Latest news with #puffins
Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
What it's like to swim with puffins – while disguised as one
It's 7.45am in west Pembrokeshire and an impromptu convoy is snaking down a back road to nowhere. Delivery drivers scowl in passing places as cars stream past. We're en route – that's me and eight other cars – to Martin's Haven. More precisely, we're en route to Skomer Island nature reserve to experience the largest puffin colony in southern Britain. In late-May The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales counted 43,626 puffins on Skomer, a new record. How could it be so precise? 'The island is broken into seven sections and we systematically count every bird: on land, rafting on the sea and estimate the number in the air,' explains Skomer warden Leighton Newman. 'It is,' he adds with masterful understatement, 'no small undertaking'. From early April, when they arrive to breed, until their departure in late July, puffins are the big draw for the 250 birders who visit Skomer daily. I'm sure they have a blast striding along cliffs. There is an alternative, however. The big draw for the 250 birders who visit Skomer daily. I'm sure they have a blast striding along cliffs. There is an alternative, however.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
The neighbouring coastal villages in the UK that have hidden beaches and even puffins you can spot from the shore
A HUGE stretch of coast in the UK has some beautiful villages you can walk between - and even some saunas and beachfront cafes along the way. Berwickshire in Scotland is located just over the Scottish-English border and is a popular holiday destination for staycationers. 8 8 8 And within the region is short coastal walk that links two seaside villages with beautiful beaches and an abundance of birdlife. Starting at St Abb's - a small fishing village - visitors can explore a rugged harbour, complete with a tiny cafe perched just above the water. The family-run Ebbcarrs Cafe serves up fresh local seafood, homemade bakes and local ales - which can all be enjoyed whilst watching the boats bob up and down on the harbour. After enjoying a refreshing tipple, travellers can head to St Abbs visitor centre to gain amazing views across the harbour - with the waves crashing into nearby rocks. St Abb's Head is also known for its dramatic cliffs and seabird colonies. And if you are here at the right time of the year, between spring and summer, you can see the region's puffins - which come ashore to nest. During the daytime, the puffins can be seen fishing and even burrowing. The village's beach - Coldingham Bay - differs from the ruggedness of the harbour and is located a short walk away from the centre of the village. The one-kilometre sandy beach is popular with swimmers and watersports enthusiasts. And here visitors can also find a cafe set in the sand - called Beach Cafe - which boasts even more incredible views across the bay. Why Carmarthenshire makes the perfect family hol 8 8 One recent visitor said: "We hiked across the cliffs, hillside and beaches from Eyemouth and arrived at this absolutely wonderful stopping point." To the northern end of the beach, there are also a handful of historic beach huts - whilst at the southern end visitors will find a steep, grassy area. For those who enjoy a longer walk, the Berwickshire Coastal Path crosses the beach and takes walkers to Eyemouth. Alternatively, you could head in land too and explore the ruins of Coldingham Priory, which was founded in the 11th century by King Edgar I of Scotland. And to extend your trip, you could stay at Calonia Dene - a unique triangular-shaped holiday lodge park set back from the cliffs, complete with hot tub and sauna facilities. One recent visitor said: "Me and my girlfriend have attended numerous lodge holiday's in the UK and this one is definitely the best!" In Eyemouth, there is also a Parkdean holiday park and a leisure centre, that sits just above the beach complete with a sauna for visitors and Parkdean guests to use. 8 The stretch between St Abbs and Eyemouth takes around 10 minutes to drive, or is about an hour-and-a-half walk. Other beaches nestled between the villages include Mildown Bay. Wedged between the dramatic coastal cliffs, Mildown Bay is next door to the larger Coldingham Bay. Many visitors admire this spot for its diverse ecosystem with seals and other marine creatures often spotted in the bay. Further along again, you will reach Linkim Shore - a very shallow and rocky beach that runs level with the coastal path. Before hikers reach Eyemouth, they will cross Killiedraught Bay - often home to guillemots, kittiwakes, puffins, razorbills, and even dolphins. There is also a UK hidden gem beach that Brits say is 'on another level'. Plus, the UK beach parents say is a hidden gem where kids can go 'dinosaur-hunting'. 8 8
