Look out!

Farne Islands, Inner Farne, Northumberland, North East England

Description

When you visit the Farne Islands you must be prepared for the ‘tern attack’ on Inner Farne.  The arctic terns only attack you if you get too close to their chick or nest.  But their sharp bills can draw blood.  So I would highly recommend wearing a hat. I find if you take your time and walk carefully without making any rash moves they allow me to walk past them without getting dive bombed.  They also attack other terns that get too close.

For this particular shot I am able to stand close by without getting attacked and I just wait for the next visitor to walk past for the tern to attack them.   The National Trust limit the time visitors are allowed on the island to minimise disturbance but the terns that choose to nest on or close to the boardwalk have the highest success rate as predators do not disturb them with the human presence and will go after the other birds in the area of the island that visitors do not have access to.