Posted by Nick Caddick on January 21, 2008 at 12:17 PM
I'm planning to visit both this year and the times I could go are, 1st week June, 1st week July or 3rd week July. Are any of these dates better to get the most out of each? Thanks inadvance for all advice given.
Also is it worth taking a 500mm lens?
Posted by Andy Shepherd on January 21, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Hi Nick,
I went to the Farnes last year and really regreted not taking the 500mm , didn't regret not lugging it around though , sorry , can't help with the dates.
Regards
Andy...
Posted by Craig Nash on January 21, 2008 at 1:17 PM
I also went to Farnes in early may and would highly recommend 500. As for when I am not sure. Google Richard Bedford I think he has more details about farnes on his website.
Posted by Ian Mason on January 21, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Bass Rock. I went 3rd week in June. Fantastic experience. There weren’t any chicks then though. Best contact http://www.seabird.org/home.asp to arrange special trip for photographers – they will also give you best times for chicks. Take your 500mm, but you get so close to the gannets that 100-200 can suffice.
Farne Islands. June was good. 500mm definitely worthwhile for puffins, but again you can get close enough to cliff birds for 100-200.
While you're there, have a look at Bamburgh Castle - great opportunities. Wish I had more time there.
Posted by Duncan Armour on January 22, 2008 at 4:21 AM
Bass Rock - went 1st week in June last year - lots of birds, a few eggs, only chicks were gulls. My 100-400 mm was fine and was often used in the 100-200 range.
Farne - again 1st week in June - lots of birds but a 500 would have improved the possibilities enormously. The best puffins generally were just out of range of the 400.
Your biggest enemy is the weather - storms in June last year hit the Farne island colonies badly last year, and it was quite tricky to get out there on lots of days. Bass Rock trips can book out some way in advance so you have to book and hope.
Posted by Mark Clancy on January 23, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Bass Rock - went last day of June 2007. This was my second attempt. The previous year the landing was not possible and we just got an island cruise. The weather again wasn't good and the trip curtailed.Many green faces on the trip back to harbour. Some Gannet chicks around and you get very close. Took 100-400 zoom and that was fine. Worth the cost and will go again sometime. The Scottish Seabird Centre :- www.seabird.org now have the landing rights and all trips must be in conjunction with them either there own trips ( this years not yet announced ) or www.photographersonsafari.com ( maybe others but I'm not aware )
Farne Islands - went on the 1st July 2007 , after the storms previously mentioned. Loads of puffins with sandeels ( & pipefish ) , tern chicks , shags with young - again you get close but not as close as on the Bass. 75% on the boat appeared photographers with some very serious glass - 500s & 600s.Going again this year.
Discussion
5 repliesAlso is it worth taking a 500mm lens?
I went to the Farnes last year and really regreted not taking the 500mm , didn't regret not lugging it around though
Regards
Andy...
Farne Islands. June was good. 500mm definitely worthwhile for puffins, but again you can get close enough to cliff birds for 100-200.
While you're there, have a look at Bamburgh Castle - great opportunities. Wish I had more time there.
Farne - again 1st week in June - lots of birds but a 500 would have improved the possibilities enormously. The best puffins generally were just out of range of the 400.
Your biggest enemy is the weather - storms in June last year hit the Farne island colonies badly last year, and it was quite tricky to get out there on lots of days. Bass Rock trips can book out some way in advance so you have to book and hope.
Farne Islands - went on the 1st July 2007 , after the storms previously mentioned. Loads of puffins with sandeels ( & pipefish