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
In pictures: Revamp of tiny Staffa's jetty and steps completed
A nine-month project to improve visitor access to the uninhabited isle of Staffa has been Trust for Scotland (NTS) said it was one of the most complex projects it had undertaken due to the location and weather and helicopters were needed to get the materials and contractors to and from Staffa for the work upgrading a 30-year-old jetty and set of is famed for its hexagonal basalt rock columns, which were formed by ancient volcanic eruptions, as well as its Fingal's Cave and birdlife. The tiny island, seven miles (11km) west of Mull, in the Inner Hebrides, attracts about 120,000 tourists a people visit to see its puffins and Fingal's Cave, which inspired a piece of music by 19th century German composer Felix sea cave was formed more than 50 millions years ago, and is at least 69m (227ft) long. The island's jetty and steps up to the top of the island, along with footpaths, were upgraded at a cost of about £ concrete steps were dyed the same colour as the natural rock to better blend them into the said the work was done during autumn, winter and spring to avoid causing disruption to wildlife and the trust said difficult weather conditions over the winter meant many scheduled working days were lost because crews could not access the island, or because extreme waves made the jetty unsafe to work on.
Times
13-06-2025
- Times
Paradise found: these unspoilt islands off the Irish coast offer otherworldly charm
Go for a taste of cinematic sci-fi These pinnacles of rock make for an adventurous day trip with a hit of history and the austerity of the long-abandoned monastic settlement from the 6th century AD. The fact that it posed as the backdrop for the iconic end scene in Star Wars: The Force Awakens might persuade the teens to go with you, too. The one-hour-plus boat journey can be a little hairy, but you're likely to spot dolphins swimming alongside your boat and it's well worth the trip and the steep climb to the top to marvel at the dramatic scenery, the colony of puffins that breed there, the monastic huts and to sit in the same spot as Luke Skywalker. Go to stretch the legs Getting to the 6.5 km long by 1.5 kmwide island is an adventure in itself as you traverse Dursey Sound on Ireland's only cable car, swaying above the rolling Atlantic. You may even be sharing with some sheep since they make up most of the inhabitants on this tiny island, along with colonies of seabirds. Despite its compact size it offers great landscapes and trails for walkers, who come to ramble the Beara Way walking trail. With no shops or restaurants, you'll need to bring supplies, and you're encouraged to embrace the slower pace of life: gentle rambling, birdwatching and those spectacular views of the Beara peninsula. Go for rugged adventuring Ireland's west coast is so breathtaking, it's worth cramming in more than one island and you'll be well served with the Aran Islands. The three windswept isles — Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer — off the Galway coast are as rugged as they come and are easily accessible thanks to the rapid ferry service that zips between them. The islands are small, perfect for family exploring and can be navigated by bikes, which can be hired locally. Inishmore, one of the locations for the Oscar-winning The Banshees of Inisherin, is as stunning off screen as on. Inishmaan, while small, packs a mighty punch with the Inis Meain suites — a clutch of luxury suites overlooking the Atlantic, while the even smaller Inisheer is a walker's paradise. Pack a picnic and hit the beaches, cycle or climb the 2,000-year-old ruins of Dun Aengus fort on Inishmore. • 100 Great Places to Stay in Ireland 2025 Go for a slow, sustainable weekend There's a sense of the edge of the world about the weather-beaten and wild Cape Clear, Ireland's southernmost inhabited island, perhaps because it was the last slice of home seen by thousands of Irish emigrants as they sailed to America. And not much has changed since the 19th century, as it continues its 'slow tourism' spirit. Milk the goats and sample the homemade ice cream at Cleire Goats visitor farm, bag yourself some local pottery at the harbour craft shop or sample some local gin at the Cape Clear Distillery. A short walk around the harbour will bring you to an enclosed bay where you can kayak through sea arches, and if you're on the island in September you can settle in for some grand tales at the Storytelling Festival. Go for the