The Inner Farne seen from Seahouses harbour

The Farne Islands (also referred to less formally as the Farnes) are a group of islands off the coast of Northumberland, England. There are between 15 to 20 or more islands depending on the state of the tide. They are scattered about 2.5-7.5 km (1½-4¾ miles) distant from the mainland, divided into two groups, the Inner Group and the Outer Group. The main islands in the Inner Group are Inner Farne, Knoxes Reef and the East and West Wideopens (all joined together on very low tides) and (somewhat separated) the Megstone; the main islands in the Outer Group are Staple Island, the Brownsman, North and South Wamses, Big Harcar and the Longstone. The two groups are separated by Staple Sound. The highest point, on Inner Farne, is 19m above mean sea level. The Farne Islands seen from Seahouses on the mainland File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The Farne Islands seen from Seahouses on the mainland File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... For other places with this name, see Northumberland (disambiguation) Northumberland is a ceremonial and administrative county in northern England. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (French: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ... The tide is the regular rising and falling of the oceans surface caused by changes in gravitational forces external to the Earth. ...

History

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) at nest on Inner Farne

The islands have no permanent population, the only residents being National Trust bird wardens during part of the year: they live in the old pele tower on the Inner Farne, the largest and closest inshore of the islands, and the lighthouse cottage on the Brownsman in the outer group. The pele tower was built by or for Thomas Castell, Prior of Durham about 1500. There is also a chapel set up on the site of St Cuthbert's oratory 600 years ago. It was restored in recent times with old material all from Durham Cathedral. The first recorded visitor was Saint Aidan followed by Saint Cuthbert. The latter was called to the bishopric of Lindisfarne but after two years he returned to the solitude of the Inner Farne and died there in 687. Among other acts, St Cuthbert introduced special laws in 676 protecting the Eider ducks and other seabirds nesting on the islands; these are thought to be the earliest bird protection laws anywhere in the world. Arctic Tern at nest on the Farne Islands, Northumberland. ... Arctic Tern at nest on the Farne Islands, Northumberland. ... Binomial name Sterna paradisaea Pontopiddan, 1763 The Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. ... The standard of the National Trust The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is an organisation which works to preserve and protect coastline, countryside and buildings in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. ... Peel towers (spelt Pele towers in England) are small fortified keeps, built along the English and Scottish Borders, intended as watch towers where signal fires could be lit to warn of approaching danger. ... // Events Europes population was ~60 million. ... Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne, the Apostle of Northumbria (?-651), is the founder and first bishop of the monastery on the island of Lindisfarne in England. ... Cuthbert of Lindisfarne (c. ... Binomial name Somateria mollissima Linnaeus, 1758 Green: breeding Blue: winter/feeding The Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) is a large sea duck, which is distributed over the northern coasts of Europe, North America and eastern Siberia. ...

All the lighthouses on the Farnes are now automatic and have no resident keepers, although in former years they did: the Grace Darling story originates from the Longstone lighthouse. Ruins of older lighthouses may be seen, for example on the Brownsman where there are two. Before the lighthouses there were beacons on several of the islands. The prominent white streak on the cliff facing the mainland (see photo) is often thought by visitors to be bird droppings: although many parts of the islands do exhibit this colouring, in this case it is the result of chalk deposits from the many years of spent calcium carbide from the lighthouse being thrown down the cliff. The Peggys Point lighthouse in Nova Scotia, Canada An aid for navigation and pilotage at sea, a lighthouse is a tower building or framework sending out light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire. ... Grace Darling (November 14, 1815–October 20, 1842) is one of Englands best-loved heroines, on the strength of an isolated incident which occurred in 1838. ... The Needles, part of the extensive Southern England Chalk Formation Chalk is a soft, white, porous form of limestone composed of the mineral calcium carbonate. ... Carbide is a polyatomic ion consisting of two carbon atoms or any salt containing such an ion. ...

