One of my wildlife ambitions has been to get up to the Bass Rock to see the Gannets breeding and feeding, I know I have missed it this year, but can anyone help as to where you book boat trips out to the Rock for next year?
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Hi Gary
I have found these links for you. It looks although there are trips, but they do not come cheap though.
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/nature/Bass-Rock-opens-to-human.4113847.jp
http://www.seabird.org/bassrockgannetsguidedlandingtrips.asp
I have been to Bass Rock in the past. I was taken along with my local conservation group (Lothian Conservation Volunteers) The warden took us out for a treat (A day working in one of the reserves and this was the payment we got back), and it was a fantastic experience.
Walking amongst the Gannets was surreal. They are very large birds. Just looking at them diving in the sea was an experience in itself. They are not worried about people at all. It is although it is going back in time and birds are fearless of humans being so close to them.
There appears to be reports of the daily activities of the Gannets on-line. Maybe we should set up a Bass Rock blog?
Please let us know how you get along. Puffin
Regards
Kathy and Dave
puffin said: One of my wildlife ambitions has been to get up to the Bass Rock to see the Gannets breeding and feeding, I know I have missed it this year, but can anyone help as to where you book boat trips out to the Rock for next year?
Hi Kathy/Dave
Many thanks for the links, these are bookmarked ready, expensive yes but cheap to see such a spectacle, looking forward to it already, I got to the Farnes at long last this year and thoroughly enjoyed it, so now looking to the Bass Rock even more.
Thanks again
Gary
Glad to be of help Gary
Very true, cost does not come into it when it comes to birding. It would be a spectable to see all those Gannets together anyday. You will be able to get some super pictures too.
Still remember the experience like it was yesterday, and I will never forget walking amongst those Gannets for the rest of my life,
puffin said: Hi Kathy/Dave Many thanks for the links, these are bookmarked ready, expensive yes but cheap to see such a spectacle, looking forward to it already, I got to the Farnes at long last this year and thoroughly enjoyed it, so now looking to the Bass Rock even more. Thanks again Gary
Hi Puffin,
Why don't you consider going to Bempton cliffs it is also colonised by breeding Gannets and also your namesakes the Puffins. If you go at the right time of the year it is a truly amazing spectacle. It is an RSPB reserve and it would cost a lot less than the trip to Bass Rock however if your ambition is to see them on the Rock then that I would think would also be worth the expense.
Graham
Be Inspired,
Dream it, Crave it, Work for it, Live it.
Hope you get out there Puffin - I was taken on a boat trip out then when I was small (more years ago than I'm willing to tell!) and am sure it was one of the formative things in my "birding" life!
Make the boy interested in natural history if you can; it is better than games [Robert Falcon Scott]
Getting back to the subject of Bass Rock
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007rx02
There was a small article on Coast on BBC 2 tonight. Need to wait until the BBC i-player is set a little later after the programme is finished.
The presenter could not get out there as the seas are too choppy - so it is weather dependant.
Just for interest.
Just to mention a different boat trip that happens nearby, every year the RSPB runs puffin cruises from South Queensferry. During May and June these go out to see the puffins and other seabirds that live on the islands on the inner Firth of Forth, just off the coast from Edinburgh. The boat leaves from underneath that most evocative of constructions, the Forth Rail Bridge, and if you are lucky you might see the peregrine that lives there too. RSPB staff and volunteers are on hand throughout the trip to make sure everyone sees as much as possible whilst there is a live, learned and witty commentary from the wheelhouse. Details about these cruises should be on the RSPB website closer to the time, in the 'Date With Nature' section. I really can't advocate them enough!
Reedbed, freshwater scrapes, saltmarsh and wet meadow. Frampton Marsh has it all! Come and pay us a visit soon.
I did see this and it has only wetted my appetite even more, many thanks to you all for your advice and suggestions, as well as the Bass I think I am also going to get across to Bempton.
Hi Gary (sorry about name)
If you would like some more information about coast once more - this was on the other night. It gives a lot more detailsof the Gannets on the rock itself - plus the Ganners diving for fish.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...osyth_to_Hull/
BBC I-player
Watched this programme tonight and there was some really good footage of Gannets living on the Bass rock (10.20mins into the programme) and some interesting photography of the birds diving underwater. Well worth a watch.
puffin said: Hi Kathy/Dave I did see this and it has only wetted my appetite even more, many thanks to you all for your advice and suggestions, as well as the Bass I think I am also going to get across to Bempton. Regards Gary
Hi Chris
Another interesting trip to do. Wish I lived back in Edinburgh (at times) and I would have been 'Puffin' watching by now.
Never mind you win some and you lose some too.