A Skokholm manxie !....Then back to the Teifi Marsh....

The first Manx Shearwater ringed of the year and the first for the newly re-accredited Skokholm Bird Observatory.  Britain's first and oldest Bird Obs....and now its newest !

The manxie, one of five seen on Saturday night on my final day of a working visit. Manxies already calling loudly, and squawking as rivals fought over a burrow ! The first manxie casualties to gulls found already and being dyed purple - another piece of research is underway...

My main duty was decorating two of the three most exclusive rooms on the island - (no ideas girls at Long Point Bird Obs please) In the next couple of weeks this current window will be replaced with a new stained glass work of art by Linda and Rachel celebrating the island's history.

Not all work of course. A female Chough was observed food begging to the male. Peregrines were standing near to nest sites when not flying across the rows of swimming auks, just hoping one would  choose to fly....

Migrants hardly poured in - but during the four days we recorded the first of year, for Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Moorhen as well as Willow Warblers (above), Blackcaps, Sand Martins
.....and of course Puffins..!
Chiffchaffs and Wheatears already having been caught and ringed in the previous days. Much more sure to come not only in the Spring but in the Autumn too.....
Take time to read the Skokholm Bird Obs Report for 2013.
Pages detailing the breeding success of seabirds, migration patterns and daily totals, complementing the photos and records of such warblers as Barred, Booted, Blyth's Reed, Greenish, Subalpine and Yellow-browed - all recorded and ringed on the island in 2013

Back on the mainland by lunchtime, back to the Teifi Marsh for the evening.
About 40 Sand Martins recorded and c50 alba Wagtails. We managed to catch seven, 1 White and 6 Pied, though catches will increase as we enter April..

Above a photo from a catch in April 2011.
(photos Richard Brown, Skokholm Blog...or mine)