More Puffins!

We are a little addicted to the North East, the DH and I. We have just got back from another trip to the Farne Islands. Last time we went the birds were mostly sitting on eggs, it was incredibly windy, so much so it was hard to keep the cameras still http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif and the trip was shortened because of the weather. So we decided to go again. Also we wanted to go to Berwick Upon Tweed again to stay at Viv and Rocky's B&B Clovelly House. This is without a doubt one of the best B&B's we have stayed at.
This trip was much more comfortable, the boat ride was lovely and we were able to take some pictures of the birds nesting on the cliffs from the boat. I managed to get a couple of shots of puffins on the water which I was unable to do last time. I got some lovely puffin shots on the island itself and some of artic tern chicks - so cute.

Away for the Weekend Again!

We have been away so much this last month. Anyway, just got back from a weekend in Seahouses. The reason? to visit the Farne Islands and see some puffins. Last year we went to the Orkneys but only saw one puffin, clearly bought in for the day to entertain the public, Pete, the puffin put on a lovely show but he did look a bit like a 'Billy no mates' on his tod. Inner Farne on the other hand had more puffins than you could shake a stick at. They were everywhere, completely mad beaks, little stubby legs and flappage that you wouldn't have though would get them off the ground. Nesting next to that most elegant, if dim bird, the artic tern. Beautifully streamlined for the thousands of miles it flies when it migrates but very dim as it nests on the paths people walk on when they visit the Islands. It also gets very cross when the public walk on the paths, I felt like I was in the film 'The Birds' as I got my head pecked by numerous grumpy artic terns protecting their eggs. I was glad of my hat. Photography was difficult as the wind almost blew us off our feet and the boat trip out to the island, well bouncy and wet would best describe it.