Unfortunately the first find of the day was a dead Porpoise washed up on the Lifeboat slip. This animal was a very young female (sadly) and has now been passed to Rod Penrose the marine mammal strandings Officer Wales, for examination
However, we left ST Davids at 9am in breezy and slightly overcast conditions. On the way to Grassholm there were good numbers of sea Birds including, Guillemot, Razorbill, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Manx Shearwater and flocks of ‘busy busy’ Puffins returning to Skomer like little rockets above the waves.
The sun came out and the skies brightened as we reached Grassholm, the only breeding colony in Wales and Home to nearly 40,000 breeding pairs. The colony is now in full swing as we approach the hatching and sightings of chicks in the next few days. Some birds returning with full crops of fish suggest there may be youngsters already.
Meanwhile others are still busily fighting for and collecting mainly sea weed for nesting material. Other non breeding ‘teenagers’ are courting and starting to form possibly life long pair bonds
No comments:
Post a Comment