Another fine day at Fowlsheugh today. We popped down to do a bit of annual maintenance and the sunny weather lasted all day for us. The new observation shelter is now unlocked and available to use. It was the first time I had seen it fully completed and we think we have possibly built the best building on an RSPB reserve. We hope you enjoy it too.
The seabird season is now really in full swing, incuding that all too familiar smell. You may have seen on other websites that some sites have had record breaking egg laying dates. We already have quite a few guillemot and razorbill eggs, but I can’t comment on whether they are early or not as I don’t visit the site regularly enough in April or May. We will have to wait for the first chicks to appear. I did also note one or two kittiwake eggs and these are certainly early:
2010 9th May
2009, 21st May
2008 22nd May
However, most of the kittiwakes are still at the nest building stage. So, not too long before we have to start our annual seabird monitoring programme..a busy but the best time of year.
The reserve is also bursting into colour..big patches of pink, red campion and small patches of thrift, plus the scurvy grass white flowers are out across the length of the cliffs. The gorse which by now is usually a blaze of yellow is really struggling; much of it is still looking almost dead...still suffering from the effects of a bad winter!
We are on the reserve again on Sunday for another Dolphin Watch with Ian Sim form Stonehaven Dolphin Research Trust. 12 to 4 based around the observation shelter. Please come along to say hi and enjoy the reserve and shelter.
And then..from next week....back by popular demand our annual programme of guided “pick out a puffin” guided walks. Flick over to the main website page for full details and how to book.
Hopefully see you Sunday...fingers crossed for good weather.
great photos..thanks goes to our current residential voluntary warden..Marcus Workman