Summer Walk, Sunset Cruise, Seahouses - Tuesday 2nd July 2019.
On Tuesday 2nd July 2019, Seahouses Harbour was the start point for visit No 3 on the summer programme,
as we boarded the purpose-built vessel Serenity II for a sunset cruise around the Farne islands. Lying between
one and a half and four and a half miles off the Northumberland coast, this wildlife and nature reserve is home
to over 100,000 seabirds each year and has a resident population of grey seals, (also known as atlantic seals).
Throughout our evening sail around the islands, the skipper manoeuvred our vessel under cliffs, around sea
stacks and into small coves. The twin hulled catamaran is the perfect platform and with its enhanced stability
we were able to walk around the boat as we were taken within touching distance of the subjects we were
photographing. As the birds settle for the night, you see more from the boat than on a normal daytime cruise.
On a fine, calm night conditions were excellent as we viewed puffins, razorbills, cormorants, shags, kittiwakes,
and terns, to name just a few of the many species of birds. We also saw and recorded the unique behaviour of
baby guillemots nicknamed "jumplings". These tiny birds jump off the rocks and cliff faces in a leap of faith, to
then head out to sea with their fathers for the first time. These juvenile birds are unable to fly yet, so it is quite
literally sink or swim time.
Throughout the evening the skipper explained that depending on the state of the tide there are between fifteen
to twenty visible islands and that each island is a different shape and size. During the cruise he identified the sea
birds, pointed out anything different or unusual and provided an informative commentary that gave a brief insight
into the fascinating history of the area. As well as the wildlife we saw the Longstone and Inner Farne Lighthouses,
Prior Castells Tower and the old lighthouse and keepers cottage on Brownsman island.
The Farne islands is also the home to one of the largest colonies of grey seals and they can be seen basking on
rocks or diving into the water and again we were able to get in close to photograph and watch their behaviour.
As this was a sunset cruise we were hoping that the sunny evening would hold and we were not disappointed.
Leaving the islands we headed west towards the mainland and as we sailed south back to seahouses, we were
rewarded with the view of Bamburgh Castle silhouetted against the golden orange sunset. This shot can only be
taken from a boat and provided a stunning finish to almost three hours at sea. Once again we had a very good
trip and a big thank to the eleven who supported the evening.
Davy Bolam.
as we boarded the purpose-built vessel Serenity II for a sunset cruise around the Farne islands. Lying between
one and a half and four and a half miles off the Northumberland coast, this wildlife and nature reserve is home
to over 100,000 seabirds each year and has a resident population of grey seals, (also known as atlantic seals).
Throughout our evening sail around the islands, the skipper manoeuvred our vessel under cliffs, around sea
stacks and into small coves. The twin hulled catamaran is the perfect platform and with its enhanced stability
we were able to walk around the boat as we were taken within touching distance of the subjects we were
photographing. As the birds settle for the night, you see more from the boat than on a normal daytime cruise.
On a fine, calm night conditions were excellent as we viewed puffins, razorbills, cormorants, shags, kittiwakes,
and terns, to name just a few of the many species of birds. We also saw and recorded the unique behaviour of
baby guillemots nicknamed "jumplings". These tiny birds jump off the rocks and cliff faces in a leap of faith, to
then head out to sea with their fathers for the first time. These juvenile birds are unable to fly yet, so it is quite
literally sink or swim time.
Throughout the evening the skipper explained that depending on the state of the tide there are between fifteen
to twenty visible islands and that each island is a different shape and size. During the cruise he identified the sea
birds, pointed out anything different or unusual and provided an informative commentary that gave a brief insight
into the fascinating history of the area. As well as the wildlife we saw the Longstone and Inner Farne Lighthouses,
Prior Castells Tower and the old lighthouse and keepers cottage on Brownsman island.
The Farne islands is also the home to one of the largest colonies of grey seals and they can be seen basking on
rocks or diving into the water and again we were able to get in close to photograph and watch their behaviour.
As this was a sunset cruise we were hoping that the sunny evening would hold and we were not disappointed.
Leaving the islands we headed west towards the mainland and as we sailed south back to seahouses, we were
rewarded with the view of Bamburgh Castle silhouetted against the golden orange sunset. This shot can only be
taken from a boat and provided a stunning finish to almost three hours at sea. Once again we had a very good
trip and a big thank to the eleven who supported the evening.
Davy Bolam.