Lisa went out to film at Grassholm today with BBC 4. It is for a forthcoming 3 part series on the history of paleontology presented by Richard Fortey. The episode in question concerns the evolution of birds. The sun shone but after strong winds overnight there was a fair swell around and the seas around Grassholm were quite lively!
I stayed put on Ramsey on what turned out to be a busy day visitor wise with lots of very nice people to chat to. Tomorrow looks a bit 'iffy' to say the least so if you came today you made the right choice! Next week looks like being settled again so there is still plenty of time to visit Ramsey before the end of the school holidays.
We said goodbye to Paul and Janet today who have been volunteering for the past 2 weeks and did a sterling job. Looking forward to seeing them back here next year.
Still quiet on the seal pup front but migrants are slowing starting to trickle though with a smattering of willow warblers, goldfinch, curlew, whimbrel and a golden plover yesterday
Lisa and RIchard Fortey on board the Ocean Ranger
Just wanted to add a big Thank you to Thousand Islands Expeditions boatmen Zamen and Martin for getting as out to Grassholm safely in a big sea and for their patience whilst we filmed the island.
They also spotted two struggling gannets on the water, both entangled in the same huge peice of discarded monofiliment fishing line. Martin managed to grab them out of the water with a fishing hook, he and Zamen then held the bird's dangerous bills whilst I cut them free with a pen knife.
Two very lucky birds, both released