

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by RobSutton

For a another alternative trip - train to Oban and then a company called Turus Mara run day trips to Staffa and Lunga, both have puffins that are very approachable - I use a 70 -200 zoom quite often for shots there. The trips start by catching the ferry from Oban to Craignure on Mull and then they pick you up and drive across Mull to Ulva Ferry where their boats go from the trip thend spends an hour on Staffa (of Fingal's Cave fame) before going onto Lunga for "Puffin Therapy".

Turus Mara ~ Wildlife & Seabird Cruise-Tours Scotland

Not the sort of trip you'd do in a day but combined with a holiday on Mull with Sea Eagles and Otters to see it might be worthwhile. On Mull there is quite a good bus service and there are people doing wildlife tours around as well so it would be possible to get around using public transport.

I second the recommendation for 'Turus Mara'. Some years ago, they dropped me off on Staffa where I camped for 3 days. It was great when the day trippers went and I had the island to myself - you can stand at the highest point and see that you're surrounded by water.

For those that intend visiting Staffa, be very careful on the basalt rocks around and in Fingal's Cave. Even with good boots with good tread, basalt wetted with sea water is as slippery as ice!

Jim

[Eryri]

May I also suggest Ynys Seriol or 'Puffin Island' off the north Wales coast.
Access starts in May, and here is the RSPB links.

Puffin Island

Access by train and then bus.

[David Nixon]

Puffin Island, located near to Bangor and the Isle Anglesey is situated just off a stunning part of the North Wales coast.

Cheers,

Dave

[Claire Fifi]

Originally Posted by Ade-Wales

If it's puffins you want, it has to be Skomer Island in West Wales. You can get within 2-3' of these delightful little birds. Between mid May to mid June is the best time.

Introduction | Skomer Island | Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales

Check out some of my photos on;

Coastline, Islands & Offshore - a set on Flickr

The boat runs back and forth to the island Tuesday to Sunday and also Bank Holiday Mondays. There are certain other restrictions, when they do a detailed bird count so you need to check out the website.

Skomer Boat Trips - Pembrokeshire Islands - Skomer, Stokholm, and Sheerwater Boat Trips

If you were to come down to Milford Haven on the train, you could then catch the 'Puffin Shuttle' which is a bus service that includes the Martin's Haven departure point for the boat.

Pembrokeshire County Council, 400/315 Puffin Shuttle: St Davids - Milford Haven - St Davids

You can even stay on the island overnight. (opportunities are limited so you need to book early).

Overnight Accomodation | Overnight Accomodation | Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales

Hope this helps, let me know if you want any further info.

Regards

Ade

Hi Ade, I am off to Wales over Easter (second week of April, rather than Easter itself). I was planning on visiting Skomer then. I realise that this is not peak puffin time, but wanted to ask if you have been there at that time of year - and if so, did you spot any puffins?

[SusieBee]

I'd recommend Lundy beautiful little island. Puffins are now slowly increasing there too since eradicating the brown/black rats!

Found a vid link from feb 2010...Hope it works ok.

North Devon Gazette| Video Clip of puffins on Lundy Island

Also large numbers of Black-legged Kittiwake's, Razorbill's, Guillemot's, Fulmur's, Shag's, Oystercatchers, Skylark's & many vagrant birds.

Mammals of interest.....Grey Seal, Silka Deer, Pygmy Shrew & Feral Goats!

Hope you get to photograph the Puffins wherever you go....

[Claire Fifi]

Yes, Lundy has been on my list for quite a while now Susie, as has the Scilly Isles, Costa Rica, Puget Sound...etc

I am going to Skomer as we will be staying not far from there, near Pembrey. As my OH will be spending most of his time kite-buggying, I demand at least one day where we do something else!