May .... in June

I thought with it being the darkest part of the year, it might be nice to post some photos to brighten the winter night. The photos were taken on the Isle of May in the Forth estuary, way back in June.This was the second trip we took out to the island and due to tides, we got to spend almost four hours ashore. It's taken me six months to get around to sorting the photos out so I hope you enjoy this trip back to the summer. We took the boat out from Anstruther and as we neared the Island, the birds started to appear in the surrounding waters. A close fly past by this lovely Shag was the first of many photos to be taken.

 And it's always nice to see the Puffins from the boat as you near the Island.

Such pretty birds.

The occasional Razorbill were also spotted on the water.

As were one or two Guillemot.

It was great to watch the rafts of Puffin taking off as the boat approached them.

Another lone Guillemot passes by.

As we approached the harbour we were being watched by many eyes, including this rather handsome Herring Gull.

Once ashore, we had to pass through a colony of Arctic Terns. Due to the closeness of their nests, no photos could be taken as you walked on the path through the colony. This is to help prevent any unnecessary and prolonged exposure within the colony. This shot was taken before we passed through.

And this one on the other side.

It's always good to see the colourful Puffins.

And a closer view of a gorgeous Arctic Tern.

Meanwhile, there's always constant action in the air above you.

It took this wee chap some time to swallow his lunch, as Mum and Dad look on.

Further along we encountered another dazzling group of Puffin's....

...who were busy watching yet another group close by.

It's probably just me, but Puffins seem to be incredibly difficult to capture a shot of in flight. This is one of only a few usable shots that I managed out of hundreds of attempts.

A closer view of a few of these cracking looking birds.

This shot is the best 'in flight' one that I managed.

Further along we passed through a colony of nesting Gulls. This wee fellow is a juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Watched closely by Mrs Lesser Black-backed.

Out on the cliff faces we encountered Razorbill

And Guillemot

I was especially delighted to see this beautiful Rock Pipit, a bird that I rarely get the chance to see.

With more Guillemot and Razorbill on the cliffs.

The Rock Pipit was hopping around close by, so I felt obliged to take another shot.

And at the birds insistence, one more for luck.!!

Further out across the rock face we have a Puffin, with lunch for some lucky youngster.

A walk to the other side of the island brought us to another craggy inlet where there were various birds going about their business, this Fulmar being one of them.

 A female Eider Duck passes out in front of us.

Down below there were many nesting birds, including this beautifully coloured Shag...with its less than colourful brood.

A nice comparison shot of a Razorbill and a Guillemot.

There were plenty of Kittiwake around, this being one of them.

And this being another.

With eggs and young around, the Gulls were always on the lookout for an easy meal. This Herring Gull was scanning below, before being chased off.

Due to Fulmar's being so fantastic, I've added this shot as well.!!

This next bird is, I believe, a Great Black-backed Gull (I'm open to correction on this though).!!

The one thing you don't get from photos is the noise of the birds, but this shot of squabbling Fulmars may come close if you have a decent imagination.

On the cliff face we also have Kittiwake's.

Razorbill.....with junior Razorbill.!!

And not to be outdone, we also have junior Kittiwake close by.

And whilst still refusing to smile for the camera, a slightly better view of junior.

More Guillemot on the ledges.

And another gorgeous Shag, with trendy tuft on display.

All too soon it was time to head back to the harbour, where this Oystercatcher was spotted attempting to hide behind the rocks.

Back through the dive bombing Arctic Tern colony.

 Back on the boat we watched the Arctic Tern's fishing in the harbour.

Not always successfully.

But still a real pleasure to see.

There were successful attempts though.

 
Heading back in the boat, we see Kittiwake's (with Herring Gull).

I'm not sure if this is a Grey Seal, or a Common Seal.

A final shot of a Guillemot in the water.

With accompanying Razorbill.

Almost back to Anstruther when we spotted a pair of Gannet's, the rear one being an immature bird. (possibly 2 or 3 years old)?

There are relatively few Gannets around the Isle of May, the majority of them nesting a few miles away on the Bass Rock. This final shot is a pair of adult Gannets against the backdrop of the coast near Anstruther.

That's all for now. It was nice to look back to the long days of summer.

Paul