Staying on Skomer for the first time- what to expect?

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rob-nikon

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I've booked a couple of nights on skomer in July, it's the first time I've stayed on the island so I'm not sure what to expect, what are good things to take? I know I need to take food, not so sure about drinking water or bedding, towels etc. I'm thinking that weather could change easily so packing for most conditions will be needed, and maybe even sun cream (if we get a summer!).
I know there are no electrical sockets so I've already bought some extra batteries for the camera.

Any advice would be very appreciated, thanks.
 
Been there a couple of times, you'll love it. You'll need towels, pillow covers and sheets etc - I think there's quilts there.

There are electrical sockets - providing the sun shines!

There's no microwave, and hot showers are hit and miss, so might be worth taking some wipes.

Food wise, Pizza's were very popular when I went - quick and easy!
 
Should have said, the accommodation's basic but clean and functional. Good walking boots are a good idea. Flask for a hot drink to take with you and something to put on the ground to sit on would be a good idea.

Lens wise, obviously a long, fast telephoto or prime, and something shorter as the puffins at The Wick can get really close (had one jump up on my back whilst I was laying down to take a shot last time I was there!). If you have a macro, there's some nice wild flowers there if you're into that kind of thing.
 
I will add to the suggestions Suntan cream and Aftersun, as its quite exposed on the island and easy to get sun burnt.
Also they have a small shop for milk / tins of food etc etc.
The puffins are really fast and small when trying to capture them in flight, so practice on your technique a bit before you go.
 
davekiddle said:
Been there a couple of times, you'll love it. You'll need towels, pillow covers and sheets etc - I think there's quilts there.

There are electrical sockets - providing the sun shines!

There's no microwave, and hot showers are hit and miss, so might be worth taking some wipes.

Food wise, Pizza's were very popular when I went - quick and easy!
Click to expand...
That's useful to know. I didn't think of bed sheets.
 
davekiddle said:
Should have said, the accommodation's basic but clean and functional. Good walking boots are a good idea. Flask for a hot drink to take with you and something to put on the ground to sit on would be a good idea.

Lens wise, obviously a long, fast telephoto or prime, and something shorter as the puffins at The Wick can get really close (had one jump up on my back whilst I was laying down to take a shot last time I was there!). If you have a macro, there's some nice wild flowers there if you're into that kind of thing.
Click to expand...

I went on a day trip last June and had to book a trip to stay. Yes I'm planning on taking 3 lenses (300, 70-200 and a 17-55) and 2 dslr's just in case of
a camera failure.

davekiddle said:
Oh, and take plenty of memory cards!

The water's OK to drink.
Click to expand...

Yes just bought another memory card to make sure I have enough. That's good to know about the water, that will save a bit of weight!
sjh2008 said:
I will add to the suggestions Suntan cream and Aftersun, as its quite exposed on the island and easy to get sun burnt.
Also they have a small shop for milk / tins of food etc etc.
The puffins are really fast and small when trying to capture them in flight, so practice on your technique a bit before you go.
Click to expand...

Must remember my hat as well then. Yes I remember them being so small and fast, seeing them flying makes me think they are one bird that wasn't designed to fly, the movement looks so frantic and their landings are more crash than graceful. But there is just something about them that makes you want to go back.
 
It's worth going out late at night around midnight to experience the Manx Shearwaters returning to their burrows. The noise is amazing, but you'll need to use a red light, as a white light disorientates them.
 
davekiddle said:
It's worth going out late at night around midnight to experience the Manx Shearwaters returning to their burrows. The noise is amazing, but you'll need to use a red light, as a white light disorientates them.
Click to expand...
Thanks great tip, I will have to get a good red light filter. You have just reminded me I will need a torch too.
 
I'm finding this thread wonderfully helpful, as I'm hoping to get along to Skomer for the first time myself, in mid July - and indeed, took advantage of LensesForHire's recent February sale to bring along a Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 for the purpose, in addition to my usual Nikkor 300mm f/4. ^_^ My focus will, in fact, be more leporine, though I'll happily watch the puffins and other seabirds as well.

I'm not sure how well I'll manage without a network connection for entire days, though. =:)
 
Porsupah said:
I'm finding this thread wonderfully helpful, as I'm hoping to get along to Skomer for the first time myself, in mid July - and indeed, took advantage of LensesForHire's recent February sale to bring along a Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 for the purpose, in addition to my usual Nikkor 300mm f/4. ^_^ My focus will, in fact, be more leporine, though I'll happily watch the puffins and other seabirds as well.

I'm not sure how well I'll manage without a network connection for entire days, though. =:)
Click to expand...
Are you staying on the island.
 
sjh2008 mentions a small shop on the island, the shop is on Skokholm and not on Skomer unless that has changed in the last year. You will have to take all food and drink with you except for water.
 
If you have converters then take them. The little owls tend to keep their distance a bit on the stone walls and the wardens dont like you wandering too far off the paths.

Dont know where you guys plan to stay but if youre down the day before then a visit to marloes mere and the deer park can be worth the effort and also bosherston lilly ponds.
 
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I went for the first time back in April last year, and I've a stay scheduled again for the end of June. So not a seasoned expert but:

They should send you a list of required stuff such as bedsheets and what not. In April (and with the late spring we had) I found the building quite cold and damp. June/July will hopefully be better, but I still recommend packing your fresh clothes wrapped inside plastic bags. There is no shop on Skomer, so you'll need to take everything (and extra. You can get stranded for extra days if the weather turns!). You also have to take everything home at the end (minus organic waste that can go on the compost).

