Visiting the Farnes is an experience most of us in The North East have at least once in our lives.  But have you ever wondered what those polite lads who take our money as we land and point out the different species of birds to us do for the rest of the time?

Sticking your hand down a puffin burrow on a daily basis may not sound the ideal career move, but competition for places is intense. Each year when the job advertisement appears the applications come flooding in. This particular job description is part of the work carried out on The Farne Islands, regarded by many as Europe's Galapagos which is not quite the ridiculous statement it appears. This National Trust reserve two miles off the Northumberland coast is a place where the birds are totally contemptuous of human beings and have no hesitation in showing it.

 "Adapting to island life is the biggest problem out here in the beginning. "says David Steel from BIrtley in County Durham, Head Warden of the islands "We're conservators  and educators and it's probably true to say that the islands are the closest most of our visitors will ever get to nature in the wild."

David is one of the nine wardens, five on Inner Farne and four on Brownsman, who spend five - eight months on the islands carrying out conservation and scientific work as well as protecting the birds from the effect of the 40,000 visitors each year. Home to over a quarter of million birds the sounds and smells of the islands leave an indelible memory on you. The Arctic terns in particular have a way of dive bombing as you walk along the path that passes through their colony. A hard hat is definitely recommended!  .............................................

1500 words with 30 high resolution images