Our Warden Steve, Emma (his wife), and their son Connor plus two Richards (Richard Brown, the Assistant Warden, and Richard Else, Shearwater project officer) managed to get over to Bardsey a week ago, on Friday, 14 March. Thank goodness they did as the weather has since deteriorated and as I type this gales are blowing not only in the Irish Sea but also throughout much of the UK, with sleet and hailstones, and snow on the way.
I had a chat with Emma on the phone and everyone is busy decorating and cleaning up the Observatory after four months being empty. But, according to Emma, they are all tackling it with gusto and good humour but will be having a day off tomorrow when they all celebrate Easter with their neighbours at the farm. And, would you believe it, there was one turkey left on the island after Xmas which will be the subject of the main course tomorrow.
Even though the weather at the moment is cold, wet and windy, spring has arrived and their are lambs on Bardsey and the spring bird visitors are arriving on time. Swallows, Sand Martins, Chiffchaff and Wheatears have all been recorded over the last week. There was a Great Tit today and Dunlin, Purple Sandpipers, Jack and Common Snipe (caught and ringed) have been seen. Steve is particularly upset that a Mute Swan was recorded on the island whilst they were absent. (It seems it would have been a new bird for the island for him:-))
So everything is underway to get the Observatory into full running order for visiting birdwatchers so I hope you are booking your weeks with the Booking Secretary.
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