Island Update: April on Skomer

Somehow, we are into May already! Take a look back at what we got up to in April with our new long-term volunteers, Huia and Mike.

Early April update - Huia

Spring is well underway and so are things out here on Skomer. Our first visitors arrived on the 29th of March to an island bustling with activity. The Auks and Fulmars are coming and going as they find their land legs after spending the winter at sea. Many of our land birds are busy collecting nest material and we have seen a host of rarities pass through on migration. The sunny days are slowly becoming more frequent and the island is starting to dry out a little as Skomer's wettest spring on record continues.

We have made the most of the breaks in the weather to get the island ready for the busy season ahead. At the end of March we had a work party arrive along with our first weekly volunteers of the season and our new long-term volunteers. Everyone got stuck into it through mud, rain, hail and fog. The week was spent getting the farm and paths shipshape and the work party did a marvellous job replacing the boardwalk at Moorey Mere.

The new Moorey Mere boardwalk

Hostel guests are back and so are busy morning changeovers

A pair of Razorbills enjoying the sun

The birds have been very busy. We have greater numbers of Guillemot and Razorbills on the cliffs each week. The Puffins have been clearing out their burrows and taking in fresh nest material. Our Chough have been seen displaying their breeding behaviour known as quivering and we are starting to locate their nest sites. Shags and Ravens are already on their nests and as the days get longer the night time chorus of Manx Shearwaters grows ever louder.

Due to the poor weather we only managed to do one Puffin count this season giving us our 2024 total of 41,605. While this number is slightly down on last year's count we are not concerned because we weren't able to do our normal two to three counts, because they have to happen on calm sunny days.

A Puffin taking nest material back to its burrow

Bluebells along the track to the Garland Stone

It won't be long before the island is carpeted in bright colours. The bluebells are already in bloom, the bracken is starting to wake up and the thrift and red campion are beginning to add their beautiful pink shades to the landscape. Despite the ever persistent wind a few butterflies have found a calm moment to emerge bringing the promise of summer with them.

A Peacock butterfly who managed to stay out of the wind

Morning fog sitting low over North Valley

The LTVs Huia and Mike looking for Three-lobed Water-crowfoot

Three-lobed Water-crowfoot is the rarest species of Water-crowfoot in the UK. This mud loving species of buttercup favours disturbed ground often on the edges of puddles and small streams trampled by livestock. Our LTVs set out with Assistant Warden Ceris for an annual Water-crowfoot hunt and much to our surprise we found a staggering eight plants growing in the trampled ground around the Wick Stream. A fantastic result!

Three-lobed Water-crowfoot, we found it!

The Farm looking very spooky in the mist

The island has spent many days this spring hidden from sight beneath a blanket of thick sea fog.

Sea fog sitting over North Haven

Watching the sunset over North Valley

Late April update - Mike

All in all it has been a very wild start to the season, with high winds making it difficult to get on and off the island and waterlogged paths making it a very muddy business moving around on the island. It's fair to say we are getting on with it and not letting a bit of rain stop us from enjoying all the wonders this little piece of Pembrokeshire has to offer. Skomer life is picking up pace now as we prepare for 'seabird season'. We have had (aside from a few bad weather days) a constant stream of visitors and volunteers, keen to explore and appreciate our wonderful island, and especially in calm weather moments Skomer has looked magical. 

We are not the only ones being kept on our toes; late April is an extremely busy time for our birds, as nest building and courting gets underway.  As I write this, we have proof of nesting from species including Ravens to Swallows, and Peregrines to Wheatears.  All 3 of our Auk species are breeding at the moment and we have seen Guillemots and Razorbill eggs which we are very excited about! 

A view down to North Haven in the sun

Our first Razorbill egg!

This amazing photo was taken by Molly, one of our researchers.  Alongside volunteers, staff and visitors we have academics and students from across the country staying with us to study and monitor our seabirds, and this time of year is busy for them too, as we now have some of our largest aggregations of seabirds on our cliffs.  Key species for research are Guillemots and Manx Shearwaters, and our teams are up at all hours of the day and night to monitor these enigmatic birds.  The 'Manxies' as we call them are streaming in in vast numbers now, and beginning to breed which is lovely to see.  

To our visitors' delight, the puffins are back in huge numbers right across the south coast of the island and are as inquisitive as ever.  We recently have had our first report of a puffin carrying sand eels too, a favourite fish dinner to serve to their chicks! 

A Puffin posing for the camera at sunset

Our weekly volunteers have been busy over the last few weeks cutting back vegetation in preparation for the inevitable bracken growth spurt in the coming months.  They have also started our citizen science surveys on reptiles and cetaceans which will be continued throughout the spring and summer. They have loved finding slow worms, toads, frogs and Skomer voles under our refugia and observing common dolphins and harbour porpoise from the coast.

