Foulney Island - Cumbria

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The weather tower on Foulney Island

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This particular plant has Campion Anther Smut (Microbotryum violaceum)

Thanks to Ian Senior @Ians4AD who posted a similar explanatory picture.

Sea Campion (Silene uniflora)

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Sea Kale (Crambe marítima)

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Sea Plantain (Plantago marítima)

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Female Eider on take off

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Male Eider in the sunshine.

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Roas island

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Roas and Piel Island

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Looking towards Piel Island from Foulney Island

In the middle of reading Mark Cocker's new book 'Our Place'. Sadly this morning provided another example of the devastation caused over the last 60 years.
I met two fisherman who had been coming to Foulney Island since they were young boys. 60 years ago.
They had to delicately pick their way over the tern nests in those days to get to the fishing spots.
The whole Island inundated with all the British breeding species at that time.
Sandwich, Common. Arctic, Little & Roseate
Over the years that has dwindled to about 20+ pairs of Little terns and about 30+ pairs of Arctic Terns.
All the breeding areas are now encircled by electric fences because of predation by rats and weasels.
Anything that attempts to nest outside the fences is quickly despatched by said predators.
Fishing inspectors wait at then end of Island to check their fishing bags in case they try to keep any fish they have caught.
That is now against the law.

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