Our trip to the Farne Islands started from Seahouses harbour on the Northumberland coast. We were a little apprehensive as it was a gloomy morning and the sea swell was quite significant. However, the trip was quite amazing. We had fabulous views of seabirds and seals around the islands and, despite the boat’s skipper warning us that a landing might not be possible, we did manage to land on Staple Island for an hour long stay. The experience of seeing the birds, who did not seem at all perturbed by our presence, so close up was stunning.

The experience, as fabulous as it was, was very different from our previous views of puffins which were on Skomer Island off the Pembrokeshire Coast of Wales. Here on the Farne Islands we were closer up to many more seabirds, but on Skomer we were able to explore the island more and enjoy the spectacular views. (See – A taste of Skomer)

In the afternoon the sun came out and we had a very pleasant early evening stroll along the coast at Boulmer where we saw stonechats, meadow pipits, oystercatchers and sanderling.

Farne Islands breeding bird report for 2021