Wednesday, 3 June 2026

Visit to Alnmouth, followed by a damp and windy walk along the river Coquet to Warkworth - 11th May 2026

I was staying in Northumberland for a week and, on Monday, I travelled by train from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Alnmouth.  I walked from the railway station to the town.  

I had to cross the river Aln, where I came across a pair of Greylag geese with four young goslings

Bus that I could have caught in order to travel further on to Amble - I decided to go later in the day

A few coloured houses in Alnmouth

Barn Swallows flying around a water-logged piece of land near the river



Large house and garden behind the water-logged land with the Swallows

A cross to St. Cuthbert on top of a little island in the river Aln behind a group of moored boats

Presumably fishing with a large net in the river Aln


Lovely orange Poppies growing on a grass bank at the edge of the pavement



View from Alnmouth to Coquet Island in the distance

Pair of Eider ducks on the river Aln

with their friends

Time to impress the female!

I then went by bus to Amble and began walking along the river Coquet towards Warkworth

Looking back towards Amble from the path along the edge of the river

Winged sculpture on path along the river

The lighthouse on Coquet Island can be seen in the distance to the left of the houses in Amble

Three Mute Swans came sailing along the river

A pair of Oystercatchers were wandering around in shallow water at the edge of the river

It was very windy with occasional showers, so I was glad to find this shelter at the edge of the river just when I wanted to stop and eat my lunch!

Warkworth Castle in the distance

Strange to find a Gorilla in one of the gardens opposite the castle

Looking up at Warkworth Castle as I walked into the village





I found a tranquil spot to sit and relax by the river Coquet in Warkworth before getting the bus back

 

Tuesday, 2 June 2026

Eider ducks, Guillemots, Rock Pipits and Atlantic Puffins in Seahouses and the Farne Islands - 10th May 2026

Male Eider duck on the rocks near the harbour in Seahouses

and with a female

Young Shag standing on rock at the edge of one of the Farne Islands

Busy boat service round the Farne Islands

Puffins in the water near the edge of an island




Guillemots standing on the rocks

Bridled Guillemot, on the left, with two other Guillemots at the top of Staple Island

There were other boats in the area with less people on board!

Seals on a rock near the lighthouse

Longstone lighthouse with seals on the rock in front

Another form of transport at the Farne Islands

Bamburgh Castle in the distance

Queue of people waiting to leave Inner Farne with the lighthouse in the distance

Barn Swallow perching on a branch on Inner Farne

The stars of the show - Atlantic Puffins










There were other birds on Inner Farne - Rock Pipit


Guillemots

Guillemots at the edge of Inner Farne with Longstone Lighthouse and Grace Darling's old house in the distance

The boat that brought me to Inner Farne had to wait outside Inner Farne for an hour until it was time for the passengers to reboard

Female Eider duck

and male Eider duck spotted while waiting in the queue to board the boat

More Eider ducks at the edge of Inner Farne and another boat bringing passengers for an hour's walk round Inner Farne - unfortunately, not really enough time on the island!

Looking back at Inner Farne on the way back to Seahouses

Tribute to Sir David Attenborough for his 100th birthday on the beach in Seahouses

Busy traffic at Seahouses harbour

Male Eiders showing off near a female

Popular female Eider duck!