Skomer Island Hints??

In 2 weeks I am going to Skomer Island of the Coast of Wales to Shoot the Puffins, i'm actually got a room booked on the island for 2 nights so i should have the oppatunity to get som good early morning shots before the crouds arrive.

At the moment i don't have much reach with the lens i have the most is the 70-200L IS 2.8, contemplating renting the 400L f5.6 for the trip.

Just wondering if anyone has been there and if i do really need to rent the lens, or i could get by with what i have.

Heres some links or the island if anyone is interested.
http://www.visitpembro​keshire.com/wildlife/s​komer.aspx
http://www.welshwildli​fe.org/skomerIntro_en.​link

Cheers
Mark

I've not been to Skomer, but I've shot puffins on the Farne Islands (off Northumbria) and I imagine Skomer will be similar.

For PIF shots (puffins in flight), 200mm is a tad short but I have got a number of very nice PIF shots with the 100-400L, although even that required some cropping.

For shots of them on the ground, the 70-200 f2.8 should be ideal. Obviously some birds will be a bit far away, but you should find plenty at close range standing around with a beak full of sand eels. I had a couple of occasions, using the 100-400L, where I had it pulled back to 100mm (on a 5D) and still had to physically move away from the bird to get it all in.

The fast aperture will nicely lift them from the backgrounds too, so you should get some great shots. I'm not saying that there won't be occasions when you might wish for something longer, but there will be plenty of opportunities for that lens to shine.

Thanks, i'm going to be there a few days so i guess i'll need to be patient.