The National Trust has just announced that they are reopening the Farne Island for visitors. They were closed for 2 years because of bird flu and decimation of the Puffins and other sea birds, and that was after problems caused by covid.
Instead of staying on boats circling the islands visitors will be able to go ashore and get closer.
National Trust page on Farne Islands: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/farne-islands
Nigel, thank you so much for posting this!! I really want to take a boat trip to the Farne Islands when I am staying in Seahouses, so it's very good know that I will be able to go ashore! I'm very excited!
Also, thanks for the link--I did not realize it was a National Trust property. I have a membership so that's good to know also. Thank you again!
Nigel and Mardee, I LOVE puffins and wish I could go visit them this year. Mardee, if you go, take lots of photos to share on our Intl. call. I went on a puffin tour out of Nova Scotia and they fly so fast to keep those chubby little bodies in the air.
Will do, Laurie Beth!
Mardee you’re the first thought I had when I saw the title of this post! The stars - and puffins- are aligning for you this trip! So happy for you!
Thanks, MLD! And fingers crossed!!
just check the first date Mardee, it is coming soon but not immediately.
Pics of Puffins - with beaks full of sand eels = please at the intl meetings.
Oh, thank you Nigel!
I did do the boat tour out of Seahouses last May where we circled the islands but it's not the same as being able to land. However, no bird poo on our shoes, lol!
For anyone contemplating this and who is prone to seasickness....take SeaBands with you, they work great!
Pam, I agree sea bands really help. They got me out to see my beloved puffins and it was a very turbulent day on the Atlantic. I'm so happy to see others are as daft about puffins as I am.
It'll be 40+ years since I did the Farne Islands boat trip when we as a family were staying at Haggerston Castle Caravan Park.
Something I would love to do again.
But I can't book it from the Lake District as a day trip because Murphy's Law states that it would be cancelled due to poor weather on the day I was booked.
Billy Shiels has now confirmed that Inner Farne will re-open on 25 March, weather dependent. Trips are now available for bookings.
Staple Island remains closed.
Billy Shiels have been out there this weekend and over the last two weeks repairing the landing stage, so as to be fit for service.
The Guillemots are very much there and the Puffins were first reported as there on 7 March.
