Following a short spell on the island in early Jan, then a month of toing and froing to carry out sheep feed and maintenance work, we landed on 5th Feb for a few days of pre season prep. This more prolonged winter stay is planned to coincide with the 'beast from the east' that is forecast as the sheep will need daily feeding during this period. As to how long we will stay out here this time is down to the weather!
The regular trips over winter means there shouldn't be too many of the surprises that you can get from a more prolonged absence. The electrics messed us about a bit at first but once they were sorted we fired up the gas and got the rayburn going along with the wood burner. At least some of the rooms are warm!
With regular feeds and a fairly average winter out west temperature wise (till now at least) the sheep have remained in good condition. It has been very wet though. We're not finished with winter yet but it looks set to be one of the wettest on record for Ramsey.
Despite the bleakness of Ramsey in February and the relative lack of bird activity, it is always nice to get a reminder from our seabirds that spring is just around the corner. The fulmars, largely present year round on their breeding ledges are old friends but the occasional arrival of guillemots resplendent in freshly moulted breeding plumage on calm mornings is always a joy. While enjoying the western cliffs humming to the groans and cackles of auks and fulmars yesterday morning, we were also treated to the sight of nearly 100 gannets plunge diving just off the Bishop and Clerks. Huge numbers of kittiwakes were surface feeding amongst them too. All this reminding us that the Celtic Sea truly is a special place for seabirds no matter the time of year.
Click on the video below for a short montage taken yesterday morning