Martin’s Haven

The fog rolled in and out a couple of times yesterday late-afternoon and evening and, as it came in, so the seabirds became disoriented. At around 2000, the haven resembled (both to us and, presumably, the birds) a smaller version of North Haven on Skomer, and a couple of flocks of Puffins wheeled around, along with some Guillemots. We have never seen Puffins actually inside Martin’s Haven before, let alone so many: this was a real treat.

The valley itself has quietened down a lot over the last couple of weeks, with few apparent migrants moving through. Unlike Skokholm, which is still reporting Spotted Flycatchers, our last were two weeks ago, when three birds spent a morning here before moving on. But 14 Ringed Plover flying North over the Trehill fields were a nice surprise.

Still plenty of Adders around: we can only hear/see two cock Pheasants holding territory, so the predation reported elsewhere is clearly not severe here. We have now identified seven individual Adders by combination of size and colour action this Spring, which is a sign of a healthy population.