Shearwater Nights

Available for over a year

In this series of Essays writer Jon Gower explores the patches of sea water around Wales, sailing past Viking slave traders, soft crumbling coastlines, industrial scale smuggling, marathon chess matches between lighthouse keepers, ghost ships, whales and walruses along the way. For the country of Wales, surrounded on three sides by the sea, that sea has always been important – a trade route, a means to export ideas such as Christianity, or as a source of fish - especially herring, so many herring. Shearwater Nights - Jon introduces us to the rare seabird particular to the Welsh coastal islands: the Manx Shearwater. From the island of Skokholm, he describes the thrill of seeing one in flight, their long distance travels, their predators, their dinner time calls and their endearing awkwardness on land. We hear about the perilous waters surrounding Ynys Enlli, Bardsey Island, and the island’s holy, and kingly, connections. Jon also reminisces about his smelly summer of ’76 on account of the Manx’s self-defence method; shooting fish oil out of its bill at potential predators. Produced by Megan Jones and Philippa Swallow.