ISLE OF MAY NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Bex Outram David Steel 2017
Contents 1 BIOLOGICAL RECORDING ...... 2 1.1 Introduction to breeding seabirds ...... 2 1.2 Population monitoring of cliff-nesting seabirds ...... 2 1.2.1 Sections and timings ...... 2 1.2.2 Cornerstone plot counts ...... 2 1.3 Results of cliff-nesting seabirds ...... 3 1.3.1 Fulmar ...... 3 1.3.2 Shag ...... 3 1.3.3 Kittiwake ...... 4 1.3.4 Guillemot...... 5 1.3.5 Razorbill...... 6 1.4 Population monitoring of ground-nesting seabirds ...... 7 1.4.1 Puffin ...... 7 1.4.2 Herring and lesser black-backed gull ...... 8 1.4.3 Great black-backed gull...... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.4.4 Terns...... 11 1.4.4.1 Roseate tern ...... 11 1.4.4.2 Sandwich tern ...... 11 1.4.4.3 Arctic and common tern ...... 12 1.4.5 Eider ...... 15 1.5 Other breeding birds ...... 16 1.6 Wader counts ...... 17 1.7 Mammals ...... 18 1.7.1 Grey seal...... 18 1.7.2 Cetaceans ...... 18 1.7.3 Mice ...... 19 1.8 Lepidoptera ...... 19 1.8.1 Butterfly ...... 19 1.8.2 Moth...... 19 2 VISITOR REVIEW ...... 20 3 VOLUNTEER REVIEW ...... 21
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1 BIOLOGICAL RECORDING
1.1 Introduction to breeding seabirds SNH monitors breeding seabird populations as part of its management of the National Nature Reserve as well as to report on the Special Protection Area (SPA) qualifying species.
Further seabird monitoring is carried out by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), under contract to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). Data from this monitoring work is integral to JNCC’s national system of long-term monitoring for seabird populations, as the island is one of four strategic monitoring sites in Great Britain. The other three sites are Skomer, Canna and Fair Isle.
SNH carries out the population monitoring of the cliff-nesting seabirds, gulls, eiders and terns. CEH monitors the breeding success, survival and food intake of the auks, shags, fulmar and kittiwakes. CEH, along with the Isle of May Bird Observatory (IOMBO), provides numerous other pieces of data invaluable to this report, such as the dates of first eggs/chicks, sightings of migrant birds, cetaceans and lepidoptera.
1.2 Population monitoring of cliff-nesting seabirds
1.2.1 Sections and timings The detailed all-island count (AIC) methodology for the five cliff-nesting bird species (guillemot, razorbill, kittiwake, fulmar and shag) is set out in the Isle of May Monitoring Handbook (SNH, 2001, revised 2002 and 2011). The island is divided into the same standardised count sections as have been used in previous years. All species are counted once during the first week in June to capture a snapshot of the populations.
The majority of the all-island count was carried out by Bex Outram. In sections that were sensitive, data was provided by Mark Newell of CEH to avoid additional disturbance. The AIC was completed between 1st and 5th June.
1.2.2 Cornerstone plot counts The counts of individual razorbill and guillemot during the AIC are converted to estimates of pair numbers. The number of both razorbill and guillemot pairs breeding at the Cornerstone plot is monitored by CEH. A count of each species was made at the Cornerstone plot at the beginning of every count session.
For each species, the number of pairs known to be breeding at Cornerstone was divided by the relevant Cornerstone count, for every count session. This provided a “k” value which represents the difference between the number of individuals counted and the number of pairs. By multiplying this “k-value” with the number of individual birds counted during a session, the number of pairs can be estimated for that session. Keeping raw counts to within a few hours of the Cornerstone plot count allows for the variation in attendance of adults on the cliffs.
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1.3 Results of cliff-nesting seabirds The overall 2017 counts for each of the five cliff-nesting species on the Isle of May are shown in Table 1.1. Counts from previous years are also shown for comparison. Table 1.3 shows the different section counts for each species. How the breeding populations of the five species relate to last year is shown in Table 1.4.
1.3.1 Fulmar The number of Apparently Occupied Sites (AOS) was 341, up 10% from 309 in 2016.
Figure 1: Numbers of Fulmar, AOS, Isle of May 1990 -2017 450 400 350 300 250
AOS 200 150 100 50
0
1991 1995 1990 1992 1993 1994 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Year
The first egg was seen on 14th May. The first chick was seen in early July, with the first fledged bird seen in late August.
It has been an average breeding season, with 0.40 chicks from each breeding pair.
