The Sanda group of islands were put up for sale in 2008 for £3.25 million, dropping to £2.75 million in 2009, and given the credit crunch, the asking price is now £2.5million.

Given the potential change of ownership, it is difficult for the Observatory to plan for 2010. However, we can only plan on the basis of what we know, and that is that the Gannons remain the owners, and may still be so in 2010.

We still hope to be able to ring auks at the end of June/early July, and tubenoses at the end of July/early August. If we can make other visits to Sanda, that will also be attempted.