Great mixture wildlife

Well it was just a beautiful day today. Blue sky's, flat calm seas, lovely customers and a good mixture of wildlife.
As we slowly steamed towards The Farne Islands, we hardly got a 100 yards out of the harbour entrance when we approached 5 Golden Eye's, 4 Females and 1 Male. Great little start to the day.

On arriving at The Scarcar Rock, 6 Long-tailed Ducks flew south really low to the water, and on the rock about 20 Shags with full crest of feathers on their heads.
Just around the corner towards Knocks Reef we encountered over 100 Wigeon's flying around in circles then eventually landing in The Kettle. Up above we watched 21 Brent Geese fly over head then land on Knocks. As we manoeuvred the boat closer to have a look we noticed they were sitting there with 9 Cormorant's. A few of the Cormorant's had white patches on thighs.

We traveled over towards Staple Island passing a few Guillemots along the way then across to Brownsman Island to see those Grey Seals.
As we look towards the wardens cottage their were lots of seals are baking in the sunshine then we saw the state of the bank side. The seals have been rubbing themselves up and down the bank side, over the Puffins burrows destroying them as they are molting. I suppose they have to get rid of their lose fur somehow but what a mess.
Some of the seals look a lot like their name at this time of the year (Grey) but i noticed a really dark coloured seal which will be the darkest one i have seen for a few years.

As i turned the boat to head towards Longstone Lighthouse we saw 12 Lapwings resting on Nameless Rock.
I have never seen Lapwings at the islands before but i will have to ask David Steel (Head Warden) when i see him. It may be common but hopefully David will read this and give me an answer.

With the sun shinning and the seas calm we steamed towards The Inner Farne to be greeted with 100+ Curlews resting on the north side of Knocks Reef, and about 30 Turnstone's searching for food. With a single Whimbrel flying west toward land.

As we went below the Inner Farne Lighthouse their were about 1000 Guillemot's on the water.

After thanking the customers for joining us on such a beautiful day we noticed 4 Harbour Porpoise on the bow of the boat. What a nice ending to the day.
     

Today's Sightings

Golden Eye 5

Brent Geese 21

Long-tailed Ducks 6

Guilliemots 1000+

Redshanks 10

Turnstones 30

Lapwings 12

Wigeon 100

Purple Sandpipers 21

Razorbill 3

Whimbrel 1

Cormorants 15

Curlews 100+

Harbour Porpoise 4

Water, Wildlife & Walking 2011

We've just added an exciting and unique new programme for 2011. Working with Northumbrian Wildlife Tours we're pleased to launch Water, Wildlife & Walking 2011 an exclusive combined boat and walking tour of some of North Northumberland's fantastic coastline.

Sailing out of Seahouses in the early morning we'll be heading south to the old fishing port of Craster, famous for it's kippers and star of many TV shows. On the way we'll make a close approach to one of Northumberland's most atmospheric seabird colonies at Gull Crag; carefully steering into the aptly named Rumbling Churn to view Gull Crag below the craggy remains of Dunstanburgh Castle.

Once at Craster our birdwatching and wildlife guide will be leading a full day walk back to Seahouses via some great birdwatching locations such as Newton Pool and the Long Nanny Tern Colony.
Group sizes are limited for this amazing day to ensure everyone gets to see and hear as much as possible, check out the dates at our programme page (link above) and book early to avoid disappointment.

Winter Dates.

This is your last chance for our Winter 4 Hour Tour. We have a few dates left so don't delay and pre-book now by calling us and receive a discounted tour price.
Enjoy the wonders of Holy Island and The Farnes as some birds leave but others arrive. These will be our last winter tours until September so don't miss out.
Click on our Winter Tour Dates for more details.

Call Now.... 07984668093

Fantastic January Day

The morning may have been cold but it was more than compensated for by the winter sunshine and the incredible array of wildlife around the islands. With calm seas and the attention of many birds increasingly turning to looking their best for the coming breeding season we had some superb views of some of the many species that breed on The Farnes. Even before leaving the harbour small parties of Common Eider, the males displaying by throwing back their heads and doing a bit of a body flip were resplendent in black and white, with subtle greens and pinks.

