A Visit to the Farnes and One Good Tern Deserves Another

A decision was made last Thursday (11th July) to visit the Farne Islands off the Northumbrian Coast of England. A Bridled Tern had been found there about two weeks ago but had not been seen for a number of days, so presumed gone. Not to worry as I had seen the Anglesey bird in 1988. The Farnes are a great place, offering ample opportunity for photography and little did we know what was going to hapopen.

We stopped off at South Shields first, usually a good place for terns roosting on the beach. Not to-day though and it was a real disappointment here. We put it down to being too early in the year, with August being better. A quick stop off at Tynemouth to check the terns there but only a large roost of Sandwich Terns and a few Curlew.

Gone Fishing – Tynemouth – Tony Davison©

We set off for Seahouses and after an hours drive, arrived just in time to catch the 12:15 boat across to the Farne Islands.

Bamburgh Castle from Sea Houses – Tony Davison©

The boat fee is around £12.00 per person and a landing fee on Inner Farne of around £7.00 is you are not a member of the National Trust. The trip lasts several hours and we visited most of the islands. Plenty of Puffins, Shags and Guillemots all over the place. Many Kittiwakes and good numbers of Arctic Terns at sea feeding also 1 brief Arctic Skua, a large flock of Common Scoter, a few Gannets and a Fulmar.

One of the Lighthouses on Outer Farne – Tony Davison©

Above four images – Puffins at Sea – Tony Davison©

Guillemot at sea – Tony Davison©

One of the many sea bird cliffs – Farne Islands – Tony Davison©

Bridled Guillemot from the boat – A lucky find amongst hundreds of birds – Tony Davison©

Above four images – Puffins from the boat – Inner Farne – Tony Davison©

Above five images – Adult Kittiwakes on the islands from the boat – many seemed to be failed breeders – Tony Davison©

Kittiwake at sea – Tony Davison©

We stopped off at Seal Island and viewed the Grey Seal colony.

Bull Grey Seal – Farne Islands – Tony Davison©

Female Grey Seals – Farne Islands – Tony Davison©

Grey Seal Pup – Farne Islands – Tony Davison©

Inner Farne and one of the Arctic Tern colonies – Tony Davison©

We arrived at Inner Farne around 1:45pm and had at least an hour on the island. No sooner had we walked up the Jetty, a birder approached us and said had we seen the "Tern" – we replied, Only just arrived but what "Tern" – the Bridled Tern, I've got it in the scope here !!!  A quick look down the tube and sure enough there amongst hundreds of Arctic & Sandwich Terns was the Bridled Tern. Wow what a bonus this was.

Spot the Tern – Our first view of Bridled Tern – Inner Farne, July 14th 2013 – Tony Davison©

For the next hour or so the bird performed on and off and eventually flew out to sea and wasn't seen again until later in the evening. Plenty of Arctic Terns on view giving ample opportunity for photography but "Mind Your Heads".

Above three images – Bridled Tern – Inner Farne – Tony Davison©

Adult Arctic Tern with Sand Eel about to feed juvenile below – Inner Farne – Tony Davison©

Juvenile Arctic Tern – Inner Farne – Tony Davison©

Above four images – Adult Arctic Terns at individual nest sites – Inner Farne – Tony Davison©

Above five images – Arctic Terns in flight – Inner Farne – Tony Davison©

Above two images – Common Terns in flight for comparison – Inner Farnes – Tony Davison©

Note the black tip to bill and the black primary wedge on the upper wing which help to identify Common Tern from Arctic Tern.

After landing back at Sea Houses and a few bags of chip mixes, courtesy of RichardP – we left for Amble, overlooking Coquet Island and hopefully a few Roseate Terns to round off the day. We were not disappointed..

Coquet Island, off Amble – Tony Davison©

Above three images – Sandwich Terns – Amble – Tony Davison©

Above two images – Adult Roseate Tern off Amble – Tony Davison©

 

A superb day out with the Terns of Northumberland – fantastic.. Thanks to Glyn & Richard for the company. Year List moves on a few now 204