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Productivity 0.21 0.2 0.44 0.34 0.36 0.13 0.47 0.56 0.52 0.39 0.40
1.3.2 Shag The number of apparently occupied nests (AON) has increased to 474 pairs, up 22% from 2016 and the highest count since 2012. After a dip in the population last year, the numbers have slowly increased following a “wreck” during the winter of 2012/2013.
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Figure 2: Numbers of breeding shag (AON), Isle of May 1990 -2017
1,800 1,600
1,400 1,200 1,000
AON 800
600 400 200
0
1999 2010 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Year
The plots monitored by CEH showed a high the return rate, 93.9%, well above the long-term mean of 79%.
The first shag egg was recorded on 29th March, and the first chick was seen on 2nd May.
It has been a fairly successful season for shags, with an above average breeding productivity, 1.67 chicks fledging per breeding pair.
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Productivity 1.07 1.9 2.02 2.04 1.54 1.18 1.20 1.58 1.91 2.1 1.67
1.3.3 Kittiwake The number of kittiwake pairs (AON) has increased by 20% to 3,507 pairs, the highest count since 2005.
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Figure 3: Number of breeding kittiwake (AON), Isle of May 1990 - 2017 9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
AON 4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
2012 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Year
The kittiwakes experienced the fourth highest return rate, 88.5%, from the plots monitored.
The first egg was seen on 9th May and the first chick was seen to hatch on 7th June.
It has been a good breeding season for the kittiwakes with an above average productivity, 0.94 chicks from the breeding pairs.
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Productivity 0.24 0.23 0.7 0.29 0.87 0.98 0.41 1.17 1.07 0.78 0.94
1.3.4 Guillemot From the AIC, the estimated number of individuals is 20,531. To calculate the number of pairs breeding on the island, the ‘K’ value is used. To determine this factor, the number of pairs at the Cornerstone plot is required from Mark Newell, CEH. This year, the Cornerstone plot had increased to 232 breeding pairs and is now the highest count.
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 No. of pairs at 198 191 198 201 205 195 193 194 220 229 232 Cornerstone
Using the “k” value (see Table 1.6), the number of pairs has been calculated to 16,468; a 2% increase on last year’s count.
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Figure 4: Counts of individuals and estimated pairs of guillemot on the Isle of May, 1990-2017
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000 Count 10,000
5,000
0
2004 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Year Raw count Estimated pairs
The return rate of the marked individuals was 84.2%, below average and the lowest since 2007.
The first egg was seen on 18th April, a day later than last year, and the first chick was seen on 20th May. The first jumpling was noted leaving the cliffs on 18th June.
The guillemot breeding season was average after a dip last year, with each breeding pair producing 0.74 chicks. However, during strong westerly winds on 24th June, the majority of the chicks on low-lying ledges were washed off, including around 400 at the bottom of Greenface. This would not have been accounted for in the productivity rate as it not part of CEH monitoring plots.
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Productivity 0.28 0.63 0.75 0.8 0.71 0.79 0.69 0.72 0.78 0.66 0.74
1.3.5 Razorbill The number of individual razorbills is 5,149. As with the guillemots, a ‘K’ value has to be established in order to calculate the number of breeding pairs on the island. This year, the number of razorbills breeding at the Cornerstone plot was 82 pairs (provided by Mark Newell, CEH).
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 No. of pairs at 71 64 67 62 69 72 74 72 81 79 82 Cornerstone
Using the ‘k’ value (see Table 1.6), the number of pairs of breeding razorbills has increased to 3.570 pairs, up 9% on last year’s count.
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Figure 5: Counts of individuals and estimated pairs of razorbill on the Isle of May, 1990-2017
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000 Count 2,000
1,000
0
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Year
Raw count Estimated pairs
The return rate of colour-ringed individuals is 87.5, above average, as you would expect with an increasing population.
The first egg was seen on 22nd April, seven days earlier than last year. The first chick was seen on 24th May and the first fledged chick to jump from the cliff was seen on 20th June.
Razorbills have had a good breeding season, the best since 2010, each adult pair producing 0.62 chicks.
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Productivity 0.63 0.58 0.61 0.68 0.52 0.56 0.48 0.53 0.60 0.45 0.62
1.4 Population monitoring of ground-nesting seabirds
1.4.1 Puffin A PUFFIN census was carried out this season under contract by CEH. The following information has been taken from the report Status of the Atlantic Puffin on Isle of May 2017 (M.A. Newell et. al.). Results showed an estimated population count of 39,200 occupied burrows with a 95% confidence level of between 32,200 – 46,300. Since the confidence level overlaps with the count in 2013 (46,200), there is no detectable change in the population.
