If you take our recommended walk along the foreshore, you’ll often see large groups of seals on the sandbanks in the distance and hear them singing as well. The primary species seen on Holy Island are Grey seals, also known as Atlantic seals. Grey seals feed on wide variety of fish, squid, and octopus. It was a beautiful June day and the sea looked calm. Seal and pup on the Farne Islands An annual seal census at one of Britain’s most important colonies has had to be carried out from the air due to … Say hello to the new seal pups on the Farne Islands, This seal has a yellow paint on its fur, showing it has been counted, Drones are a new way of counting seals that can be more accurate than traditional methods, Seals are born all across the Farne Islands. Seals spend the other 20% their time on the surface; breathing,  lolling around and digesting their food. The Farnes boast one of the third largest colonies of Grey seals on the East Coast of England, providing a home to around 5,000 seals and contributing 2.5% of the annual British pup production. Just search for Farne Island cruises. This is due to the lack of predators and a plentiful supply of sand eels. During this time, the seals gather in their thousands on the shores of the Farne islands, with the end of October being the peak time for the pups, and the best time of year to be out looking for them. The Farnes seal colony is very lucky in that they don’t face many threats, and as such are doing incredibly well, with numbers increasing 57% over the last 5 years. The Farne Islands are located between Bamburgh and Seahouses on the Northumberland coast and are home to one of the largest seal colonies in the UK with around 1,000 seal pups born each year. There are frequent calls for culls by those who claim seals reduce fish stocks, although there is no scientific evidence for this. The Farne Islands are possibly the most exciting seabird colony in England with unrivalled views of 23 species, including around 43,000 pairs of puffin. Total trip duration is 2.5 hours. As creatures of the sea, seals counted as ‘fish’ and so could be eaten on a Friday. Seal and pup on the Farne Islands in the North Sea off the coast of Northumberland (Owen Humphreys/PA) An annual seal census at one of … The Farne Islands are open for visitors between the 28th March to the end of October. Spoiler: these are ‘seal song’, from the grey seal colonies on the sandbanks and nature reserve beaches. Fewer National Trust rangers were able to stay on the Farne Islands, off the Northumberland coast, to monitor them. Abandoned by their mother, they spend another 20 days or so on the colony before heading out to sea for an independent life. The nearest of the islands sits approximately a mile and a half from the beach. Sandwich tern July* Islands: Both Staple and Inner Farne are open. The Farne Islands are home to thousands of grey seals (also known as Atlantic seals), and each autumn hundreds of pups are born here. Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours offers a wide range of boat trip to the Farne islands in Northumberland. If they feel threatened by your presence, they can become defensive, so please do not approach them, especially with dogs. Seals and pups on the Farne Islands in the North Sea off the coast of Northumberland (Owen Humphreys/PA) National Trust ranger Harriet Reid said: “Due to … Another popular seal-spotting place is from the top of the Heugh, and of course you might see them on any of the other beaches as you walk around the island, but that is less predictable. The pup travelled 400 miles in a maximum of 14 days. In 2017 Farne Islands rangers experimented with drones to capture seal pup numbers from the air. Our skippers and crewman are there to help you with any question you like so pleased do not hesitate to ask. The longer a male can stay in the colony and defend his territory, the more successful they will be. If you’re lucky and have a keen eye, you might even spot a Harbour seal in the mix. They are curious and often look in on divers in the water and are impressive to watch underwater. Every year, we see an abundance of fantastic British wildlife, including puffins and over 100,000 seabirds. In comparison, Harbour seals are much smaller, weighting up to 170kg and reaching 1.5 metres in length. There are an estimated 3 to 4 thousand Grey Seals at the Farne Islands and large numbers can be counted basking on the rocks, especially at low water when more of the Islands are exposed. Scuba Diving with Seals The Farne Islands are located just below the Scottish border on the east side of England and are known as one of the best locations in the UK to dive with seals. Once we have fitted