After a long wait, it will be good to be be back on Skomer Island in Pembrokeshire again tomorrow. This place is on my `must-visit` list every year, a wonderful wildlife haven off the South West Wales coast.
The information so far is that there has been the largest Puffin count of any year, in excess of 45,000 birds - how they count them I don`t know! Alongside them are a large cast of characters - guillemots, razorbills, oystercatchers, etc - but for those that know me, my main `target` for the day will be Short Eared owl. You never know, I might strike it lucky.
For those of you who have been to Skomer, you will know that the first thing you have to do is go up the 87 odd steps from the boat! That will play up the asthma tomorrow! At least that the current forecast is looking good, and the sea swell should be slight, so hoping there will be no last minute cancellations.
Historically, before online booking came in, you would have to be down at Lockley Lodge to start queuing at 6am. Many people joining the queue later could be disappointed, as some people would queue on behalf of a group or party, and tickets have always been first come - first served. Now, the online booking system (which works very well) shows you availability not just for dates, but for the boat timings. Altogether, it`s a much better system.
I`ll be going back again in June to concentrate on the Puffins at The Wick/
