A weekend on Skokholm

A wonderful long weekend on Skokholm: thousands of auks, Storm Petrels "singing" in the walls and flying around at nights, and lots of Manx Shearwaters, even on the clear nights. One even sat on the ground outside the Central Block of bedrooms for anyone that wanted to come and see it at 1AM one night!

Land bird highlights included a male Cuckoo that stayed in and around the trees in the Cottage garden for over a day, and started to call once it had recovered its energy. It got chased a lot by Swallows when it went out of the garden, though.
There was also a clear passage of Spotted Flycatchers, with a peak of 4 seen, mainly around Well Pond (where a volounteer has built a wonderful new hide). Also a Blackcap singing by the cottage for 2 mornings.

The Peregrines are very showy and noisy, and the 3 chicks are growing in both size and confidence. There is at least one other bird on the Island, but it is harder to see the possibnle nest site; fingers crossed.

Many thanks to Jerry, Cathy and Alice for their great hospitality during our stay.