Friday 27th: Skomer Trip

On Friday we spent the day on Skomer Island. We arrived on the island at 10:45am and left at 2:30pm. As soon as we got on the boat the birding began. Leaving Martin's Haven Guillemots were the first birds of note, but as we headed further out the Puffins and Razorbills came into view. A Manx Shearwater cruising of the water was a pleasant surprise. From North Haven (where the boat docks on Skomer) thousands of Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins were flying constantly from sea to land.
First stop the Wick, the best place to see the Puffins up close, and it did not disappoint. Hundreds of Puffins were returning to their burrows with beaks full of sand eels and some with bunches of grass to build up the nest.
We had a quick lunch break at the farm before heading to North Valley in search of some owls. Walking to the valley I past a family of Sedge Warblers, 4+ singing Whitethroats and 2 Reed Buntings. Walking slightly further and a Little Owl flew up of the grass and into the bracken. There it stayed offering fairly good views. My next target was a Short-eared Owl. After thoroughly searching the valley I could not locate the owl. As I headed back to North haven a bird of prey caught my eye, it was flying over an area of reeds searching for food. Sure enough it was a Short-eared Owl! I watched it for the next 10 minutes as it foraged. With all birds planned to see ticked off it was time to head home.
A great day on Skomer!

 Guillemots 

Puffins

 Oystercatcher

Meadow Pipit

Razorbill