The Farne puffins look really cute - can I come?

But having to go via Seahouses? Isn't that the utterly grim place where everything is grey. And near a nuclear power station?

On the Puffin page, I couldn't help smirking at "A Shag - typical pose" .... I'm quite embarrassed that I still find such things funny!

It's growing up on a diet of 'Carry On' films, Willit....

<i>But having to go via Seahouses? Isn't that the utterly grim place where everything is grey. And near a nuclear power station?</i>

Nope - you must be confusing it with somewhere completely different. The Northumberland coast near Seahouses is renowned for long sandy beaches, castles and small fishing villages. I've only visited the Farne Islands once (many years ago), it's where I first discovered my propensity for seasickness!

The OP's fundamental problem is that all this is a very long way from Watford. Another point to bear in mind is that the boat trips out to the Farne Islands only run regularly from April to October so not sure if this coincides with the timing of their trip.

The place I am thinking of is near Carlisle.

Which might be on the other side.

(Can you tell I don't venture north very often?!)

Er... yes, Carlisle is on the other side of the country from Seahouses. Literally. Perhaps you're confused with Seascale next to the Sellafield nuclear re-processing plant (NB not a power station).

It might be Seascale.

All the houses are grey stone, the sea is grey, and it rains all the time. And there is some sort of nuclear connection.

Surely someone can recognise it from my detailed description?

"Surely someone can recognise it from my detailed description?"

Mmmm All grey and rains all the time:- doesn't that just describe anything "up North"? (Where it's Grim - everybody knows this)

Anyway, I think we've established that Greyscale (or wherever) is not on the way to Puffin Island.

I hope the OP appreciates all our help.

of course!

some other forums suggested Dancing Ledge (single number pairs) just to the west of Durlston Country Park, Swanage, Dorset. Portland Bill (one pair) is slightly further west.

Anyone been there too?

More puffin pics:
http://500px.com/ProjectPuffin2011

willit on Oct 12, 11 at 5:01am
Mmmm All grey and rains all the time:- doesn't that just describe anything "up North"? (Where it's Grim - everybody knows this)

Don't you start!

Signed, a Northern Monkey, aka Kestrel Strangler :D

:-)

Hm, well I've lived in Scotland for 18 years now and have never managed to see a single puffin, even on a trip to Staffa in late May (a friend who went at the same time a year earlier was practically tripping over them). So there are no guarantees, and I don't think I'd want to base 2 whole days on the possibility of seeing them, especially in February - they are not normally even back in the UK by then, they arrive in spring. And I doubt any boat trips to any of the likely islands will be running in February.

Having dismally failed to help the OP find Puffins within easy reach of Watford, maybe I can offer this rather wonderful picture as compensation.

http://tinyurl.com/63ndsqk

He looks like he's doing the Highland Fling :)

How cute.

I've seen lots of puffins (but never one dancing) largest numbers were on two trips out to the Isle of May and a couple times on Staffa.

But the OP needs to re-think their plans/priorities. I wouldn't base a trip based on one or two breeding pairs. And as Caroline's post shows -- even places where there are lots of of birds won't guarantee actually seeing them.

This is probably crazy and might not be practicable...

But if OP is coming from the US, would it be worth looking for a plane which lets them have a layover in Iceland to see puffins?