I want to photograph puffins

[GallenWolf]

Hello everyone,
I hope this is the right forum to post a query like this! I would like to do some puffin photography during this season, and because I can't drive, and am super new to the UK, I would like some advice on where I can find them.

My top choices with (seemingly) public transport access would probably be a) Farnes Islands and b) RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

I think Bempton cliffs seems like an easier destination to get to; from the RSPB website it seems to be a 2km walk to the reserve, shouldn't take me more than an hour Not sure if I can hire a taxi, would help there.

Farnes would be my number one choice, however I can only do this trip over the weekend i.e. Sat/Sun, and I'm not very sure if its easy to get there as the nearest train station (Chathill?) seems to only operate at very specific times. I would probably have to take a train to Berwick or Alnmouth and catch a bus (or taxi)?

Would appreciate advice on what kind of lenses to bring along for a crop camera. (I usally carry my 55mm and 300mm)

I stay close to London, and would appreciate your thoughts

Thanks!

Regards,
Alvin

[Jim Ford]

It might be easier to get to Lundy in the Bristol Channel, from London by public transport. I understand that there are puffins there.

Lundy Island

With regards to lenses, my experience with puffins is that you can get very close - virtually within hands reach. Because of this, I would think 300mm is too long. If it was me, I'd consider something like a 50-200mm zoom.

Jim

[leo]

I recently visited the Farne islands and before you make your trip you need to be aware of a few things.

The boats can't always land on the Farnes, anything above a light chop or windy day and they don't land. There are no proper harbours and jumping from a rising and falling boat isn't for everybody, esp when you see the photo gear that people bring. So check the weather forecast.

Whilst on the Farnes you have to stay in a roped off area, and will be watched by the wardens. So logically, the birds are some distance away. I used a 300mm lens.


It is well worth the effort of going as the sight of all the birds there is fantastic, I recommend the Billy Shiels all day trip (2 islands - 6 hours) for £25.

[GallenWolf]

Jim, Leo, thanks for your thoughts! Seems like different places have different requirements. I'd definitely check up on the weather before I book my hotels and stuff, if I can actually get there

Leo, is your camera a crop or full frame camera? Did you find 300mm long enough or did you wish for longer?

Thanks!

Alvin

[leo]

3oomm is more than enough. The best puffin shot I got was taken with a Panasonic FZ7 which I use as a back up, I wanted to see how it would compare to the Nikon D80. For the artic terns tho I recommend a camera that can shoot at least 3fps because those guys are fast.

[Stute]

Not sure if you went but:

Lundy has only a handful of Puffins

Bempton they are often very distant (i.e. at the bottom of the cliffs swimming)

Best sites via public transport would be in descending order:

Farne Islands - Train or flight to Newcastle

Skomer

Sumburgh (Shetland) you can walk from the airport to Sumburgh Head

Isle of May (Via Edinburgh) Sailings can be badly affected by the state of the sea

No Puffin site is particularly well served by public transport.

300mm lenses will be fine for all of these sites and often a 70 -200 will be ideal

[davecatt]

Hi
If you should decide to try the Bempton Cliffs during the summer you may find the Bird cruises from Bridlington of interest, see the link below:

Cruises

Train to Hull then the Hull - Scarborough train to Bridlington,the harbour is a short walk from the train station. You can get bus or train to Bempton village from Bridlington, A visit to Flamborough Head would also be worthwhile.

As you ar are based in London I would recommend a weekend stay.
Dave

[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.

http://www.welshwildlife.org/skomerIntro_en.link

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).

http://www.welshwildlife.org/Overnig...Skomer_en.link

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

Regards

Ade

[Ukwildlifeo]

I think Skomer might be the easiest to get to, as Ade Wales has said, a puffin bus runs between the car park for the baot to Skomer and the many towns, villages in the area, which is handy if you camp.

I went there (using a car) and loved it there. Skomer doesnt have the terns of the Farnes, but has Short Eared owls instead and fulmars fly over THE puffin spot of the island.

[Dogghound]

I spend alot of time doing seabird research in the summer at Bempton and Flamborough plus its my local RSPB reserve. You do get puffins at the tops of cliffs and do get very close views from the viewpoints on the cliff, flamborough tends to have more birds but perhaps not the same view. From the train station its about a mile down a country road with hedgrows full of sedge and grasshopper warblers to name acouple of the many summer breeding birds there so the walk is worth it. However other than Scotland and the farnes I have never been to the other suggested areas so carnt comment in that respect.