Skokholm Island – a warden’s eye view
Having arrived on Skokholm Island on 24th April, with only the fun experience of the work party behind me I was full of wonder of how I’d cope on the island for the season. Prior to departure the excitement was beginning to build. But I need not have worried as the island has the ability to make you feel at home instantly.
The team of staff get on well and work hard. Along with day to day tasks I’ve helped with a variety of work from painting, fencing and general maintenance to surveys. The visitors arrive every Saturday and occasional Wednesdays and although all groups have been varied they’ve all been friendly, polite, full of interest and have given their all to the experience.
Considering that it is such a small island it is very difficult choosing one favourite spot on the island. Twinlet Bay is nice in the evening watching the sunset, the lighthouse during the day to spot porpoise and dolphins and the south coast path to see the geology of the island clearly.
The birds on the island all have their individual personality and you can hear them all through the day and night. I’m incredibly lucky to live in the room right next to a small Manx Shearwater colony and can literally open my door in the night and stand in the doorway watching these interesting birds.
I always wondered what it would be like coming back to the mainland. I was under the impression that it would be the cars and people that would be a shock, but I was surprised that after arriving at Martin’s Haven that it was the eerie quietness that I noticed and the height of the trees creating a slight feeling of claustrophobia. I am due to return to the island on Saturday and look forward to spending the rest of the summer on the magical island.
Llinos Richards - Assistant Warden, Skokholm Island