GLAD TIDINGS FROM THE FAR N E

In my humble opinion a trip to the Farne Islands is the best birding experience you can get in the U.K. and last week made my third visit.Seahouses on the Northumberland coast is the port of embarkation,there are now several different boats that offer similar  trips but the GLAD TIDINGS fleet seems to be still the most popular,I was too late for the all day trip so did two,the morning to the outer islands and in the afternoon to the inner.

 PUFFINS are plentiful here and pose obligingly for all,pity the weather was not so obliging.

 LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL

 GUILLEMOTS WITH FOOD FOR THE YOUNGSTER.

 SHAG WITH CHICK

 KITTIWAKE

 ATLANTIC GREY SEAL

 GREY SEAL LOUNGING ON KELP BED

 GRACE DARLINGS LONGSTONE LIGHT HOUSE

 GUILLEMOTS GALORE

PUFFIN WITH SAND EELS

 PUFFIN Running the gauntlet to its burrow ,everything else wanted the sand eels without the effort of catching it,life is not easy for the puffin.

 ARCTIC TERNS on the inner Farnes are famous for their dive bombing exploits.

 AT LAST A GLIMMER OF SUNSHINE.as we were waiting to leave of course.

 RETURNING WITH SAND EEL FOR

 SOME LIKE A SOFT HAT TO SIT ON.

 A BIT OF COURTSHIP

BAMBURGH CASTLE
On Saturday morning the sun was shining so I called at the old quarry Bishop Middleham again to see

NORTHERN BROWN ARGUS or as it is known locally DURHAM BROWN ARGUS

DURHAM BROWN ARGUS showing white spot on forewing