L’Etac de Serk 1st
June
2006
Visited by Catherine, Paul and
Sue Daley on 1st June. Pete picked us up from Guernsey on
rib. Landed on northern side of rock.
20 Shag pulli ringed plus one adult
Razorbill. It was clear that it is a fairly late season for Shag, and
also not a
particularly productive one. About 1/3rd
of nests empty and
abandoned, 1/3rd with eggs and chicks too small to ring,
and 1/3rd
large enough to ring. Most nests which had chicks were broods of two
(only one
of three and several of one).
Far fewer Guillemots on eggs or
chicks than last year. About a dozen tiny chicks seen, but some areas
which
were occupied last year were completely deserted.
One lone guillemot preening on
edge of water which seemed unafraid of humans and less waterproof than
normal –
could this be the oiled adult ringed and released a couple of weeks
earlier at
the animal shelter?
Arounnd 20 Puffins were seen on
water and in
air over rock.
40+ Great Black-backed Gulls over
rock, but several tiny dead chicks found, along with a few nests with
eggs. No
medium-large young seen.
No Cormorants.
Noticed presence of firebugs.
.
