A strong south-easterly wind dominated much of the day on Skokholm today, but then this dwindled in the afternoon and the wind direction switched. New migrants were low in number but included the usual species and also the Black Redstart from yesterday. Another nocturnal Manx Shearwater catching session during the night of the 2nd/3rd May provided another sixty-five birds.
A Whinchat materialised in the afternoon and was also trapped and ringed and the Puffins, Razorbills and Guillemots spent much of the afternoon flocking to their burrows and ledges to start commencing house-keeping for the new season. Off-shore Kittiwakes and Gannets ambled past and the island population of Grey Seals lounged in bays and inlets.
Lesser-Black-backed Gulls are the most common breeding gulls on the island and today in particular there was a great deal of noise from bickering neighbours, mating pairs and strife with their Herring and Great Black-backed Gull cousins.
The flowers on Skokholm are close to coming in to their best with Bluebells, Wild Pansies, Sorrel, Forget-me Not, Thrift and Red Campion among others.
Regards
Neil M
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| Male Wheatear |
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| Grassholm Gannet colony |
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| Herring Gull |
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| Puffins |
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| 'Greenland' Wheatear All images courtesy of Nick Woods |
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