There can sometimes be a 'groundhog' day feeling to November. You scurry around in the meagre daylight on offer to get jobs done outside then attack the emails when it gets too dark to see or your fingers feel like they are about to drop off (not conducive to attacking said emails). Getting those outside jobs done however can be a challenge given typical November weather patterns. But while it may seem like an endless stream of gales, rain, cold rain and sometimes hail, if you stop and look, November can offer up some spectacular skies and, as was proved today, the occasional fiery sunrise
This sunrise was unexpected today and as soon as it appeared it fizzled out behind thick cloud long before the sun broke the horizon
It might feel like it's raining continuously by the state of your boots and the number of dog towels you get through, but November is more often than not a wintry mix of sunshine and fierce showers
It hasn't been all quiet on the bird front either. Two red kites kept us company last week (the same two that were here all spring I wonder?). The first woodcock of the year dropped in (we are now up to three records), the first great northern diver of the year lingered off the harbour long enough for me to ID it but not long enough for me to grab my camera (it does however get added to that illustrious list of 'birds seen from the quad bike or other island vehicle', where it joins the likes of common rosefinch, little auk and grey phalarope - the latter two from a boat I should add!) A quick flick through the notebook as I type this shows a flurry of other interesting birds this month; black redstart, mistle thrush and a good showing of fieldfare and redwing early on
One of two red kites frequenting the island all last week - other birds of prey around at the moment include peregrine, buzzard, kestrel and merlin
The fulmars are back on their ledges now most days. The first intrepid few returning from their post breeding moult made landfall back on 28/10 but it is only in the past week that large numbers have been seen. The UK seabird that spends more time than any other at it's breeding site, they will be with us on and off all winter.
Fulmar at sunrise with Skomer Island behind
And a blog at this time of year wouldn't be complete without a mention of the seal pups! The individual that featured in the last couple of blogs is 18 days old today. Considering it is so late in the season it has done well to ride out the persistently rough weather and the cow, probably a younger more inexperienced mum, has done very well indeed. She will leave it soon but is still with it today and continues to have enough milk stocks it would seem
From top to bottom: Day 1, Day 9 and Day 17 (yesterday) - born at around 15Kg, the pup has put on around 1.5-2Kg a day and should reach up to 45Kg when fully moulted. The cow can stop feeding them from as early as day 15 but can continue up to day 25 (and beyond!) when they are at or near moult completion. This one hasn't started to moult yet but will likely do so any day now - the camera will be ready and waiting
And here is the cow having a well earned breather. She is getting thin now and will have to return to the open sea to feed herself soon. She was very big when she gave birth with good milk and fat stores that have served her well
(as ever, click on the photos to see them at full res)