Work has begun on starting up a new method of surveying the puffin population on the Isle of May, by following a method carried out annually on the Norwegian island of Rost. This will hopefully be in place to start surveying in the 2018 season.
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The first puffins carrying fish were seen on 22nd May; this indicates that the first chicks had hatched. The last puffin carrying fish was seen in late August; however, the majority of the colony had left earlier in the month.
The puffins on the Isle of May have had a good breeding season despite some being affected by the heavy rain, the highest since 1989 with pairs fledging on average 0.87 chicks.
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Productivity 0.29 0.74 0.72 0.57 0.7 0.68 0.75 0.76 0.87
1.4.2 Herring and lesser black-backed gull The first incubating herring gull was seen on 23rd April, a day later than last year. The first chick was noted on 27th May. The first lesser black-backed gull egg was seen on 28th April, six days earlier than the previous year; the chick was recorded on 31st May. Nest Count No gull count was undertaken this year. 2016’s count produced 3,799 pairs of herring gulls and 1,924 pairs of lesser black-backed gulls. This was a decrease of 10% and 6% respectively from the previous count in 2014, the first decrease in the gull population since 2007.
Figure 6: Estimated nest totals for herring and lesser black-backed gull, Isle of May, 2016 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000
2000 CorrectedCount 1000 0 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2012 2016 Year
LBB gull Herring gull Total gull nests
Productivity
An area, Standing Head, at West Tarbet, was monitored to produce the productivity rate of the herring gulls’ breeding success. This area is chosen as only breeding herring gulls are present. Numbered stones were placed next to nests, and with weekly monitoring the number of eggs, chicks and fledged young was noted. The overall productivity of this area was 0.18 chicks per
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breeding pair, lower than the previous seasons. This may not be representative of the whole island as this area monitored is a low-lying, exposed area of the island.
Herring gull
2017 2016 2015
A)Nests monitored 71 52 79 B)Breeding attempts 71 52 79
C)Number of eggs 156 112 148 D)Average clutch size 2.20 2.15 1.87
E)Hatched eggs 52 53 58 F)Hatching success 0.33 0.47 0.39
G)Number of fledged 13 32 51 H)Productivity 0.18 0.62 0.65
Gull management
The gull-free zones were maintained during 2017. These areas were North Plateau South to Lochside, East and West Braes, Beacon, St Andrews Well, Cross Park and Tennis Courts, along with the 15m boundary around the tern colony at Kirkhaven. A total of 139 nests were removed from 24th May and 2nd June.
Specialist gulls that predated within the tern breeding colony were identified through tern watches and were removed; a marksman came to the island removed one adult herring gull.
1.4.3 Great black-backed gull
The first great black-backed gull egg was seen on 16th April, one day earlier than last year. The first chick was seen on Rona on 15th May. Nest count
There has been a continued increase in the number of pairs, rising to 87 pairs attempting to breed, an annual increase of 21%. The majority, 72 pairs, nested on Rona, and 14 pairs on the main island.
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Figure 7: Number of breeding great black-backed gull (AON), Isle of May, 2017 100 90 80 70 60
50 AON 40 30 20 10 0
Year
Productivity
Fifty-one nests were monitored on Rona to establish a breeding productivity, numbered stakes were placed next to nests and with regular visits the number of eggs, chicks and fledged chicks were noted.
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
No No No Productivity 1.75 1.57 1.6 1.38 1.34 1.18 0.71 1.73 Count Count Count
With the help of the Isle of May Bird Observatory and Mark Oksien we were able to continue with the colour-ringing scheme. The colour rings consist of a yellow ring with five black digits, including a colon, (e.g. X:100). These rings are attached to the bird’s left leg whilst a BTO ring was attached to the right leg. A total of 100 BTO metal rings were attached, of which 96 had colour rings.
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Great black-backed gull - Rona
2017 2016 2015
Nests monitored 51 45 28
Breeding attempts 51 45 28
Number of eggs 140 124 75
Average clutch size 2.75 2.76 2.68
Hatched eggs 117 91 57
Hatching success 0.84 0.73 0.76
Number fledged 88 32 33
Productivity 1.73 0.71 1.18
1.4.4 Terns For previous population counts see Table 1.2 and how 2017 counts relate to the previous season see Table 1.5. Information has been taken from the Isle of May NNR - Annual Tern Report 2017, (S Riley- Smith and R Lakin, 2017). 1.4.4.1 Roseate tern No roseate terns attempted to breed this year. There were several sightings of roseate terns throughout May and June.
