Calm weather and a window in the Island Rib
Tour bookings enabled Chris Mourant, Catherine, Sophie and Paul Veron
to make a
quick visit to Godin from 13.30 to 14.15 on Sunday 24th May
2009. This visit was about two weeks
later than originally planned due to weather and boat availability. However, it was very useful to make the visit
and commence the 2009 seabird monitoring with such an enjoyable visit.
It was a lovely fast ride out on very calm
seas. No dingy, so direct landing in
perfect conditions at very low water.
Chris, Sophie and Catherine headed up to the main Cormorant
breeding
area amongst the boulders at the highest point of the Islet, whilst
Paul
circled around the edge of the islet to corral any large wandering
birds. Chris and Catherine noted several
large well
feathered youngsters taking flight from the boulders at the head of
Godin.
Circa 12 Cormorant nests recorded, four still
with eggs or tiny young. Nine well grown
Cormorant chicks ringed.
It was especially heartening to see 15 – 20
Shag nests, most with two or three small chicks giving our first
indication
that this species may enjoy some significant breeding success for the
first
time in three years. Three small to
medium sized Shag chicks were ringed.
Perhaps the most noticeable birds on the islet
were the Great Black Backed Gulls with at least 30 pairs nesting, many
with
nests with three eggs including several where the chicks were just
hatching
out. A few nests of Lesser Black Backed
Gull and Herring Gull were noted.
Although the two areas where Guillemots often
nest were not inspected, a flight of 14 adult Guillemots around Godin
was
observed.
The vegetation was particularly luxuriant which
will make finding Great Black Backed Gull chicks later in the season a
particular challenge! A
couple of Painted Lady butterflies were
noticed – further examples of the significant invasion of this
insect into
Guernsey in the past 10 days.
24 May 2009