Monday 4 June 2012

PUFFINS ON THE TRESHNISH ISLES



Because it's been such a miserable bank holiday weekend I thought i'd try and brighten it up a bit by posting some pictures of some of the inhabitants of Lunga, the largest of the Treshnish Isles, which we visited while on the Isle of Mull recently.




The main attraction are definitely the Puffins who return to the islands in April to breed, before returning to their winter grounds somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean.
These lovely little 'Sea Parrots' are very tolerant of humans and providing you don't overstep the mark they are happy to let you snap away.














Puffin therapy is what it's called. Any troubles or ailments seem to be forgotten while in their company. All those who get off the boat and walk up the steep steps to the grassy area where the first of the Puffins are to be found begin to smile, they don't stop until they leave the island. 




















The Puffins nest in old Rabbit burrows and while we were there they were beginning to start taking nesting material inside their chosen hole.


The island is also home to hundreds and hundreds of Razorbills (below) and Guillemots who breed in large numbers on Harp rock, a sea stack separated from the island by a narrow channel. It's a noisy, fascinating and very, very, smelly place!!








Other inhabitants include Shags (above), Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Black Guillemots, Oystercatchers  and Shearwaters. All this attracts the interest of marauding Gt Black-backed Gulls and Skuas and the surrounding waters are home to Atlantic Grey Seals.   



10 comments:

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Phil, what glorious images you captured of these Puffins...splendid.
I also am thrilled to see them in a variety of backgrounds, including the beautiful spring flowers.
Love them all~

ShySongbird said...

Oh Phil, This is wonderful! You really have brightened it up. One of my most favourite birds even though I've never been fortunate to see them myself. Your photos are really beautiful and as for the ones with the Bluebells!! 'Puffin therapy', I like it... and it really works :-) Thank you Phil, you've just made my day!

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Beautiful series of puffins .. The sixth photo is great.. Congrat..

Mike H said...

Phil, You have certainly put a smile on my face. Great shots of my favourite little birds The Atlantic Puffin.

Greenie said...

Phil ,
The perfect repost to the Bank Holiday weather .
You kept them very quiet till now .
Nice one !

Warren Baker said...

Looking at other comments phil, those Puffins seem to have cheered the bank holiday up a bit!

Nice one :-)

Jason K said...

A cracking series of photos Phil. I particularly like the one where the Shag and the Razorbill are having a chunter at each other!!!

Marianne said...

Brilliant stuff! The Puffins are great of course but my favourite is the one of the Shag and Razorbill having what looks like a heated debate. It looks a most fantastic place to visit.

Omi said...

Gorgeous pics, Phil!

Alan Pavey said...

Fantastic pics Phil, stunning!!