 

It was hard to take your eyes off the beauty of the Northumberland coastline as we sailed out to The Farnes this morning. Bamburgh Castle was resplendent in the morning light just behind the long sandy beach stretching north from Seahouses, with the snow-dusted Cheviots providing the perfect backdrop as streams of Guillemots moved past.

 

The Guillemot numbers were simply spectacular this morning, measured in the tens of thousands providing an impressive assembly as they stood on the rocky outcrops and ledges that will see them raise the next generation in the coming months.

The constant movements of individuals between land and sea and the steadiness of the twinned hull Serenity offered some great opportunities for flight photography today.

Whilst Guillemots dominated by sheer force of numbers, other birds around the islands included Fulmars, Shags, a single Razorbill, 2 Peregrines and a good count of over 50 roosting Purple Sandpipers. Some of the Shags were showing early signs of pairing off, displaying and even carrying nesting material.

As always though it's not just about the birds, January offers perhaps some of the best opportunities to view the Grey Seal colony that can call The Farnes home and they certainly didn't disappoint today with large numbers hauled out around the islands 'singing' as we got close.

 

The return trip back to Seahouses provided brief views of a small pod of Harbour Porpoises picked up by on-board wildlife guide Keith not too far from the front of the boat.

Spaces for this weekends winter trip

I have a few spaces left for this weekends Winter Trip. Come and join me on a 4 hour tour around Holy Island and surrounding areas. Please just call if your interested and i will give you a discount.
We hope to see Guillemot's, Golden eye, Teals, Seals, Turnstones and many more.
Call Andrew on 07894668093
Click on www.farneislandstours.co.uk for more details on our winter trips.

Men at work

Chris, Martin and myself doing our jobs on the boats as we get closer to the start of the new season.
We have covered up the wheelhouse of the dive boat as we are going to fibre glass the whole lot and this will save alot of work during the winter. Yeah.... More birding for me during the winter months.

Guillemots have landed

Popped out to the islands today with a last minute booking and was amazed by the amount of Guillemots we saw and suprised that the birds were only on Staple Island and not any other of the islands. I know they go back to the same spot every year but why just Staple Island.
Never mind it was nice to see.

Guillemots Galore!

Over the last 2 days we have seen 5000 Guillemots each day at The Farne Islands. Its is a great sight to see but i still wonder if these birds are telling me something.
Its very early to be seeing these birds and i and noticed that a lot of the Geese are flying north again.
Is spring on the way? Who knows but to see all the birds is great.

IS IT A GOOD SIGN OR NOT!

After a well rested holiday i returned home to the cold, burst pipes and instead of waking up in the morning and putting my flip flops on, it was the long johns. Never mind at least i was going out to the islands with a few customers.

I started the boats engine's, cleaned the decks and then manoeuvred the boat over to the slipway to pick up my passengers.

As we steamed out of the harbour towards the islands we were greeted by 12 Harbour Porpoise, 10 Long-tailed Ducks and 6 Fulmers.

As we cruised around the the islands passing 2 Little Auks, 21 Fulmers, 9 Turnstones and many more we headed back towards the Inner Farne.

To my amazement we saw over a 1000 Guillemots. Now i know they came to the islands quick last year but they did stay as long as they normally do, but this seems to be too quick.

The question i asked you is this a good sign or a bad one?

I know nature tells us alot of things but I'm not quite sure about this one. Is it because we have been having Northerly Winds lately?, or is the spring is on the way?, or is there just loads of food around the islands that has attracted them back.

Who knows, but whatever the answer is, it was a great sight to see.

Classic Film.

Another Classic. I'm just glad i have a catamaran and not a coble.

A blast from the past.

This is a classic old film from The Farne Islands. The music is something from a Alfred Hitchcock film.

Thank you guys.

I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all the wardens who have helped Serenity over the season, especially David Steel and Jason Moss and for all the information you have provided us with. 

Well, that's the season over for the Wardens and as they pack their bags to head home they leave the islands to its own devices. If they have any sense they will be booking a well deserved holiday, and who would blame them. After the last month of appalling weather, with all the gales and the snow i think i would be putting my towel on the sunbed first.

Thank you guys and we all look forward to seeing you next season.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

From

Andrew, Toby, Helen, Chris, Martin, Keith, Barbra and Jane.    

Winter Wonderland

As the sea's have been a bit rough over the last week or so and what with being in bed with man's flu i needed to get out but wait a minute what's this white stuff. As we all know the snow has hit the North East for the first time in 17 years in November, but i needed to get out.

