Skokholm Bird and Wildlife Reports
Skokholm Gull Counts2009
The annual counts of Lesser Black-Backed, Herring and Great Black-Backed Gulls on Skokholm island went ahead between 11 and 20 May. A dedicated team of volunteers and the Assistant Warden were able to complete the counts of over 2,500 birds despite a patch of particularly rough and wet weather that prevented a day trip from landing and stranded them for an extra two nights. This bread-rationing period gave time for some maintenance to be carried out on the island’s buildings, hides and footpaths, and even allowed time for a quick paddle in the sea when the sun came back out.
Early indications are that while Herring Gull and Great Black-Back numbers have increased the majority of the Gulls, the Lesser Black-Backs, have suffered a decline on last year's figures (although still above the five year average). Also breeding on the island were two pairs of Ravens with five fledged young and an unsuccessful pair of Buzzards who will hopefully try for a second brood. Migratory birds were not in abundance but a Grasshopper Warbler, Lesser Redpoll, Pied and Spotted Flycatchers were welcome sights.
Thanks again to volunteers Irene, John, Phil, Sam and Wendy for all their hard work and enthusiasm.
2008
There have been no regular monthly bird and wildlife reports during 2008 as there has been no resident warden on Skokholm. Jo Havard, the previous Skokholm warden, is now the warden of Skomer and is also overseeing Skokholm. This will continue for 2009.
We have amalgamated all the bird reports for 2006 from April to October and these can be downloaded here.
Please click here for 2007 bird and wildlife reports (pdf format).
Systematic bird lists for Skokholm (pdf format) can be downloaded for each of the following years: 2005, 2006, 2007
In addition, you can access the Pembrokeshire Bird Blog where Pembrokeshire Birders can add their sightings for Pembrokeshire. They also have a new website, please click here.