What a great way start to the week, clear blue skies and warm sunshine! Perfect to get out and about around the reserve, and that is exactly what I have been doing. Bill and Eveline, our dedicated local volunteers, undertake any maintenance jobs that need doing around the reserve, from fixing fences to building bridges – there isn’t a lot they can’t do! And gratefully I have been able to help them with their tasks and pick up some handy skills along the way. Of course we have been getting ready for the season ahead; putting that final lick of paint on the signs, dusting off the displays and clearing the drains and paths around the reserve...and what could be more rewarding when your outside in the fresh crisp winter air with good company and in a brilliant location?
And then there’s always the unexpected delight of watching a peregrine swoop past or ravens displaying, or even taking a chance look at the cliffs to discover that its covered in guillemots, and all the joys of summer past come flooding back! At this time of year the guillemots will just be prospecting their breeding sites so it is luck whether you will see them or not. We took 5 minutes to grab our binoculars and watch with excitement as they bickered and bustled on the tightly packed ledges. Their little penguin-like bodies shuffled about awkwardly as they fought for space, and their familiar rumbling calls filled the air. It was like they had never left us to take to the sea and a sure sign that spring was on its way...
As well as the smaller maintenance jobs, these next few months will be busy up at the cafe too with the building work due to start very soon. Of course once all the work is done the cafe will be open again in April for you all to enjoy.
We hope everyone has had a very enjoyable Chirstmas and New Year. Here at South Stack we are all certainly looking forward to the year ahead. Come and make the most of the beautiful winter sunshine at South Stack and enjoy our many trails, wonderful wildlife and brilliant views.
Hope to see you all very soon!
From Jen and all the team at South Stack :-)