A
force 7 wind from due north was blowing at Strumble on the 18th October 1980. A
Shag took advantage of these conditions to make a rapid passage southwards by
angling across the wind and flying at about 50 feet above sea level. It took a
short cut by passing between the headland and Ynys Michael but unfortunately struck
the power lines supplying the lighthouse and was electrocuted.
On
the 24 May 2013 in similar weather conditions another Shag acted in exactly the
same manner but this time there were no power lines to cause fatality. Full
marks to the PCNPA for burying the cables, though this has removed perches for
small bird migrants making them harder to see.
