It has been a week of strong winds, big swells, and lots of rain so the majority of the jobs have been undertaken indoors. Myself and Nia have been busy redecorating the island shop and ordering new stock. The swell subsided enough for Derek, Greg, and the team to get over on the 27th. Derek spent his day fixing the crane that had ceased up over winter. New parts for the crane have now been ordered, so fingers crossed it will be back up and running very soon. The builders cracked on with plastering the bungalow and it is almost ready to have the new kitchen fitted.
The crane with all the scaffolding up © Nia Stephens.
Griff the island sheepdog also returned to the Island on the 27th after a week off to get his final puppy vaccinations. He was super excited to come back!
Griff on his boat trip back to the Island © Nia Stephens.
Weekly Wildlife Roundup
The first Linnets of the season appeared on the Farmhouse willows on the 25th.
Followed by the first Goldcrests on the 26th.
Two Goldcrests in the Farmhouse garden © Nia Stephens.
A Blue Tit also made an appearance in the Farmhouse willows on the 26th.
© Nia Stephens.
Our first Swallows and Sand Martins appeared on the 27th along with a pair of Starlings.
Our first Willow Warblers turned up today along the stone walls in the North.
Willow Warbler feeding in the Northern fields © Alys Perry.
One of the important water plants that is a feature of the SSSI, the three-lobed Crowfoot is now flowering in the central ponds.
Our first butterfly of the season appeared on Saturday the 25th on the East coast.
A Peacock Butterfly © Alys Perry.
We also had a very exciting visit from a colour-ringed Great Black-backed Gull on the 30th in the central fields. W:370 was originally ringed on Skokholm Island on the 17th of June 2021. It was then seen on the Gann on the 9th of December 2022 before appearing on Ramsey.
© Alys Perry.
Until next week!
Alys Perry
Assistant Warden
Assistant Warden Ramsey & Grassholm Island