Hunting Pufflings...

It was raining this morning, but we were determined to go on our water-based adventures. The hovercraft was ruled out as the time factor involved in covering that, escaping Kirkcaldy and coming home would mean no time at all at the Seabird centre. So we caught a train to North Berwick where our adventure would begin.

We had recieved a gift of a membership to the centre from a semi-parental unit and wanted to use it as soon as we could as on Sunday SOME of the family got to see some pufflings via one of the many new cameras there. I missed out due to work so was determined not to be left out of the puffin hunt.

The rain had cleared by the time we got there and it was actually rather nice and sunny so we were almost regretting having wrapped up warm for the day. First stop was the centre itself. It really had changed since last time I was there. To be honest I was a bit disappointed last time as there were a couple of things missing and it looked really empty but I had been told of the new cameras etc and so was looking forward to having a play around.

I almost ran straight to the camera that was focused on the island where the colony was living.

Unfortunately, one of the nice helpers explained that there had just been a boat trip landed, and all the puffins (at least 10) had scarpered after seeing the various Fifers that had alighted from the craft. As luck would have it, some camera-hoggers on the Craigleith camera had stumbled upon a renegade puffin...until their kid twiddled a bit too much with the controls and sent the camera loopy. The father spent a good 10 minutes trying to relocate the bird, but it was gone. Eventually - after a help from another assistant, they found some pufflings in the sea! This seemed to be a disappointment of some kind and they moved around to a different camera (there are 7 now). I jumped on and kept the focus on the babies in the water.

After watching, enthralled for ages - by now the place was empty for some reason so I wasn't hogging the camera, we went first of all to a quick movie about the birds, then outside to have a play in the rockpools and a stroll about to see what we could see.

We went along the harbour for the first time in all the times we'd been there, and took a walk along the rocks as far out as they went.

On the way out, I took a small detour off the path and almost ran into a cormorant

who was waiting to see what he could catch for lunch. We did see him jump into the water and get something, but the camera shutters weren't fast enough to see what it was.

Also along the outcrop we found this fantastically coloured metal thing sticking out of the rock. I guess it was to tie boats as we were only a wee bit away from the 'old harbour' but it had weathered and aged, and in the light looked a fantastic range of reds and oranges.

(Craigleith Island in the background)

'Boat trip at 2:15'

Oops. Not enough cash in pocket, so I trotted up the high street to see if I could find a cash machine. It was 5 to 2, so I didn't have much time, but I ended up going the whole length of town to find a machine, stopping only at a different bank that couldn't help and past a shop window that was advertising children with one shoe...

I made it back to the harbour with only a few minutes to spare and we joined the queue to get onboard. It was packed, but Suzanne got a seat at the side and I sat in the middle and we set sail for the open sea.

For those unfamiliar with it, this

is the Bass Rock. Way out in the Firth of Forth. Home to thousands of gannets and no people to disturb them. This was the direction we were heading in, with no idea how close we'd get to the 'action'. The white, dear listeners, is not bird poop, but the birds themselves. As the nests are less than 2 ft apart, I guess it pays to poop in the sea.

Drawing closer

and closer

till we were only a few feet away from the rocks.

Then we were directed to port...or starboard...technical term 'ower thur' where this chap decided to see who was disturbing his sleep.

And ever closer we came to the rocks

so we were really close to the gannets themselves

oh yeah...then it started to rain. On a boat, in the middle of the sea, with just a denim jacket for cover. How much planning had gone on here then? At least I had my hat, and the rain was warm (if a tad heavy). Here's a couple of pics to illustrate.

Tantalon castle before the water deluge from above

and during

Only slightly detered, our pilot set off for Craigleith island (where we'd seen the pufflings earlier, for those of you who haven't fallen asleep before now). One eye on the dark clouds above, and the other on the sea - not easy, I can tell you, we scooted across the rolling waves.

and we saw a few pufflings in the distance, till this one came closer that was.

after a quick spin (it was still chucking it down) around the island, we paused briefly when we found this guy sniffing at the air

Past the island now, and heading for home, we encountered a pirate smuggler...or was he a fisherman? Or a bootlegger? Or just lost?

And then we were back in the harbour. We spied a couple of guys who had been in swimming in the sea (crazy fools), more fisheringmen, and this piece of 'olde worlde' measuring guage

by now the rain had stopped and we were practically dry, but a quick stop off for a coffee and then back on the train home to think about what we would have missed by queueing for the hovercraft.