2018's visit (1)

This year, due to a number of circumstances, only a small team were able to make our annual visit. The final team numbered five, but all were A-permit holders so everyone was able to perform every job giving us the greatest flexibility.
Andy and Lexy took us over in the boat and 'dropped' us just on high tide - so high that we had to wait before we could get on to the island proper.

This is us all waiting on a small outcrop of rock with part of the week's supplies.

At some point we decided that a 'climb' was in order to go off and pitch our tents; and then go back for the rest of the gear later. Congrats to Allan who mastered his height anxiety.

It was good to be back on the island - the old houses were still all present and accounted for (although a little more dilapidated with each passing winter) and the sheep were all looking reasonably healthy. The island was 'dry' but the vegetation did not appear to be suffering that much.

After pitching tents, eating, and possibly a little sleeping, we went off to The Maze to pitch nets ready for the night. For those in the know, yes, they were furled in-between times.

Here we are erecting one of the two independently set 60-footers.

The islands' natural arch behind. Next stop Arctic!

Although our visit was slightly later than we would normally have gone we were surprised that a few Great Skua /Bonxie chicks were about - big enough for ringing.

This one a new species for Phil.

Although the trip is mainly about ringing Storm Petrels it is not at the expense of enjoying being on the island - with all worries left at Skerrag. Phil was new to the island so there was the delightful task of introducing him to it.

The old homesteads - all of them - with their brick and wood structures, foundation stones, dressed guttering stones, wallpaper(!) and, with one, the evidence of a flushing toilet.

The views, here across to Neave Island and the mainland (upper) and, lower, An Innis, right, Cladhan-na h-Innis (channel) and Nan Ron, left, with the mainland beyond.

The island itself:

And then some of the other flora and fauna (of which this is a mere snapshot).