The Skomer Island Blog

Long Term Volunteer Opportunities on Skomer and other jobs

2012-01-10T10:19:00.004Z

The 2012 Long Term Volunteer programme has now been released for 2012.

There are opportunities on both Skomer and Skokholm.

You will be required to be responsible for other volunteers, carry out surveys, welcoming day trippers, maintenance, assist reasearchers and general estate work. A chance to get involved in all aspects of Island life.

Placements are between 8 to 12 weeks. Opportunities running from March—September

We also encourage anyone with a special taxa skill to apply (or anyone looking to develop certain interests.)

Before applying please read the further information PDF and Tailor your application suitably.

Closing date 25th January.

Also positions available at:

Lockley Lodge (mainland visitor centre)
Visitor Services Officer (based on the island)

Where are kittiwakes going in the winter - research published from Skomer Kittiwakes and many other colonies in NE Atlantic.

2011-11-29T21:41:00.005Z

Skomer Kittiwakes along with many others in NE Atlantic have formed a part of this recently published article:
HERE

It is a brilliant article that reflects the international aspects of seabirds highlighting there need for protection at the breeding colony but also the need to influence policies that are not neccessarily on your doorstep (food availability in Western Atlantic).

ABSTRACT

Aim An understanding of the non-breeding distribution and ecology of migratory species is necessary for successful conservation. Many seabirds spend the non-breeding season far from land, and information on their distribution during this time is very limited. The black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla, is a widespread and numerous seabird in the North Atlantic and Pacific, but breeding populations throughout the Atlantic range have declined recently. To help understand the reasons for the declines, we tracked adults from colonies throughout the Atlantic range over the non-breeding season using light-based geolocation.

Location North Atlantic.

Methods Geolocation data loggers were deployed on breeding kittiwakes from 19 colonies in 2008 and 2009 and retrieved in 2009 and 2010. Data from 236 loggers were processed and plotted using GIS. Size and composition of wintering populations were estimated using information on breeding population size.

Results Most tracked birds spent the winter in the West Atlantic, between Newfoundland and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, including in offshore, deep-water areas. Some birds (mainly local breeders) wintered in the North Sea and west of the British Isles. There was a large overlap in winter distributions of birds from different colonies, and colonies closer to each other showed larger overlap. We estimated that 80% of the 4.5 million adult kittiwakes in the Atlantic wintered west of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, with only birds from Ireland and western Britain staying mainly on the European side.

Main conclusions The high degree of mixing in winter of kittiwakes breeding in various parts of the Atlantic range implies that the overall population could be sensitive to potentially deteriorating environmental conditions in the West Atlantic, e.g. owing to lack of food or pollution. Our approach to estimating the size and composition of wintering populations should contribute to improved management of birds faced with such challenges.

Fuel up the Super Puffins.

2011-11-22T12:59:00.002Z

If you are interested in helping the Skomer/Oxford research team raise some funds for purchasing some Puffin Geolocators follow this link:

http://rockethub.com/projects/3818-tracking-the-migration-of-the-atlantic-puffin

Geolocators are small devices that can track puffins over a long period (their winter migration). Understanding their movements at sea helps inform the conservation of the species and other marine life. There are only 40 days left to raise the funds. There are some great rewards too - depending on the amount you donate!

Donate $30 and you get a calender, brilliant (do not let the $ sign put you off donating)

Chris

Sexy Seal on Skomer

2011-11-17T13:41:00.002Z

Latest action from Skomer

Sexy Seal Moment on Skomer

Anybody see the bit at the end? How rude? I didn't realise you saw "it" until after I uploaded the video.

Chris

28 year old Guillemot on Skomer

2011-11-15T20:02:00.003Z

Nice extract from the 2011 Seabird report.

"One bird ringed as a chick in 1983 (X38634, BuT/LG) was resighted at sub site A of the Amos, making it the oldest ringed bird on the island at 28. The oldest on record with the BTO is 31."

Chris Taylor

Desert Wheatear 15/11/2010

2011-11-15T12:27:00.002Z

Desert Wheatear (photo by Chris T)
One on Skomer this morning (spotted by Dave B) - with another two spotted on the East coast of Ireland. A first for Skomer.

Skomer birds and seal update

2011-11-08T11:28:00.004Z

Today
Couple of Black Redstarts around South Plateau and a mistle thrush. 5 Snipe.

Yesterday......(from Dave B)
Been pretty quiet over here for the last few days, we seem to have missed out on the big thrush movements but we're having a good autumn for Mistle Thrushes - normally only see them once or twice been they've been quite regular in the last couple of weeks.
There's been just a few finches and Skylarks going over in the mornings, including the odd Siskin, Brambling, Redpoll and lapland Bunting, and about 500 Woodpigeons flew west on Friday morning

In the meantime we have lots of these (c130 born)
Seal pup video here

And some nice chilly sunsets:

Chris

4th November - Firecrest and help with Purchasing Puffin Geolocators

2011-11-04T18:39:00.004Z

Firecrest has been hanging out in North Haven for last few days.
Number of pups born on the island total 135.

Dave Boyle witnessed a seal giving birth during the day which is quite unusual as they are generally born overnight. He also commented that the pub "flew" out and landed approximately 4 feet away. Apparently it gave the mum a shock to. Normally the mums gently guide them out using their back flippers - not this time.

Also if you are interested in helping the Skomer/Oxford research team raise some funds for purchasing some Puffin Geolocators follow this link:

http://rockethub.com/projects/3818-tracking-the-migration-of-the-atlantic-puffin

Geolocators are small devices that can track puffins over a long period (their winter migration). Understanding their movements at sea helps inform the conservation of the species and other marine life. There are only 40 days left to raise the funds. There are some great rewards too - depending on the amount you donate!

Chris

3rd November - yellow-browed warbler

2011-11-03T20:03:00.002Z

This Yellow-browed Warbler was a nice surprise down the bottom of North Valley and the Firecrest is still in North Haven
All in all a bit quiet the last few days few finches and Skylarks going over first thing and Jerry saw a Ring Ouzel again at North Pond.

Dave via chris

Skomer recent highlights

2011-10-27T18:25:00.002+01:00

113 seal pups born on beaches around Skomer
450 chaffinches on 25th
40 Greenfinches
500 starling on 25th
Bullfinches (last seen in 2007)
Turnstones in North Haven
Fieldfare
Siskin
Crossbill

Other activities - last week of volunteers so it will just be the boys left on the island, myself, Jerry (Skokholm Warden) and Dave Boyle (Seal researcher) and hopefully some interesting migrants.

It has also rained so the ponds are full and the well is full.

Chris

Picture blog of recent highlights

2011-10-07T09:56:00.008+01:00

Some highlights in picture form (pictures by Dave Boyle unless otherwise stated)........

Wrynecks (up to 3 individuals) have been around the farm and Bull Hole for the past 3 weeks (picture by Dave Askins)

Greater Spotter Woodpecker 22nd September Then a Flurry of brown things!Juvenile Rose-coloured Starling has been hanging around the farm since 29th Septmeber. Also a Red-brested flycatcher (no pictures)

Common Rosefinch

Red-veined Darters
Migrant moths "up to about 20 Vestals now, 1 Cosmopolitan, 1 Gem, and 2 little micro-moths called Hymenia recurvalis [picture below] - they used to be really rare but I think they've become a bit more regular in recent years" Dave Boyle
Crimson Spekled - jumped on and placede in a pot by moth expert Dave at Skomer Head
Apart from these there has also been large passages of Swallows towards later september. Great and Arctic Skuas and the seabird highlight being a Sabine's Gull flying over mine and Dave's head whilst doing some filming for TV. Very distracting.

Ray Mears TV programme for ITV WILD due to be aired on 21st October- programme is called "Skomer" cachy title.

Chris

Old posts from the past - grumbles about the boatmen

2011-09-21T12:03:00.004+01:00

On the 8^th September 1961...

… Sunny day.

We crossed to Martinshaven at 0845 hours. I went in to Marloes for stores. A large number of Swallows were flying E. along Marloes peninsula. 2 Choughs near West Hook farm, Shirley saw a Buzzard over Martinshaven.

We returned about 1030 hours, stocked up now for about a fortnight at least.

Alfred returned today and brought a total of 38 visitors including two dogs and two tortoises (being carried in a box)!!!! Again people were grumbling that it wasn't worth coming just after 1300 hours and leaving at 1400 hours, he took the ones who landed first at 1500 hours, a most strange arrangement.

P. Pearson landed 11 from his motor boat at Welsh Way, they left about 1630 hours, after one and boiled a kettle on the S.Haven driftwood beach.

A yacht and 2 other motor launches came into S.Haven during the afternoon, no one landed though.

Alfred brought Miss Havard Rae Jones and one female to stay the night at the chalets, he has gone back to Milford, after arranging for the Edwards to call tomorrow for the two visitors. He obviously doesn't intend to come tomorrow, good or bad weather, although he knows full well that there are people due for the chalets. Most unreliable, thank god and the W.W.F.S. that we have a boat and are entirely independent of Alfred.

Owing to interruption with boats I could only skin and dissect 7 today.

Maria Gill leaves her mark

2011-09-13T11:49:00.003+01:00

Maria Gill arrived at the beginning of May to work for two months as a Long Term Volunteer. We soon discovered she is a talented artist and that’s how it all began!

Having visited the two public bird hides on Skomer Maria suggested brightening them up with some very useful bird identification boards. We sorted her out with some paints and brushes and she found herself some suitable plywood boards to use. Some of our wonderful volunteers sanded them down and Maria got to work designing the boards. With the locations in mind, Maria carefully selected the species which frequently visited North Pond and Moorey Mere.

Work progressed quickly once the boards had the templates pencilled on them. It was great to pop into Marias kitchen and see the boards develop into beautiful scenes. The birds were painted with their identifying features on show and words accompany every bird highlighting these key features.

They have certainly brightened up the bird hides and I am sure they are used frequently by everyone who visits the islands hides. Having recently seen the feedback forms from our overnight guests I have discovered just how much identification boards were sought after in the bird hides! So it’s great to have them up on display now.

Thank you very much Maria! We love them.

If you would like to find out more about Marias work please visit http://megghyll.blogspot.com/ or follow this link; www.megghyll.co.uk

Sarah Harris

on this day in 1961

2011-08-31T09:21:00.000+01:00

Taken from the daily chatty log of 1961......

On the 17^th August 1961....

… a sunny day, very warm. Cloudy with slight rain in late evening.

Alfred brought 103 visitors today, 26 of these were scouts from Wembley, a rowdy lot I must say. One of the younger members of the troop attempted to climb the cliff in the N.W corner of S.Haven, he got half-way and no further, up or down, we heard shouts of help. I went to his assistance and got him safely down, no worse for wear.

