Farnes RFI

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Thinking of going this weekend. Any preferences on which boat trip to take? Where to sail from, and which days to sail - can I go Monday?

would like to get some nince puffin pics if I can!!!

[malgos]

Use Billy Shiels boats he,s the best to sail with. Book at the kiosk on the harbour at Seahouses which is where the boat sails from.Theres a 2 island trip which leaves at 10.00am and returns at 4.00pm and visits Inner Farne and Staple. You,ll get within 10feet of Puffins, Shags and Razorbills. Also Seals between the Islands and Arctis Terns nest beside the footpath and mob visitors when they leave the boats,take a hat!!!.You,ll have a fantastic day wonderful images. Take plenty of memory cards. Billy shiels as a web site just Google Billy Shiels and you can book your trip over the phone.
Malcolm

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Use Billy Shiels boats he,s the best to sail with. Book at the kiosk on the harbour at Seahouses which is where the boat sails from.Theres a 2 island trip which leaves at 10.00am and returns at 4.00pm and visits Inner Farne and Staple. You,ll get within 10feet of Puffins, Shags and Razorbills. Also Seals between the Islands and Arctis Terns nest beside the footpath and mob visitors when they leave the boats,take a hat!!!.You,ll have a fantastic day wonderful images. Take plenty of memory cards. Billy shiels as a web site just Google Billy Shiels and you can book your trip over the phone.
Malcolm
Great! Does he sail everyday?

[malgos]

Yes He,s got around 6 boats so getting out there is not a problem but in heavy seas its not always possible to land on the islands so its very much weather dependant but he seems to be the favoured boatman so the Wardens on the island make every effort to get his boats in to the islands. He charges around £20.00 for the two island trip and theres a landing charge payable to the National Trust wardens which was £2.60 per island.Its a superb trip for photographers. Arctic terns are 2-3 feet abone your head.
Theres no loos or drinks on the islands so take plenty of water with you. You will get some amazing images.
Malcolm

[martin kitching]

Landing fee is £5.60 per island (free to National Trust members) and there are public toilets on Inner Farne. There are other boatmen who offer landing trips, but my own personal preference (whether I'm going across on my own or with clients or back in the days when I was leading school groups) is Billy Shiel. Pray for nice weather...

cheers
martin

[Alan G]

And pray that the Bluethroat hangs around for another couple of days.

ps: I hope you like the company of other humans - Seahouses is likely to be utter bedlam this weekend I'd have thought being Bank Holiday etc.

Me.....I'll be doing my best to avoid them :)

[Keith Reeder]

And pray that the Bluethroat hangs around for another couple of days.
Still there at 10:11 this morning...

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Still there at 10:11 this morning...

Monday seems a bit of a stretch, but here's hoping. I am booked on the all day, two stopper with Billy Shiels :t:

[Keith Reeder]

Monday seems a bit of a stretch, but here's hoping. I am booked on the all day, two stopper with Billy Shiels :t:
You don't need the bluethroat, Marcus - the puffins, terns, eiders, shags and auks will keep you plenty busy!

;)

Incidentally - do you get seasick?

If you do - or even if you're not sure - I'd pop a couple of seasickness tablets a couple of hours before each sailing if I were you. They're only shortish "voyages", but long enough to bugger your day up if you're prone to bad seasickness (as I am), and with the all-day trip you're on the boat all the more.

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

My original trip was cancelled due to high winds. I have heard that the Farnes remains excellent for some time to come. How late in July can one expect a good haul??

[martin kitching]

I've never been across later than mid-July, although it's still very good then.

cheers
martin

My original trip was cancelled due to high winds. I have heard that the Farnes remains excellent for some time to come. How late in July can one expect a good haul??