Farne Islands Trip (05/05/25)!

Farne Islands (05/05/25)!

Considered one of the best birdwatching locations in Europe, let alone the UK, the Farne Islands are a small collection of islands off the Northumberland Coast; home to Puffins, Gannets, Guillemots, Seals, and much more. My good friend (and former LUAstro President) Orlando told me that he was planning a trip there for birdwatching and asked if I would be up to join. As this was the day after my previous trip to York for the Roses 2025 Sports Tournament I was initially unsure, but changed my mind and came along - what a great decision!

The Plan:

We stayed at a permanent campsite an hour's walk from the town of Seahouses (the main town near the islands). We waited by the docks for a bit, before getting a ferry around the islands. It was a fantastic success, and we both got the chance to take some excellent photography, and see some pretty rare seabirds. After the ferry, we went on a trip to some fields outside the town on the search for a very rare bird visitor to the UK - the Eurasian Dotterel. Amazingly, we both spotted it instantly (we expected it would take a while to find), and it was close enough for even my 300mm lens to get decent detail. After that we returned to the campsite for some tuna and potatoes, and planned what we'd do tomorrow...

Silhouette of a Swallow
Silhouette of a Swallow, from the beginning of our walk from the campsite. Notice the distinctive forked tail.
A very close up Black-headed Gull
As always at seaside places, the seagulls have little fear of people. This Black-headed Gull was so close up I didn't fully fit it in frame!
A Eurasian Curlew, taken from the promenade at Seahouses
A Eurasian Curlew, taken from the promenade at Seahouses.
Eider-Mallard hybrid in the Seahouses docks
While waiting for the ferry to arrive, we both spotted this unusual bird - a hybrid between a Mallard and an Eider.
The docks at Seahouses, taken from our ferry
The docks at Seahouses, taken from our ferry.
Inner Farne Island, as seen from the ferry
Inner Farne Island, as seen from the ferry.
Nesting Guillemots on the side of Farne Island
Nesting Guillemots on the side of Farne Island.
The Old Brownsman Island Lighthouse and Cottage
The Old Brownsman Island Lighthouse and Cottage, of the Islet of the same name. They are Grade II listed buildings, having been built fully in 1811.
Inner Farne Lighthouse, at the other end of Inner Farne Island
Inner Farne Lighthouse, at the other end of Inner Farne, the island of the archipelago nearest the coast. It was built by Trinity House in 1811, to guide ships.
Thousands of birds nest on the Farne Islands
Thousands of birds nest on the Farne Islands. Here, Common and Spectacled Guillemots can be seen, with the odd Kittiwake gull seen flying overhead.
A Kittiwake soars
A Kittiwake soars above the North Sea. Nesting guillemots can be seen on the cliff face behind it.
A young Grey Seal
A young Grey Seal watches the ferry.
Group of Grey Seals
A group of Grey Seals rest on one of the smaller islands, away from noisy birds or cliff faces.
A nesting pair of Guillemots
A nesting pair of Guillemots. Guillemots were by far the most common bird on the islands.
An enigmatic Razorbill
Razorbills were mainly confined to some of the further out islands.
A pair of Puffins amongst the waves
The bird I was most excited to see - the Atlantic Puffin! The Farne Islands are reknowned for being one of the best spots worldwide to see them.
A Kittiwake perched upon a rock
A Kittiwake perched upon a rock.
A Common Shag, yes, that is the name of this bird
A Common Shag, yes, that is the name of this bird.
Longstone Lighthouse, built in 1827
Longstone Lighthouse, built in 1827, it was automated in 1990. The Lighthouse is renowned for its connection to the Victorian Heroine, Grace Darling.
The ancient Bamburgh Castle, as seen from the ferry
The ancient Bamburgh Castle, as seen from the ferry
Waves seen as we returned to the Dock
Waves seen as we returned to the Dock
The Rescue, a Statue commemorating the work of the RNLI
"The Rescue", a Statue commemorating the work of the RNLI. The artist, from what I can tell, is unknown, but it's one of the most striking sculptures I've seen.
The flag of Northumberland
The flag of Northumberland, based upon the flag of Northumbria, the Ancient English Kingdom that dated back to the Heptarchy.
A Eurasian Dotterel, a bird I never thought I'd see on the trip
A Eurasian Dotterel, a bird I never thought I'd get to see on the trip.

Click here to see the photos from the next day of our trip!