Picked up the traps and took 4 female and 6 male for Dr Rowlands, skinned and dissected 8 of these this afternoon.

A Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Robins, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Blackbirds, 1 Song Thrush – farm. 3 Swallows flying W, 1 flying E, 16 Oystercatchers mouth of S. Stream, a Teal at N.Pond.

A visitor handed in a ring found on a leg in the centre of the island.

A French crabber in N. Haven this evening, we went aboard, evidenty they go as far as N as N. Rona and St Kilda.

The first Shearwaters were coming ashore- 2215 hours. DRS

On the 30^th August 1961....

… a sunny day and very warm. Wind slight W to N.W. There was quite a considerable swell until after low tide this made landing quite difficult.

Alfred brought 76 visitors, one joined the society. 4 came with a dog, on finding that dogs aren't allowed, although it is possible to leave them tied at the beach, they went back, the first time this has happened, they said its never been tied up and they couldn't bear to leave it, needless to say it was a poodle!!!!

Picked up Grid F. 2^nd half traps, one dead Common Shrew which I have skinned.

One gets some most interesting results if the traps are visited every 2 hours, not so much from an activity rhythm point of view as there are not enough traps to give a true picture of each individual, but from the movement and territory point of view.

There seems to have been some more passage of migrants today, 6 Grey Wagtails flew W and 2 Yellow Wagtails flew W. The former all passed by flying at about 150' where as there later were only at about 20' above ground level.

Swallows passed S.E. In small numbers at various times during the morning up until 1215 HRS. At one time there must have been 30 hawking around the farm buildings, one was sat on the pole just outside the gate. 2 Sand Martins also passed S.E.

A French crabber in S. Haven this evening, 3 fellows came ashore on to the beach to collect stones for use as weights in their lobster pots. DRS.

Garland Stone By Rosie Walker-Brown

2011-08-25T11:52:00.006+01:00

Skomer is starting to feel Autumnal with migrants passing through - recent highlights include spotted flycatchers, willow warblers and a blue tit. This is a poem written by Rosie who spent a few months on Skomer last year carrying out a research project looking into the fledgling weights of Manx Shearwater chicks. She has recently returned to help settle in Sarah who will be repeating the project for her undergraduate dissertation. The poem captures the island well at this time of year.
Chris

Garland Stone

I sit beneath a cloudless sky,

And watch the natural world go by,

Across the sea a path of gold,

As the evening sun begins to fold.

Beneath me waves thrash on the rocks,

And ravens dance above in flocks,

A dozen fearless rabbits graze,

And the browning bracken gently sways.

A chough calls from overhead,

Its beak and legs distinctive red,

Below an oystercatcher cries,

And a soaring gannet turns and dives.

Ramsey’s bathed in evening light,

The white of Grassholm just in sight,

Tankers shelter close to shore,

I wonder where they’re heading for.

Sitting in this timeless place,

The bracing wind fresh on my face,

I cannot help but feel at ease,

A scene that never fails to please.

No two days are just the same,

But even in the driving rain,

An ideal place to clear the mind,

I wonder next time what I’ll find...

Rosie Walker-Brown

Late August on Skomer

2011-08-18T16:31:00.004+01:00

A few thoughts about Late August on Skomer - By Richard Kipling - Field Assistant 2011

Stepping out into the courtyard this morning the softness of the air had a new edge, a coolness that was not yet a chill, but betrayed the changing season. For the first time the shifting colours of the island mark senescence rather than the appearance of new flowers. Crisp brown is gently spreading from leaf tips of bracken and bramble, darkening the yellow blooms of the Ragwort. Along the path through North Valley the volunteers have been scything back the vegetation, and the scatter of cut bracken over the path is like a harvest.

At the stream the water dropwort stems are brittle and dead, the carpet of forget-me-not reduced to a few pale-flowered plants under the willow leaves, themselves tarnished and fading. In the rabbit exclosures the purple haze of heather flowers alone defies the coming autumn, and bees twist and turn between the inflorescences. The air is still and there is a quietness; the island peaceful after the frantic race to breed and fledge young, to protect new life.

Here on the north coast a gentle breeze ruffles the pages of my notepad, the lobster-pot men work below me off the Garland Stone, and the sounds of the boat engine and various clatters and mechanical noises drift up to me. From half a mile away the hum of generators on the stationary tankers percolates the silence. Although it is eleven in the morning the light has the quality of a late afternoon; the warmth of the sun is lessened by high cloud, and in the clear air the fissures and colours of the rocks are picked out precisely. There is an air of waiting. Even the sea is tranquil, though in the tidal race the smoothness is an illusion that hides turmoil beneath.

Waves lap at the foot of the Garland Stone – hard now to imagine those spring storms, when spray crested its rocky peak. Glancing up I can see the Irish Ferry, my old friend, white against the grey of sea and sky, drifting through the stillness.

Richard Kipling.
Skomer Field Assistant 2011

Seabirds and archaeology

2011-06-26T10:59:00.005+01:00

Initial analysis of the seabird counts show no major increases or decreases of the cliff nesting seabirds. More analysis is still to be donebut as further information becomes available we shall keep you posted.

The whole island Manx Shearwater census is now complete and is with the super-computer (Prof. Chris Perrins) for further analysis. The general feeling is that the Manxies population is doing very well.
Chris
Skomer Warden

----------------------------------------------

Originally blogged at Royal Commission blog by Toby Driver

The Royal Commission has been getting some insight into prehistoric ways of life and survival on an off-shore island from the expert – Ray Mears. As part of the Skomer Island project, where the Royal Commission is working with partners to map and understand the well-preserved prehistoric houses and fields, we were invited to film with Ray Mears for his new television series Wild Britain, due to be aired on ITV in autumn 2011.

Filming inside one of the best preserved Iron Age huts on the south of the island, which is still accessible to visitors, Ray was fascinated to hear how a combination of aerial photography, airborne laser scanning and detailed ground survey is allowing the Royal Commission to develop a new understanding of the ways that Skomer was settled and farmed in later prehistory.

However, Ray’s international knowledge of the ways that modern tribes and peoples live off the land brought new insight some aspects of Skomer’s prehistory. Ray reminded Toby Driver that Burdock root was a common cultivated vegetable before potatoes came to the British Isles, and an important part of prehistoric diets; it still grows on the island today and may once have formed a staple crop. He also discussed the need for managed woodland on the island in prehistory, which would have provided not only a renewable source of straight poles for building and fencing, but also hazel nuts in the autumn which were a valuable source of prehistoric protein. Current blank areas in the prehistoric fields may show where permanent managed woodland was located.

Ray was particularly taken with some recent finds of stone tools from Skomer, collected from the ground surface during survey work this spring. Properly recorded prehistoric finds from Skomer are lacking, so these rare finds will be carefully studied and catalogued before being placed in a museum. Ray liked a hand-sized rubbing stone, collected from the prehistoric fields on the northern part of the island and doubtless used with a quern stone to grind corn to make flour. He noted that Aboriginal examples of rubbing stones can be passed down many generations as a family tool. He also like a small flint ‘burin’, manufactured from a flint beach pebble, which is a pointed tool held between thumb and forefinger. It was found along with other flints on an eroding headland on the north-west of the island. Some burins may have been used to pierce holes in leather, but Ray thought that this one was just the right shape to cut needles from animal shin bones; the Inuit people of the Arctic still use similar tools today.

Work continues by the Royal Commission during 2011/12 to make a new map of Skomer Island’s prehistoric fields, working from specially-flown airborne laser scanning data or LIDAR from the Environment Agency. Find out more about Skomer Island in prehistory at www.coflein.gov.uk . ‘Quicksearch’ for Skomer.

Toby Driver

Sprinwatch: Some pictures from behind the scenes

2011-06-09T19:57:00.021+01:00

Springwatch all began back in Januar with a meeting between myself and a producer and a cameraman - Ian llewellan. The original aim was for a Short-Eared Owl Diary. This developed into Iolo coming live from the island for one night, which then developed to live every night - not something you would normally agree to in the first week of June - the busiest time of year on Skomer both for wildlife monitoring and people. Thanks to all the efforts of the volunteers, assistant warden(sarah) and Sue (VSO) - without which this would never have been able to have been pulled off. With there help they have kept me sane from the Springwatch invasion and have kept the island running.

I am currently sat here while the programme goes live, my main purpose now is to be here should something strange go wrong with the power supply - thanksfully the sun has shone most of the week so it is fairly relaxing (except the first night when there was too much being drawn from our batteries during the live show, all was ok when I found some rather power hungry battery chargers which when turned off - saved the show! - I needed a beer after that one!)

Here are a few shots.

Just a nice sunrise

Mid-April filming begins, cameraman Ian Llewellen was living in my house for 3 weeks to capture the early season footage of bird returning to the island. It was also a cracking time for the Manx Shearwaters...........

Using an adapted second hand CCTV camera (sounds like a high budget production but it worked) Ian captured Manxies performing adult behaviour on the surface - something which we do not think has been recorded before.

An arty night shot
Steve was my second housemate who came in to film the second half of the footage, including chicks from Short-eared owls.

Gary Moore - wildlife soundman got his parabollic reflector out......amazing piece of kit which made you feel right in the centre of the sound. Dread to think how much it cost.

During the pre-live filming week the crew were stuck on the island. But the warden's house is amazing in how many it can accommodate (all other beds on the island already full)

When it came to live week, people needed organising. In order to maintain sanity of the warden the garage was converted into the storage area.

The lime kiln shelter was converted into the communications shed.
Pictures being beemed back to a sattellite truck on the mainland

The library was converted into a general meeting room - here is Iolo learning his script.

Lots of different locations. As warden I had to be a grumpy old man to ensure that nobody was going off the paths and damaging habitat. All in all the crew were well behaved, but sometimes you have to guide them away from sensitive areas
Holly, Tim and Iolo preparing to download a geolocator.

It has been a great week and thanks to all involved. I hope it has shown all sides of Skomer to audiences that may never have experienced such a place.

Chris
Skomer Warden

Springwatch arriving and rabbit for breakfast?!

2011-06-04T11:01:00.008+01:00

Lots going on at the moment with ITV Wild Britain being filmed last week and Springwatch to be going out next week. I sit here awaiting a boatload of "live" kit - all of which will have to carried up the steps as it is too windy to launch the Island boat. Whilst all this goes on the whole island counts (Fulmar, RAzorbill, guillemot and Kittiwake) are going ahead -early indications show another bumper year of guillemots. We are also carrying out a whole island census of the Manx Shearwaters - there are 303 study plots of 10m diameter which will be checked for occupancy by playing the call of a shearwater down the burrow and seeing what responses you get. This survey has not been done for a 10 years and will be very useful to repeat to understand the health of the Manx Shearwater population.

