Wow! What a day I had yesterday?!
I spent the morning down on the range with local bird expert, Ken Croft, and went sea-watching. It was phenomenal. Ken had expected a great passage of birds because of the wind direction and invited me to join him. I spent about an hour an half down there, sheltered between some rocks, watching hundreds of manx shearwater in passage, around 150 gannets and various friends of the South Stack auk variety (razorbills, guillemots and plenty of Puffins - that's where they all get to!). I can recommend sea-watching to anybody. Wrap up warm, set off early and choose a good sheltered spot to set up camp. The birds were in so close that binoculars were all I needed for a better look, although Ken did bring his scope which was an added bonus. I am rather a fan of gannets and these were the best views i've had of them - thanks Ken! One thing we didn't see yesterday was a Great Skua, which I had been told had been seen passing through the previous day. Today, however, I had a text from a rather excitable Ken who had just one flying past the lighthouse. I wonder how many of our visitors picked that up?!
Yesterday we said goodbye to four of our residential volunteers; Bob, Sue, Peter and Ann. I was very sad to see them go as they had been excellent volunteers, hardworking and fun to be around. On her last day, Ann spotted a red-backed shrike which is very exciting indeed! She had chance to show a few passing visitors but we have not seen it since - keep a look out! Other unusual spots yesterday were a short-eared owl and a reed bunting!
Today we welcomed our new residential volunteers; David, Simon, Jenny and Chris, who are already getting stuck into hard slog here at South Stack. It's all hands to the deck in our busy cafe this bank holiday! Hopefully they'll have time to get out for some birdwatching and if they do i'll let you know what corkers they pick up!
Have a lovely bank holiday weekend...
Kathy x