We’re protecting puffins during lockdown
TWO WILDLIFE WARDENS HAVE BEEN DEDICATING THEIR LIVES TO CARING FOR THE NATIVES OF A REMOTE WELSH ISLAND
“We appreciate all the support from The National Lottery and the people who play it”
SPENDING nearly nine months of the year living on remote Skomer Island, wildlife wardens Nathan Wilkie and Sylwia Zbijewska, both 29, are used to life “off the grid”.
But when the coronavirus crisis struck, the two of them were plunged into compulsory lockdown on the beautiful 720-acre isle off the Pembrokeshire coast.
With only seabirds for company, the situation has left them even more isolated than usual, and it hasn’t been without its challenges. First Nathan came down with symptoms of the coronavirus and had to self-isolate for two weeks, then the pair struggled to get food deliveries.
But now they’re embracing the situation. Sylwia, who is using her spare time to learn the ukulele, says: “Every few weeks we take our boat to collect our online supermarket order from friends, and we alternate cooking duties.
“You need to be OK with being in isolation, and not being able to just pop to the shops. You have to plan ahead and be able to enjoy the changes in the weather.”
Their work here involves collecting data on breeding seabirds, including and helping to protect them from other species – humans among them.
“The island is really fragile,” says Nathan. “Puffins and shearwaters nest in burrows, so the ground is like a honeycomb. It’s important that people stay on the paths.”
In normal times Skomer attracts up to 250 visitors a day, drawn by the chance to see the island’s wildlife.
These visitors account for more than half the income received by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, which manages the island, and neighbouring Skokholm. But coronavirus cut this off virtually overnight, and the Trust was faced with having to withdraw the wardens.
However, thanks to a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund – part of a wider £600m National Lottery allocation to help projects affected by the pandemic’s impact – Nathan and Sylwia can continue protecting Skomer’s unique bird habitats.
Both are missing their families on the mainland, though. Nathan is also craving ice cream, while Sylwia pines for fresh strawberries.
Meanwhile they, and two other wardens, have been sharing their work online via video blogs.
And despite the crisis, the pair are counting their blessings.
“We know how lucky we are to have a job on a remote island,” says Nathan. “We appreciate all the support from The National Lottery and the people who play it.”
“It’s a very special place to work in and it’s definitely a privilege,” Sylwia adds.