I'm over on the mainland next week and I'm planning on visiting both the Farne Islands and Skomer. Any advice, do's and don'ts for either of these locations would be greatly appreciated.
Paul, if your going to Skomer make certain you get there early to get on the first boat to give you more time on the island. You are then supposed to get the first boat back but as the general tourists are usually the first to want to get back I usually get the last boat. There is no shelter on the island so if it is sunny take precautions (hat, suncream. plenty of water etc). There are usually good opportunities for razorbills and the odd puffins near the steps at the landing stage which I usually try for on way back whilst waiting for the boat. My most productive sites for puffins is at the Wick. I normally set up a tripod with 500mm lens and then have a second body with a 100-300mm lens hand held. The puffins can be very close (literally run under your legs to cross the path) but then the 500 is great to isolate birds at the edge of the cliff to give you a nice background of sea etc. I was told last week that a little owl is regularly perching on stone walls / fence near to the farmhouse accommodation in centre of island. There are resident short eared owls which unfortunately I have never seen but many others have.
Be aware that even on a nice summers day the sea can be choppy and they sometimes cancel the landings. If there is anything else I can help you with just drop me an e-mail.
Sorry but no info on Farne Islands, but I'm hoping to go there myself at the end of the month.
Robert
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5 repliesThanks in advance.
Be aware that even on a nice summers day the sea can be choppy and they sometimes cancel the landings. If there is anything else I can help you with just drop me an e-mail.
Sorry but no info on Farne Islands, but I'm hoping to go there myself at the end of the month.
Robert
Robert
Have a lot of info for Skomer, but nothing other than the general stuff for the Farnes.