1.4.4.2 Sandwich tern Four pairs of Sandwich terns bred, each laying one egg in close proximity of each other on the tern terrace at the Beacon. The first egg was noted on 1st June and hatched on 30th June, with the last egg not hatching until 4th August. All chicks fledged producing a productivity rate of 1. All chicks were BTO ringed and three had colour rings (white ring with three-digit code).
2017 2016 A) Nest monitored 4 21 B) Breeding attempts 4 21 C) Number of eggs 4 21 D) Average clutch size 1 1 E) Hatched eggs 4 16 F) Hatching success 1 0.76 G) Number fledged 4 16 H) Productivity 1 0.76
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1.4.4.3 Arctic and common tern The first common tern egg was seen on 18th May at the Beacon tern terrace. The first chick hatched on 13th June. Common terns had a protracted season with some chicks fledging in July and the last chick fledged on 25th August.
The first Arctic tern egg was laid on 19th May at the Beacon tern terrace. The first Arctic tern chick hatched 13th June. The first fledged chick was seen flying from the Mouse House field on 8th July, with the majority leaving the island on 31st July.
Breeding pairs
All tern nests were counted on 11th June by walking transects through all the colony areas. A total of 861 nests were counted, of which 29 were common terns’ (determined by observations from the Beacon and plotting these on maps throughout the season). In total, 832 pairs of Arctic tern bred, up 53% from last year, and the number of common tern increased by 58% to 29 pairs.
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Figure 8: Counted number of nests of Arctic, common, "commic" and Sandwich terns, Isle of May, 1990-2016
1200
1100
1000
900
800
700
AON 600
500
400
300
200
100
0
2015 2016 2017 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Year Commic' tern Arctic tern Common tern Sandwich tern
Productivity
Three plots were chosen to monitor the breeding success of the Arctic terns this season: Mouse House (field and terrace), West Braes and south of Logan’s Road. All chicks in these areas were ringed, helping keep track of the number of chicks that fledged from each plot. This was then used to productivity 13
figure. The table below shows the different areas monitored and their productivity and the overall productivity that can be used to represent the whole colony. The overall productivity was 0.11 chicks fledging per pair; much lower than previous years. The weather had a severe effect, with high numbers of chicks found dead following days of torrential rain, then delayed predated from several herring gulls also contributed to the poor productivity.
Mouse House Mouse House West Braes South Overall terrace Logan’s A.tern Nests monitored 51 50 80 84 265 Breeding attempts 51 50 80 84 265 Eggs 95 114 161 157 527 Average clutch size 1.86 2.28 2.01 1.87 1.99 Number hatched eggs 69 71 93 112 345 Hatching success 0.73 0.62 0.58 0.71 0.65 Fledged 9 11 5 3 28 Productivity 0.18 0.22 0.06 0.04 0.11
Predation by gulls
Tern watches were conducted at both the Beacon and Kirkhaven Colony, with a total of 189.4 hours conducted this year. There was very little predation seen during the tern egg stage; predation started the week commencing 19th June, with a herring gull eventually being identified at the Kirkhaven colony, named “Blue Spot”. Other herring gull predating on chicks at the Beacon could not be identified as this would fly over towards Kirkhaven or the Loch. A marksman from the SNH Wildlife Operations team came out on 6th July and shot an adult herring gull by South Logan’s Road as it was seen predating in the colony. However, “Blue Spot” was not present during this time and was not removed.
Positive management for terns
Visitor control for tern management Clear branded signs were installed around the colonies once again this season. The Kirkhaven colony was roped off around the paths. The Mouse House field was closed as the terns nested and the picnic site moved further south towards the Priory. The Beacon and West Braes colony only required the signs as this colony is away from the visitor path network.
As the visitors arrive to the island they are greeted by staff and volunteers and are given an introductory talk including how to behave once in the tern colony.
Garden canes, bunting and twine Garden canes were put in and around the colonies to make entry by predating gulls more difficult. Chicken wire fences were erected in areas where gulls could walk into the colony and predate eggs and chicks: south of the Mouse House field, South Logan’s and the path down towards the high-water jetty. This also prevented chicks from running out into the paths where visitors walk.
Tern shelters
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Tern shelters were put beside nests to provide cover for chicks especially in areas where there was little vegetation such as West Braes and terraces.
Tern terraces Following on from the success of the tern terraces over the past two years, it was decided to extend these further with an extra two being built towards the Beacon. Black plastic was laid out with a layer of sand on top and stones placed around the circumference. These again proved successful in accommodating all species of nesting terns.
