New Life on the Farnes

There’s a magic in the air around the Farne Islands right now—an energy that only comes once a year, and I’m so lucky to witness it every single day. The cliffs are alive with the sound of new life, and fluffy chicks are appearing everywhere you look. It’s the height of the breeding season, and whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, there’s nothing quite like seeing these seabird families in action.

Let me take you on a little tour of what’s happening right now…

Guillemots
The guillemot colonies are packed shoulder-to-shoulder on the cliff ledges—hundreds of adults standing over their single precious egg or tiny chick, balancing on what looks like the very edge of the world. And when that chick finally hatches, it has just a few short weeks to grow before it takes the leap of faith (yes, literally!) off the cliffs to the sea below, guided only by the call of its parents. It’s one of nature’s great spectacles.

Puffins
Ah, the puffins! Who doesn’t love these bright-billed charmers? Right now, they’re busily flying back and forth with mouths full of sandeels to feed their hungry pufflings, safely tucked away in burrows across the islands. Blink and you’ll miss it—those little flashes of colour darting across the sky are always a crowd favourite, and for good reason.

Razorbills
Similar to guillemots but with a bold black and white outfit and a strikingly strong beak, the razorbills are also raising just one chick each. They’re slightly more elusive, often found tucked into crags and crevices, but it’s such a joy to spot them tending their young with such gentle care.

Kittiwakes
The sound of summer. The kittiwakes’ constant cries echo around the cliffs as they sit on their neat little nests, delicately balanced on rocky ledges. Their chicks are beginning to hatch now—grey, fluffy little bundles peeping out from under mum or dad’s wing. Kittiwakes are a true sign of the season, and I never tire of watching their graceful flight.

Arctic Terns
And then there are the arctic terns—the real adventurers of the seabird world. They’ve flown all the way from Antarctica to raise their chicks here on the Farnes. It’s a long, tiring journey, but so worth it. These birds are fiercely protective parents, and rightly so—their chicks are just beginning to hatch now, tiny and vulnerable on the open ground. Visitors may get a tap on the head from a tern defending its nest (a badge of honour, really!), but what a privilege it is to be so close to such determined little birds.

The Fragility of Life
Of course, life here is never easy. The weather plays a huge part in the survival of our seabird chicks. Heavy rain can flood puffin burrows. Rough seas can make it harder for parents to feed their young. And strong winds can delay nesting or even destroy fragile cliffside homes. But these birds are tough, and they’ve adapted to this harsh, beautiful landscape over centuries. Every chick that makes it is a small miracle—and I never take any of it for granted.

Come and See It For Yourself
I say this with my whole heart: there’s no better time to visit the Farne Islands than right now. The cliffs, the air, the sea—it’s all brimming with life. It’s noisy, it’s messy, it’s sometimes chaotic—but it’s completely unforgettable.

I feel incredibly grateful every day to do this job, to witness these moments, and to share them with others. Come and join us, bring your camera, bring your sense of wonder, and let the seabirds of the Farnes steal your heart.