headspace This visit requires some planning if you're to make it out and back before the tide creeps in, but the reward for making it is a wild and free experience on an island measuring just 2.25km by 1km. It won't take you long to get around, but it makes for a nice summer day trip. Head to Carty's Strand at the back of the island, where you can swim, flake out on the sand for the day or spend it surfing (it's known for its great rollers), before heading to the one and only pub, Michael J Ward's, open from May to September. The RNLI encourages people to text Coney to 51155 to find out the safe crossing times for that day, but you could always bring a tent and try some wild camping — there are worse places to be stranded. Go for sealife spotting You may have to jostle your way through the hundreds of seals and dolphins fringing the island as the ferry pulls into the pier on Sherkin. It's not hard to see the appeal. For such a small island (4.8km long) it still delivers enough to keep you interested and active for a day trip: sandy beaches, walking trails, a Franciscan friary, a lighthouse and the Jolly Roger pub for a post-walk pint. There's not much in the way of food offerings here, so pack some snacks and enjoy the peace and quiet — the pace is slow and eminently chilled and life is simple. • Where to bring your teenagers for a screen-free weekend break Go for some deep-sea diving You can escape the bustle of the mainland at Ireland's most remote inhabited island, with its population of just 141 people. Wild in terms of its accessibility, lore and legend, Tory has a long, fascinating history that begins in prehistoric times with evidence of early settlements and ancient artefacts discovered there and the ruins of St Colmcille's 6th-century monastery. And it continues to this day with a Gaeltacht community who still consider themselves to be 'foreigners' on the mainland and who will regale you with stories, music and traditions. There's plenty here to keep you active, but it's probably best known as being a diver's dream with vertical cliff walls, crystal-clear rocky bottom, and caverns to explore. Go for the gardens If you didn't get to Italy but fancy a slice of the Italian outdoors, you can take the short hop from Glengarriff to Garnish Island in Bantry Bay. Created by the architect Annan Bryce and the garden designer Harold Peto 110 years ago, the luscious Italianate gardens are an enchanting mix of manicured and wild landscapes, designed to bring pleasure to visitors throughout the year and teeming with exotic species, vivid rhododendrons and azaleas, climbing plants and perennials. A sunken ornate pool, a Grecian temple and an Italian tea house complete the Mediterranean vibe. Look out for the colony of seals lazing on the rocks as you board the boat for home. Go for remote wilderness There's something appealing about exploring a remote island that few people have seen before, and the spectacularly rugged Clare Island in Clew Bay is as peripheral as it comes, but not so much that you might be twiddling your thumbs. You can spend your days walking, swimming, camping, cycling or hiking Knockmore Mountain. There's plenty of heritage here too, it being the home of the pirate queen Grace O'Malley, who ruled over the western seaboard from her now ruined castle and is said to be buried in the Cistercian abbey. A handful of accommodation options, including Clare Island lighthouse, Bayview House and a glut of B&Bs, means you can overnight and grab breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Clare Island Oven, which serves the gamut of tasty goods from breakfast focaccia to pizza. Go for the birdwatching The Saltees, off the Wexford coast, are home to Ireland's most famous bird sanctuary, and the Neale family, who grant permission to day-trippers to visit the otherwise uninhabited island. If you get there between April and July you'll catch the 2,000 puffins that live on the island, as well as lolloping seals and freewheeling seabirds, including gannets, razorbills and kittiwakes. The island is also known as the Graveyard of a Thousand Ships thanks to the myriad vessels that sank off its coast. Pack a picnic and take a ramble with your binoculars. You might even spot Prince Michael Neale's former throne, which he erected to himself as the 'king' of the Saltees.
CBS News
08-06-2025
- CBS News
Maine company offers nature and lighthouse tours along the seacoast
Sponsored by New England Chevy Dealers With tours focusing on local lighthouses and indigenous wildlife, including puffins, lobsters, birds and seals, Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company offers different cruises highlighting the best the Maine seacoast has to offer.