Tern buckets During the season, six Arctic tern pairs nested below the spring high-water mark and required moving up the beach at Kirkhaven for their survival. Five nests were put into buckets and moved up the beach, whilst the other was placed onto a higher rock. Four of the six pairs took to these buckets, incubating the eggs, and subsequently three went on to raise chicks.
1.4.5 Eider The first sitting female was seen on 17th April, with the first brood of duckling seen on the island tops on 13th May. Nest count No population count was carried out this year; this is done biannually and was completed last year, producing an estimated count of 1,128 sitting females.
Figure 10: Nest counts and corrected estimates of breeding eider, Isle of May, 2016 1400 1200 1000 800
AON 600 400 200
0
1996 2014 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2010 2012 2016 Year
Raw count Pop est
Eider management
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No management specific to eiders was undertaken this year. Visitors were warned during their introductory talk that females would be nesting close to the path network and of the potential risk of coming across a female taking her ducklings to water, and advised to give them a wide berth.
Some ducklings were found paralysed from nettle stings; these were kept in a box for an hour or so until they had recovered and then put with females and ducklings on the Loch, who took them into their crèche.
1.5 Other breeding birds These are observations of numbers from around the island from SNH staff and volunteers, CEH and members of the Isle of May Bird Observatory.
Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) Work by David Thorne et al., of the Isle of May Bird Observatory, identified nest activity on the island and identified one occupied burrow. The male was present throughout the season but there was no sign of the female this year.
Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) At least four pairs of shelduck nested on the island this season, two on Rona, one in the North and one around Ardcarran. One pair was seen with ducklings on the High Road and another (Ardcarran pair) was seen with seven ducklings swimming out of Kirkhaven.
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Pairs 3 - 4 5 6 6 4 – 8 6 4 3-4 3-4 4 3-4
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) No mallards bred this year; the last breeding pairs were seen in 2014.
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Pairs 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 0
Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) Oystercatcher nests were noted and mapped across the island during the gull count, when the whole island is walked. This year, a total of 24 nests were identified. Although no monitoring of the nests was undertaken, several fledged chicks were seen and ringed throughout the season.
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Pairs 19 19 17 17 14 16 9 20 19 24 13
Feral pigeon (Columba livia (domest.)) No specific counts were made of feral pigeons on the island. They nest on the island in burrows and rock cervices.
Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
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Four pairs of swallow bred on the island in the usual buildings: the Freezer Room, Quad Bike Shed, Engine Room and Bath House. All were successful in raising and fledging young. The Freezer Room and Engine Room pairs had two broods and were still present around the island until late September before migrating south.
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Pairs 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 3 6 4 4
Rock pipit (Anthus petrosus) The number of rock pipit territories was down four on last year, 20 compared to 24 in 2015.
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Pairs 8-9 9-10 12-14 15 13 23 18 24 24 20 15
Pied wagtail (Motacilla alba) Pied wagtail territories were plotted on a map throughout the season and approximately 12 were noted again this year; the same as in 2015.
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Pairs 8 9 11 12 13 18 14 13 12 12 9
Carrion crow (Corvus corone) A pair was noted for much of the spring, a nest was found on the Loch side containing 5 eggs. The nest was removed to avoid any predation of nesting seabirds.
Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) Every year a pair of peregrines are seen in early spring displaying but it has been six years since they successfully raised young on the island (fledged three chicks in 2010). This year was no different, a pair was seen early in the season, but no breeding attempt was made.
Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
Several males were holding territories in early spring, but none attempted to breed.
Dunnock (Prunella modularis) No attempts were made this year.
Blackbird (Turdus merula) No attempts were made this year.
Wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) 2015 was the first time that Woodpigeons have bred on the island, when two bred and fledged chicks. This year two pairs were noted, again in the Top garden and in the Low Light water tank bushes, however both failed after adverse weather. In early summer a pair was seen regularly flushing from the Low Light bushes, presumably on a nest, and then later seen with two juveniles. The pair at the Top garden did not have a second breeding attempt. 1.6 Wader counts Wader counts were undertaken weekly from the end of July onwards, once the breeding seabirds had departed from the breeding sites. Below is a table of the peak counts per month.