you with equipment and you have changed into a wetsuit, a picturesque boat journey takes us to the Farne Islands. A study on German colonies found they move between the Danish, Dutch and UK coastlines, so it is likely the UK colonies also wander around that south-eastern corner of the sea. There’s a reason that Sir David Attenborough called the Farne Islands his “favourite place in the UK to see magnificent nature” – the islands and the surrounding seas are an internationally important wildlife reserve. The Holy Island colony haul-out among the Grey seals on the exposed sandbars at Fenham Flats. As you look east and out to sea from Holy Island, you’ll see the Farne Islands. Although they may look small from afar, Grey seals can weigh up to 300kg and reach 2.6 metres in length. The Farne Islands are famous among scuba divers which is largely down to the population of around 4,500 Atlantic Grey Seals that call these rocky outcrops ‘home’. It's also home to a one of the top grey seal pupping sites in England, with more than 2,000 pups born every autumn. While the pups are young, the males and females stay on land to protect and feed their offspring with extremely high-fat milk. Sadly, we don’t know too much about where they go when they leave the colony. The primary way of telling which seal you’re looking at is by their face – Harbour seals have a shorter muzzle, with v-shaped nostrils that meet at the bottom while Grey seals have flatter, longer head profiles with parallel nostrils that do not meet. Dr Burville, a researcher from Newcastle University, was diving off the coast of the Farne Islands when he witnessed a male Grey seal ‘clap’ underwater during breeding season – which he then spent 17 years trying to capture on camera! Staple Island Boat trip. This is when you’re most likely to see them, either bobbing on the water or hauled out on the shore. The Farne Islands are most famous for the puffins and seals, plus many other species. If you’re lucky, you may hear the siren’s calls or even see a common seal lolling around Lindisfarne! Organised by Katie with Billy Shiell's diving boat "Glad Tidings". Staple Island trip. Given the right weather conditions, the seals are visited every four days and new pups marked on the rump with a harmless vegetable dye. They spend 80% of their time underwater, diving for around eight minutes … Seals, like all marine wildlife, are also regularly caught in fishing gear and marine debris. The Farne Islands are popular with bird watchers, and as scuba diving locations, with a variety of sites suitable for all levels of divers, for the seals and wrecks. Their numbers swell during this time as over 1,500 pups are born across the islands – the highest ever count was 2,295 in 2016. Because of this, they are protected in Britain under the Conservation of Seals Act of 1970. They spend 80% of their time underwater, diving for around eight minutes (although the longest recorded dive was 30 minutes) and hunting at depths of up to 30 metres. 30% die within a month, and 50% within the first year. July 9, 2019 July 11, 2019 by Andrew Douglas. Due to the COVID pandemic landing on the island is not allowed so you can only view the islands from a boat, trips go from Seahouses Harbour. The boats leave year round from Seahouses harbour (about 40 minutes drive from Holy Island). Where are the Farne Islands The Farnes Islands are a group of islands just off the coast of Northumberland. We’ve used Billy Shiel and Serenity, and both were excellent. 2.5% of the annual British pup production is from the Farnes, compared to 20% from the Monach Islands in the Outer Hebrides – the largest British colony. A common method used to tell them apart is that Harbour seals are more ‘dog-faced’ due to the dip between their forehead and nose creating a snout, while Grey seals are more cat-like with a rounded profile. Our boats have toilets on board and our catamaran has disabled access when the tides are right. Once home to saints, soldiers and legendary lighthouse keepers, the Farne Islands off the Northumberland coast are now a sanctuary for seabirds and seals. Others look at us nervously and ask: what are those strange moaning sounds we heard last night? Why not have a look at the rest of the site and please do not hesitate in … That said, there are a few good bets. They may look friendly, but seals are still wild animals that should not be disturbed, particularly during breeding and pupping season. Seals and Seal Pups. This means we know exactly how many are born and how many die every season. Seals and pups on the Farne Islands in the North Sea off the coast of Northumberland (Owen Humphreys/PA) National Trust ranger Harriet Reid said: “Due