Ecology and natural history

A Puffin safe in its burrow on the Farne Islands

In the warmer months the Farnes, an important wildlife habitat, are much visited by boat trips from Seahouses. Local boats are licensed to land passengers on Inner Farne, Staple Island and the Longstone; landing on other islands is prohibited to protect the wildlife. At the right time of year many Puffins can be seen and these are very popular with visitors; on the Inner Farne, the Arctic Terns nest close to the path and will attack visitors who come too close (visitors are strongly advised to wear hats). Some of the islands also support a population of Rabbits, which were introduced as a source of meat and have since gone wild. The Rabbit and Puffin populations use the same burrows at different times, the Puffins being strong enough (with a vicious bite) to evict the Rabbits from the burrows during the nesting season. The islands also hold a notable colony of about 6,000 Grey Seals, with several hundred pups born every year in September-November. Image File history File links A puffin safe in its burrow on the Farne Islands. ... Image File history File links A puffin safe in its burrow on the Farne Islands. ... Binomial name Fratercula arctica (Linnaeus, 1758) The Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) is an auk with a brightly colored beak. ... Seahouses is a small town on the North Northumberland coast in England. ... Binomial name Fratercula arctica (Linnaeus, 1758) The Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) is an auk with a brightly colored beak. ... Binomial name Sterna paradisaea Pontopiddan, 1763 The Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. ... Genera Pentalagus Bunolagus Nesolagus Romerolagus Brachylagus Sylvilagus Oryctolagus Poelagus The bane of Australian farmers - the wild rabbit An old rabbit trap Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae, found in many parts of the world. ... Binomial name Halichoerus grypus (Fabricius,, 1791) The Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) is found on both shores of the North Atlantic Ocean. ...

Breeding birds on the Farnes (as of 2003) include:
2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

• Common Eider - 1,036 pairs
• Fulmar - 246 pairs
• Great Cormorant - 179 pairs
• Shag - 1,678 pairs
• Oystercatcher - 36 pairs
• Herring Gull - 414 pairs
• Lesser Black-backed Gull - 427 pairs
• Kittiwake - 5,192 pairs
• Sandwich Tern - 1,999 pairs
• Roseate Tern - 2 pairs in 2002 (endangered species)
• Common Tern - 76 pairs
• Arctic Tern - 1,727 pairs
• Guillemot - 42,338 pairs
• Razorbill - 222 pairs
• Puffin - 55,674 pairs
• Rock Pipit - 28 pairs

Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) at nest on Staple Island

A total of 290 bird species have been recorded on the Farnes, including in about 1760, an example of the now-extinct Great Auk. Binomial name Somateria mollissima Linnaeus, 1758 Green: breeding Blue: winter/feeding The Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) is a large sea duck, which is distributed over the northern coasts of Europe, North America and eastern Siberia. ... Species Fulmar (Linnaeus, 1761) Southern Fulmar (Smith,A, 1840) The two Fulmars are closely related seabirds occupying the same niche in different oceans. ... Binomial name Phalacrocorax carbo Linnaeus, 1758 The Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is a widespread member of the cormorant family of seabirds. ... Binomial name Phalacrocorax aristotelis (Linnaeus, 1758) The Common Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) is a member of the cormorant family of seabirds. ... Binomial name Haematopus ostralegus Linnaeus, 1758 The Common Pied Oystercatcher, or in Europe just Oystercatcher is a wader in the Oystercatcher bird family Haematopodidae. ... Binomial name Larus argentatus Pontopiddan, 1763 The herring gull, Larus argentatus, is a large gull which breeds across North America, Europe and Asia. ... Binomial name Larus fuscus Linnaeus, 1758 The Lesser Black-backed Gull, Larus fuscus is a large gull which breeds on the Atlantic coasts of Europe. ... Species Rissa tridactyla Rissa brevirostris The Kittiwakes (genus Rissa) are two closely related seabird species in the gull family Laridae. ... Binomial name Sterna sandvicensis Latham,, 1787 The Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis) is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. ... Binomial name Sterna dougallii Montagu, 1813 The Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Binomial name Sterna hirundo Linnaeus, 1758 The Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. ... Binomial name Sterna paradisaea Pontopiddan, 1763 The Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. ... The Common Guillemot, known as the Common Murre in North America, Uria aalge, is a large alcid. ... Binomial name Alca torda Linnaeus, 1758 The Razorbill, Alca torda, is a large alcid, 38-43 cm in length, with a 60-69 cm wingspan. ... Binomial name Fratercula arctica (Linnaeus, 1758) The Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) is an auk with a brightly colored beak. ... Binomial name Anthus petrosus (Montagu, 1798) The Rock Pipit, Anthus petrosus, is a small passerine bird which breeds on rocky coasts of western Europe northwards from Brittany. ... Black-legged Kittiwake at nest on the Farne Islands, Northumberland File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Black-legged Kittiwake at nest on the Farne Islands, Northumberland File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Species Rissa tridactyla Rissa brevirostris The Kittiwakes (genus Rissa) are two closely related seabird species in the gull family Laridae. ... Binomial name Pinguinus impennis (Linnaeus, 1758) At 75 centimetres or 30 inches, the flightless Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) was the largest of the auks. ...

