“This book is informative, interesting, and beautifully illustrated. Kaleel Zibe is both a photographer and a wildlife expert and he knows how to achieve the balance between the two. Within the pages of Zibe’s handy, kitbag-sized offering you’ll find detailed information on the birds of the Farne Islands, as well as a slightly shorter chapter covering the grey seal. There are also tips on how to reach the islands, and a section of photographic advice.

What really makes this book, though, are the images. From stunning shots of terns in flight to baby cormorants and inquisitive seals, they bring the facts to life and provide a real inspiration to get out there to experience nature at its best.”

In Outdoor Photography’s March 2012 issue, they ran a feature on the top 30 wildlife photography locations in the world. In at no 9 “Best for Seabirds: Farne Islands”

I wholeheartedly agree!

Puffins amongst the thrift on Staple Island

With all the April showers we’ve had recently, the puffin burrows on the Farne Islands have sadly been flooded out and as far as we know, all eggs lost. It’s a terrible shame. However, the wardens are keeping their fingers (toes and other extremities) crossed that the birds will re-lay so we’ll still get puffin chicks, albeit later in the season than normal.

I’ve got everything including my nasal hair crossed.

Gannet

And they’re off! The breeding season starts at the Bass Rock, where many of the gannets that visit the Farne Islands come from. Read the full article here.

Meanwhile, the Farnes are pretty quiet and the wardens are gearing up to go back to the islands next month.

Razorbills on Inner Farne - some of the thousands of seabirds to photograph on the Farne Islands

I have teamed up with Alan Hewitt, also a wildlife photographer, to create Hawk’s Head Photography Workshops.

We’re running tailor-made 1 and 2 day photo workshops to the Farne Islands, as well as many others. Come and have a browse of our new web site: www.hawksheadphotography.com

Read the full article here

Contact me in the meantime if you’re interested in more info and I’ll add you to the ‘Mine’s a puffin!‘ list.

I’ll send out details when I’ve pulled my finger out.

K

Grey seal colony in front of Longstone Lighthouse, Farne Islands

The seals at the Farne Islands are one of the longest studied mammals in the world with the project in its 60th year.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/farne-islands-seals.html#cr

Fast forward to today and, courtesy of Serenity Boat Tours‘ Andrew Douglas, I had a tour round the islands to look at birds and seals. On board was naturalist Keith of Wild About Northumberland. Keith’s ability to spot birds just from their flight pattern was amazing and he and Andrew entertained us throughout the trip. I thought I knew a bit about the Farne Islands, but this out of season trip enhanced my knowledge to the point where I realised I wanted to keep returning out of season to get pictures and information for the second edition of the book.

Today we saw:

• Grey seals
• Great skua (there were other skuas, but I missed them – D’oh)
• Red-throated and great northern divers
• Peregrine falcon
• Merlin
• Gannet
• Puffin (yes, there was one out there!)
• Guillemot
• Eider duck
• Shag
• Fieldfare
• Brambling
• Blackbird
• Turnstone
• Oystercatcher
• Great black-backed gull
• Herring gull

Ellie Harrison was also filming the seals for BBC Countryfile. This is THE time to see the seals at the Farne Islands, so it’s worth a visit if you can get there. The Countryfile programme will be out on 30 Oct.

I’m afraid my pictures of the skua, divers and birds of prey are strictly record shots (i.e. rubbish!), but here are a selection of pics that were ok:

Click each image to expand: