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Greg Morgan

Every spring we look forward to a particular event on Ramsey, an event that can only be experienced in a handful of places anywhere in the world....the return of Manx shearwaters to their breeding burrows. Over 90% of the world population of this species breed in the UK with over 50% breeding right here in Pembrokeshire. Skomer island, just 6 miles south of Ramsey hosts the largest colony in the world with 350,000 pairs while Skokholm, a further 2 miles south is home to 89,000 pairs, On Ramsey, as many of you will know, Manxies have had a more chequered history. While our neighbours have avoided invasive non native species, Ramsey was plagued by brown rats from shipwrecks in the 1800's up to their eradication in 2000. Since then, when the population numbered just 850 pairs in 1998, they have increased to 5,000 pairs at the last full survey in 2016

In Wales there is no more important a species in terms of world population responsibility and on Ramsey we are particularly protective of them given the efforts we went to in securing their recovery.

Every March and April we listen out for their return from their wintering grounds off the coast of Argentina. Their gargling, eerie calls fill the air on a moonless night. At this time of year pairs frequently spend the day together in their burrows, reinforcing pair bonds after a winter apart and doing some spring cleaning. Although not on official duty today our border collie Dewi, who doubles as a sheepdog come conservation dog, sniffed out several pairs during a sheep check on the west coast of the island. With this in mind we took a diversion on the way back to our study plot where we have some artificial burrows which allow us to more easily carry out research work. Sure enough one of our regular birds was home by day in Box 23, ring number EB52675.

This bird was one of two pioneering pairs that first used our nest boxes in 2015 - we ringed the pair that year and they returned in 2016 to successfully raise a chick in what was likely their first attempt. The same pair have returned to the same nest box each year since and successfully fledged a chick for 4 consecutive years. In that time they have been to Argentina and back each year, apart over winter, reuniting only when they touch down each spring on that shared piece of soil on Ramsey. We wait with fingers crossed that the partner bird makes it back safely again this year - watch this space....

When Dewi discovers an occupied Manx shearwater burrows he freezes, stock still with his paw raised like a Pointer! His 'sheepdog moonlighting' skills come in very useful. He is rarely if ever wrong!

EB52675 from box 23 - the 5th consecutive year he or she has occupied this burrow