Today is officially the last day of lambing for 2009, giving me a chance to uncover my computer and write this blog after a particularly hectic 5 weeks. Bringing 200 Ramsey lambs into the world each year seems like a great idea in November when we introduce the Rams to our ewes, but certainly becomes less appealing after several weeks of 6am starts and dusk finishes. Having said that, this years lambing program has been really successful, we were much better prepared and more experienced than last year, Greg delivering many lambs himself after some fearsome rugby tackles to catch any expectant mothers in need of assistance.
It's also amazing what you see whilst sitting in a field in near darkness waiting for a sheep to give birth - two short-eared owls hunting over the heath were this years' regular highlight.
The island is host to a fantastic 8 pairs of nesting chough this year. These birds have certainly benefited from the efforts of our grazing ewes and their offspring, without whom the grass would have become too long and wild for them to feed. Many of these pairs are currently feeding chicks in their sea cave nests, whilst the late starters are still on eggs. We will continue to monitor their progress closely and expect our first fledging youngsters at the beginning of June, several weeks earlier than in 2008.
Other important news, (judging by the number of emails and calls I've received on the subject), is that the water supply has now been restored to the volunteers' bungalow. Much digging and cursing was involved, oh and the odd engineer to fix the water pumps that the frost had damaged. Recent volunteers have also made some very generous donations after I published the bungalow 'wish list' last year, with brand new curtains ready to hang in every room. Along with new en-suite facilities for our summer Reserve Assistant, Pete, the volunteers' accommodation is really going up in the world. I fully intend to move in myself during the winter months!
I would also like to say a big Thank-you to all the people I met in York at the RSPB Members' Weekend in April. The enthusiasm shown for our work on Ramsey and Grassholm was truly humbling and made for a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.
An update of the Ramsey 'plastic' puffin invasion to follow.