On 28-29 May 1979, an Aleutian Tern, a rare tern from the Aleutian Islands in the North Pacific Ocean, visited the Farnes. It was the first, and still the only, member of its species ever seen anywhere in Europe. It remains a complete mystery how it got here. May 29 is the 149th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (150th in leap years). ... This page refers to the year 1979. ... Binomial name Sterna aleutica Baird, 1869 The Aleutian Tern (Sterna aleutica) is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. ... Genera Sterna (Gelochelidon) (Hydroprogne) (Thalasseus) Chlidonias Phaetusa Anous Procelsterna Gygis Larosterna Terns are seabirds in the family Sternidae, previously considered a subfamily Sterninae of the gull family Laridae. ... Looking down the Aleutians from an airplane. ...

A longer-staying unusual visitor was "Elsie" the Lesser Crested Tern, who visited the Farnes every summer from 1984 to 1997; during that period, she (paired with a male Sandwich Tern) raised several hybrid chicks, and attracted several thousand birders keen to see this species in Britain. Lesser Crested Terns normally nest on islands off the coast of Libya and migrate to West Africa for the winter; it is thought that "Elsie" took a wrong turn at the Straits of Gibraltar on spring migration. Binomial name Sterna bengalensis Lesson, 1831 The Lesser Crested Tern (Sterna bengalensis or sometimes Thalasseus bengalensis) is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. ... Binomial name Sterna sandvicensis Latham,, 1787 The Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis) is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. ... Birding or birdwatching is a hobby concerned with the observation and study of birds (the study proper is termed American origin; birdwatching is (or more correctly, was) the commonly-used word in Great Britain and Ireland and by non-birders in the United States. ... The Strait of Gibraltar as seen from space. ...

An Arctic Tern from the Farnes, ringed as a chick not yet old enough to fly in summer 1982, reached Melbourne, Australia in October 1982, a sea journey of over 22,000 km (14,000 miles) in just three months from fledging. This remains one of the longest distances travelled by any bird. Binomial name Sterna paradisaea Pontopiddan, 1763 The Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. ... Bird ringing (also known as bird banding) is an aid to studying wild birds, by attaching a small individually numbered metal or plastic ring to their legs or wings, so that various aspects of the birds life can be studied by the ability to re-find the same individual... The City of Melbournes coat of arms Melbourne is the capital and largest city of the state of Victoria, and the second largest city in Australia (after Sydney), with a population of 3,600,650 in the Melbourne metropolitan area (June 2004) and 61,670 in the City of...

One classic view of the Farnes, very popular with photographers, is that from the harbour at Seahouses. However, they are closer to the mainland further up the road northwards towards Bamburgh and excellent views may be seen from here, in the vicinity of the Monks House Rocks, as well as from Bamburgh castle and beach. looking east from the village green. ... Bamburgh Castle Bamburgh Castle is an imposing castle located on the coast at Bamburgh in Northumberland, England. ...