Below is a letter received from a chap who stayed on the island in 1946........not sure if I fancy rabbit for breakfast though.

A Week on Skomer in june or july 1946

In the first few months of the West Wales Field Society receiving visitors things were far less organized than today. On arrival at Haverfordwest station at 10 am I had expected to be met but no one turned up. However the instructions included a plan with the information that a boat would leave Martins Haven at 3 pm. To avoid the tedium of waiting I set off on foot with my luggage, got as far as possible on a bus, thumbed a lift to somewhere nearer and walked from there. Eventually the boat arrived at the same time as the rest of the party, escorted by R. M Lockley, who gave me a firm handshake. The boat was small and the sea smooth.

The warden had rabbit snares, one of which I borrowed and set within sight of the house on the first evening. There was a rabbit in it next morning, which was I skinned and prepared for breakfast. The rest were too wise to be caught. In the evening we were given a lesson on ringing birds. After that we were left to our own devices. There were no paths and I do not remember any prohibitions. Our only equipment was a bamboo rod with a wire hook on the end and pliers for attaching a numbered ring. Catching puffins was quite easy. In the evening what we caught was logged. The warden and his wife were very helpful. We were split into teams of two to cook meals from the food they provided.

Halfway through the week we were taken to Grassholm in a launch chartered by a group of archaeologists, who went there to dig up the well. The sight of close packed nests with sitting birds was a fantastic experience for us. They were far too fierce to get close and the combination of rotting seaweed and gannet droppings left an indelible impression. There was something hush hush about the occasion and when I later enquired about the name of the leader of the expedition there was no record of it in the Skomer log. Perhaps something to do with the fuel, which was, of course, still rationed then. On the homeward journey I chatted with one of the undergraduates in the party of archaeologists. He had pockets bulging with shards of pottery. I still remember the occasion because when I asked if the dig had been successful he replied no, the pottery was too early. The shards were of two kinds, some delicate, one of them decorated with a wart-like protrusion, in what was then called Samian ware, which I knew to be Roman, and a greyish brown kind, thicker and quite smooth, which I was told was more interesting. There is no record of the dig. If there had been it would have been mentioned in the current literature. I reported it to the appropriate Welsh archive but no interest was shown. What was being looked for remained a puzzle until I came upon the story of the god Bran, whose severed head is said to have entertained his companions for eighty years on the Island of Gwales, thought by some to have been Grassholm (Penguin Mabinogion Gantz 1979, footnote to p.80). At that time any thing vaguely Arthurian was considered post-Roman. Another possibility is Preiddeu Annfn, an expedition by Arthur to an island from which, like that to Gwales, seven men returned.

That could explain digging the well but not the fine pottery. However, imported late-Roman pottery in Ireland and Western Britain is now well known (see Charles Thomas, archaeologist, among others), for instance at Tintagel; and the thicker kind could have come from an amphora. The archaeologists who failed to report the dig missed a scoop and have damaged the site.

The next day we went in the launch to an inaccessible bay stacked high with of timber from a torpedoed merchant ship and collected a load to stock up the farm. The weather was fine all the week. We saw the raft of shearwaters in the evenings and they came in on the last evening.

I hope you will be able to compare what I have said with the original log. I would be interested to hear how it matches

John Darrah

April Highlights

2011-05-06T19:04:00.000+01:00

Hi all, the season is busy busy! We have had an interesting passage of migrants as summarised by Sarah Harris/Assistant Warden.

APRIL HIGHLIGHTS: The 9^th brought the first House Martins and Whitethroats of the season and the 10^th marked the beginning of Dunlin passage with a single bird flying over North Haven. A Wryneck also seen on the 10^th created excitement on the island. The 10^th also brought the first Redstart, Sedge Warbler and Redpoll records for the year. The first Siskins were record on the 12^th. A Great Northern Diver flew over the island on the 13^th and a second record followed on the 29^th. The first White Wagtail was seen on the 14^th and one to two birds were seen on three days at the end of the month. Wheatears of the Greenland race, Leucorhoa, were seen from the 15^th in low numbers and the first Grasshopper Warbler for the season was heard singing on the same day. New wader species for the season increased on the 16^th and 17^th with the arrival of Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper respectively. Ring Ouzel records began on the 17^th followed by observations on four days thereafter (maximum of three). Black Redstarts and a were seen on the 18^th and 20^th. The first Pied Flycatcher for the year was also seen on the 18^th and four Black-tailed Godwits were seen on the same day. The 19^th brought two Tree Pipits, the first for the season. Another rarity for the island was a Turtle Dove seen wandering amongst Puffins at North Haven on the 20^th! The bird remained for the rest of the month. A stunning Bar-tailed Godwit seen on the 30^th finished the month nicely.

Jasper Holmes, part 2

2011-04-21T19:59:00.003+01:00

Another installment of Jasper Holmes. - A relection of the end of the week.

Interesting birds this week include masses of MAnx Shearwaters at night. Grasshopper warbler, and pied flycatcher have also been spotted.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dawn is stunning and it promises to be a warm,sunny day but what on earth am I doing up at 6.30? I have been waking ever earlier but going to bed earlier as well. I am almost going to bed and getting up with the light,all very earthy.

Today we are split into two groups.TheMaggies are down at the landing stage to manhandle the first visitors off the boat whilst Jenny and I are chough spotting.This basically means sitting on rocks is the sunshine looking out to sea and is my favourite ‘job’.

We set up at the first hotspot and getting choughing.Jenny looks for porpoise and I wonder how many rabbits there are on the island. I am getting a little fixated with the black ones.I think about smuggling a few off the island and setting up ‘Skomer Zoo’ in direct competition with Anna Ryder-Richardson’s. I would have puffin displays and shearwater enclosures and rides.Oh and a porpoise tank.The chough feeding would be out as there doesn’t seem to be any on the island.

A beautiful sea mist begins to come ashore,fingers of white caress the cliffs and rocks as we make our way to other sunbathing ,err, chough, hot spots . The mist clears as quickly as it arrives and with that at last a chough! One to report tonight after four hours out in the field.Someone has to do it I suppose.

In the afternoon we head down to the landing and the Maggies ,instead of our onerous morning duties, have to stick canes in the ground to make a grid to monitor numbers of lesser black backed gulls.It is actually quite hard work and it is hot and the gulls hate it. They have picked the long cane.

The departing visitors have had a wonderful day and are full of sunny smiles.There is something very satisfying in seeing them full of the joys of Skomer.

But the evening brings a very worrying development.A short eared owl is spotted and I literally drop everything and run to see it. My worst nightmare,I have become a Twitcher.Aaaaaaaaaaaaaagh.

The Maggies return sunburnt ,exhausted and covered in gulls droppings. But there is work not over yet. They had promised to make a pudding!!

First Manx Shearwater Experience by Jasper Green, Volunteer.

2011-04-06T16:37:00.007+01:00

Jasper Holmes - a volunteer on the island this week has written an entry for the blog that I would like to share with you all. It is a nice insight into someone's first experiences of the Manx Shearwaters. April is one of the noisiest months for the Manxies, which only come ashore at night to avoid predation. This time of year many birds are re-establishing burrows and bonds with partners who have been out at sea since last September.

I hope you enjoy the read as much as I did.

Chris

---------------------------------------------------------

'What the hell is a wheatear?' I wonder at the first Bird Log debriefing. These take place in the evening at Chris the warden's house.I say house but its more a palatial mansion compared to our volunteer accomodation.

He asks us what birds we have seen during the day. Unfortunately my bird knowledge is a little lacking.'Chiff chaff? Teal? Widgeon?' 'I ,err, saw a puffin and a,,,black rabbit'

I reckoned the black rabbit might have scored me some points.The group turn to me and collectively smile. ' Hen harrier in North Valley' one eagle-eyed spotter notes and I drift,sleepy from the fresh air and warm room and wonder about the famous Manx Shearwaters and the old tale that I have heard.

'The souls of shipwrecked sailors come back home'.It is said some early visitors to Skomer were turned mad by the noises and the calls.There have been unexplained shipwrecks on calm clear nights and reports of strange fluttering night shapes in the sky.

A thick nightmist had come down as we left the warmth and made our way up the path back to our cold cells.

Then the most strange of sounds seemed to come from beneath our feet,a moaning from the grass.It was unlike any sound I have heard before.

'The souls of shipwrecked sailors come home' is what they say. And it got louder and louder, a gurgling,rasping,juddering sound.I seemed to be drawn closer and closer to the grass as it groaned in despair.

Then more and more from other parts of the cliff edge,the whole area was pulsing,throbbing.

The dead were calling siren-like,wailing. This is not the comforting groan of the puffin in its burrow, it is the call of one in despair. It changes from quiet and distant to a bold proclamation.

'Help me! Help me!' then a demand' Dig me up!' But as the sirens call you would be lured to your death.

Then your torch catches ones of the birds in its beam and they appear delicate, beautiful birds that are barely able to walk on land,fragile things,their realm is to ride the ocean winds,not to drag themselves into their nesting burrows beneath our feet that give them protection from the marauding gulls. They call to their mates and give rise to one of the most extraordinary nature phenomenon on the planet.

Mind you it doesn't make the showers any hotter.

Jasper

------------------------------------

EDITORS NOTES:

1) The mansion is also a library, office and research quarters with built in lab, kitchen and researchers!

2) The volunteers have now been cleaned with hot water (can't ALWAYS have hot water on an island, they might go soft on us!!)

3) There are lots of black rabbits this year.

Manxies and puffins return, phew!!

2011-03-30T19:35:00.004+01:00

To the great relief of the wardens and volunteers on Skomer the seabirds have started to return.

The last few nights have seen large numbers of puffins gathering in North Haven. Watching them come back for the first time is a special moment. The seabirds are clearly nervous of coming on land - a place which is riddled with dangers, gulls, peregrine falcons and possibly a rabbit trying to occupy a burrow once occupied by a puffin. In a fight between a puffin and a rabbit, my money would always be placed on the puffin winning. Something I have not seen before is Jackdaws squabbling with puffins. I can only assume that the jackdaws - which we have seen with nesting material over the past week - have also decided to try and occupy a burrow......IF I were to place money on a jackdaw vs a puffin I would be taking more of a gamble. Beyond the trials of other species of birds there can also be squabbles between individual puffins. There is also a lot of parading around, flapping of wings, shaking of heads and billing. Billing is where two puffins "kiss" with their bills. This often attracts the onlookers and sets other pairs off. We all know what happens next.

Billing puffins by Mel Lewis, 2010

Some of the puffins that have been seen rafting are young ones from last year, they can be seen by their dusty faces and slightly smaller bills. These birds will not breed this year - may visit the colony for several year before starting to breed at the age of four or five.