to … They were valued because of the oil that could be extracted from their carcasses and also as a luxury food. The Farne Islands are home to the grey seal (also known as the Atlantic Grey Seal), with between 3000 and 4000 of this rare species on and around the islands. Female fasts can be over 20 days, while male fasts can be over 50 days. Despite this, the pups still have a difficult childhood. Sailing around all of the Farne Islands viewing the birds and seals and landing on Staple Island, a National Trust Bird Sanctuary for 1 hour. The seals not only attract divers to the Farne Islands but many tourists love to see them too but we think being in the water playing with … For three months every autumn they are visited every four days to monitor breeding success, and new pups are marked with harmless dye to keep an eye on them. This is the second-largest seal colony in the UK. As with all marine mammals, they are covered in thick layer of blubber that they use to keep their body temperature stable in cold water, and a layer of dense, water-resistant fur. One was found alive at Jaeren, 20 miles away from Stavanger, Norway on 30 December. We hope you enjoy your visit to Holy Island and have the opportunity to experience these fantastic animals. Covid 19: information on staying with us while staying safe. Keeping the waters clean from debris and pollution is beneficial for all the animals that share this environment. Since 1952 the Farne seal colony has been monitored and counted, so we have an excellent record of how the populations are doing. Credit: PA Images An annual seal census in Northumberland has had to be carried out from the air because of the coronavirus pandemic. Keep your eyes peeled for that grey shape bobbing in the sea. Pups are born with fuzzy, white fur, which is not water-resistant. Using a rotation of three or four colours we can work out how many pups are born, how many die, and how many ‘disappear’ before they would be able to survive. If you’d like a closer encounter with seals (as well as amazing birdlife and puffins in season), plan to take one of the cruises to or around these islands. Copyright 2020 All Right Reserved for original content. The seals of the Farnes are the stars of their very own scientific discovery. The Farnes is one of the third largest colonies on the east coast of England. During this time, the seals gather in their thousands on the shores of the Farne islands, with the end of October being the peak time for the pups, and the best time of year to be out looking for them. Storms can be devastating for seals, particularly those from the north which can strip pups from some of the low-lying islands causing mass deaths. Across the world, the risks to seals are largely caused by humans. Click here to listen (credit: BBC). The grey seal colony at the Farnes numbers about 5,000. Here are ten facts about seals on the Farnes from one of the head rangers. Of these, three are accessible: Staple Island, Inner Farne and Longstone (home to the ‘Grace Darling’ Lighthouse). The water around the islands is among the clearest in the country and offers superb diving from wrecks to scenic and not forgetting those inquisitive grey seals who will appear from nowhere to play with you. Duration: 150 Minutes (approx.) From the 12th century onwards, the seals were harvested by the Islands' monks. The best tips I can give you if … I couldn’t wait. From documents through to the 1500s there was quite a trade in seals and seal products. In the Autumn months, female Grey seals come ashore the islands to pup. The seals are used to divers and love to interact with them, and are often referred to as the ‘puppies of … Seals can reach depths of 30 metres. Seal Diving at the Farne Islands The Grey Seal colony is one of the largest in the UK but is the best in the UK for diving with them in the wild. In September on the Farnes, the first seal pups start arriving: small, fuzzy white balls that look like cotton wool. Land on Inner Farne, Staple Island, and Longstone when the islands … This year we are repeating this experiment as it's much less intrusive for the seals and much less dangerous for the rangers. If you are unsure if a pup is safe, or if an animal appears injured, please ring the British Divers Marine Life Rescue hotline on 01825 765546 or 07787 433412. They seem to move around from year to year, so if you’re staying with us, we may be able to tell you the most recent and best viewing places at the time. As the tide rises and forces the seals off the sand, they’ll swim around. Their fur is often mottled, with darker grey blotches, which is where they get their name from. 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