The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Delight as first visitors return to Farne Islands
VISITORS were delighted not only to be able to visit the Farne Islands for the first time in two years, but that thousands of puffins had turned out at the beginning of the season.
The charismatic seabirds, known in some quarters as the clowns of the sea, were out from their burrows in force for the first members of the public to step foot on the island since July 6, 2022. The islands had been closed since then due to concerns over Avian Influenza (AI), also known as bird flu, with rangers collecting almost 10,000 birds who had fallen victim to the disease over the last two summer seasons.
However, it is hoped that there is now herd immunity in colonies, and with very little risk to humans, Inner Farne is open to visitors.
Originally set to reopen on Monday but delayed due to bad weather and rough seas, the first boats of the new season left Seahouses on Tuesday morning with visitors from all over the UK – and some from even further afield.
Most had come for the puffins, but were delighted to spot razorbills, gannets, kittiwakes and seals. Though causing disappointment for some, others were relieved that terns had not yet arrived back at the island – as they are notorious for attacking people’s heads as they protect their eggs.
Paul Watson, 59, left the North East several years ago for the island of Bermuda, where he is a policeman.
Also a keen birder, he was back in Northumberland visiting his sister Debbie Breslin, 57 and said he felt “pretty lucky” to be among the first group of visitors.
He said: “It’s great, it’s a treat to be back out here. It hasn’t changed a bit, and it’s good that the terns are here to divebomb you!”
Set to fly home on Thursday, Debbie was happy to accompany her brother to one of his favourite places.
She added: “It’s really nice to have him home, this is one of many places that’s a trip down our memory lane.”
Felicity Gannon, 26, had travelled to Northumberland as part of a solo trip from her home in Ormskirk, Liverpool. Also heading down memory lane, the Northumberland Coast was one of her family’s favourite destinations when she was younger.
She said: “It’s amazing, it feels such a privilege to be one of the first people, and all the puffins have landed as well. I saw oystercatchers, one of my favourite birds, on the way here and that made up for the choppy crossing – it was really cold!”
Also feeling privileged was Fu Ge Yang, 23, a recent graduate on a trip with her parents Martin and Yanhui. She said: “My parents are keen birders and really wanted to come, I just came to take pictures and didn’t realise there would be so many birds!
“It’s quite astonishing because and I feel really lucky to have seen so many birds. We heard on the way here that puffins don’t usually turn out after a storm, but we’ve seen so many!”
Kevin Short, 70, and wife Karen, 61, came from Manchester. The couple have wanted to visit the Farne Islands for several years to see the puffins, as Kevin had two boats, Puffin One and Puffin
Two, in the harbour at Abersoch, North Wales.
Kevin said: “It’s our first time on the islands. We didn’t realise they’ve been closed so long because of bird flu, but we’ve wanted to come for so long and it’s definitely lived up to our expectations.”
Lastly, Tao and Maggie Xu had come all the way from Gloucestershire to see the puffins. Tao said: “What a beautiful place, it’s amazing to be here first and see thousands of puffins. We feel so high in the sky!”
But it’s not just tourists who were delighted to be returning to Inner Farne. Boat tour companies based in Seahouses Harbour’s livelihood involves the islands, and they have been hit hard in recent years not only due to bird flu, but lockdown restrictions following the Coronavirus pandemic.
Michael Craig, skipper for Billy Shiel Farne Islands Boat Trips, said: “It’s really nice to be able to get people back onto the island after a long wait. It’s nice to get out there, and even better was the fact that the island was covered in puffins.
“I think it’s made everyone’s day, so long may it continue.”
Inner Farne is the only island open to visitor landings this year while the National Trust trials limited opening.