The Manx Shearwaters are also returning slowly and steadily. Interestingly there has not been a huge rush for the manxies back to their burrow. Normally the first birds are seen on the surface around 14th/15th. This was true to form this year but there has not been any big returns. This has started to change over the last few days. There are several explanations for this. Firstly their was a full moon 19th March (thus dangerous times for Shearwaters to come ashore) or birds have had a tough time crossing the Atlantic on their return trip or there has been plentiful food on the return legs and as a consequence birds have been feeding up before returning to the burrow. All will become clear throughout the season when data from the study birds long term tracking devices are downloaded and analysed. We shall keep you posted.

The accommodation is looking really smart thanks to the hard work of the volunteers and many litres of paint (and new duvets/pillows!). So we are looking forward to welcoming the first Shearwater fans any day now.

The island technically opens on 1st April, but with the current weather this might be postponed a few days!

Chris
Skomer Warden

Wardens back on Skomer – but what do they do when there are no Manxies, Puffins, people or volunteers?

2011-03-12T15:03:00.006Z

Well actually quite a lot!

1) Fix things which have broken over the winter

This winter must have seen some harsh winters. I was inspecting the water tanks at the start of the season to find that the header tank (a 20ft by 10ft and 4ft deep tank) was completely empty. Odd I thought. Only to find a crack in the pipes leading to one of the pumps. After reusing some old parts from the plumbing equipment collected over the years we managed to fix it. This leak was caused by freezing water in the connectors/ pipes. There was also a leak down in North Haven – this was fixed with good old Duct Tape (temporary repair)!

The tractor is also in bits and awaiting a mechanic to fit a part to the axle – this is to be expected if you dip a tractor in the sea every week.

The boat has received some damage from a rockfall over winter.

The landing stage/steps all need some repairs.

2) Go birdwatching

Essential to keep your eyes peeled at this time of year, looking out for those first Wheatears (4^th March this year). They have only been earlier than this date on 5 different occasions since, c.1960. On the same day first records were reported on Bardsey and Portland – so we must have been in the firing line for the migrants to return (from North Africa/Morrocco).

It is also the time to look out for the first Puffin at sea but the real first is to get the first Puffin on land. Then there is the first Manx Shearwater (at sea and on land). Both the Manxie and Puffin usually start to arrive around 14^th March, so any day now!

The Auks have been on off the cliffs since our return with the Fulmars getting fairly settled in. Ravens at Amy’s Reach are already on eggs. There was one seal pup on Driftwood Bay on our return.

3) Decorate volunteers/overnight accommodation

Yes we are painting the volunteers kitchen. This year we have quite a few left over tins of paint of various colours. I was keen to use them up so we are going to be loosing some of the magnolia. This means the volunteers have one green wall (it is ok honest) and the overnight lounge has a nice blue wall which makes it feel a little more homely and less “magnoliary”.

4) Paint Visitor Centre

This is an annual job to keep the place fresh.

5) Getting to know your Assistant Warden

This is a nice time of year for the staff to get to know each other. Myself and the assistant warden (Sarah Harris) have only ever met once before at the interview. Now we are living and working on an island. All getting on well (it seems!?!). It is also a good time to train people up on the buildings/running day trips.

6) Go through bedding

In 2011 we have decided to go through all the bedding and get rid of those unsuitable duvets (especially after a winter sat inside). New pillows/duvets have been ordered for the volunteer accommodation and some pillows/duvet replaced in the overnight accommodation.

7) Order materials/stock for the season

Gas needs to be delivered, cleaning products ordered, loo rolls stocked up.

Jerry is also currently on Skomer but will be primarily based on Skokholm in the 2011 season as the renovations project moves up a gear and overnight guest are staying on the island in May, June and July (although now 2/3^rd full there are still some places available)

8) Go birdwatching

You have to get out at this time of year. Not many times when you can do a complete loop and not bump into one single person!

Speaking of which......I am off! We shall let you know when those manxies/puffins are back, I can't wait to see them!

Chris Taylor

Skomer Warden

Skomer on BBC2, Hidden Histories 10th Feb.

2011-02-02T15:24:00.003Z

Hidden Histories - A TV series discovering the Heritage of Wales will be showing on BBC 2 at 7:30pm. Sadly there were no puffins used in the making of the documentary, but lots of interesting archaeological findings. The day we filmed it rained a lot, so expect lots of smiling faces in a wild location - Skomer in its finest! It brings together what aerial photography can bring alive for our pasts.

In the meantime the Skomer team (2011) is currently in the process of being built.

So far we welcome Sarah Harris as the Skomer Assistant Warden and we welcome the return of Jerry Gillam as the Seasonal Skokholm Warden.

Sarah has spent the last three seasons working on the Calf of Man Bird Observatory. She will be joining us on the 1 March.

Other winter tasks involve pulling together all the monitoring data from 2010, the seabird report should be available soon.

A full monitoring update will be given at the Friends of the Island reunion and will be available here after that.

Cheers
Chris

Skomer Island Jobs

2011-01-20T14:41:00.003Z

Skomer currently has two seasonal jobs being advertised including:

Visitor Services Officer

and

Field Assistant.

Both are exciting roles and both posts require a compltely different set of skills.

VISIT HERE for more information.

Chris Taylor
Skomer Warden

Happy New Year - Bookings open for Skokholm 2011

2011-01-06T11:27:00.007Z

Dear Skomer/Skokholm followers:

2010 saw a massive amount of effort from volunteers on both islands. In particular Skokholm has had some big renovation projects. This work is set to continue through 2011 with an aim to improving facilities and renovating the cottage. This work would not have happened without the massive help of the "Friends of the Islands".

As a result there is some limited self catering accommodation available on Skokholm. The accommodation has been closed for several years and I know several people will be anxious to return.

To stay on the island will cost £125 for three nights and also £125 for four nights (mid week). Sailings will be Monday and Friday.

Skokholm will be open during 2011 from 2 May to 1 August for overnight accommodation. There is availability at present except for the following:

Skokholm is fully booked on the following dates: 16-19 May, 23-26 May, 1-7 July; there is only one twin room available for the three nights 10-12 June. Weeks are starting to get busy so book soon!

More information can be found by clicking here: MORE INFORMATION

Staying on the island will help the renovation project by contributing towards having a warden present on the island from March through to the end of the renovations in 2011 and contributing towards gas, etc. Having a warden present is also good news for the monitoring and research work - some of which has not been fully completed over the past few years. We shall also be having some more day trips to the island in 2011 - more details to follow!

This is a massive step forward for Skokholm, I do hope you join us as part of this exciting time.

Another way of helping the islands directly - you can become a member of the "Friends of Skokholm and Skomer" please do not hesitate to contact me on c.taylor@welshwildlife.org if you are interested. More information can also be found here.

Chris Taylor
Skomer Warden

Long Term Volunteering on Skomer/Skokholm in 2011

2010-11-25T14:55:00.002Z

Hi all, please see the attached links if you are interested in applying for the Long Term Volunteer posts on Skomer and Skokholm in 2011:

Poster

Details

The blog will be a bit quite for the next month but I shall post up more news in January.

Cheers
Chris

Skomer blown closer to the mainland?

2010-11-13T16:29:00.005Z

It's been a pretty exciting few days weather-wise. In common with the rest of the country we've been battered by storm force winds. Everything seems to have withstood it pretty well though - the buildings are still standing with the roofs intact. Up at the farm a few empty water tanks and a wheelbarrow got flung across the garden but aside from that and a few noisy nights it wasn't too uncomfortable.

The Pigstone

As often happens the more extreme the weather the more the desire to go out and experience it. Skomer Head was certainly worth a visit, the battle to get out there led to one stumbling along the path like a drunk after a particularly heavy night.

Views from Skomer Head

With all the wind and rain it's not been too upsetting that we've a load of office work to be getting on with - reports and bird lists as well as sorting out all the monitoring. We have managed to get out for a few tasks though. This is a good time of year for several vegetation transects and erosion monitoring as most of the vegetation is pretty low.

Waves crashing against the Amos and Wick Basin from Skomer Head.

Bird-wise there's a few more ducks building up on the pond now, nothing rare yet though. Woodcocks are passing through and there's large numbers of Starlings around. Hen Harriers are being seen regularly as are Merlin, plenty of Buzzards and Peregrines are seen more often hunting inland - seeming particularly fond of the Woodcocks.
Today there was a Common Seal on the beach at North Haven, the first seen around the island for a few years.

Common Seal on North Haven

Not too long left here now so we're starting to make plans for winter travels, but making the most of Skomer while we still can.

Jerry Gillham
Assistant Warden.

This feels like Autumn now.

2010-10-23T13:11:00.007+01:00

Autumn sunrise on Skomer.

One of the best things about this time of year is you don't have to get up early to see the sun rise (assuming it does rise, today it was massively overcast and I got up early to watch the lightning). Similarly, the sunsets are early enough that one can fit in a walk to watch one and get back for dinner.

Sunset from Skomer Head.

With the weather as it is things are very quiet around the farm and it feels like the birds are reclaiming the place. The courtyard holds groups of blackbirds, blue and great tits, robins and house sparrows. All hopping round in front of my kitchen window. The highlight from this position has been a snow bunting feeding just outside and a barn owl hanging out round the old outside shower room.

Snow Bunting in the courtyard.

Just because it's quiet doesn't mean there's no work, on the contrary we've spent much of the last week sorting out some of the footpaths on Skomer; filling in potentially ankle-twisting holes creased by rogue rabbits and widening sections where it's on the verge of collapse. Other maintenance tasks include work on the rabbit exclosures and hides, work that often gets put off during the rest of the year when monitoring takes priority.

Dave, contemplating the only route into The Lantern (that shingle area).

Seals continue to give birth all over the place, from some of the difficult-to-reach caves to right in the middle of our landing beach.

Young seals on the beach at North Haven.

Fingers crossed for a good half-term week.

Jerry Gillham
Assistant Warden for Skokholm and Skomer

Free the Gannets

2010-10-14T12:25:00.006+01:00

A recent excursion was made to Grassholm. Thanks to Greg/Lisa/RSPB for organising the trip.

Trip out to grassholm involed Mick Brown, a nice chap called Sean, Greg and Lisa from Ramsey, myself and Dave B. and skippered by the owners of Shearwater (A jet boat that used to be the boat that took animals out to Ramsey)

Upon arrival some birding must be had. redwing (2), raven (1), peregrine (2), oystercatcher (4), starling (20), goldcrest (6), blackbird (2), turnstone (3), blackcap (1), robin (2), song thrush (1), chiffchaff (2), GBB gull (100+), chaffinch (3), dunnock (1), skylark (1), goldfinch (1) and rock pipit (6)

The problem - Gannets make their nest out of mud, seaweed and anything else they can pick up. This includes farmer's gold (baler twine!), packaging, etc. and this can often become entangled in the legs of some birds. Our visit was to free the entangled birds for a hopeful happy ending. Some are worse than others.

