Exciting Bird Watching Tours of the Farne Islands

Some of the most exciting destinations for bird watching tours are, in fact, right here on our doorstep in the UK. The rugged and often wild coastline of the northeast provides a unique habitat for many different species of birds, some of which are extremely rare. The Farne Islands, just off the coast of Northumberland, provides sighting opportunities like none other and, interestingly, a unique insight into the curious behaviours of many of the endemic species.

A Striking Landscape

The Farne Islands have only one resident - the National Trust's bird warden - but it is a popular destination for many visitors on bird watching tours throughout the year. The islands themselves are made up of resistant igneous dolerite outcroppings that would have originally been connected to the mainland. Over time, and due to erosion, the islands broke away leaving an isolated landscape surrounded by steep, almost vertical cliffs and a perfect terrain for seabirds and migratory species to inhabit.

The Entertaining Residents

One of the highlights of bird watching tours of the Farne Islands is the opportunity to see the large Puffin colonies and the significantly sized grey seal population. Both species are highly entertaining to observe and draw many visitors to the islands. The Puffins share burrows at different times of the year with the scarce rabbit population on the island; they've even been known to evict rabbits of inhabited burrows with their impressive bite and take up residence themselves.

One of the benefits of the fairly condensed square footage of the islands is that it gives observers the opportunity to document and track the migratory patterns and numbers of the species that frequent the area. A total of 290 different species of birds have been recorded on the island since 1760, including some of which - like the Great Auk - are now extinct. Other species that are commonly spotted are the Sandwich, Arctic and Roseate Terns, Cormorants, Oystercatchers, Black-legged Kittiwakes and many more.

Unique Curiosities

Some of the regular residents of the island have proved to be curiosities to nature enthusiasts and researchers alike. Every summer from 1984 to 1997 a particular Lesser Crested Tern was spotted and nicknamed 'Elsie'. During that time she paired up with a Sandwich Tern and raised a host of hybrid chicks. Lesser Crested Terns are generally not seen beyond the coast of Libya or the west coast of Africa during the winter.

It is not surprising that the Farne Islands are a popular destination for bird watching tours and participants are rarely disappointed with a visit. The prolific variety of species to be seen at different times of the year make each visit unique for even the most seasoned spotter. The numerous sighting opportunities, along with a glimpse into the curious nature of many of these species, makes a tour of the Farne Islands a worthwhile and fascinating experience.

Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer. If you’re looking for bird watching tours, Naturetrek specialises in expert-led natural history and wildlife tours worldwide. Naturetrek brings over 25 years of experience to polar expeditions and tours to other spectacular regions on Earth.

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