Another week has flown by on Ramsey. It's been a rather damp few days with big swells, high winds, and plenty of rain. Many of the paths and fields have turned into mini ponds and our rain gauge recorded 19mm of rainfall on the 12th of March alone!
The South end between rain showers © Alys Perry.
Flooded areas in the Central Fields © Alys Perry.
We are opening on the 25th of March this season due to the early Easter holidays. Despite the bad weather, we have been preparing the island for visitors which has involved ordering new stock for the shop, tidying and cleaning the shop, clearing the harbour steps of seaweed, and cleaning out the compost toilets (a favourite job of the week!), painting and varnishing the trail signs and replacing and updating some old visitor notices.
We had an exciting arrival on the 17th when Chris (Nia's partner) and Griff (the island sheepdog) returned to the island for the season after spending the first few weeks of March on the mainland. It was an exciting time for all, with Griff incredibly pleased to be back at his island home and reunited with Siani.
Chris and Griff arriving back to the island © Nia Stephens.
Weekly Wildlife Round-up
We still have large numbers of Chough on the island with 28 seen feeding in the Northern fields on the 18th. Two of our chough pairs are already starting to nest build which is hopefully a sign of a successful breeding season ahead.
We had our first Chaffinch of the season recorded on the 12th of March.
Our Wheatears finally showed up on the 15th with 4 being recorded in the Central fields, this is two days earlier than our first record on the 17th from 2023. Since the 15th the numbers have continued to grow with 16 being recorded today.
One of the male Wheatears that has arrived back to the Island © Alys Perry.
In addition to the Wheatears, we also had our first linnets and skylarks turn up 15th, which is always a welcome addition and a sure sign that spring has arrived.
A Linnet © Alys Perry.
We had a surprise migrant turn up on the 17th in the form of a male Western Subalpine Warbler. Subalpine Warblers have been recorded on Ramsey in the past and are recorded in the UK annually. However, we believe this is the earliest record of this species in the UK, with the previous earliest record being on the 7th of April, making it the earliest by 3 weeks! Regardless it was lovely to see it foraging in amongst the gorse bushes on the Northern end of the Island.
Male Western Subalpine Warbler 17th © Alys Perry.
Male Western Subalpine Warbler 17th © Alys Perry.
Male Western Subalpine Warbler 17th © Alys Perry.
We had a few more firsts for the season today including Merlin, Siskin, and a Red Admiral.
A Merlin on the North Coast © Alys Perry.
Goldcrests and Curlew have become daily sightings this past week too.
One of several Goldcrests that were foraging in the gorse bushes © Alys Perry.
And finally one of the cheerful fulmars who has kept us entertained during our time hiding in the office from the rain.
Fulmar © Alys Perry.
Until Next Week
Alys Perry
Assistant Warden
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