I decided to give the boat a run out to the islands just to see what was around.

After a quick phone call to Keith to see if he wanted to join me, we headed out to the islands.

We had hardly left the harbour when we had 4 Common Scoters fly north over the boat. As we slowly steamed out passing a few Guillemots sitting on the water, we looked across towards the land we saw the beauty of what the snow does to the landscape. Just Beautiful.
As we reached the East Wideopen were we saw a Peregrine Falcon sitting on a stump of wood watching and waiting for his lunch. Just around the corner we came across 8 Long-tailed Ducks, 10 Teal and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers.

We decided to head towards the outer group of islands to see the seals and anything else.
Upon arrival we were greeted by a Merlin sitting on the Brownsman Tower and the island was covered in seal pups.
Just beside the Brownsman was a single Black Guillemot in winter plumage sitting on the water.

Back towards the Inner Farne we passed about 30 Little Auks and loads of Eider Ducks.

As we headed back towards Seahouses the wind picked up, the sky went black and then the snow came down, but it was a nice end to the day.

Grounded!

A combination of weather, high seas and tides means that no trips will get out this weekend. Shame as the lads on The Farnes have been recording good numbers of Little Auk this week with 352 passing on Wednesday. There are sure to be some stragglers, often found in Staple Sound between islands, hopefully some will linger till when we get our next tours out.
In the meantime please follow the link to the website if you would like to contact us to book one of our Winter Birdwatching Trips.

The Seahouses Desert?

All the action was on the mainland today, one of the few times in the year that all the wardens from The Farnes were keen to get off the islands as a male Desert Wheatear was relocated on the beach just before the end of the last row of seafront houses in the village. This typically late migrant from North Africa that normally resides in rocky desert habitat was first found and photographed on Sunday. If it stays around till the weekend it will be an extra bonus for any visitors coming for a Winter Birdwatching Tour.

First Winter Birdwatching Tour - Sat 6th November

We couldn't have picked a better day to start our first season of Winter Bird & Seal tours around the Farnes and Holy Island, bright sunshine, calm seas and big Northumberland skies made for a great backdrop to the day and the wildlife didn't disappoint either.

Using Serenity II our purpose built catamaran we headed straight north to Holy Island to catch the tide. Keith our on-board wildlife guide picking out small numbers of Long-tailed Duck including some stunning males as we went.

As we reached the end of Ross Back Sands with the tide dropping we were able to manoeuvre in close to many of the roosting wader flocks on the sandbars and islands at the entrance to the National Nature Reserve. Oystercatcher,Redshank, a good size flock of Bar-tailed Godwit all put on a great display. A single Knot was picked out amongst the crowd and a Red-throated Diver in the vestiges of summer plumage entertained passengers off the starboard.

 

With the tide dropping we moved back south close to the beach, benefiting from the access afforded by a catamaran. A small flock of Common Scoter dived in the waves and we soon picked out five Slavonian Grebes and a Red-necked Grebe amongst the breakers. We added another five Slavonian Grebes as we moved back opposite Budle Bay, as well as double figures of Long-tailed Duck.

The second part of our four hour tour took us out to the Farnes, an altogether different place in winter. As we moved through Staple Sound we found small numbers of Little Auk, the smallest of our auks and a regular winter visitor. With the weather changed a few days later over 1700 were counted passing by the Farnes Wardens.

After some close in views of adult and pup Grey Seals and two encounters with two different Peregrines it was time to head back to shore after a great first trip. A fantastic start to the winter season and we're all looking forward to see what the weeks ahead will bring.

Seals City

It was a little quiet on the seal front but all of a sudden there are hundreds everywhere.
We have over 300 seal pups now and they are the cutest things I've ever seen. It was beautiful at sea today, so we were able to get the boat really close to the seal pups.
We went to Staple Island first where all the cows are gathering getting ready to give birth, along with the other cows who have already given birth and are now feeding their pups some milk.

The wardens spray the seal pups with different coloured dyes so that they can identify them when they were born and also be able to do a seal count. Don't worry but the dye comes off when they moult.
The wardens spray them every 4 days and every 2 weeks they change the colour of the dye. This also enables them to see if they have lost any during bad weather.

