Farne Islands

Messages
8,171
Name
Mark Molloy
Edit My Images
Yes
Im sure a few of you guys/girls have been before.Im looking at going in June to see the Puffins and all the other birdlife.If you have been could you post your experiences of this? Do you get really close to the birds? Is a 300mm ( wih or without a 1.4tc )to long/short.Just want to go prepared.
 
Its been a while since I was last on the farnes The inner farne is best for bird photography a 300mm should do well as most of the puffins are pretty close to the footpaths.
I would take the teleconverter because the larger seabirds tend to inhabit the cliffs and access is sometimes limited.
Oh and a word of warning ...............wear a hat .......Birds will attack if they consider you a threat a friend of mine left with several cuts on his head and bird puke all over and it stinks like you cant imagine.:lol:
 
Hi Mark, to answer your question, you do get close to the birds and seals. June is a perfect month for the classic shots of puffins and arctic terns with beaks full of sandeels.

A trip i would highly reccomend is the Puffin Run 2009. A boat is hired for the day, and you get to land on a couple of islands with plenty time to spend taking images.

A link to last years run http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5yD3_uLxEY&feature=related

I hope you manage to visit, as its a great experience, sights sounds and smells are unbelievable, especially on Inner Farne.

regards brian.
 
Went three times last year, May onwards, FAB, the all day trip is great 10:00-16:00, check weather before booking.
Nat Trust members get onto the islands for free!
A lot of the birds nest within touching distance.
Jim
 
I went a in 2007, and plan on going again this year.
I did the half day trip which was really good, but next time I will do the full day
 
I went to Skomer Island a few years ago with a 75-300mm lens and it was fine. In fact we got too close. There is a path near to where the puffins landed and their nests were the other side of it. They would walk up to the path and wait for you to move out of the way - you were so close you could have touched one if you wanted to.
 
I'm also planning to do a full day trip up there later on this year, so thanks for the advice.
 
Back
Top