A Skomer Vole, our only endemic mammal

Harbour Porpoise, taken by a weekly volunteer

The island is now bursting with colour, as our wildflowers are reaching their peak, Red Campion and Bluebells complementing each other perfectly in our fields. 

To conclude, April has been a month of glorious sunshine, heavy rain, mist, high wind and everything in between, and a roller coaster of wildlife moments we will never forget.  Bring on May and bring on summer!

A carpet of magnificent Bluebells near the Garland Stone

A beautiful wren, singing its heart out

... And back again!

The winters are getting shorter. Certainly, that’s how it seems – as we returned to Skomer last Wednesday, it didn’t seem like three months since we had left.

After the usual fortnight of constantly checking the online forecast, we took advantage of the first available weather window, boarding Wavedancer at Neyland marina early on Wednesday morning. 

Loading the Wavedancer 

Everything but the kitchen sink!

We enjoyed… or endured… a rather choppy and very wet voyage to the island. Accompanied out of the haven by common dolphins, we made it around St Ann’s Head in sheeting rain and with an unpleasant degree of swell. More than one of us went green about the gills and one wayward jar of mango chutney was nearly lost overboard, but for some hasty action by those on deck! 

A dreich journey

Leaving Neyland

Soggy but unfazed

Skomer in sight!

At last, the island. Breakfasts miraculously having remained where they were supposed to, we were very glad to set foot on the steps once more.

Then the boxes – the bags – the tins of paint – the guttering – the brewery kit – the books – the cartons of milk – the tarpaulins – the fuel cans – and, of course, the baked beans. Those 87 steps don’t get any easier… but, sustained by crème eggs, and with two additional helpers, we made it to the top. Back again – fulmars wheeling past, made curious by our presence, and seals popping their heads out of the water to inspect the boat. There we paused a moment as Wavedancer departed – just us four, now, and thousands of auks on the cliffs.

Nearly there...

Rob loads the dumper

The mainland's out there somewhere

We have become accustomed to some sort of disaster awaiting us on our return – a rockfall, missing roof tiles, broken windows or an absent satellite dish. It was therefore with an air almost of disbelief that we checked first the buildings and then the paths and cautiously pronounced that all was well. Some mould on the internal walls – to be expected – but the island has weathered the winter remarkably unscathed.

Since then, we’ve mostly been settling in, setting up the buildings, carrying out biosecurity checks, and making a start on our ever growing to-do lists.

The island has alternately been bathed in glorious sunshine and barraged by wind and rain – a tumultuous start to the season. After the wettest February on record, Skomer is sodden – the old dam at North Valley Crossing is holding back a significant amount of water, and paths have become streams in several places. Wellies are essential…

North Valley Crossing

Waterlogged

Despite the cold and the wet, it is beginning to feel like spring – daffodils are blooming in bright patches amongst the bracken, chough and shags are nest building, and ravens are already incubating at the Wick.

Guillemots on the cliffs at South Stream

A classic March view

A glorious Sunday

Oh, and this morning Leighton spotted our first puffin of the year! We haven’t seen or heard any Manxies yet, but it won’t be long.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be cleaning and painting the accommodation, improving the paths, carrying out monitoring of the early breeding species, putting the finishing touches to last year’s reports, and preparing to welcome our first visitors of the year on 29^th March. Not long now!

It’s good to be back.

-        – Ceris, Assistant Warden

North Pond with looming rain

Garland Stone in the sunshine

Long-Term Volunteering – Hear It From Them!

Two of our long-term volunteers from 2022 kindly answered a couple of questions for us about their experience of volunteering on Skomer. Don't just take it from us - listen to them!

Lira Valencia

Lira, in her new job at Walthamstow Wetlands, holding a very small spider!

When were you an LTV on Skomer? Hello everyone, my name is Lira and I was a long-term volunteer during the Autumn (July-October) on Skomer Island. 

Favourite memory/ies from Skomer? I initially applied to volunteer on Skomer island for the hands-on experience and to gain some practical conservation skills, however I soon learnt that Skomer had so much more to offer than I expected! The weather was absolutely stunning during these months which made exploring the island such a treat- I had countless unforgettable swims with puffins over my head and seals below my feet! For someone like me, who loves wildlife and nature, you could spend hours exploring the island and almost always finish the day admiring a spectacular sunset. With no shops on the island, one of the most valuable things I learnt was how to make a gooooood bread. And with the island being cut off from the mainland water supply, I also became so much more aware of water wastage and my bad habits around water usage. These are things I didn’t expect to learn but I am so grateful for- you won’t learn these things unless your living on an island like Skomer!

