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The Farne Islands are situated between two and five miles
off the
Northumberland Coast.
There are 28 islands in total, 15 of which can be seen at high tide, with the largest island being Inner Farne.
Historically the Farne Islands are associated with St Aidan
and St Cuthbert, both of whom used the islands as a place to mediate in utter solitude.
The Northumberland heroine, Grace Darling spent most of her short life on the lighthouses here,
first on Brownsman's Island and then on Longstone Island.
A 30 minute boat trip, departing from
Seahouses
brings in excess of 45,000 visitors to the islands throughout the year.
The most rewarding months being May, June and July when tens of thousands of birds are roosting.
The islands are the summer home of four of the five species of British tern, as well as twelve other species of seabird, including puffins (also known as the 'Sea Parrot'
and locally known as the 'Tommy Noddy'), guillemots and kittiwakes.
Another notable resident of the Farne Islands is the grey seal (also known as the Atlantic grey seal), with between 3000 and 4000 of this rare species on and around the islands.
The colonies here are one of the most important in Europe, and this species of seal is the largest surviving carnivore in the British Isles and resides throughout the year,
with the 1000 or so pups being born each year in late October and November.
The islands being in the care of the National Trust are a very popular destination for lovers of wildlife, for nowhere in the British Isles are such a variety of seabirds to be seen in such a small area.
Longstone Lighthouse, or Outer Farne as it was first called, is situated on Longstone Rock, one of the Outer Staple Islands. Visitors can sail out to this isolated Lighthouse, which is open to the public during the months of April to October.
Visitors can view Grace Darling's tiny bedroom from where she spotted nine survivors desperately clinging to the rocks. Despite a raging storm, the Darlings launched the lighthouse boat and rescued the survivors, caring for them in the lighthouse for two days until the storm subsided.
In the late autumn of 2007, two basking sharks measuring in the region of 20 feet in length were spotted offshore around The Farne Islands.
This is the first time these gentle giants have been seen in this area, and only the 17th time they have been seen off the north east coast. The two sharks fed on plankton for six days before swimming off, perhaps migrating to warmer waters.
A few days later, a 10 feet long basking shark was washed up on Fisherrow Beach (Musselburgh) in East Lothian, despite considerable effort, the young shark was unable to be saved.
Occasionally the Farne Islands are visited by pods of Dolphins.
These playful animals approach the tour boats very closely,
allowing visitors a birds-eye view of their amusing antics.
Puffin Census 2008...
For nine-months during 2008,
the five-year census of the puffin breeding colony takes place.
This survey is carried-out by The National Trust, whose
nine wardens live in the 16th century pele tower on Inner Farne for the duration of this count.
Up to 60,000 breeding pairs are counted by the wardens during this period,
with both male and female puffins looking identical and bonding for life.
The breeding season starts in May and by August
the puffins are ready to return to their life on the open seas once again.
This census recorded 36,500 puffins, down from 55,674 in the 2003 census.
Puffin Decline on the Farne Islands...
With the recent fall in the puffin breeding population on the Farne Islands,
scientists from Newcastle University are carrying-out a programme of tagging the birds.
GPS tags are glued to the bird's feathers, allowing the puffins to be tracked in real-time.
When the initial results are published, it is hoped these will give an indication
to the cause of the puffin decline on the Farne Islands, and around the UK coastline in general.
Humpback Whale visits the Farne Islands...
Sunday 13th September 2009 was a notable day on the Farne Islands.
A Humpback Whale was observed close to the islands,
this enormous animal was on view to both wardens and visitors for over an hour.
The whale, in excess of 12 metres long, was initially spotted near Longstone Island by
William Shiel ( ‘Glad Tidings VII ’).
This is the first recorded observation in recent times of a Humpback Whale
around the Farne Islands.
A few days earlier a juvenile Humpback Whale was spotted in the River Thames, it was later found dead near Dartford Bridge.
It is suggested it may have died of starvation.
On 19th September a Humpback Whale was seen off Newton Point, Low Newton by the Sea, a few miles south of the Farne Islands.
The whale then headed north, returning again to the Farne Islands, being spotted off Crumstone.
Accommodation on the Farne Islands...
For the general public no accommodation is available.
National Trust resident wardens are the only persons able to stay on the islands,
five or so of whom live on Inner Farne for about nine months a year.
The nearest accommodation can be found on the mainland, in and around
Seahouses.
Useful Links...
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