Young bird post release.

Close up of a young bird.

A tight squeeze for a skilled skipper!

Thanks to all for a great day.
Chris Taylor
Skomer Warden

Bobolink update.....

2010-10-11T20:26:00.001+01:00

Dear all,

Although the Bobolink has not be seen throughout the day, it might well be hiding somewhere.

Looking good for day boats tomorrow, if anyone fancies a look (lots of looking!) then this would be a good chance.

I have decided to allow access to North Stream Valley for birders (the paths marked Research Area) for the next few days only.

A special map will be available from me after the introductory talk. Volunteer wardens will be around to help out.

Usual rules apply with regards sticking to the paths, if folk are seen flushing birds through bracken, etc. this will not look good for future birding events. So please stick to the permitted paths.

Chris Taylor
Skomer Island Warden

1st boat leaves Martin's Haven at 1000, then boats at 1100 & 1200.

ps there has also been a Dartford Warbler today, first one since 1971

Bobolink on Skomer - No sailings tomorrow (likely)

2010-10-08T19:14:00.003+01:00

A keen eyed Dave Boyle spotted a brown North American Passerine in North Stream Crossing today - called a Bobolink. I caught up with it only to catch it in flight and very briefly.

The bird has not been seen since.

For anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of the migrant, this will be tricky. The strong Easterly winds have meant that no boats have landed today. It is very unlikely that boats will be running tomorrow. However an update will be given on Pembrokeshire Bird Blog tomorrow morning.

Other recent highlights
Green Sandpiper (on North Pond)
Barred Warbler
Flock of 16 House Sparrows (interesting if you live on the island!)
Lots of blue tits
Pied Flycatcher

Pictures

2010-09-29T08:16:00.005+01:00

Wryneck. Photo by D. Boyle

This Wryneck may have hung around for a few days or we may have a new one arrived. Yesterday also saw two Firecrests turn up on the island and at least a dozen common dolphins feeding in the tidal race near the Garland Stone.

Skomer from Skokholm - looking a little browner as autumn kicks in.

Jerry Gillham.

A few good days birding.

2010-09-27T15:37:00.002+01:00

Following a few wet and windy days we've had some calm, sunny weather to enjoy. It may be getting colder and the bracken and other vegetation may be dying back but there's plenty of life around.

We've well over 50 seal pups now. The one on our landing beach whose mother has given us so much trouble (attacking the tractor as we try and launch the boat) is looking fat and starting to moult. It'll soon be independent, it's mum is already becoming more interested in the big bull seal that patrols that stretch of island - they mate soon after pupping, when all the males and females are together in the same place.
Visitors have had some great views of the seal pups on the beach feeding, learning to swim and mainly lazing around.
Elsewhere in the sea there's been some big groups of Porpoise around the west side of the island.

It has been a good few days birding too. A Wryneck around the farm was probably the highlight but it's been almost as exciting seeing an influx of common garden birds which are quite a rarity on Skomer. Great-Spotted Woodpecker, House Sparrows and Blue Tits (amazing how exotic they look when you've not seen one for seven months).

As boats didn't run for a few days over the weekend Skomer it felt very quiet. I was on my own up at the farm and it feels like nature is trying to reclaim the place. Chough have started coming back to feed in the courtyard while each morning there's been at least one Buzzard perched on the trig-point, chicken sheds or old building itself.

Jerry Gillham,
Skomer and Skokholm Assistant Warden.

Youngsters leaving the island, research and Ravens

2010-09-17T15:04:00.006+01:00

Overnight guests, volunteers and staff this week have been treated to the delights of thousands of young Manx Shearwater fledglings from their burrows. Although adult in appearance they always seem a bit puzzled by their surroundings. Many birds climb to high spots on the island to achieve extra lift on their first voyage. They will continue to fledge for the next couple of weeks.

The new sculpture has had mixed reviews by the Manxies. Some have utilised it to climb higher, other had some trouble with feet becoming trapped between the pieces of wood. As a consequence the sculpture is now no more.

Shearwaters utilising the sculture as a launch pad (picture by Jonathan Parsons). Just goes to show the amazing climbing abilities of a bird which looks so cumbersome on land.

We would like to thank Rosie Walker-Brown, an undergraduate at Oxford, who has been weighing lots and lots of young Manxies. This is to measure the fledgling weight of Manxies and comparing it against data collected by Chris Perrins in the 1960s. There is a suggestion that fledgling weights are lower than previous figures but more recent comparison study had a very small sample size. Rosie will be off the island tomorrow after weighing c.1400 birds and a lot of sleep deprivation. Results to follow when Rosie has caught up on her sleep.

The picture below shows bird number 1000.
Other happenings on the island this week. Seals continue to pup with close up views available from the landing slip in North Haven. These pups have proved difficult for island business with gas deliveries having to be made onto the landing steps in stead of straight onto the beach and into the back of the tractor - carrying full 19kg gas bottles up those steps is hard work!

Ravens are also amazing with flocks of up to 50 gathering around the updrafts of the cliffs. The true reason behind these big groups is a little unknown but there must be a lot of pair bonding going. There are also young birds learning to fly and be acrobatic. Often birds are seen picking up sticks and dropping them. Either to show off to others of maybe just for fun.

(picture by Ben Dean) Ravens doing what Ravens do!
Thanks for reading

Chris Taylor
Skomer Warden.

Volunteering on Skomer 2011, please do continue to support the Friends of the Skomer and Skokholm.

2010-09-07T17:15:00.005+01:00

Dear all,

Firstly, Seal pups are cute and there are plenty on the Island now with good viewing spots from Captain Kites or from the Landing Stage in North Haven.

Secondly, I would like to extend a massive thanks to all those who have volunteered this year (and will be until the end of October). It has been great fun to work with all of you. All your characters keep Skomer alive, interesting, fun and sometimes just puzzling!!

So advance booking for 2011 are from:

Monday 27th September

for member of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales

Bookings for the general public start on the 11th October.

More information can be found at:
http://www.welshwildlife.org/SkomerVolunteers_en.link

I have heard several people ask "What is the point in being a member of the Friends now?"

If you are thinking of cancelling your membership to the Friends I personally ask you to reconsider. The Friends of the Island are a fantastic organisation who put a massive amount of support directly into the Islands. The supports comes both in terms of volunteering but also financially for specific projects. This is particularly important whilst Skokholm is being renovated. Examples this year include:

lots of tools for Skokholm,

all the food for the Skokholm work parties,

laptop for the Skomer Warden among many others. They also host a fantastic reunion every February which is an excellent was of keeping upto date on the season of work on the islands. The Friends of the Island also support us morally and advise me and the rest of the Skomer/Skokholm team on the best way of managing the Islands.

Wildlife highlights:
2 Greenshank on North Pond
Lots of Willow Warblers and Spotted Flycatchers
Grey Wagtails
Lapland Bunting flying over the farm
Wryneck
10 Shovelar on North Pond

Thanks for reading
Chris Taylor
Skomer Warden

Icterine Warbler and other wildlife highlights / Skokholm on the TV tomorrow

2010-09-01T15:41:00.004+01:00

Wildlife highlights:

Icterine Warbler in the ivy above the boat shed in Nort Haven. Not been spotted for a few days. But a lot of the bushes are having willow warblers and whitethroats, etc. With these strong South Easterly winds forecast over the next few days we are not sure what might turn up, so well worth keeping your eyes on the bushes!

Other sightings:

Couple of spotted and pied flycatchers, tow green sandpipers on north pond (thanks Dave B)

Fair few seal pups have now been born around the neck area. One pup being nicely visible from Captain Kites (ask one of the wardens who greet you on the island).

Other exciting events - Myself and Jerry went over to Skokholm today to do a piece for BBC News Wales. The article was just about how things are getting on with Skokholm in a bid to raise the interest of the island. This will be shown tomorrow night (Thursday 2nd September) and is a good way of people keeping up to speed with the developments.

Lets hope for some rare birds. We shall let you know on the blog of anything turns up.

Chris
Skomer Warden

Overnight accommodation is offically nice and strange report of cookers in the Jack Sound......

2010-08-21T17:28:00.009+01:00

Wildlife Highlights this week:
First seal pup born overnight/today (20th)
Lots of juvenile goldfinches around the farm
Greenshank on North Pond
Little Owl being seen
Manx Shearwater chicks have started to come out of their burrows and exercise wings, some of which will be ready the fledge.

Exciting news to mention to you all this week..........

the overnight accommodation has two working showers!!!!!!!

Breakthrough for us all and it should make a vast improvement to the quality of the stay. There are also low water pressure mixer units on all showers at the farm which have significantly improved the "washing experience". The water pressure is still less than the mainland - but this is an island after-all!

The overnight accommodation has also been awarded three stars by the Wales Tourist Board. All very important advertising to increase the number of overnight visitors in August and September. Feel free to plug the place to friends and family, it only cost £25 per night at this time of year and there are still thousands of Shearwaters about. It also makes bird log a lot more fun having some "outside folk".
And with a bit of tweaking (by request ), the sign becomes a lot more appropriate:

But if this were a true rating scheme it should be 5!

Other activities recently include removing scrap off to the mainland such as 4 cookers and copper piping/lead left over from the renovation project. Thanks to the volunteers for your hard work with this......helping to keep skomer beautiful.

Thanks for reading and keep in touch.
Chris Taylor
Skomer Warden

Wildlife sightings from July to August

2010-08-07T16:02:00.003+01:00

Hello everyone,

There's been lots out and about on the reserve recently, we've said goodbye to the auks but return migration is getting under way so I'm looking forward to some interesting birds over the coming month.