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Species Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Curlew 63 60 44 4 1 43 54 172 80 57 40 Oystercatcher 24 11 23 111 60 40 23 10 Turnstone 3 30 24 41 54 237 117 30 35 Purple sandpiper 1 15 55 2 18 59 44 17 3 Redshank 1 3 2 9 34 29 5 4 5 Whimbrel 1 3 9 4 1 Dunlin 1 1 2 5 2 6 2 Common sandpiper 2 1 1 2 1 Wood sandpiper 2 1 Green sandpiper 1 1 1 Knot 2 1 Golden plover 1 1 1 1 1 3 Grey plover 1 Knot 2 1 Greenshank 1 1 1
1.7 Mammals
1.7.1 Grey seal The number of adult seals started in to increase throughout September and the first seal pup was born on 14th September on Rona. However, there was an earlier stillborn pup, again on Rona. The Sea Mammal Research Unit occupied the island from 21 October until mid- December.
1.7.2 Cetaceans Observations of cetaceans were made by SNH staff, CEH, Bird Observatory occupants and the crew from the May Princess and Osprey.
It has been a poor year for cetaceans; none were recorded in April and there were only a few sightings throughout the rest of the year. A dead sperm whale was seen from the island to the east and was present for three days before drifting north. A summary of the sightings is shown below; see table 5.1 for full details.
Bottlenose dolphins were seen from the May Princess on several occasions close to the harbour entrance.
March April May June July August September October
Days Max Days Max Days Max Days Max Days Max Days Max Days Max Days Max Harbour porpoise
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Minke whale
Sperm whale
Common dolphin Bottlenose dolphin
1.7.3 Mice Mice have been present in the buildings throughout the year, with numbers building during August inside the cottages. Nottingham University continued researching the survival rates, bacterial resistances and genetics of the mice. Further research has extended in conjunction with the University of Manchester, studying the immunology of the mice; this will continue for three years.
1.8 Lepidoptera
1.8.1 Butterfly Records of butterflies were made by informal observations from members of Fluke Street and the Isle of May Bird Observatory residents throughout the season. Eleven species of butterfly were recorded throughout the year, including the first record of Speckled Wood for the island: a single was recorded on 5th and 28th September. See Table 3 for an overall review of 2017 sightings.
1.8.2 Moth Moth trapping occurred on the island most nights when possible by SNH staff and volunteers and by residents staying at the Isle of May Bird Observatory. Trapping occurred from 31st March through to 19th October. The MV light trap was set up in the garden outside the principal keeper’s cottage; the trap could be moved into the outdoor shelter during adverse weather and when puffins were leaving their burrows (to prevent them from being drawn towards the light). A second trap was available to members of the Isle of May Bird Observatory, with several groups running the trap by the Low Light bushes.
Trapping was conducted on 137 nights during 2017, with a total of 106 different macro species being recorded along with 24 micros; this is the most ever recorded in any one year. See Table 4.1 and 4.2 for the overall review of 2017 trapping data.
A total of seven new species were recorded on the island this season: Barred yellow, Blair’s shoulder- knot, clouded silver, lunar yellow underwing, mottled grey, scarce-bordered straw and triple-spotted clay. Ten species were identified and recorded for only the second time on the island. The most numerous moth species was the large yellow underwing, with 129 individuals recorded in a single night and recorded on a total of 48 different nights. Dark arches were noted on the most numerous night throughout the season; 59 trapping nights.
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2 VISITOR REVIEW It proved to be a very successful visitor season, with the Isle of May open from Saturday 1st April until Saturday 30th September. During that time, boats landed on 142 days with 21 official closed days and 20 days lost to bad weather. Despite this, a record number of visitors sailed to the island, with 12,895 counted. This eclipsed the previous best year (the previous season) of 12,064. It was the third consecutive year the island has broken its visitor record.
Annual visitor numbers, Isle of May 2008-2017
2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 12,895 12,064 10,929 10,676 10,809 7,070 9.220 8,728 7,208 6,566
Figure 11: Isle of May annual visitors 1997-2017 14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
1990 1988 1989 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 1987
Total number of days sailed: 142 (149) *Figures in brackets are from previous year Number of days officially closed: 21 (23) Days closed to bad weather: 20 (19)
As usual, boats departing from Anstruther brought the majority of visitors with the May Princess bringing 10,385 whilst the fast RIB Osprey carried a further 1,349. During the season, boats travelled from the Lothian side of the Firth of Forth with the Seabird Centre RIB bringing 798. As a trial, a new company, Forthwild, brought 112 visitors from their licence slot of 1st August - 30th September. Small private leisure craft and kayaks carried a further 251 visitors during the summer.
