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welcomed us and gave us a brief overview
of this predation could be seen in the remains
of the island. A few Razorbills sat just above of mutilated Shearwaters scattered around in
WKH ODQGLQJ GRFN DQG DIIRUGHG D ÀUVW FORVH XS many places. Other birds often seen included
photo opportunity. Eurasian Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Shag,
Carrion Crow and Jackdaw, while at the hide in
There are some 6,5km of trails along the the centre of the island overlooking the north
high cliffs and across the centre of Skomer pond, we noted Meadow Pipit, Canada Goose,
and one is instructed not to deviate from Curlew, Shelduck, Pheasant and Northern
the path, as there are thousands of rabbit Wheatear. Raptors included a female Hen
and seabird burrows all over the island. We +DUULHU WKDW ÁHZ ORZ RYHU WKH JUDVVODQGV DQG D
headed off on the trail leading to ‘The Wick’ Steppe Buzzard.
from where we had excellent sightings of
Guillemot and Razorbills on the rock outcrops. A 19th century farm building has been rebuilt
3XIÀQV ZRXOG VXGGHQO\ DSSHDU IURP WKHLU on Skomer and now houses a visitors centre
burrows, have a quick look round and then and half a dozen self-catering rooms for those
GDUW EDFN XQGHUJURXQG 6RPH RI WKH 3XIÀQV guests wishing to stay overnight. Alas, time
obligingly appeared from their burrows very did not allow for us to stay over for a chance
close to the path and posed sportingly for to see the Manx Shearwaters and Short-eared
the camera. On the Wick Cliffs, hundreds of Owls that make their appearance during the
seabirds could be seen on the narrowest of hours of darkness and, after 5 hours on the
ledges with Guillemots gathered on the lower island, we walked back to the landing place
levels, Kittiwakes midway up the cliff face and to catch our designated 4pm boat back to the
Fulmars sitting slightly higher up. mainland.
Manx Shearwaters were conspicuous by their Having seen some of the best birding that
absence, as when not incubating in their Skomer Island could offer, we agreed that the
underground burrows, they return to the island 300km round trip from our timeshare near
only under the cover of darkness. Flocks of the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales
Great Black-backed Gulls seen all over the WR VHH WKH 3XIÀQV DQG RWKHU VHDELUGV ZDV ZHOO
island prey on the Shearwaters and evidence worth the effort.
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Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 3 • 2019 21