Looks Like A Grand Day

Inner Farne - 26.6.19

Day two of the trip and again we are on, or supposed to be on, the all day boat trip out to Staple Island and Inner Farne, but as was the case yesterday we are unable to land on Staple Island due to the heavy sea conditions so plan "B" again, the late morning boat with some touristy stuff around the outer islands before the 1.15pm landing on Inner Farne.

Longstone Lighthouse

Longstone Lighthouse famous by the Darling family who were the first occupants of the lighthouse. You may have read the story of how Grace and her father saved five people stranded from the stricken ship the Forfarthshire that wrecked on nearby rocks.

Atlantic Grey Seal - "cow" (female)

When visiting the Farne islands I don't usually get the camera out photographing sea birds on the boat with all the congestion as there's better shots to be had on the islands, that said you don't want to miss the opportunity of shots of the Atlantic Grey Seals basking on rocks at low tide, and if your lucky you will often get groups of up to twenty.

Atlantic Puffin

Once you've landed on Inner Farne the best location to see Puffins, Staple Island being the best, is at the far end of the island near the lighthouse, but first you have to run the gauntlet of the dive bombing Arctic Terns so a sturdy hat is essential.

Making your way along the boardwalk in front of the lighthouse you will come across the Puffin nesting burrows with the inevitable watchful gulls looking to rob the Puffins of their catch before diving down the burrows. At the lighthouse the more usual cliff nesting species can be seen such as Razorbills, Guillemots and Shags along with a few off duty Puffins basking on the rocks further back.

Work in progress, more images to follow....