Skomer Wildlife Highlights July to August 2010

Canada geese regularly seen flying over North Haven and around North Pond

Up to 6 mallard seen around North Pond

A tufted duck on the 14^th July

30 common scoter on the 27^th July, west past the Garland Stone

Pheasant with young all over the island

Fulmar chicks on the cliffs, starting to lose their down and growing feathers

Manx shearwaters in large rafts at sea in the evening, returning to burrows at night to feed hungry chicks

Storm petrels seen at night by the boat shed

Gannets diving for fish at Garland Stone, Mew Stone and Skomer Head

Young cormorant and shag seen from the boat and at Garland Stone

Buzzard seen regularly at Bull Hole, 1 juvenile

Groups of peregrine at Garland Stone and High Cliff, taking some young kittiwakes from the Wick

Moorhen at Moorey Mere

Oystercatcher present on the island, seen regularly

A black-tailed godwit on the 7^th July

Curlew seen occasionally at the back of the Old Farm

A whimbrel on the 26^th July

2 redshank on 26^th July and one on the 30^th

Small groups of common sandpiper at the start of August

2 juvenile Mediterranean gulls at North Haven on the 2^nd August

Lesser black-backed gull, herring gull and great black-backed gull chicks fledging but still begging for food

Kittiwake young fledging from the 21^st July

Guillemot and razorbill chicks fledged, adults left the island last seen on the 30^th July

Occasional puffins seen on the sea around the island, the majority having left

Wood pigeons seen around the island regularly in groups of 2 or 3

Little owl and short eared owl less visible but still present on the island

Small groups of swifts passing over the island

Skylark present around the fields

Young swallows flying around the Old Farm

Meadow and rock pipit seen daily

Juvenile pied wagtails around the Old Farm, seen in the courtyard

Stonechat spotted occasionally

Wheatear still present

Blackbird, wren and dunnock around the Old Farm, South Stream and Moorey Mere

Sedge warbler and whitethroat in elder and brambles

Flocks of up to 12 willow warbler and chiffchaff

A spotted flycatcher on the 27^th July

Flocks of up to 10 chough flying round North Haven

Juvenile magpie seen

Up to 35 jackdaw around the island

20 ravens congregating at Bull Hole

2 and 3 starling on 27^th and 29^th July

A female chaffinch on the track to the farm in mid-July

Small flocks of goldfinch and linnet including juveniles feeding on thistles at the back of the Old Farm

Reed bunting present on the island throughout July

Invertebrates

Painted lady, red admiral, small tortoiseshell, small copper, large white, meadow brown, ringlet, grayling and dark green fritillary butterflies seen throughout July

Cinnebar, oak eggar and humming bird hawk moths seen during the day

Marine life

Grey seals basking on rocks at Garland Stone, North Haven and Pigstone Bay

Small groups of harbour porpoise seen throughout the month.

30 common dolphin on the 2^nd August

A sunfish on the 4^th August, seen from the Dale Princess

Compass jellyfish around Martin's Haven

What to look out for in August

Number of ducks on ponds starts to increase, particularly teal

More sightings of grey heron

Water rail present by the end of the month

More wader records as return migration gets under way. Likely species to see are golden plover, purple sandpiper, dunlin, whimbrel, green sandpiper and turnstone

Look out for tree pipit and grey wagtail

Warblers start passage, grasshopper, reed and willow warblers, also more numerous chiffchaff

Starling numbers increase throughout the month, with flocks using bushes around North Pond as an evening roost

Lots of butterflies to be seen on sunny days

Grey seal numbers increase in haul out sites on North Haven and Garland Stone. The first seal pups are usually born from mid to late August

More sightings of sunfish and common dolphin

Remember to let us know if you spot anything exciting during your visit!

Amy Corton.

Puffins are off for another winter adventure - but where to?

2010-08-03T17:15:00.006+01:00

It is the time of year that the Puffins return to their "homeland". The place where Puffins are meant to be - out at sea. On the water their adaptions to life are more suitable. With legs far back on their bodies and short wings, life on land is tough. So being on land is purely for breeding purposes only. Therefore shortly after their chicks have fledged that is it - out to sea they go. Young puffin chicks will be out at sea learning to cope for themselves - a tough time and one which causes many casualties. Food supplies are further afield and need to be located, the day length (and time for foraging) is getting shorter. Once puffins have passed through this tough time and reached breeding age (three or four years old), chances of surviving year on year are greatly increased.

Razorbills and Guillemots have also left for the open seas - but where do they all go? It seems from preliminary results that the puffins, after breeding, are heading north (possibly as far as Iceland) then heading back down south to the north coast of Spain and some as far as the Bay of Biscay before returning to Skomer. The winter movements of all the auks is a mystery that researchers on Skomer are trying to unravel. The full results will not become clear for a few years yet.

Still plenty to see though with the fulmar chicks sitting fat, fluffy and happy on their ledges waiting to be fed. Kittiwakes almost outgrowing their muddy nesting mounds. Cetaceans are spotted daily by visitors and volunteers. Seals will soon be thinking about pupping. Ravens amassing over Bull Hole are always a gymnastic display.

Hope you have enjoyed all the auks as much as I have this year and I can't wait until next March to see them return. In the meantime - plenty to still enjoy.

Chris Taylor
Skomer Warden

Evenings on Skomer

2010-07-22T16:01:00.002+01:00

The puffins are still at the Wick, but only for a couple more weeks. Last night there were hundreds, running around all over, squabbling between themselves and wheeling about in the sky. It was very easy to take photos and a quick film too. You'd think that I would have enough puffin photos by now after four months on the island but it's very easy to take lots more, they are just so photogenic.

Nights have been busy with Manx shearwaters. The cloudy weather has been perfect for them to sneak past the hungry gulls. Last week I went out at about eleven pm to see them come in to land, it was very very dark and raining quite heavily but it didn't put the birds off. I even had to duck a couple of times as they swooped past my head, it was very exciting listening to their eerie calls as they found their way back to the burrow and the hungry chick waiting inside.
If you would like to experience the shearwaters returning at night we still have spaces available in our overnight accommodation. There are rooms available in August, September and October from only £25 per person per night in August and only £20 pppn in September and October. Click here for a link to our bookings page

If you would like to see a shearwater during the day, pop into the visitor's centre at the Old Farm and have a look at the burrow camera. The chick in burrow 1 has hatched now and just be seen next to the adult bird, look for a grey fluffball. We also have footage recorded in previous years so that you can be certain to see a chick.
The egg in burrow 2 fared less well and didn't hatch, but it has still been interesting to watch the activity in the burrow with sexton beetles busy burying the dead egg.

Sexton beetle and egg

The beetle is in the lower right side of the photo and has bright orange patches on its back. Sexton beetles (also known as burying beetles) are really useful as they tidy up dead animals, burying carcasses underground to lay their eggs in.

July and August have been good for butterflies and moths, small copper butterflies and hummingbird hawk moths are my personal favourites, look for them around the sea campion at the cliffs and honeysuckle at the landing point.

Small copper butterfly

That's all for now,

Amy Corton

Birds list June to early July

2010-07-17T14:00:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone,

Plenty of wildlife out and about on the reserve this month.

Skomer Wildlife Highlights June to July 2010

Up to 95 Canada geese seen on North Pond and plenty of goslings

A brood of 9 shelduck chicks on North Pond at the start of June, and in North Haven later on

Shoveler chicks seen on North Pond

Teal ducklings seen on the 15^th June

Pheasant present on the island and chicks seen from the 22^nd June

Fulmar chicks seen on the cliffs from the 1^st July

Manx shearwater chicks hatching, large rafts of birds seen in St Brides Bay in the early evening

Storm petrels present on the island

Gannets diving for fish on windy days

Juvenile cormorants seen on The Amos

Shag seen regularly around the coast with juveniles on the Garland Stone

5 little egret at Moory Mere on the 8^th June

2 grey heron flying over on the 8^th June and 4 seen over North Haven on the 5^th July, mobbed by gulls

Buzzard commonly seen around island, mobbed by jackdaw at Bull Hole

Peregrine juveniles at High Cliff throughout June and early July

Moorhen with chicks at Moory Mere

Oystercatcher breeding, lots of large chicks at the end of June and early July

Curlew with chicks at the start of June

Lesser black-back, greater black-back and herring gull chicks seen all over the island

Kittiwake with large chicks seen at the Wick, Bull Hole and High Cliff

Guillemot and razorbill chicks on cliff ledges. Starting to fledge from mid June

Puffins bringing fish in for chicks, large chicks exercising at burrow entrances

Several racing pigeons seen at the Old Farm. Please do not feed the pigeons!

Wood pigeon and collared dove seen all over the island

Little owl with large chicks seen on rocks on the way to the farm from North Haven
Short eared owl juveniles seen amongst bracken near Captain Kites rock, seen less

commonly
towards July

One swift at the Wick on 1^st June

Skylark singing all over the island

Swallow breeding in the Old Farm, juveniles flying from start of July

House martin at the start of June

Meadow and rock pipits seen regularly

Pied wagtail breeding at the Old Farm, juveniles seen in the courtyard

Wren and dunnock heard singing regularly

A black redstart on the 2^nd June

Wheatear breeding around the coast, juveniles seen from early July

Blackbirds seen around island, juveniles at Old Farm

Sedgewarbler and whitethroat singing in elder and bramble

Family groups of chough seen around Wick and Mew Stone

Groups of raven at The Amos and Bull Hole

Juvenile magpie at the start of July

Up to 70 jackdaw at North Pond in elder

Carrion crow seen regularly

Occasional chaffinch around Old Farm

Small flocks of goldfinch juveniles at thistles behind farm in early July

Linnet around Old Farm at the end of June

Pairs of reed bunting around the island

Invertebrates

Dark green fritillary, red admiral, small copper, large white, painted lady, small tortoiseshell, ringlet, greyling and meadow brown butterfly on sunny days

Cinnabar, burnet and hummingbird hawk moth seen during the day

Fox moth caterpillars

Glow worms at night amongst the bracken

Marine life

Seals seen at the Garland Stone, Pig Stone Bay and North Haven

Jellyfish seen from the landing at North Haven

Porpoise seen at the entrance to North Haven and one calf on the 14^th June

What to look out for in July

Waders sightings increase as birds begin return passage, look out for dunlin, whimbrel, curlew, green sandpiper, common sandpiper, purple sandpiper, greenshank, turnstone and lapwing.

Most razorbill, guillemot and puffin will have left by the end of the month, the odd few hanging around on cliffs or on the water.

Fulmar chicks seen more often as they grow bigger and parents cease brooding them. Kittiwake chicks ready to fledge by the middle/end of the month. Willow warbler and chiffchaff start passing through in small numbers.

As well as the usual butterflies look out for - wall brown, gatekeeper, grayling and humming-bird hawk-moths.

Seal numbers increase at haul out sites by the end of the month. More sightings of common dolphin and chance of seeing sunfish.

Pufflings

2010-07-09T16:33:00.001+01:00

With all the amazing birdlife on the island I sometimes forget about the other animals, so I though I would share this picture of some shrew babies we found in Jerry's vegetable garden under a plank. They were absolutely tiny, pink squiggling blobs tucked away in this cosy nest. We quickly replaced the board so that the adult shrew could get back to them.

Shrew babies

The puffin chicks (or pufflings) are getting larger every day and over the past couple of weeks we have been ringing them. It's quite hard to get the chicks out of the burrows, and involves lying on the cliff tops with an arm in a burrow up to the shoulder feeling around for a small squishy lump. This could be a puffin chick or a pile of puffling poo! Each burrow contains just one chick, and sometimes an angry parent.

