Inner Farne, Northumberland - 17.7.18
Over the last week or so I've been getting updates from "Bird As Art" American photographer Arthur Morris who is visiting some of the well known bird locations around the North East of England including the Farne Islands, so no sooner than my return from Skomer it's a quick decision to head up to Seahouses for a trip to Inner Farne and Staple Island.
The Farne's are a cluster of small low lying islands located a couple of miles off the coast near Seahouses and during May to July have up to twenty three different species of breeding sea birds, as it's quite late in the season there's only a very short period of time before all the breeding sea birds depart for the open sea.
The last time I visited the Farne Islands was quite a few years ago as part of a local club Scuba Diving trip, but today its not so adventurous opting for my new career in bird photography. Arriving in Seahouses the night before my trip I have a walk around the harbour and a couple of local sites, Bamburgh Castle is sat on the headland in the distance with Lindisfarne further on, time to check out the B&B.
Today I've joined a Billy Shiel's all day boat trip visiting many of the islands with a couple of two hour landings on Staple Island and then Inner Farne, each of the islands is quite different in terms of breeding birds and in this post I'm on Inner Farne which is the main breeding location for the Arctic Tern. As there's so many images taken of different birds I though in this post I'd concentrate on the very engaging Artic Tern.
At the landing jetty Arctic Terns are everywhere, its a cacophony of sound with terns squabbling and constantly calling, fledgling terns are sat on the boardwalk not the slightest bit concerned by my presence but get too close a nest site, or the many day old young and you'l be dive bombed so be warned a hat is essential.
Most people have now made there way further up the small island but I've decided to remain at the roped area near the jetty where there's an uncluttered backdrop of blue sea and sky. I'm using the 500mm but it isn't really necessary as the birds are only 4-5 meters away but I like the separation the "big white" gives with that nice even out of focus background.
Now with hundreds of images taken it's time to move further up the island for some flight shots of terns, I'm sat down on the boardwalk near St Cuthbert's Chapel where there are a number of young terns being fed sand eels at a never end rate, I'm now using the 100-400 and it's a case of picking out a bird and tracking the tern as it approaches and rattling off a load of frames just as the bird lands. All of the images where taken at less than 150mm FL.
All too soon my time is nearly up, a quick look at the Sandwich Tern colony further towards the lighthouse and it's time to head back the the jetty for the return to Seahouses taking in on our return some very close views of Grey Seal.
A one day tour of the islands is never going to be long enough with only a couple of two hours sessions on the islands, I suspect to do justice photographing birds at such close encounters several trips would be the recommendation, but a heads up, boat fee's are £40 and on top of the National trust landing fee of £28 it gets expensive so it might be worth joining the trust.
It's been a good trip if you are interested in bird photography, the weather has been kind loosing some of the harsh sun over the last couple of days, next time I just may make a week of it.
Arctic Tern
This image would be superb if the tern had shown it's head, but I still like the wings posture
Arctic Tern - chick
Arctic Tern - even smaller chick complete with egg tooth on the end of the bill, must be only one or two days old
Further into the centre of Inner Farne not too far from the two ponds look out for the small Sandwich Tern colony hidden amongst the vegetation, during July they fly around overhead carrying fish for the eagerly waiting young always vocalising with their characteristic grating..."kerrick" call
Sandwich Tern
