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******NEXT ACTIVATION ..........22 JULY TO 27 JULY 2010******
Ramsey Island lies half a mile from the St David's Peninsula, the most westerly point of Wales. This magnificent island is dominated by the rocky peaks of Carnllundain and Carnsgubor, whilst the two small islands, Ynys Cantwr and Ynys Bery lie to the south.
This page contains brief details and photo's of the trip to Ramsey Island, Pembrokeshire and is from the prospective of the World Flora Fauna programme. For a more detailed account of the trip then return to the sidebar Menu, select 'My Dxpeditions' and then 'Ramsey Island'. Alternativly check out the 'Gallery' and you will also find photos on there in the near future - Thanks.
Owned and managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) the island provides a home for nesting chough, peregrine falcons and several species of seabirds. Its vegetation includes important stretches of heathland and maritime grassland which are among the few truly unmodified semi-natural habitats in Britain. Little surprise that associated with these habitats are many species of plant and invertebrate that are national rarities.
The breeding colony of grey seals is the largest in south west Britain, with up to 300 seal pups being born each year at the back of the cave systems and on the small beaches around the shore. It is an island rich in legend dating back to the establishment of early Christian cells or chapels, first in AD 186 by Devanus or St Tyfanog as he was also known, and later by St Justinian. The existence of Bronze Age cairns and probable iron Age field systems dates the influence of farming back some  5000 years At nearly 120m (400 ft) the western cliffs of Ramsey island are among the highest in Wales. They are home to Ravens, Peregrines and Buzzards. In spring, Guillimots, Razorbills, Fulmars, Kittiwakes and Shags come to nest too. Choughs also breed on these cliffs, seeking out deep fissures and caves in which to build their nests.  From mid-July however, the cliffs empty as the Auk chicks head out to the open sea. The only thing missing (my favourite bird :-( ) the Puffin!
The southern heathlands are a special combination of heather, gorse and coastal plants. In August they come into their glory, when the heathers and gorse flower together. This habitat is the haunt of Stonechats, Meadow Pipits, Linnets and Skylarks. The summits of Carn Ysgubor and Carn Llundain give splendid views to the mainland, south to Skomer Island and on the clearest of days, west to Ireland. It is also common to see Wheatears and Pipits as they feed on the Flora all over the island.
 Larger boats avoid the area at all costs but the extreme currents, whirlpools and standing waves are a mecca for the Kayak enthusiasts. many boats and lives have been lost in this area of Ramsey Sound and one culprit is an underwater spire called Horse Rock. It is however an amazing sight to see as the tide rushes in both the ebb and flow of the tides.
Ramsey is surrounded by approx. 19 other smaller Islands and is totally uninhabited apart from the RSPB Warden and his Wife that we mentioned earlier. Livestock on the Island include 200 Ewes, 5 Ponies, Deer and the latest arrivals are Welsh Black Cattle.
For a more detailed account of the trip then return to the sidebar Menu, select 'My Dxpeditions' and then 'Ramsey Island'. Alternativly check out the 'Gallery'
Thats it for now, hope you enjoyed your visit to GWFF-072 Ramsey Island, Pembrokeshire, South-West Wales,
UK, please join me again soon,
 
73 de Charles
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