SKOKHOLM - ISLAND OF BIRDS RESIDENTIAL WORKSHOP

UK Seabird Photography at its best

Photographers on Safari have been extremely fortunate in securing the entire accommodation facilities on Skokholm Island, off Pembrokeshire, South West Wales, for seven nights from July 7th to 13th.

4 days, 5 Days or 8 Days on Island

This will provide beds for 14 clients for 3 nights, 4 nights or 7 nights, according to your choice. All but one of the rooms are on a twin share basis.

Boat Transfer and all Meals Included

The boat transfer, and all meals while on the island are included. Day trips are not possible to this island and, apart from the wardens, we will have the island completely to ourselves. You will be given a guided tour of the island on arrival, and will be shown the best places from where to photograph any given species, and the locations of the permanent hides.

Photograph Birds at Sunrise and Sunset

Whilst on the island you are free to come and go as you please. This enables you to practice your photography on the wonderful array of birds both at sunrise and at sunset, (as well as all day and all night if you wish). To be able to photograph these birds at these special times is quite a privilege, and it also makes for outstanding images. Skokholm is approximately 260 acres in size, is of international importance for its breeding seabirds, and has now been declared a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).

Hides provide real close-up photos

You can photograph your subjects from within purpose built hides or from outside. Birds in flight are best captured from outside and sunset seems to be the optimum time for this. The hides will allow you to photograph the puffins from just a few feet away. Sunrise was my favoured time for this method.

Photograph some of the 4,500 resident Puffins and Oystercatchers in Flight.

Skokholm is probably one of the best places in the world to photograph Puffins in flight. The Oystercatchers also offer similar and repeated photo opportunities. You will be instructed on how best to do this, and you will have plenty of time to perfect any new-learned techniques. The Gull chicks are also quite cute to photograph at this tender age. At this time of year the 4,500 resident Puffins are continually leaving their burrows and returning with beaks full of sand-eels and small fish.

Black Backed Gulls ambush the Puffins

The puffins are constantly being ambushed by Herring, Greater and Lesser Black Backed Gulls. These birds prefer to steal the puffin's eels rather than fish for themselves. Some Puffins will crash land directly into their burrows whilst others will land some distance away and "run for their lives" with their catch to their burrows. This makes for great entertainment as they try to outwit the Gulls. Other Puffins will even purposely drop part of their load in an attempt to entice away the waiting Gulls that are guarding the entrance to their burrows.

2000 Razorbills and Guillemots

There are also some 2000 Razorbills and Guillemots on Skokholm.

70,000 Manx Shearwaters, Storm Petrels, Fulmar & many more species

There are many other species of birds on the island including Manx Shearwaters, Storm Petrels, Razorbills, Fulmars, Guillemots, Meadow Pipits, Sedge Warblers, Wheatear, Dunlin, Peregrine Falcons, Buzzards, Chough, Ravens and Moorhens. There are also thousands of rabbits and a resident colony of seals. The colony of Manx Shearwaters (35,000 pairs) is probably the third largest in the world, containing some 15% of the World population. Breeding Storm Petrels here account for approximately 20% of the EU population. These two birds spend most of their lives at sea, only coming ashore to breed, and then only at night. This makes photography difficult but not impossible. There is a Shearwater colony immediately outside our accommodation. They create a spectacular nocturnal experience if you manage to stay awake.

Comfortable yet Basic Accommodation & Excellent Food

The accommodation is comfortable yet quite basic. There is no electricity or running water on the island. Lighting is provided by gas lamps and there is an unlimited supply of bottled water for drinking and rain water for washing. Alcohol is only available if you take it with you!!!!! The island does however have limited facilities (at a small cost) for the recharging of camera batteries and mobile phones. There is a large lounge with a log fire, and the food is excellent. The coastline is rugged and the sunsets can be stunning.

Non-photographers are most welcome

Skokholm is an experience you will treasure, and experienced photographer, John Wright will be on hand at all times to offer tuition and advice. Non-photographers are also most welcome.

Dates and Costs

Unfortunately no overnight stays on the island will be permitted for 2008 / 2009.

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PLEASE NOTE : Weather conditions are outside our control. In the event of being unable to get to the island at all, a refund of the workshop fee (less £25 deposit) will be made but Photographers On Safari is unable to accept responsibility for costs that might be incurred should you become stormbound on the island or need alternative accommodation if sailing is delayed.

residential photography on skokholm island