Skomer Island – South WalesWell this trip started with a very long car ride to catch the 9am boat on zero sleep, Once parked up we trekked down with our larger than life rucksacks through the stunning coastline to a tiny cove where our fellow islanders were gathering. We had a little wait before the boat could leave due to winds, so we explored the area which was rich in nature and wildlife with a great view of the quarantined island we were about to land on.
After a choppy but short boat ride to the island where a seagull flew permanently above my head to everyone’s amusement, we arrived. Getting off the boat set the tone for the rest of the trip as we formed a gang line of people off the boat and up the 87 steps to get everyone’s luggage and the island supplies off the boat with as much ease as possible. Now I can’t remember if there were exactly 87 steps but there was a lot so if mobility is an issue you might want to check with the island warden before booking. |
We headed straight to the hostel for a brief introduction to the island by Leighton (the most beautiful man in the world), excitement (and possibly severe sleep deprivation) kicked in at this point and we practically ran off to The Wick, tipped off as the best spot for Puffins. And we were not disappointed. The days before our trip puffins sighting has been very limited but our luck was in, they knew we had arrived and decided to join us!
“This is just epic” Something my photography friend and I mumbled and shouted frequently over the next few days as we enjoy puffins, peregrines, buzzards, oyster catchers, bunny’s, seals, owls, to name but a few of the amazing wildlife that came often only inches away from us. The hostel was lovely, entirely solar powered plugs were in limited supply, but the kitchen was well equipped to accommodate the 10 visitors with a log fired communal lounge for evening banter and bird count. There were private rooms available ideal for couples and a shared room for up to five people which the American lady, her snorey boyfriend and me and my photographer friend slept it. Even the view from my window was amazing as it overlooked the luscious green courtyard and derelict former farm building. Space and facilitates were more than adequate, however bring warm PJs as the first night I slept in my coat! |
We were warned early on that we might not get off the island when scheduled due to high winds, but that didn't concern us – “oh no longer on the island!” We started to moderated our food supplies and the sun was still shining for us, as the days went on it became more and more likely that we were not getting off as planned, as no boats came to the island, no day visitors… no one! So we had this stunning island entirely to ourselves, 10 visitors plus the resident wardens and researchers. This was now BEYOND EPIC!
We spent our days exploring different parts of the island, watching Puffins mate, seals sunbathe, Buzzard be chased by crows, Falcons dance in the sky, hunting the owls, and we become friends with our fellow islanders and learnt so much about wildlife from the very hospitable researchers. The evenings were spent at bird count recounting the day’s activity and sightings with the wardens and researchers, and then at night we would go out and enjoy the unusual experience of the Manx Shearwater, A rare bird that would only come out at night, but they would arrive onto the island in their thousands, its became almost an extreme sport to stand out in the pitch black whilst these birds flew past your face into the ground, making a haunting noise as they searched for their burrows and breeding partners. Pictures were pretty much impossible without specialist equipment but the experience alone was one never to forget. |
As expected our boat did not arrive on the day and we spent two whole days and one night extra on the island one of which was my birthday and my fellow hostellers helped me celebrate with charity box tea cakes (the only food supply on the island) and a tin foil swan hat. My food supply however did get short and puffins started to look tasty! I was assured the researchers could provide beans and other food supplies if needed but going full Bear Grylls as I fashioned a bow out of twigs would have made for a more entertaining blog.
Our last day consisted of nothing but an apple as food supply and photographing Puffins and rainbows in brief but beautiful hail storms. As well trying to rescue a lost seal pup and stroking a fish. The Island has a hash tag: #findyourepic. I found mine! |