Friday 29 March 2013

Farne Islands Open!

First boat landed today; Bobby and Billy

Guillemots returning to clifftops

Seabirds this way - soon to change, Inner Farne

Inner Farne lighthouse

Grey Seal checking our opening times

Team in action; last minute finishing
Friday 29th March comments: It’s been a long time coming but we are finally OPEN to the public. Today brought our first visitor boats as the wind eased and some seabirds returned. After the events of last week, from the Danio to the seabird wreck, it was good to start the season on a positive note. Hopefully we have turned the corner and everyone and everything concerned with the Farne Islands can actually have a good productive season.

Having finally been cleared of the islands on Wednesday evening, the MV Danio finally docked at the Port of Blyth ready for inspection. On the seabird front, thousands of Guillemots have arrived with some returning to clifftops whilst a scattering of Puffins and Razorbills have been noted.

The team have worked tirelessly to have the islands ready and are buzzing for the start of the season. It’s a big year this year, with a full census of the Puffin population (this only occurs once every five years) and so why not join us and find out more. Simply by visiting the Farne Islands d, the sea calmed will help support our conservation work, so make sure you find the time to head out to the ‘Galapagos of the north’.

Opening times 2013:   Sailings daily unless bad weather prevents boats from leaving harbour   Inner Farne 10:00-17:30 all of April   Staple Island 10:00 - 13:30 May, June, July Inner Farne 13:30 - 17:00 May, June, July   Inner Farne 10:00 - 17:30 all of August, September and October

1 comment:

Elaine Housby said...

Saw a dead puffin on the slipway in Berwick today, Saturday, and my friend tells me she saw two on the beach here yesterday. Very unusual to see puffins in Berwick either alive or dead. Made me realise how bad things are for the birds just now.