Irish birds are more endangered than ever before, with more than a quarter, or 54 species, now on the red list, according to a new report from BirdWatch Ireland. Two well-known seabirds added to the red list are the puffin and kittiwake and there are fears they may become extinct in the next 100 years, […]
Tag: Puffin
Great auk extinction: Humans wiped out giant seabird
“The great auk will always hold a place in my heart,” Dr Jessica Thomas says.The Swansea-based scientist spent years piecing together an ancient DNA puzzle that suggests hunting by humans caused this giant seabird’s demise. Dr Thomas studied bone and tissue samples from 41 museum specimens during a PhD at both Bangor and Copenhagen University.The […]
Somebody stop me next time
With East Yorkshire having a mad migrant day on Saturday I hatched a plan to attack it on Sunday. I knew it was forecast to have a clear night and the wind was against us but the draw of Brown Shrike, Collared Flycatcher, two Woodchat Shrikes, two Wryneck and several other more common spring migrants […]
Bempton Cliffs
Spectacular chalk cliffs on the East Yorkshire coast, the hundreds of thousands of breeding seabirds are an onslaught on your senses, with the sheer sight, sound and smell of the nesting Gannets (largest mainland colony in Britain), Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes and a few Puffins. Run by the RSPB, there are viewpoints where superb views can […]
Saltee Islands – Paradise for Seabirds
The Saltee Islands, St. George’s Channel consisting of the Great and Little Saltee, are situated approximately 5 kilometers off the coast of Kilmore Quay Co.Wexford. The larger island Great Saltee is the most famous bird sanctuary in Ireland and is very popular with both day-trippers and birdwatchers alike. These Islands are privately owned and are […]
Climate Change Caused One of the Biggest Seabird Die-Offs Yet
In 2014 scientists and beachgoers began finding west coast shores littered with thousands of small bodies. Their tragic discoveries would turn into what would become one of the largest seabird die-offs recorded yet, and now scientists have linked the cause to climate change. The birds who were washing up were Cassin’s Auklets, a portly little […]
Green Heron Llan-mill Pembrokeshire
After leaving home at 4am this morning we found ourselves walking down the lane to the old mill in the village of Llan-mill in Pembrokeshire by 7.30am. As we approached the MP Simon Harts home we were greeted by another birder who directed us into the back garden which overlooks the large flooded pond where […]
Scotland #3 – Seabird Extravaganza
Back home in Norwich already, but I have some more Scottish tales to tell. On July 31st we went out to sea with my mate Phil from Shetland Seabird Tours. We left Lerwick harbour and headed towards Noss NNR. Phil boat is great – small enough to get close to water level, but sits very […]