Geology

The Farnes are resistant igneous Dolerite outcrops. These would originally have been connected to the mainland and surrounded by areas of less resistant limestone. Through a combination of erosion of the weaker surrounding rock, and sea level rise following the last ice age, the farnes were left as islands. Because of the way the rock is fissured, Dolerite forms strong columns. This gives the islands their steep, in places vertical cliffs, and the sea around the islands is scattered with stacks up to 20 metres (66 feet) in height. Many of the small islands are bare rock, but the larger islands have a layer of clay subsoil and peet soil supporting vegetation. The rock strata slopes slightly upwards to the south, giving the highest cliffs on the south and some beaches to the north. Resistance can mean one of: electrical resistance antibiotic resistance resistance to a disease (see related subject immunology) a political resistance movement military resistance against foreign occupation geological resistance fluid resistance thermal resistance This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same... Volcanic rock on North America Plutonic rock on North America Igneous rocks are formed when molten rock (magma) cools and solidifies, with or without crystallization, either below the surface as intrusive (plutonic) rocks or on the surface as extrusive (volcanic) rocks. ... Dolerite (from the Greek word doleros meaning deceptive), in petrology is the name given by Hauy to those basaltic rocks which are comparatively coarse grained. ... Limey shale overlaid by limestone. ... Look up Erosion on Wiktionary, the free dictionary Severe soil erosion in a wheat field near Washington State University, USA. Erosion is the displacement of solids (soil, mud, rock, and so forth) by the agents of wind, water, ice, movement in response to gravity, or living organisms (in the case... Schematic of sea level (black) and rate of change (blue) over the last 25 kyr There are multiple complex factors may influence sea level change. ... Variations in CO2, temperature and dust from the Vostok ice core over the last 400 000 years For the animated movie, see Ice Age (movie). ... Cliffs on the banks of the River Severn, near Bristol, England In geography, a cliff is a significant vertical, or near vertical, rock exposure. ... A stack is a geological landform consisting of a steep and often vertical column or columns of rock in the sea near a coast. ... The metre, (symbol: m) is the SI base unit of length. ... A foot (plural: feet) is a non-SI unit of distance or length, measuring around a third of a metre. ... Clay is a generic term for an aggregate of hydrous silicate particles less than 4 μm (micrometres) in diameter. ... For discussion regarding the term strata as used in geology, see stratum. ... 90 mile beach Australia A beach or strand is a geological formation consisting of loose rock particles such as sand, shingle, cobble, or even shell along the shoreline of a body of water. ...

Diving

As well as being popular withbird watchers, the Farne Islands are a popular Scuba_diving location. The Farnes hold three major appeals: Early ideas of autonomous under-water systems appear in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea Scuba diving is the use of independent breathing equipment to stay underwater for long periods of time for recreational diving and professional diving. ...

• Hundreds of ships have been wrecked on the Farnes over the years, providing plenty for wreck divers to look at.
• The seal colony at the Farnes are curious and will often look in on divers in the water
• It is generally possible to dive at the Farnes regardless of wind direction. There is always shelter somewhere.

Some dive locations even provide the opportunity to combine diving and birdwatching, in particular the Pinacles, where Guillemots can be found fishing at safety stop depth.

See also

• Lindisfarne - nearby to the northwest
• Coquet Island - another important bird reserve island about 30 km south
• Bamburgh with Bamburgh Castle and Seahouses - nearest places on the coast

This article is about Lindisfarne, England. ... Coquet Island is a small island of about 6 ha, situated 1. ... looking east from the village green. ... Bamburgh Castle Bamburgh Castle is an imposing castle located on the coast at Bamburgh in Northumberland, England. ... Seahouses is a small town on the North Northumberland coast in England. ...

External links

• Farne Islands access & information (commercial)
• Map sources for Farne Islands