After a winter of 'storm' blogs its been nice to have a few days to remind us spring is just around the corner. Its cold but dry and sunny so we'll take that!
We dropped the boat back in the water and took advantage of the calm conditions to get various supplies across from the mainland. With lambing getting ever nearer we gathered the ewes in and gave them a bolus (a big tablet that slowly dissolves over the coming months releasing cobalt, zinc and selenium, all essential for a growing foetus and to maintain the ewe in good condition once she has given birth). As ever Dewi was worth his weight in gold getting the sheep in
The wildlife is starting the notice the lengthening days too (our chickens have started laying again for a start!). Ravens, always the earliest to start are finishing off nest building with one pair probably incubating already. Chough won't be far behind them, nest building usually takes place in mid March for this species and most of the regular pairs are on territory now. Peregrines are also on territory and there has been a noticeable increase in stonechats over the past couple of days. We are looking forward to our summer migrants returning - wheatear are usually the first. Can we beat last year's date of March 3rd?!
Chough rooting through pony dung this morning
Dewi gathering the sheep in
And taking a well earned rest in the sun (plugged in to his solar charger to top up his batteries!)
Calm weather has allowed us to get across to the mainland to pick up supplies
Not often the sea is this calm around the Bishops and Clerks