Extracting the pufflings

Puffin burrows can be two or three feet long and sometimes bend around which makes it difficult to reach the chicks. Often there can be more than one passageway in the burrow and so finding the chick takes a bit of practise.

Puffling

This little chap was too small to ring, the ring would have slipped over the foot and been lost so we put him back down the burrow. If you look at the end of the beak you can see the egg tooth which was used to chip away at the inside of the egg when hatching.

The majority of chicks were large enough to ring, we also measured the length of their wings and weighed them.

Fitting a metal ring to a large puffling

Pufflings leave the island about 34 to 44 days after hatching and make their way out to sea. The birds will not usually return to the island until they are two years old and will not begin to breed until four or five. The typical lifespan of a puffin is between fifteen and twenty years.

That's all for now,

Amy Corton

Assistant Warden

Volunteers "monitor" Shearwaters

2010-07-03T13:30:00.004+01:00

This week there have been a lot of people related activities so I felt it timely that we should go out and check on the Manx Shearwaters. These birds are un gamely on land but when close up and out at sea they really are at their best. Using their long wings they can pick up air currents created over the surface of the sea and pockets of updraft created by the rolling sea. The big swell has meant great views can be had from island or just off-shore. The rolling sea also meant the boat driver (me) could not really relax! The reason why the Manxies gather in rafts before coming on the island has several possible explanations. Firstly, rafting is a social activity (like Starlings) and it does look like fun. Secondly, a lot of birds may have been away from the colony foraging for food and have travelled a long way and are just too early to come ashore. The birds are waiting for darkness to fall before attempting to return to the burrow to feed a chick or change over with the partner who may be incubating.

Must dash to the landing now to count all the day trippers back off the island. Not something that should be rushed! So far we have had no strandees.

Other wildlife news - Guillemot chicks are taking their first leaps from the cliffs. Pufflings are starting to poke their heads out of the burrows (mainly in the evening) and Short Eared Owl chicks are looking quite adult like and exploring further affield (making them a bit less reliable to spot!). Plenty of Peregrine chick sightings at High Cliff. Young Chough are also seen daily.

Chris
Skomer Warden

Few too many Northely winds for this time of year!

2010-06-14T10:59:00.003+01:00

Skomer has been running at full steam ahead with lots of day trippers and sometimes all 250 tickets being sold out for the island by 9.30am. The Puffins have been spectacular lately with plenty of chicks needing to be fed by the parents. This week just gone though has been a bit quiet on the boat front due to lots of cancelled sailing.

The first two weeks of June is also a busy time for the field work. As part of the JNCC Seabird Monitoring Programme we are carrying out our whole island counts and study plot counts. This can be done from the land but also from the sea. The boat counts sound appealing but two hours on a boat staring through binoculars can be the test of anybodys stomach. The whole island counts have been tricky this week due to the Northerly winds (we can't launch our boat) which do not seem to be shifting.

The researchers are also extremly busy trying to recatch geolocators. Geolocators are small devices attached to a ring on a birds leg. The device records sunrise and sunset (against time) and from this you can roughly work out the location. The devices were depoloyed on the birds last year and we are looking forward to working out the winter behaviour and important feeding areas of several species including Razorbill, Kittiwake, Guillemot and Fulmar. The Manx Shearwater research also continues.

Bird highlights include up to 4 Black Tailed Godwits on North Pond/Moorey Mere.

Chris
Skomer Warden

Shag ringing expedition

2010-06-03T16:08:00.000+01:00

Friday was a warm, calm day with a slight breeze. Perfect for a trip over to nearby Middleholm for a spot of shag chick ringing.
We set off in the early evening after the day trip boats had finished for the day. Using our own small inflatable boat we left North Haven and stopped off at Martin's Haven to pick up Steve and Anna Sutcliffe, Wendy, Richard and Paul; our expert ringers.
Chris (the warden and taxi for the evening) dropped us off on some rocks at Middleholm and promised to be back in about two hours.

As soon as I had sat down on a rock after getting off the boat a gull pebbledashed me with droppings, all down my back and in my hair. A good start to the adventure and an inkling of what was to come over the next couple of hours.

We split into two teams and set off in different directions around the island. The island is pretty small but very steep in places and the vegetation is much springier and taller than on Skomer. This is due to the absence of rabbits on the island. After a bout of myxomatosis in the 50's all the rabbits on Middleholm died out. Skomer, only one hundred meters away across the channel wasn't as badly affected and the rabbits survived.

Following Anna, Wendy and Richard around the north side of the island we quickly came across our first shag nest. The nest was fairly substantial and built from large pieces of grass and sticks, tucked into a recess at the bottom of a small crag. The chicks backed into a corner and squawked noisily, their parent having quickly flown away.

Anna explained that the chicks would try and peck at your eyes if you were handling them so to be very careful and grip them firmly. Their sharp pointy beaks looked like they could do some damage so we kept our faces well back from them. Pecking isn't the only form of defence that the chicks employ: squirting half a pint of stinking watery poo up your arm is also pretty effective!

A few of us have our trainee ringing licenses so we were able to practise ringing the chicks under supervision. Kneeling in bird poo at the side of the nest I gently pulled the nearest chick's leg out from under it and fixed the ring about it's leg. The rings are small, metal and silver coloured with a unique code printed onto them. It takes a bit of practise to get used to applying enough force to the ring with the pliers, but after a couple of chicks I was more confident.

Some chicks were too small to ring, and some were just out of the egg. It was hard to believe that they would be large birds within a few weeks. At first they are very small and completely bald. The fluffy down develops quickly and eventually proper feathers start to sprout.

On average there were three chicks in each nest. Some nests were inaccessible, situated on cliff faces so we marked these in our notebook. Part of our work on the island was to carry out a count of nest sites. Shags will also nest in caves and cracks in the rock which can be difficult to spot. One nest was tucked away in a small hole but luckily Wendy fancied a bit of potholing and so with a bit of assistance from Richard we were able to ring the chicks.

At the end of the day we had ringed 79 chicks, and I was covered in stinky seabird poo. Chris came to pick us up and we took a quick detour on the way back to North Haven to see the raft of shearwaters out on the sea. It was an amazing sight to see so many birds at once gliding over the sea, and a lovely end to a great evening.

Amy Corton, Assistant Warden.
To find out more about bird ringing visit www.bto.org.uk

Fantastic weather and special birds.

2010-05-24T09:57:00.005+01:00

Announcement first: Skokholm now has its own blog at http://skokholm.blogspot.com/
The often-overlooked, smaller island, also managed by The Wildlife Trust, is currently closed to overnight guests and only has a handful of day trips out there each year. But lots of people have been asking about the place, in particular many Skomer regulars who have yet to get out there. So the new blog is for everyone to keep track of what's going on across the water.

Skokholm: like Skomer but smaller and quieter.

Although Skomer often seems to have an independent weather system from the rest of the country it appears we have been equally fortunate regarding the sun over the weekend. This was preceeded by a few days of mist and heavy sea fog rolling in and out, during which time our researchers had trouble seeing birds on the cliffs, let alone reading their ring numbers.

The office in North Haven appearing and disappearing as the fog rolls in and out.

But then on Friday it all cleared away and we were left with flat calm seas and brilliant sunshine. Just in time my wetsuit arrived so I've been off swimming with puffins. The sea's cold but not too bad and so clear it's just too tempting.

The island's been really busy, with full boatloads and tickets selling out so the message is; if you want to visit Skomer be at Martin's Haven early.

There's still birds moving through and the last few days have seen a Hobby fly straight over North Haven, up to five Red Kites getting a tough time off the gulls and, the real highlight, a Bluethroat.

Bluethroat photo: Ben Dean

This spectacular little bird, blown off course en route to Scandinavia, showed brilliantly for about an hour before disappearing almost right under our noses.

Here's to more sun and birds.

Jerry Gillham.

One nest, two nests, three nests, four...

2010-05-19T10:52:00.006+01:00

Gull counting galore on the islands at the moment; researcher Mike spent last week walking the forbidden paths of Skomer counting lesser black-backed gulls and in the last few days we have been walking back and forth through a selected few colonies to get a (hopefully) precise number of nests.

Gull counters ready for action (l-r): Chris, Jerry, Jonathan, Mike, Andy, Jonathan, Lyn, Nancy (standing) Amy, Simon, Geoff (kneeling).

These can be quite long days requiring a surprising amount of concentration just to remember a few numbers, but it’s great to be out on the reserve, appreciating the spread of the bluebells as you regretfully trample through them, finding the occasional oystercatcher or short-eared owl nest.

Working hard on those counts.

Last week I was over on Skokholm along with Andy, our Long-Term Volunteer, and six others, doing a similar job. Only with angrier gulls, where it is essential to wear old clothes and a wide brimmed hat.

Skokholm Gull counters (l-r): John, Phil (standing) Wendy, Steve, Andy, Sam, Irene, Jerry.

Whilst over on Skokholm we had plenty of other work to be getting on with; there was a day trip on the Monday as thirty visitors, some of whom had been waiting three or four years to get there, managed a day in the sun. Before that we had been preparing for them by re-marking overgrown paths and scrubbing algae off the jetty.

A lot of clearing, cleaning and tidying went on the whole week. Repairing winter-damage, painting window frames and doors and emptying a storage hut of what felt like a decade’s worth of containers. I’d like to thank all that weeks volunteers for their tireless enthusiasm, good humour and feeding myself and Andy so well that every meal since then feels like a disappointment.

Contemplating the removal of all those empty containers.

Jerry Gillham.
Assistant Warden for Skomer and Skokholm.

The Northerly winds have broken...for now.

2010-05-12T22:46:00.003+01:00

Great news, after 10 days of no boat trips it looks like the island is open again. The past week has been a chilly one full of northerly winds.

The absence of day visitors has given the island volunteers and staff a chance to catch up on lots of small jobs from painting, deep cleaning the compost loos (nice!), repainting signs and monitoring. In particular we have been joining the field assistant, Julia, in her work. This involves checking pairs of guillemots and razorbills for eggs. This all helps to build a picture of guillemot and razorbill productivity and contributing to a data set going back to the 1970s. Thanks for all your help.

This work has been greatly improved by a donation made to the island from a visitor to Lockley Lodge last week. We are very grateful to them for donating an Opticron Mighty Midget telescope and two nice pairs of binoculars. The scope has already been used for monitoring and the binoculars will be kept aside particularly for use by the volunteers. Please get in touch if this was you - it would be nice to say thanks personally.

Other highlights this week - bluebells are emerging and will be best over the next week and a half. Grasshopper warbler, whitethroats, sedge warblers are all singing. Guillemots and Razorbills on eggs and now always seen on the cliffs. Puffins will also be laying shortly.

