Today was the best weather wise for a boat trip, so we got booked onto Billy Sheils trip
of 2 1/2 hrs taking in all the islands with grey seals, bird colonies, then an hour on inner
farne for the tern's, puffins, shags, B.H. Gulls, Guilliumots & Razorbills, walking round we
were amazed at how close we got to the birds, we did not get attacked from the terns as
only the Sandwich terns were back, the Arctic & Common were still out in the bay but were due
back to land any time now.
Of coursethe puffins were the main attraction, but what caught my eye was how stunning the
Shags were, the plumage was stunning, a black/green sheen, with a stnning green eye, and yellow
flash, and I have never seen Puffins sitting on buildings before, it was quite amusing, hope you like.
To each their own
Just heard there is a pair of red throated divers in a bay not far from us, so will go down in the morning, to have a look
Stunning photos nighthawk - what a fabulous trip. I especially like the puffins and I must admit I was quite surprised by the shags. I was always under the impression that they were quite similar to cormorants, but seeing them so close up the plumage is totally different!
See my Flickr photos here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/115745582@N04/
Hi Christine, most people think of Shags as a totally black bird, but they are far from that, quite a stunning bird when seen close up, glad you like the pic's
Nighthawk,2 spots for R.T.Diver usually are Stag Rocks on the approach road to Bamburgh golf club just before the lighthouse and the 2nd is the little bay just South of Cresswell village start in c.p. next to village hall and work your way down the coast for 1/2 mile or so usually good on a rising tide.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Cheers Seaman will it a go see what the weather is like in the morning.
Lovely photos nighthawk, looks like you had a good day. I do like the puffins and the seals, brilliant.
Cheers, Jason
Thanks Jason, the puffins were amazing,but it was the shags that I took to such lovely birds.
Hi Bob it is a must we really enjoyed the trip, we have always been reluctant to go as we thought the birds were been disturbed, but someone said if we go in early May we would not disturb them as the arctic terns would not be back, and it is those that attack the visitors, but seeing not only the puffins but the shags up close was a real treat. hope you enjoy your visit.
Brilliant Photos.It is a great place to visit
Regards
John Hancock