After that we headed across a place called the Humber which is a jetty on The Longstone Island.
When we arrived we moored the boat along side the jetty, switched the engines off and just sat there watching the seals swim around the boat.

As the customers took pictures, Martin (my crewman) decided it was the perfect time to offer the customers
cup of coffee or tea,

Even though it was a lovely day it is November and does get cold out there, so a nice cup of coffee does wonders to warm you up.

After that we headed back towards The Inner Farne passing 2 Long Tailed Ducks and a Peregrine hunting some pigeon's and a few Little Auks sitting on the water.

A nice end to a sunny day. 

I would like to say a big thank you to Chris and Martin for making the boat look really clean after giving it a big scrub down and to those who joined us on our trip today.

Thank you guys.

Seal Pup

1 week old

Seal City

Catch of the day

Well we are back after a 6 days off. I just wish this weather would calm down and give us a sporting chance to get out and marvel the wonder of The Farne Islands.

British weather I suppose.

Iit was a beautiful day today. The sun was shining and the seas were calm.

As we let the ropes go and headed out of the harbour we came along 5 Great Northern Divers all heading north.
A little further out we came across 10 juvenile Guillemots and 2 juvenile Puffins all feeding. As I looked at my echo meter I noticed that the water was just full of feed. This must be the reason why they are staying around the area. What's the point in leaving the area and heading out deep into the north sea when all this food is on your doorstep.
As we arrived at the islands we spotted  50+ Sooty Shearwaters flying north over Knocks Reef and on the West Wideopen we saw a Peregrine.

Now I know when the wind blows it brings the birds in but i just wish it would blow enough to let us get out to see all this. Don't get me wrong I was really enjoying this but i wish it was everyday and not once a week.

All day long we were spotting all kinds of birds. Now i'm not the best at spotting birds as I'm still learning but sometimes you just don't see them as if I'm concentrating on steering the boat and watching out for reefs and rocks I'm not bothered if I miss the odd bird. That's when my crewman comes into his own.
There he is talking to the guests one minute and the next he has spotted a Pink-footed Goose flying north.


As we dropped our customers of on Inner Farne for their one hour visit we went to the west of the island for a little fishing.
Bang - straight away he caught a mackerel. He decided to slice a bit of the fish and use it as bate to entice something else.
As I sat back in the chair with a cup of coffee I heard a shout.
"Andrew come quickly I think I have a big fish here"
I ran out onto the deck I saw his rod bending over double and I knew there and then it was a big one, and not only was it a big one it was fighting like hell.
Now what was a little bit of fishing for his tea turned out to be a battle of the big guns. Needless to say he won. As we pulled it along side the boat their she was a Tope or a Dog fish as we used to call it.

You Beauty

OK you won

There is only one winner

Well there it is. Catch of the Day.
As we marvelled at the size of the thing we had to let her go.

It does not end their as last week I encountered something a bit special too.
I have divers out at the Blue Caps diving with the seals when a seal came across to the boat.
As we lay there I put my hand into the water thinking that it might come across to say hello.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would but then over it came and there I was scratching it, patting it and playing with it.
Its was just like playing with a small puppy dog. Just amazing. I will have a video of it soon for everyone to enjoy.

Playing with the seal

Having a look at the camera

A bit to close to my camera thank you

Other birds we saw today.

1 Merlin
4 Teals
10 Velvet Scoters
5 Sandwich Terns
17 Guillemots
6 Brent Goose
12 Red-throated Divers
32 Barnacle Goose

Minke Whales

The morning started just fine today as the second we got out of the harbour we saw 2 Great Northern Divers fly south over the boat and then a little bit further on 10 baby Guillemots feeding in the water just before the islands.

As we arrived to the islands and i was just about to start my speech when i noticed a Peregrine sitting on the West Wideopen watching all the birds fly around and then all of a sudden up she went and bang, she caught a  pigeon. I did not even get a chance to tell the customers about the bird and she flew away with the bird in her mouth.

As we steamed across the Staple Island we saw a  few male Cuddy Ducks back to their full colourful plumage.