Visitor numbers on individual boats, 2017
May Osprey RIB Seabird RIB Forthwild Others Total Princess RIB April 1,293 168 25 n/a 36 1,522 May 1,780 222 149 b/a 10 2,161 June 1,910 224 174 n/a 136 2,444 July 2,819 340 270 n/a 23 3,452 20
August 1,942 288 128 79 31 2,468 Sept 641 107 52 33 15 848 Total 10,385 1,349 798 112 251 12,895
3 VOLUNTEER REVIEW During the season, both short and long-term volunteers made a valuable contribution to the day-to- day running of the Isle of May. Two long-term volunteers helped throughout the seabird breeding season, with Sacha Riley-Smith helping from 14th May-15th September and Beckie Lakin from 11th May- 13th July. Their hard work and support ensured some excellent work was achieved on the island and overall they contributed 162 working days.
In total, a further ten short-term volunteers helped at different times of the year, contributing a further 192 working days (354 days combined) to the island. These included (in order of the number of days contributed) Sarah Long (48), Simon Ritchie (43), Daryl McLeod (28) Will Scott (27), Jamie Coleman (12), Gus Routledge (11), Ptolemy McKinnon (11), Liz Morgan (8), Viv Hastie (2) and Scott Gardener (2).
Number of days worked by short and long term volunteers, 2017
April May June July Aug Sept Total Sacha Riley-Smith 19 27 19 29 15 109 Beckie Lakin 10 30 10 3 53 Sarah Long 21 13 14 48 Simon Ritchie 29 3 11 43 Daryl McLeod 5 12 11 28 Will Scott 2 25 27 Jamie Coleman 2 10 12 Gus Routledge 11 11 Ptolemy McKinnon 11 11 Liz Morgan 4 4 8 Viv Hastie 2 2 Scott Gardener 2 2 354
Setting up
In late March, a team of SNH Placement students including Amee Hood, Andrew Ferguson, Ellie Oakley, Gus Routledge, Joanna Kruk, Ruari Dunsmuir and Stuart MacKenzie contributed a week from Monday 27th March - Saturday 1st April. This team helped open the island, including preparations for visitors and getting various aspects of the island ready for the new season ahead. The total contribution was equal to 35 working days.
Events
The Isle of May provides a series of events during the summer months including Seabird Weekend (10th- 11th June), Family Weekend (20th-21st July), Open Doors (2nd-3rd September) and Seal Weekend (30th September-1st October). The preparation and support on these days is offered by several SNH staff including Caroline Gallacher, Sarah Eaton, Dave and Wendy Shepherd, Loch Leven volunteers as well as others including Ron Morris. A total of 20 working days are contributed by the various people.
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Volunteering
Overall volunteering is valuable to the Isle of May and without the contributions of several people, the island could not function as it does. Overall, 27 different people helped contribute a total of 409 working days during the 2017 season.
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Table 1.1: Population estimates of cliff-nesting seabirds, 1980-2017
Fulmar Shag Kittiwake Guillemot Razorbill Year (Estimated (Estimated (AOS) (AON) (AON) (Individual) (Individual) pairs) pairs) 1980 143 1,041 n/c n/c n/c 1981 n/c 1,163 n/c 16,300 2,086 1982 n/c 1,425 n/c n/c n/c 1983 101 1,567 6,115 22,550 2,220 1984 175 1,639 6,012 19,005 2,051 1985 156 1,524 5,510 18,390 1,825 1986 150 1,310 4,801 19,151 1,864 1987 n/c 1,916 6,765 17,546 1,887 1988 n/c 1,290 7,638 16,791 2,128 1989 212 1,703 7,564 18,328 2,613 1990 198 1,386 8,129 16,778 12,632 2,368 1,508 1991 250 1,487 6,535 16,834 11,440 1,633 1,425 1992 266 1,634 6,916 17,512 11,511 2,581 1,909 1993 266 715 7,009 17,919 12,418 3,022 2,052 1994 