Chris Taylor
Skomer Warden
07971 114302

Space for a volunteer (8th - 15th May) and volunteers T-shirts.

2010-05-05T16:34:00.004+01:00

Anybody free this week?

We have space for a FEMALE volunteer from 8th - 15th May. Please get in touch on the number below if your are interested.

By popular demand (and with help from the volunteer contribution) we now have T-shirts for volunteers to wear around the Island. The T-shirts have the Wildlife Trust Logo and a strap line saying "Skomer Volunteer"......These T-shirts are also available to buy! The T-shirts are various sizes (representing the various shapes of all volunteers!!) and are washed every week.

Interesting birds lately include Marsh Harrier and Wood Warbler.

Chris Taylor
07971 114302

Out of the mist...

2010-04-28T21:02:00.002+01:00

As the mist comes and goes, something has materialised from nothing.

As Amy mentioned yesterday, Skomer Island has been an artist's haven this week.

This time lapse video shows the sculpture that she told you about being created from driftwood and scrap metal salvaged from South Haven and from around the Old Farm:

And here is David (far right) with his sons who helped create the piece, Adam and Luke. For more of David's work, go to his website http://www.davidgosling.com/.

I know everyone on the island is really pleased with the result. Thanks to David, Adam and Luke!

You will find the sculpture outside the Old Farm on Skomer. I hope you can come and see it soon.

Jonathan

Visitor Services Officer

2010-04-26T18:16:00.000+01:00

Collecting driftwood in the fog at South Haven

Hi everyone,

It's been really foggy out here on the island for the past two days. I'm only just able to see over to Ramsey Island and this morning I could hardly see the other side of North Haven. The oil tankers in the fog looked pretty spooky.
Believe it or not it's been a nice change from sunny but windy days we've been enjoying for the past few weeks. We had a bit of rain on Saturday night and all the plants appreciated it. My lettuces have started sprouting and I saw a bluebell flower this morning.

Work begins on the sculpture at the Old Farm

We've got some artists staying on the island this week; Dave Gosling and his sons Luke and Adam are constructing a sculpture made from driftwood and other materials found on the beach at South Haven. The sculpture will be situated just in front of the courtyard at the Old Farm. At the moment they are still working on it but I'll put a picture of it up when it's finished.

Linda's studio on Skomer

Linda Norris is currently working on the island, doing some research for new artwork. Linda has been visiting the island for the last seventeen years. You can see some of her work at http://www.linda-norris.com/

There's lots going on at the moment and it looks like it will be an interesting week, the puffins and shearwaters should be laying fairly soon too.

Bye for now,

Amy Corton, Assistant Warden.

Diverse new arrivals.

2010-04-19T17:00:00.013+01:00

There's been a few new arrivals on Skomer in the last few days.

First up was a shiny new generator. With all the sunshine we're having at the moment we've not been short of power but we'd be foolishly optimistic to expect that to last all summer. It only takes a few overcast days and we're down to electricity rationing. So this will solve any power problems.

Getting anything of its size onto the island was always going to be interesting, and so Friday evening found a group of spectators watching the following sequence of events unfold.

The Dale Princess and Lady Helen pull into North Haven amidst a raft of puffins. The generator is winched onto a floating pontoon.

The pontoon is cut adrift and pulled close enough to the shore that generator trailer can be attached to the tractor.

Then is towed very slowly up the track.

That's not only island arrival that's impressed us as there's been a few migrant birds dropping in. Dunlin and Whimbrel, a few Redstarts, two pairs of Ring Ouzel and, probably most admired, a Hoopoe that's been spending today walking up and down the paths searching for invertebrates in the short grass.

We'll keep our eyes open for more.

Jerry.
Assistant Warden.

2010-04-16T17:34:00.000+01:00

Another lovely day on the island, the wind has dropped a bit so we've had some visitors today. All the seabirds were behaving themselves and posing on the cliffs for photographs, with the guillemots and razorbills squeezing onto the ledges at High Cliff. It was lovely to hear them all trumpeting away on the rocks. There were at least 1600 guillemots on The Amos at the south west (counted by Katherine our guillemot researcher). The kittiwakes were loud today too, not to be outdone by the auks.

Hebrew Character moth

As it was less windy last night, I set the moth trap at the back of the farmhouse and caught some little beauties. I'm just learning my moths so it was great to see some new ones.

Pris and Bridget hard at work

We've all been busy with Jerry building some new boardwalk at the muddy patch near Moory Mere hide and our volunteers re-painting the sightings boards at the landing.

Bye for now,

Amy Corton, Assistant Warden

Skokholm, Helicopters and Researchers

2010-04-14T12:17:00.005+01:00

As it was sunny and calm on Monday we decided it would be a good day to get across to Skokholm. Partly to scrub a load of seaweed and algae off the jetty so we'll be able to land a work party there next month, partly to see what was going on there bird-wise and partly to allow new staff Amy and Jonathan to see the place.

Despite the sun there was much evidence of how wet it has been the last few weeks as full streams and muddy slopes made the cliff edges a little more perilous than usual. There was plenty of bird life from late-nesting Ravens to migrant Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Blackcap as well as the sixteen White Fronted Geese that have been moving around this part of Pembrokeshire for a few months now.

As we topped the rise near the lighthouse we watched a low flying helicopter with growing interest as we realised it was coming in to land right in front of us. Two Trinity House employees unloaded and as they went to open the lighthouse we went to introduce ourselves; I think we were all equally surprised to see other people on a supposedly closed and deserted island.

"Can we go up the lighthouse?" Amy unashamedly asked. They kindly agreed and while they sorted out the power we excitedly climbed the spiral staircase, having been told 'don't touch any moving parts'. The view from the top was great, not just of the island and the surroundings but of the light itself. We're grateful to the good-natured employees of Trinity House for the opportunity.

Charlotte, Amy, Jonathan and Jerry play at being lighthouse keepers.

On our return to Skomer we picked up Julia, our new Field Assistant, and a new Guillemot researcher, Katherine arrived on the boat yesterday. As the tide came in and the wind swung round to the north yesterday the sea got quite choppy on our jetty and through Jack Sound. It looked like our departing day visitors had an exciting journey back. Unfortunately, northerly winds bring the waves crashing right onto our jetty so we've not been able to land any visitors today. A shame when it's otherwise so nice but I don't think it'll last long.

The last few days on Skomer have seen a build up in the number of small warblers, decent passage of Swallows, Sand and House Martins and a few Hen Harriers hanging around North Valley. Peacock butterflies are being seen regularly as are over 100 seals hanging around North Haven. One of our volunteers spotted an Emporer moth while yesterday I was distracted in the middle of one introductory talk by a Sand Lizard appearing behind the island map.

Jerry Gillham.
Assistant Warden for Skomer and Skokholm.

It's all GO on Skomer

2010-04-09T09:27:00.003+01:00

What a difference a few days makes. We're out and about in shorts and t-shirts welcoming boatloads of day trippers, the overnight accommodation is practically full and the island looks a different place.

I had a day off yesterday, back on the mainland for the first time in over a month. Nothing exciting, just a massive shopping expedition but we did find time for a pint and an ice cream.

We returned to find almost all the seabirds back on the cliffs while the puffins are gathering nesting material; pulling up dead bits of bracken and campion and dragging them into their burrows.

There are chiffchaffs and willow warbers in practically every bush and the blackbirds and wrens are singing loudly. There were several groups of porpoise spotted round the island too.

Long may this continue.

Jerry.
Assistant Warden.

Hello from Amy and Jonathan, on a wet and windy island!

2010-04-06T17:25:00.000+01:00

Amy Corton, Assistant Warden and
Jonathan Parsons, Visitor Services Officer

Hello, I thought I'd introduce myself. My name is Amy Corton, I'm the new Assistant Warden on Skomer Island. I'm really excited about working here for the summer and seeing how the island changes throughout the season.

I've been here for just over a week now and I've been exploring the island and getting used to how everything works. I've not been put off by the bad weather (yet!) but I have been wearing four fleeces at the same time to keep warm.

The island seems much bigger than it actually is; there are so many different paths around and so much to see. Yesterday, I took the history trail from the path which leads to the Garland Stone and enjoyed looking at the ancient wall lines, field boundaries and prehistoric hut foundations. This is the best time of year to look at the history of the island, before the bracken and vegetation grows up and obscures much of it.

At the cliffs I think my favourite bird is the fulmar, gliding stiff-winged across the waves or riding the air currents coming up from the sea I think they really look like they are enjoying themselves.

Hopefully the weather will improve and we'll have some visitors soon!

Amy
Assistant Warden

My name is Jonathan and I am the Visitor Services Officer for 2010. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to welcome any overnight guests to the island so far. As Jerry reported the other day, the weather is against us.

As the season continues, I am looking forward to helping visitors to enjoy Skomer around the clock. The Manx Shearwaters have been particularly active over the last few nights, the only way you can see them is to stay the night.

If you are interested in an overnight visit to Skomer, please check the trust website for details of how to book and current availability.

But, please don't think I haven't been kept busy! There has been lots of jobs on the island for all of the staff and volunteers to get stuck into.

Hoping to see you on the island soon.

Jonathan
Visitor Services Officer

From the Muddy Banks of Pembrokeshire

2010-04-03T16:21:00.010+01:00

This bank holiday weekend should have seen the opening of Skomer for day trippers and overnight visitors, but apparently that would be asking too much of the good old British weather.

The sea around the Garland Stone last Wednesday.
The swell is still stopping visitor boats getting out.

It feels like it's been raining non-stop for a fortnight while the wind's been doing its best blow us off the island completely. It's been cold enough that I've stood by the back of the fridge to warm up, and we've more mud than we know what to do with (suggestions welcome). Yet the sun's out this morning and suddenly spring seems here - swallows are hawking over the ponds, the gulls are courting and mating, and I wore shorts for a few hours (a little optimistically as it turned out there were rain clouds lurking).

All these delays have given us plenty of time to get ready for visitors; the overnight accommodation is sparkling, the hides are looking healthy and we've spent ages trying to maintain the footpaths. In places this has added to the amount of mud so we've had to go back and put temporary boardwalk over patches. Even so, the best advice I can give to anyone planning on visiting Skomer in the next few weeks is bring your wellies.

Volunteers working hard laying boardwalks, demolishing walls and painting hides.

When the weather's settled there's puffins on the land and guillemots on the cliffs. The last few nights have seen the moon rise later and a massive increase in the number and volume of shearwaters. It's all getting very exciting.

So we'll continue getting everything ready and will hopefully see some visitors soon.

Jerry Gillham.

Assistant Warden for Skomer and Skokholm.