Waveney Bird Club

Farne Islands Trip Report

3-5 June 2011

By Clive Tricker

How do you get 17 eager and willing birders, their optics and minimal luggage into a minibus? The answer is - by pushing hard on the back doors.

We left Bungay to the cries of, “are we nearly there yet?” and headed for the north. In Cambridgeshire we saw two Red Kite and several Buzzard which was a good start.

Arriving in Seahouses in the early evening, most stretched their limbs after the long journey, but the very intrepid were out birding within 20 minutes along the coast on foot taking in the numerous Eider which were a delight to watch both in the harbour and in the rock pools. For some others the comfort of the hotel was rather more of an attraction, from which the Farne Islands could be seen from the windows. All knew however that the weather needed to be good in order for us to be able to get out and onto the islands.

Next morning after a (healthy!) breakfast we assembled on the quayside ready for the journey. Some had risen at first light for more birding along the coast, but all were ready for the journey. The sea did not appear too much of a challenge, but we were warned that landing on the outermost island (Longstone) might not be possible. Sadly, this proved to be the case.

Now a visit to the Farne Islands is not about amassing a large bird list of different birds, but rather encountering huge numbers of seabirds, as they nest and attempt to raise young. The sight, sound and smell have to be seen to be believed. So much to see at very close quarters from the boats around the islands and then, once ashore on Staple Island and Inner Farne we were up close and personal with thousands of seabirds and the Arctic Terns made their mark on several of us. There were also Puffins, Common Guillemot, Kittiwake, Sandwich Tern and Shag in huge numbers as well as Cormorant, Fulmar, Razorbills and Common Tern. Eider were also present on the island as well as Oystercatcher. We saw Herring, Lesser Black Backed and Black Headed gulls and Gannet out to sea.

Once back on dry land after a most enjoyable day we relaxed and enjoyed a meal before retiring to the local pub and mixing with the pirates!

Leaving Seahouses on Sunday morning we headed south towards Bempton Cliffs, but following reports of a Surf Scoter being sighted at Blackhall Rocks (just east of Peterlee) we made a slight diversion and some were fortunate to catch sight of this bird in the waves around the rocks.

We arrived at RSPB Bempton Cliffs with just enough time to take in the magnificent seabird spectacle that is Bempton Cliffs, which rise 400 feet from the sea and is home to Kittiwake, Gannet, Common Guillemot, Razorbill, Herring Gull and Fulmar as well as Puffin and Jackdaw. There were numerous Tree Sparrow around the reserve visitor centre and Corn Bunting were seen.

We are indebted to Roger Walsh for leading the expedition and particular thanks to Jon Evans who was both our driver and co-leader.

Clive Tricker

Photos from the WBC Farne Island trip (c) Jon Evans

Click in images to enlarge

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  Eider (female)

   

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  Eider (male)

   

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  Puffin

   

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  Razorbill

   

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  Fulmar

   

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  Kittiwake

   

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  Rock Pipit

   

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  Grey Seal

   

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  Seahouses

   

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  Sandwich Tern

   

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  Guillemot

   

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  Tree Sparrow

   

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  Gannet

   

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  Gannet