About half way to Longstone Island  we saw a few Gannets, Terns and Gulls feeding then all of a sudden we saw 2 Minke Whales break the surface. We turned and headed towards the Crumstone Island to get a closer look at these beautiful creatures up they came again but there was not 2 but 3. We think it was Mam, Dad and young calf but we were not totally sure as they were a bit away and with the seas a little to choppy. As they headed south we had to turn back as they were getting to far away.
Oh well its supposed to be a bit better weather over the next few days so hopefully we might get a chance to see them again. Finger crossed.

When the west wind blows

Well it was blowing a gale again today but this time it was from the west but we still got to sea. Not to say it was the best but after the S.E. gales last week, west was good and we have had a lot of birds over the last few days.

Over the last few days i have never had my binoculars of my eyes as their has been so many things to spot. The only thing that is really bugging me at the moment is that my new camera has broken so it's off to be repaired.

I have lost how many times i have turned around automatically to pick up the camera to get a good shot then realize its not there. Dooh!!

Today must have been the worst day for not having the camera as the wardens went over to Staple Island to see how many fulmers chicks had been eaten by our Eagle. Up it went over to Brownsman Island.
As the wardens went back to Brownsman Island the bird flew back to Staple but as the winds were really strong the bird landed right beside the waters edge.
As we slowly moved the boat towards the bird i quickly got on the phone to tell the other boat to come quickly. When they arrived they were amazed how big he was and then all of a sudden he got up and flew up high just as if he was showing off.
Oh what a amazing sight. I looked over to the other boat and all i could see was these cheesy grins on their faces. Yes they were pleased.

Well here is a list of all the other birds we have sighted over the last few days.

Over 500 Golden Plovers
1 Peregrine Falcon
1 Rockpipit
Over 60 Artic Terns
Over 50 Oystercatchers
10 Curlews
20 Redbreasted Maganzers
7 Great Northern Divers
20 Godwits
2 Artic Skuas
4 Dunlins
10 Guillmots
16 Pint Footed Geese
2 Puffins
2 Harbour Porpoise

We are back

Well it's been 4 days since we have been to sea and it seems to be a long 4 days.

We have had some huge sea's from the South East which has battered the islands. It was followed by heavy a swell which made it impossible to get out to sea.

As the days have gone by the winds have dropped but the swell was still there. We watched the seas today as the tide changed and decided today was the day.

As people started to arrive at the harbour you could see that they wanted to get out to the islands as they had been here all week and never got a chance to get out.

At last we were out of the harbour and our first port of call was The Staple Island.

All we could here is wow as the eagle had moved and the customers could not believe the size of the bird. I think we had caught it in the middle of his lunch as his wings were flapping around and then they were curled around his head to hide his meal. A shag or a fulmer who knows but he seemed to be enjoying it.

After that we headed off to The Longstone Island were we seen about 200 Golden Plovers take off. Two seconds later we were face to face with a big Heron. On Longstone Island alone we encountered Golden Plovers, a Heron, Purple Sandpipers, Turnstones, Dunhils and Knots.
If this is what the wind brings to the islands then who knows what we will see. I bet the wardens have seen loads over the past few days.

As we steam off towards the The Inner Farne we come upon loads of Grey Seals all taking shelter on the north side of the islands. There must have been about 100 which is always nice to see.

After we landed on the Inner Farne for an hour we slowly take an wonder back to Seahouses harbour.
I would like to say thank you to all of our guests who chose to join us today and i hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
From everyone at Serenity.

It's back

The white tailed eagle is back to the islands. Hope it stays for a while but at the moment the only people that will see it will the wardens, as we have south east gales at the moment. I think this will be here for a while. when the wind drops the seas will still be big so hopefully we will get out on Thursday.

I bet the wardens are having fun out there (not). At least they will be able to watch some birds flying past and not have the boatmen hassling them with catching ropes. In saying that it will be like having a few days off enjoying what they love to do. (Bird watching)

Eagle Update

Well the Eagle has put smiles on a great many peoples faces over the last few days, but to our disappointment it left late Thursday afternoon.
Tthe Fulmars are probably relieved as he had been eating them.
I say HE as i have just found out that's what the birds sex is. He is about 4 months old and is the smallest of them all from the litter. 19 Birds were released on the 20th Aug from the East Coast of Scotland and the strong winds that came from the north on Saturday had pushed him down to The Farnes.

We also had a Albino Shag on Wednesday which was just amazing as it is just once in a life time opportunity to see.

If the Eagle comes back i will let you know asap.

King of the Castle

Look at me