The new Skomer Warden

The new season approaches and this year there will be a new Warden on Skomer. Chris Taylor has been appointed as the new Skomer Warden and will be starting work in the middle of February. Chris worked on Skomer as an Assistant Warden in 2008 and as an Assistant Warden on Skokholm in 2007, so if you visited the islands then you may well have already met him.

Chris Taylor - the new Skomer Warden

Skomer will open to the public on April 1st (April fools anyone..?!) until October 31st. The island will be open every day except Mondays, although it will be open on Bank Holiday Mondays. The island will be closed for the annual bird count from May 18the to 20th inclusive.

For more information about visiting the islands, booking an overnight stay or volunteering on Skomer please visit our website www.welshwildlife.org

A new chapter

A Tale of Two Islands

The end of this 'Island adventure story' draws near for myself and my husband Dave as we have decided that after nearly six years on the Pembrokeshire islands it is time to return to life on the mainland. The next chapter is set to begin very soon as recruitment for a new Warden and Assistant Warden is well under way (please visit our website for further details http://www.welshwildlilfe.org/)

Having lived and worked on both Skomer and Skokholm we feel blessed to have seen them through every season. From chilled, still, spring mornings to the buzzing hustle and bustle of the seabird summers and the crashing violence of autumn storms. People always ask which our favourite island is and the truth is that we love them both. With the peace and simplicity of Skokholm and the bustle and breathtaking seabird colonies of Skomer, both islands have their own character and appeal.

After six unforgettable seasons on the islands we have packed up and shipped our belongings off for the last time. We are moving on to new challenges and adventures on the mainland. 2010 will see a new Warden and Assistant Warden on Skomer and I wish them as many memorable times as we have been lucky to share.

A very wet and wild departure day. Dave and Jo Milborrow and Dave Boyle (researcher)

Jo Milborrow
Skomer Warden (but not for much longer!)