Pam_m
Well-known member
As I mentioned on my ‘Easter’ thread a visit to Skomer island was on my agenda. So last Thursday (24th April) me, my OH, our daughter Emma and our friend Matt Green set off for South Wales. On the journey 2 Red Kites were to be seen in the same we had seen them at Easter, after stopping for a good view of them we set off and soon had to stop at a set of traffic lights along the relatively quiet road. A stream was visible alongside the road and I was very lucky to see a Dipper before the lights changed! What a start to the weekend. On arrival in the Saundersfoot area we headed to Wiseman’s Bridge a delightful bay to stretch our legs. Here we were to see amongst the usual coastal Gulls, 2 Whimbrel and a flock of Oystercatchers on the shoreline, Fulmar, Jackdaw, Sparrowhawk, Crow, and Chiffchaff (heard). It was especially great to see the Whimbrel! The B & B we were heading for was the farm where we stayed at Easter. A walk around the lakes at the farm was to provide us with our first sighting this year of Mallard ducklings, seven in all! The bird species was still very good at the farm and a pleasure to see and listen to, especially so early in the mornings.
We headed for Martin’s Haven the next morning where the boat would take us to Skomer Island. It was a very misty morning but dry. That is until we had set off on the boat to Skomer. The rain started, the wind picked up and the rain did not stop until our last hour on the Island. We walked around the island for almost 4 hours in wind, rain and heavy drizzle! Though the prevailing wind dried us off before we headed back on the boat to the mainland. It was a pity the weather had turned as the bird life decided not to put in much of an appearance, they had more sense than us in the weather conditions! The Puffins were few and far between, a few groups of them on the sea and a solitary Puffin we viewed on land…just 1! Incredible! Along with the usual Gulls we saw Gannet, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Curlew (flyover), Whimbrel (flyover and calling), Meadow and Rock Pipit, Blackcap, Stonechat, Blackbird, Dunnock, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Swallow and Sand Martin. A few lifers and additions to my year list amongst them for me! The Grey Seals were delightful, as you can see from the added photo they gave us a good view of them as they lazed on the rocks. Porpoises were to be seen occasionally rising from the sea! All in all it was a great 4 hours spent on a beautiful if wet and windy island. A return visit is in initial planning stages, possibly June or early July. I must see more than 1 Puffin on land and the other bird species there that we did not see this time around.
The next day we visited Bosherston Lily Ponds, Chiffchaff song seemed to follow us around from start to finish of the walk. A Holly Blue was a delight to see, my first this year. On to Stackpole Quay and a walk across the cliff top were a Wheatear led us a merry dance for a photo! Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Gannet, Fulmar and Razorbill were to be the highlight. A cordoned off section of the cliff top contained Green-Winged Orchid plants, a very pretty Orchid and good to see that the National Trust had it protected as you would expect on such a busy coastal pathway.
We then headed for Carew Castle and fortunately the tide was out and we saw along with the usual Gulls, Cormorants, Black-Tailed Godwit, Heron, Shelduck, Whimbrel, Crow, Chaffinch, Blackbird and Swallow.
The Flora at each place we visited was abundant, I have rather a lot to identify so I will not go into any detail!
A good couple of days of Bird and Wildlife watching had us all very tired but very happy!!
The photo of the Whimbrel was taken at Wisemans Bridge, the rest were all taken on Skomer Island (in the rain!).
We headed for Martin’s Haven the next morning where the boat would take us to Skomer Island. It was a very misty morning but dry. That is until we had set off on the boat to Skomer. The rain started, the wind picked up and the rain did not stop until our last hour on the Island. We walked around the island for almost 4 hours in wind, rain and heavy drizzle! Though the prevailing wind dried us off before we headed back on the boat to the mainland. It was a pity the weather had turned as the bird life decided not to put in much of an appearance, they had more sense than us in the weather conditions! The Puffins were few and far between, a few groups of them on the sea and a solitary Puffin we viewed on land…just 1! Incredible! Along with the usual Gulls we saw Gannet, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Curlew (flyover), Whimbrel (flyover and calling), Meadow and Rock Pipit, Blackcap, Stonechat, Blackbird, Dunnock, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Swallow and Sand Martin. A few lifers and additions to my year list amongst them for me! The Grey Seals were delightful, as you can see from the added photo they gave us a good view of them as they lazed on the rocks. Porpoises were to be seen occasionally rising from the sea! All in all it was a great 4 hours spent on a beautiful if wet and windy island. A return visit is in initial planning stages, possibly June or early July. I must see more than 1 Puffin on land and the other bird species there that we did not see this time around.
The next day we visited Bosherston Lily Ponds, Chiffchaff song seemed to follow us around from start to finish of the walk. A Holly Blue was a delight to see, my first this year. On to Stackpole Quay and a walk across the cliff top were a Wheatear led us a merry dance for a photo! Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Gannet, Fulmar and Razorbill were to be the highlight. A cordoned off section of the cliff top contained Green-Winged Orchid plants, a very pretty Orchid and good to see that the National Trust had it protected as you would expect on such a busy coastal pathway.
We then headed for Carew Castle and fortunately the tide was out and we saw along with the usual Gulls, Cormorants, Black-Tailed Godwit, Heron, Shelduck, Whimbrel, Crow, Chaffinch, Blackbird and Swallow.
The Flora at each place we visited was abundant, I have rather a lot to identify so I will not go into any detail!
A good couple of days of Bird and Wildlife watching had us all very tired but very happy!!
The photo of the Whimbrel was taken at Wisemans Bridge, the rest were all taken on Skomer Island (in the rain!).