What are you up to now? With the help from the Skomer island team (they are incredibly supportive and helpful) I got my first job in the wildlife sector the week I arrived back home! I now work with the London Wildlife Trust as a Visitor Engagement and Volunteer ranger at Walthamstow Wetlands - the largest urban wetlands in Europe! Without the skills and confidence gained from my Skomer experience, and without the encouragement from the amazing staff, I wouldn’t have applied for my current job. Skomer island will always be a special place with some of my favourite memories ever! 

Anna Weir

Anna working on her personal project inside one of the exclosures on the island.

When were you an LTV on Skomer? I was a long-term volunteer on Skomer from July - October 2022.

Favourite memory/ies from Skomer? I loved spending last summer as an LTV on Skomer island. I have so many happy memories of my time there. I learnt so much about Skomer's wildlife and what it takes to run a small island nature reserve (delivering welcome talks, wildlife surveying and fixing signs and benches!). I enjoyed meeting volunteers and visitors, sharing golden summer evenings with the puffins, and climbing into caves to monitor the seals pups! However, my standout memory has to be the night spent assisting with the storm petrel ringing. Having a tiny storm petrel sat in my hand with Manx Shearwater flying over head and waves crashing in the background was certainly a magical and unforgettable experience.

What are you up to now? After leaving Skomer I have started a new conservation internship on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic. Here I have been assisting with a variety of conservation projects from vegetation management in the cloud forest upon Green Mountain, tagging the Endemic Ascension Frigatebird chicks, to counting Green turtle tracks and nests on the beaches. Skomer was a great stepping stone in preparing me for this internship because, whilst I'm no longer just a 10 minute boat ride away from the mainland, many aspects of island living remain similar.

For full details on the roles and how to apply for 2024, please see our website: https://www.welshwildlife.org/volunteering-opportunities/skomer-island-long-term-volunteering

 

Long-term volunteer applications for 2024 are OPEN

Long-Term Volunteers

On 1st January, applications for long-term volunteering on Skomer for 2024 go live. Our long-term volunteers form an integral part of the island team. Assisting with day-to-day running of the island and supporting the wardens, visitor officer, and field worker with visitor engagement and wildlife monitoring. Simply put – we could not run without them!

Sunset at Garland Stone © Skomer VO

We have three Long-Term Volunteer positions available in 2024:

• 2 positions Saturday 23rd March - Saturday 6th July
• 1 position Saturday 6th July - Tuesday 1st October

We also have one Seabird Monitoring Volunteer position available in 2024:

• 1 position Tuesday 21st May - Tuesday 25th June

What can I expect?

Public engagement

Skomer welcomes up to 250 visitors a day, and provides accommodation for 16 overnight guests. Staff and long-term volunteers work on a rota to deliver engaging welcome talks to visitors – sharing their favourite parts of the island, as well as any exciting updates (i.e. the first seal pup of the year hidden amongst boulders in South Haven, swallow chicks ready to fledge in the indoor picnic shelters, or a woodchat shrike calling at Moorey Mere!).

2023 LTVs Maddie and El prepare to run morning boats - © WTSWW

Long-term volunteer Eve (2022) runs afternoon boats © Skomer Assistant Warden

Additionally, we host several overnight events over the course of the year. Long-term volunteers help to run these events. These include our family friendly Shearwater Week and Young Birders’ Week.

Long-term volunteers Lira and Anna (2022) identify moths with Bee and Ed, as part of Young Birders' Week © Skomer Assistant Warden

Seasonal wildlife monitoring

Skomer is internationally important for seabirds, with over 42,000 Puffins, 30,000 Guillemots, 10,000 Razorbills and almost half the world’s population of Manx Shearwaters – a staggering 350,000 breeding pairs. The island is also home to an abundance of other wildlife, including breeding Chough, Curlew, and Peregrine, Atlantic Grey Seals and its own endemic sub-species of bank vole - Skomer Voles.

A pair of razorbills © Skomer VO

Seal pup in Pigstone Bay © Skomer VO

The team complete a Manx Shearwater census in 2023 - © WTSWW

The team are responsible for monitoring, and counting these incredible species. The latter part of May into June is a particularly important time, with our seabird counts taking place during this period. Long-term volunteers are joined by a seabird monitoring volunteer to complete our annual census of cliff nesting seabirds and Manx shearwaters. Seal monitoring takes place from August onwards, with our first pup usually being seen in the first week on the month.

We also monitoring our breeding birds, carry out butterfly transects, and set moth traps. 

