On a recent trip to Northumberland, UK, we visited the Farne Islands, known for their large numbers of seabirds.
Going by boat to the Farne Islands is quite an experience. You leave from Seahouses harbour. The sea can be choppy, but we were lucky as it was relatively calm. Listen to the guide and enjoy the fresh sea air.
We were privileged to see a variety of birds, some of which I had not seen before. One of the birds here is the sandwich tern, which can be seen circling above the sea or nesting in groups on the cliffs.
My favourite was the puffin, with its bright beaks and clumsy walk. They spend much of their time at sea but return to the island in spring and summer to breed.
On the top of the rocky ledges, we spotted common guillemots that had gathered in large numbers.
There were also great black backed gulls and eider ducks. The eider ducks make their nest on the ground.
A big bonus was seeing seals basking on the rocks.
There is also a striking landmark on the nearby Longstone Island in the Farne Islands, a red and white lighthouse. It is famous because Grace Darling lived there. In 1838, she helped rescue survivors from a shipwreck. Her bravery made her well known across Britain, and she is still remembered today.
If you like birds, this trip is definitely for you. Goodbye, Farne Islands!