Trip ReportA very chilly walk in a strong easterly wind.Spring migrants had already been seen on the island in the previous few days but were not in evidence this afternoon. The first birds we saw were a pair of Long-tailed Tits, but they were being buffeted around in the bitter wind and soon disappeared into a bush. A solitary Raven was hunting up and down the coastline and seemed to be enjoying a free ride on the wind, even giving a half-roll at one point. As we reached Grove Point one of the Peregrines appeared high above us, soon to be joined by another. As both of the pair were out we assumed that the female had not yet laid eggs, or at least not a full clutch as incubation does not start until all the eggs (usually 4) are in the nest. The presence of just a single Raven suggested that the female probably was incubating. A few Fulmars were on the cliffs and circling around but not as many as we saw back in December. On the return walk we were pleased to see one or two plants in flower, mainly Gorse but a single Alexanders flower was also just beginning to open. Our Maidenhair Fern plants were still doing well but a search failed to produce any new individuals. |
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Birds Fulmar Shag Cormorant Peregrine Great Black-backed Gull Herring Gull Wood Pigeon Carrion Crow Jackdaw Magpie Raven Long-tailed Tit Great Tit Greenfinch |
Plants Maidenhair Fern Hartstongue Fern Alexanders Salad Burnet Bramble Sycamore Buddleia Gorse |