Monday 3 July 2017

The Island of Mykines

Today with the weather set fair we travelled to the Island of Mykines which is west of where we are staying with a 45 minute car ride and then the ferry for about the same time. The sea was calm, but getting into the very small harbour at Mykines was incredible. We paused for a while apparently waiting for the right movement of the sea and then we were in. Disembarking was a leap onto the jetty helped by a strong arm.
Opposite the landing the cliff was full of Kittiwake, nesting birds with many chicks. The landing provided my first views of Black Guillemots and they were also there while waiting for the return home.
Nowhere on these islands is flat and there was a steep climb to the high ridge. Puffins easily obliged and remained close without any fear. I declined the descent via a narrow bridge to the other part of the island, but parked myself with a full view of the sea on both sides. Arctic Skuas which we had seen earlier flew and so did several Great Skua. One of these obliged and sat with a focused scope for many minutes. One was also seen to take a Puffin.
On this island there is a substantial colony of Gannets and these were easily seen from my high view point. Many birds were flying continually in from the sea and around the cliffs. I sat and watched and they kept coming.
A Pipit showed briefly and was photographed. A Wren was seen on this high point too..
In the village just above the harbour we saw a Wren feeding young and a Rock Pipit with food too.
Another unforgettable day of incredible coastline, high ridges and birds of course.

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