Remarkable numbers of Manx shearwaters have been seen from mid-June through to the end of July. We think this must be linked to good food availability this year, with numbers of breeding birds swelled by visiting non-breeding birds - Manx shearwaters don't start to breed until 4 years of age.
Thirty people help get St Agnes 'rat removal ready', with islands, visitors and personnel from RNAS 824 squadron joining forces.
Volunteering sign-up day at St Mary's Library sees launch of the Isles of Scilly Seabird Recovery Project 'Seabird Ambassadors' programme to help secure the long-term future for Scilly's seabird heritage.
Bob Dawson joined the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team to talk about seabirds and how we made use of them in the Bronze Age
Shearwaters and much more seen during The Five Islands School Activities Week.
Annet is the jewel in Scilly's seabird crown. The annual survey in 2013 was co-ordinated by seabird biologist Dr. Vickie Heaney, and indicated mixed fortunes.
Wildlife Management International Ltd (WMIL), the firm that ran the feasibility study into rat removal from Scilly two years ago, has won the contract for undertaking the removal work itself.
On the coldest day of the year so far (yes, it actually snowed in Scilly today!), Project Manager Jaclyn Pearson headed over to St Agnes to give residents an update on the project. There were afternoon sessions for farm tenants and the school and then two evening talks for the wider community. Thanks to Richard McCarthy for making the arrangements and to the Turk’s Head pub for playing host in the evening.
An ecological survey team from Spalding Associates (Environmental) Ltd is establishing baseline information for vegetation, invertebrates, mammals and landbirds. This will involve four visits in May, June, July and September 2013. This work will be repeated by trained Project staff and volunteers in the two years after brown rat eradication to examine changes. Work is being carried out on St Agnes, Gugh and Bryher.