There are two electric sockets in the kitchen. When I was there I was one of only two photographers, so I pretty much free to recharge when I wanted (a couple of phones were the only other things I saw them being used for). I suspect in June/July there might be a bit more of a queue so plan on the assumption they'll be limited.

I also had the puffins to myself for long periods, which isn't going to be the case in the peak season of July. I heard it can sometimes get a bit scrum-like when it's at the most busy. The day trippers (potentially 250 of them) start to arrive at 10am and all rush off to the other side of the island for the Puffins. But they'll off by 3-4pm. In July, that gives you many hours either side when there's going to be a maximum of 16 guests to share with (plus the staff and volunteers). Use the middle of the day to shoot other stuff, have a siesta, shower, etc.

When photographing the puffins, keep an eye out for any that want to pass but are being timid. With so much going on, it's easy to become focused on the ones in front of your lens and not notice others around you. Be prepared to get up and move out of the way.

Gear wise: I took better photos with my 70-200 f2.8 than my 100-400. I've heard people say "You don't need long lenses, the puffins are that close." However, pros still turn up with 500mm+ lenses, and they have their usefulness. (I'd take one if I could afford one!).

Every night there is a get together when they record what everybody has seen and have a chat. I found there was a great communal spirit between the trust staff, weekly volunteers and the paying guests. With sunset times as they are in the summer, I might miss more of these this time around, but if they don't clash with good light, I'd definitely try to attend.

If you want a feel for the island before you go, there is a decent book by an ex-warden
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Skomer-Portrait-Island-Jane-Matthews/dp/1905582587

Also: don't drop your camera over the side in to the sea (happened a few days after I was there so somebody on a photo workshop trip)
 
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Gaz J said:
If you have converters then take them. The little owls tend to keep their distance a bit on the stone walls and the wardens dont like you wandering too far off the paths.

Dont know where you guys plan to stay but if youre down the day before then a visit to marloes mere and the deer park can be worth the effort and also bosherston lilly ponds.
Click to expand...

Thanks, yes teleconverters already planned in hope of little owls.
 
The W said:
I went for the first time back in April last year, and I've a stay scheduled again for the end of June. So not a seasoned expert but:

They should send you a list of required stuff such as bedsheets and what not. In April (and with the late spring we had) I found the building quite cold and damp. June/July will hopefully be better, but I still recommend packing your fresh clothes wrapped inside plastic bags. There is no shop on Skomer, so you'll need to take everything (and extra. You can get stranded for extra days if the weather turns!). You also have to take everything home at the end (minus organic waste that can go on the compost).

There are two electric sockets in the kitchen. When I was there I was one of only two photographers, so I pretty much free to recharge when I wanted (a couple of phones were the only other things I saw them being used for). I suspect in June/July there might be a bit more of a queue so plan on the assumption they'll be limited.

I also had the puffins to myself for long periods, which isn't going to be the case in the peak season of July. I heard it can sometimes get a bit scrum-like when it's at the most busy. The day trippers (potentially 250 of them) start to arrive at 10am and all rush off to the other side of the island for the Puffins. But they'll off by 3-4pm. In July, that gives you many hours either side when there's going to be a maximum of 16 guests to share with (plus the staff and volunteers). Use the middle of the day to shoot other stuff, have a siesta, shower, etc.

When photographing the puffins, keep an eye out for any that want to pass but are being timid. With so much going on, it's easy to become focused on the ones in front of your lens and not notice others around you. Be prepared to get up and move out of the way.

Gear wise: I took better photos with my 70-200 f2.8 than my 100-400. I've heard people say "You don't need long lenses, the puffins are that close." However, pros still turn up with 500mm+ lenses, and they have their usefulness. (I'd take one if I could afford one!).

Every night there is a get together when they record what everybody has seen and have a chat. I found there was a great communal spirit between the trust staff, weekly volunteers and the paying guests. With sunset times as they are in the summer, I might miss more of these this time around, but if they don't clash with good light, I'd definitely try to attend.

If you want a feel for the island before you go, there is a decent book by an ex-warden
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Skomer-Portrait-Island-Jane-Matthews/dp/1905582587

Also: don't drop your camera over the side in to the sea (happened a few days after I was there so somebody on a photo workshop trip)
Click to expand...

Great response, I had thought about sunrise and sunset being my busy times. Having been on a day trip in June last year I know how busy it gets with day trippers. It's also the bright point of the day with harsh overhead sun so I'm thinking it will be break time between 12-4pm.
 
The Wick tends to a very popular place for puffins especially flight shots. If the wind is blowing off the island then you can get the birds coming at you face on with wings flared. If its coming off the sea then its a lot more difficult. Little Owls are usually over the other side of the farm on the stone walls leading away from it. If you fancy a challenge then the swallows around the farm buildings will keep you on your toes. There are also SEO's on the island but ive never been fortunate enought to see them.
 
Don't know if its been mentioned before, but where do you book Skomer for a couple of nights? Was thinking of next year myself, as i have Farne's booked for this year, with Photographers On Sarafi
 
http://www.welshwildlife.org/overnight-accommodation-on-skomer/

If you join the trust, you get to book a week or two before it is open to all (October time). The choice periods get booked out pretty quickly the morning the phones open to members. If you're not set on the June beak-of-sand-eels peak, and aren't set on any particular dates/days of the week, there's still quite a few choices now.
 
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