Thankfully, the dearth of fruit has been temporarily remedied but far more disturbing and arguably more detrimental to the wellbeing of island staff was running out of red wine last weekend. However, seeing the sun today has lifted the spirits and our first daffodils are positively glowing in the garden, just in time for St David’s day.
Skylarks are singing over territories today as are the rock pipits along the coastline. Greg came across a flock of 16 chough on the east coast, keeping out of the brisk NW wind and frantically feeding on the grazed cliff top. Despite the big swell, a small neap tide means the pebbles are staying dry on the ‘Bachelor Pad’ and at Porth Lleuog, attracting large numbers of adult Grey seals. 123 were hauled out on the latter yesterday, the majority are large bull seals, finishing their annual moult. The musty odour they give off was pungent even from way up on the cliff top above the beach.
Rabbits also appear to be making a comeback after four years of very low numbers following myxomatosis. I have been out reinforcing my vegetable garden fence in readiness for the inevitable onslaught.
Greg and Dewi have also been out surveying the population of Three-lobed water-crowfoot, Ranunculus tripartitus, one of our rare aquatic plants and a UKBAP priority species. It enjoys the conditions in the ditches and streams that run between our heathland ponds, kept open by our ponies and deer. This scarce member of the buttercup family appears to be thriving, with large areas containing many plants which will flower in early spring.