In the last couple of weeks spring has well and truly ‘sprung’ here at South Stack. The warm weather has brought out the reptiles in abundance, with sightings of adders and common lizards. I saw my first ever female adder which was a dark orange colour and curled up basking in the sun. Almost at the same time a lizard popped its head out from behind a branch which was perfectly camouflaged until it moved!
The seabird colony have returned in vast numbers. Thousands of guillemots and razorbills have been lining the cliff ledges and are contemplating breeding. The noise of the birds all chattering can be heard way off. Choughs are nesting deep in the sea cave and yesterday we saw several young birds fly past in front of the adult pair, which is good news indeed.
Spring flowers are bursting forth at a rate of knots. The Bluebell like,spring squill carpeting the cliff edges along with the Sea Campion. Out to sea we have witnessed porpoises dancing in the waves just off the stack, while seals and dolphins have come in close to say ‘hello’
One day last week we were privileged to see a fantastic display by a female peregrine falcon. She was around all day swooping past the windows of Ellins tower. At one point she dived after one of our choughs near the cliffs but thankfully didn’t manage to catch it! The gulls were not happy about this intrusion into their territory and protested very vocally! Later in the day the peregrine delighted visitors by staying around and perching on the cliffs adjacent to the seabird colony, where she could be seen close up in all her finery. Late into the evening she could still be clearly seen, perched on a ledge near the top of the lighthouse steps! Such a majestic bird, it was a truly thrilling day.
There seems to be a real buzz about the place at the moment as every day has a sense of expectation. Its a wonderful time of year with new life abounding all around us.