We are now back on the Island for the 2023 season but with a few changes …..
There is a new team on the Island this year. So without further or do it's time to introduce you to the 2023 team!
Greg Morgan
Many of you will know Greg from previous blogs as the Site Manager of Ramsey Island. After 18 years on the rock, Greg has decided to take up residence full-time on the mainland. However, Greg will still be working as the Site Manager and will be coming over to the Island frequently to help and oversee work.
Nia Stephens
© Nia Stephens
This is Nia’s 3rd year as Warden of Ramsey Island. Nia has been busy settling into her new home in the Island farmhouse along with Griff the new island sheepdog. Griff will be essential to managing the sheep on the island for the conservation of chough and is absolutely loving his new island home!
Griff the new Island sheepdog. © Nia Stephens
Alys Perry
© Greg Morgan
As for myself, I am the new Assistant Warden on Ramsey Island and will be living on the island full-time alongside Nia for the season. I previously volunteered on Ramsey Island back in 2018 and 2019 so it is wonderful to be back as a member of the staff.
Derek Rees
Derek and sweep delivering parcels back in 2015. © Greg Morgan
Derek is an integral part of the team and has been delivering goods and assisting with all farm and building work that has been required on the Island for over 40 years.
News of the week
We managed to get back to the Island on the 2nd of March. Since then we have been busy trying to get the Island ready to open up to visitors in April. A few of the tasks have included painting and maintaining the signs before putting them out across the Island. Checking the biosecurity boxes and putting out new ink sheets and chew blocks. And by far our favourite job was doing the annual dig-out and cleaning of the compost toilets. Derek and the builders have also been busy in the bungalow tiling, plastering, and sorting out the electrics ready to welcome the volunteers back in May. They have done a fantastic job so far and we can’t wait to see it all finished.
Alys painting the island signs. © Nia Stephens
Alys and Nia ready to clear out the compost toilets. © Nia Puffnia
Wildlife round up
The weather has been fairly changeable since we returned to Ramsey. We had extremely calm conditions and glorious sunshine for our arrival on the 2nd, to snow falling all morning on the 8th, and strong winds and heavy rain over the last couple of days.
Snowing falling at the Northern end of the Island. © Alys Perry
Despite the unsettled weather, we have seen a variety of bird species. There have been daily sightings of Robin, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Wren, Jackdaw, Blackbird, Song thrush, Greater Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Crow, Raven, Oystercatcher, Cormorant, Gannet, Fulmar, and Buzzard.
The chough pairs are already back on territory with 21 observed feeding together in the Northern fields and 41 coming into roost at Abermawr. Large rafts of up to 156 Razorbills were observed off Abermawr and the West cliffs on the 4th. Singles of Red kite, Merlin, and Sparrowhawk have all been recorded on the Island since our return. A couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls were recorded in the central fields on the 2nd and 3rd. A pair of Little Owls have been seen frequently on the stone walls behind the farmhouse. 2 Canada geese, 2 Mallards, and 11 Teal were recorded on the central ponds. A pair of Peregrines has been seen frequently at Abermawr. 3 Golden Plovers were recorded feeding in the Northern fields over several days along with 6 Curlew. Snipe have been observed by the central ponds and along the East coast daily. 2 Skylarks were seen on the 9th on the West coast at the base of Carn Llundain. House sparrows are now back on the farmhouse. A couple of dunnocks were recorded in the bramble bushes behind the farm buildings and by the stonewalls at the bungalow. Pairs of Rock Dove have been seen along the East coast over the last couple of days. Nia spotted a lovely Hen Harrier flying along the east coast yesterday evening. And a pair of Pied Wagtails appeared at the farm buildings on the 14th too. However, we are still waiting for our first Wheatear of the year. So fingers crossed it will turn up any day now!
Since returning up to 84 seals have been recorded hauled out at Porth Lleuog. The numbers have since dropped considerably with only 5 recorded on Porth Lleuog on the 10th and 3 today. A pod of 5 common dolphins was seen yesterday off the Northern end of the Island.
Seals hauled out at Porth Lleuog. © Alys Perry
Until next week!
Assistant Warden