Long-term volunteer Lira (2022) carries out a butterfly transect © Skomer Assistant Warden

There is always wildlife monitoring going on, and long-term volunteers get stuck in with every aspect! Additionally, there are nearly always opportunities to get involved with the work our researchers are carrying out – ranging from Manx Shearwater chick weighing, to gull chick ringing.

Long-term volunteer Becca (2021) assists with Manxie chick weighing © Becca Wanless / LTV 2021

Maintenance Skills

Living away from the mainland means that when things break there isn’t always a ‘professional’ around to fix it…the quickest way is often to do it yourself! With the support of staff, long-term volunteers assist with maintenance tasks. In 2022 this included: fixing benches, building boardwalks, repairing burrows, painting, carpentry, widening paths, etc. 

Long-term volunteers Lira and Anna (2022) prepare to fix a bench in North Haven © Skomer Assistant Warden

Training (and PPE) is provided in the use of relevant tools and equipment. Long-term volunteers are also expected to assist in the cleaning and management of visitor accommodation and facilities when required.

Memories

We admit we are likely biased, but Skomer is a pretty cool place to spend 3-months. Alongside learning new skills and living on a National Nature Reserve, you’ll get to meet and work with people from all walks of life.

Some of the team of 2023 at a dungarees and folk music social - © Skomer VO

How can I afford to volunteer?

We recognise that volunteering for an extended period of time can be tricky. Unfortunately, for many early career conservationists this balancing act can be too much. We’ve been working to make volunteering on Skomer more accessible, and offer the following benefits:

• Free accommodation (including bills) for the duration
• Travel expenses to and from Skomer (from within the UK)
• Training budget - may include brushcutter, first aid course or Powerboat Level 2
• £350 bursary for LTVs and £250 bursary for Seabird Monitoring Volunteer is also available from the Friends of Skokholm and Skomer upon completion of a report which will be included in their newsletter.

Please note, all expenses must be claimed back through the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. We are unable to pay for travel or parking upfront.

Interested in applying? Apply here.

Please note that the deadline for LTV applications is 23:59 on Sunday 28th January 2024 and for Seabird Monitoring Volunteer applications the deadline is 23:59 on Tuesday 13th February. For any queries regarding long-term volunteering, please email skomer.volunteer@welshwildlife.org. 

We look forward to receiving your application. Pob lwc!

Rob, Skomer VO.

David Saunders MBE

We are sad to report the passing of David Saunders MBE in October 2023. David moved to Pembrokeshire in 1960 and was appointed first warden of Skomer Island, when it was declared a National Nature Reserve. He worked on the Island for seven years, with his wife and two children. David’s passion for seabirds then led him to help lead Operation Seafarer (the first national seabird census of 1969–1970), which provided the first comprehensive account of the numbers and distribution of seabirds around the coasts of Britain and Ireland. He was the director of the West Wales Naturalists Trust from 1976 to 1994. The West Wales Naturalists Trust was a fore-runner of The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. Later, David was known for his writing and lectures. He spent a number of years lecturing on cruise ships and across the counties of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. He was the author of number of books focused on seabirds and bird watching. His book "Where to Watch Birds in Wales" has recently been printed in its 5th edition. He continued to be a regular contributor to a number of publications. 

Photo credit: SEWBReC – Mary Gillham Archive Project -  https://www.peoplescollection.wales/items/698551

David was awarded the MBE in 2003 for "Services to Wildlife Conservation in Wales", and in 2014 was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Welsh Ornithological Society. David was determined to help the Wildlife Trusts in Wales to work together more effectively and he helped set up quarterly meetings at Gregynog Hall to coordinate responses to All Wales consultations from the Welsh Office and others. Each Wildlife Trust was represented by one trustee and one staff member. 

David led the campaign to save Carmel Woods from being quarried, which led to the discovery of the only Welsh Turlough [seasonal water body with specialist fauna]. The Grasslands Trust owned the site, and then Nature Resources Wales bought it when the Grasslands Trust went into administration and it is now leased by us. It is comforting to think of the fact that one of our best nature reserves in Carmarthenshire is ours because David helped to save it all those years ago. 

After leaving the West Wales Wildlife Trust, David kept in close contact with staff. Nigel Ajax-Lewis first met him in the mid 1970s through Cardiff University, and was still in contact during the pandemic, when they corresponded about the bird interest of Aberthaw for his latest book on where to watch birds. He maintained a passionate interest in Skomer and Skokholm Islands and was in regular email contact with me, and in close contact with the Friends of the Islands. David is survived by his wife Shirley, children Robert, Rachel and Catherine, grandchildren Rhys, Huw, Sian, Owen, Eve, William and Emily and great grandson Leo. The family have asked that if you wish to mark his passing, donations can be made in his memory to The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales at: https://www.welshwildlife.org/donate