Pembroke Day 1 - 11/06/12

Afraid as to what would become of our long planned trip down to the Pembrokeshire Coast and Skomer Island after seeing our fortunes change in regards to weather forecasts, we donned waterproof gear and set out for Stack Pole Estate. After arriving we made straight off for the cliffs, vaguely aware of the military firing in the distance.

The first check point was unmanned so we went on, taking in the stunning coastline. House Martins were everywhere, taking mud in the car park when we parked up and nesting in the cliffs by the sea. A brief shower saw us fear the worst, but it soon passed and we had a great cliff-top walk, heralded by a particularly noisy Thrush. 

I stood slack-jawed watching some Fulmar gliding by stiff-winged and managed a decent flight shot -

Razorbills lodged in the rocky outcrops, Shags stood like sentinels on stacks and a Jackdaw that had found a watery grave soon became food for a marauding gull.

We then ate our sandwiches watching the likes of Chough, Rock Pippit, and Gannet. 

As we approached Stack Rocks we realised the MOD had actually closed off the area so we sadly left that plan for another time, and headed back for Bosherston across the beach. On route we noticed a good amount of butterflies, Speckled Wood, Common Blue, and Holly Blue respectively -

We then took a lovely walk around the scenic Bosherston Lily Ponds -

We heard a Willow Warbler and saw some Cygnets, a few fledgling Chiff Chaff, and this perky young Robin-

After making our way around we relaxed at the beach before making our way back to the car and then off to the B+B, Ty Rhosyn in Camrose, where we had some stunning home-cooked food, desert and a couple of beers before getting an early night ready for Skomer Island. As we watched Springwatch I became confused about where a series of chirps were coming from and I looked outside to see some fledgling Wrens just outside the door!