Our first full week back on the island following our short break has been a fairly busy one, but we have got a lot of important jobs ticked off the list.
After posting the last blog, I realised that there was one important detail that I had missed out. Just before we left the island for our short stay back on the mainland, it was time for the island's annual wild leak survey. The wild leaks that we have on the island grow in only 5 places in the UK, and we are lucky enough to be one of them. They are protected by law and it is a criminal offence to pick them or damage them in any way.
Statistically a population of over 3,000 leaks is classed as "healthy", while if the figures were to fall below 1,500 the population would be classed as "of concern". After a great deal of counting we finally came to record a population size of 3,135 wild leaks for Flat Holm meaning that we have a healthy population!
So back to this week. We began by putting out our moth trap overnight, and ended up having our most successful haul by far; 56 moths which were made up of 26 different species that we were able to identify!
The weeks butterfly walk was also similarly successful, with nearly 300 butterflies being recorded during the lap of the island. A few more species of butterfly have become more prominent since we returned to the island, with the Peacock and Comma butterflies becoming a much more common sight.
One of the lengthier tasks for the week was to top up the water tank that flushes the toilets on the south side of the island. The tank can hold around 6,000 litres, however the bowser pump that we use to pump water into it can only take 1,000 litres at a time.
During the time while we were waiting for the tank to fill however I spotted something that made all of the waiting around worthwhile. A Jersey Tiger Moth came and landed only a couple of metres away from where we were filling the tank. The Jersey Tiger is classed as "Nationally Scarce" although in recent years their numbers have been reported as increasing and becoming more widespread. Previously they were often only sighted in and around the Devon area. A few years ago when one was sighted on Flat Holm is was recorded as the first ever sighting of a Jersey Tiger Moth in Wales!
Although we only had the one boat visit this week the Westward Ho brought 93 passengers over from Western-Super-Mare, which meant we had an incredibly busy day. Five separate guided tours were required to accommodate everybody, but the weather was great and everybody seemed to have a fun day out.
So to finish off this week, what do you think is the most unlikely thing ever found on an underground train? Something about this discovery on a New York Metro train just seems a little fishy to me!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23610105
See you all next week!
Light breaking through the clouds above one of the searchlight posts
After posting the last blog, I realised that there was one important detail that I had missed out. Just before we left the island for our short stay back on the mainland, it was time for the island's annual wild leak survey. The wild leaks that we have on the island grow in only 5 places in the UK, and we are lucky enough to be one of them. They are protected by law and it is a criminal offence to pick them or damage them in any way.
A Bumblebee enjoying one of the 3,135 wild leaks we have on the island
Statistically a population of over 3,000 leaks is classed as "healthy", while if the figures were to fall below 1,500 the population would be classed as "of concern". After a great deal of counting we finally came to record a population size of 3,135 wild leaks for Flat Holm meaning that we have a healthy population!
So back to this week. We began by putting out our moth trap overnight, and ended up having our most successful haul by far; 56 moths which were made up of 26 different species that we were able to identify!
The weeks butterfly walk was also similarly successful, with nearly 300 butterflies being recorded during the lap of the island. A few more species of butterfly have become more prominent since we returned to the island, with the Peacock and Comma butterflies becoming a much more common sight.
A Peacock Butterfly on the head of a Teasel that is starting to flower
The Comma Butterfly with it's frilly wings is now a common sight on the island
One of the lengthier tasks for the week was to top up the water tank that flushes the toilets on the south side of the island. The tank can hold around 6,000 litres, however the bowser pump that we use to pump water into it can only take 1,000 litres at a time.
Vicky's turn at holding the hose in place
During the time while we were waiting for the tank to fill however I spotted something that made all of the waiting around worthwhile. A Jersey Tiger Moth came and landed only a couple of metres away from where we were filling the tank. The Jersey Tiger is classed as "Nationally Scarce" although in recent years their numbers have been reported as increasing and becoming more widespread. Previously they were often only sighted in and around the Devon area. A few years ago when one was sighted on Flat Holm is was recorded as the first ever sighting of a Jersey Tiger Moth in Wales!
The Jersey Tiger Moth. Very happy to have seen one of these!
Although we only had the one boat visit this week the Westward Ho brought 93 passengers over from Western-Super-Mare, which meant we had an incredibly busy day. Five separate guided tours were required to accommodate everybody, but the weather was great and everybody seemed to have a fun day out.
So to finish off this week, what do you think is the most unlikely thing ever found on an underground train? Something about this discovery on a New York Metro train just seems a little fishy to me!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23610105
See you all next week!
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