279 403 3,751 19,186 13,843 3,034 2,227 1995 296 503 7,603 25,754 15,326 4,248 3,108 1996 308 512 6,269 24,468 14,500 3,405 2,989 1997 382 502 6,518 26,711 17,340 3,478 2,719 1998 365 621 4,306 26,963 17,384 3,859 3,126 1999 312 259 4,196 21,694 16,933 3,786 3,429 2000 367 541 4,618 27,045 17,979 3,958 3,105 2001 369 734 3,639 28,103 18,442 4,114 3,346 2002 338 676 3,666 24,369* 20,185* 3,050* 2,844* 2003 248 968 3,335 26,722* 19,519* 3,105* 2,233* 2004 236 687 3,876 22,970* 20,332* 3,313* 2,677* 2005 276 281 3,790 22,667* 18,858* 4,109* 4,713* 2006 298 485 3,167 21,444* 15,578* 3,811* 2,975* 2007 281 399 3,424 16,770* 15,536* 3,635* 2,735* 2008 293 427 3,354 17,157* 15,036* 3,464* 2,591* 2009 358 465 2,316 16,888* 14,143* 3,008* 2,400* 2010 381 492 3,422 18,096 15,029 3,234 2,557 2011 306 540 2685 15691 14955 3012 2705 2012 290 648 2465 16991 14100 3305 3068 2013 218 322 1712 14764 13349 3155 2879 2014 325 338 2464 16602 14248 3796 2987 2015 309 401 3433 21598 15945 4590 3202 2016 309 387 2922 23038 16132 5117 3570 2017 341 474 3507 20531 16468 5149 3899
Table 1.2: Population estimates of ground-nesting seabirds, 1980-2017
Year Gulls Terns Eider LBB Herring GBB Common Arctic ‘Commic’ Sandwich Roseate gull gull gull tern tern tern tern tern 1982 550 2300 1 14 0 14 0 0 241 1983 1385 2578 0 29 0 29 0 0 545 1984 1488 2230 0 36 19 55 0 0 413 1985 1053 2165 1 80 87 167 0 0 520- 550 1986 682 1943 3 22 128 150 0 0 557 1987 534 2117 3 76 126 202 0 0 735 1988 563 1711 3 50 200 250 0 0 600- 700 1989 643 1629 3 NC NC 312 0 0 680 1990 618 1551 3 190 285 475 1 0 841 1991 788 1447 4 195 435 628 0 0 592 1992 751 1462 8 94 491 585 0 0 810 1993 1259 2059 7 143 538 681 0 0 651 1994 1270 2122 6 144 544 688 0 0 998 1995 1635 2554 7 181 608 789 0 1 1169 1996 1641 2969 7 248 532 780 0 1 1075 1997 1540 2856 9 338 630 968 0 0 1191 1998 1533 2607 14 127 451 578 2 0 866 1999 1519 3115 19 415 737 1152 110 0 1200 2000 1442 3067 23 303 908 1211 176 0 892 2001 1203 2845 27 132 916 1048 305 0 947 2002 1198 2367 20 2 228 230 0 0 783 2003 1128 2451 23 60 577 637 58 0 1156 2004 1221 2428 23 62 666 728 151 0 1101 2005 1320 2094 33 65 609 674 0 0 1070 2006 1732 2851 25 99 515 614 0 0 823 2007 1665 2854 30 83 525 608 0 0 1009 2008 1944 2962 37 102 511 613 2 0 1088 2009 NC NC 38 89 316 405 0 0 NC 2010 2348 3215 36 17 34 51 0 0 1099 2011 NC NC 40 26 224 250 0 0 NC 2012 2352 3281 40 20 265 285 0 0 902 2013 NC NC 36 419 0 0 NC 2014 2047 4200 51 13 402 415 0 0 975 2015 NC NC 53 13 484 497 0 0 NC 2016 1924 3799 72 19 527 546 21 0 1128 2017 NC NC 87 29 832 861 4 0 NC
Table 1.3: All-island count sections of cliff-nesting seabirds, 2017
Species Fulmar Shag Kittiwake Guillemot Razorbill Section AOSs AONs AONs Ind Pairs Ind Pairs A Rona (West) 15 44 196 756 635 92 82 B Altarstanes to Peregrine's Nest 40 32 341 1784 1331 827 499 C Greengates 34 6 656 3112 2616 724 645 D South Plateau 36 12 944 6882 5557 1289 1058 E Cornerstone to Pilgrim's Haven 19 6 458 4806 3915 1244 918 F Pilgrim's Haven to Lady's Cave 40 23 241 1227 985 301 240 G The Maidens 12 55 26 105 84 74 59 H South Ness to Lady’s Bed 0 20 110 289 232 57 48 I South Ness to Colm's Hole 19 83 107 0 0 38 29 J Colm's Hole to Low Light 34 88 153 453 347 161 104 K Low Light to Tarbet 40 90 222 1117 766 296 184 L Rona (North and East) 7 15 0 0 0 0 0 M Lochside (South) 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 N Lochside (North) 9 0 53 0 0 46 34 Totals 341 474 3,507 20,531 16,468 5,149 3,899
Table 1.4: Population change of cliff-nesting seabirds, 2016-2017
Fulmar Shag Kittiwake Guillemot Razorbill (AOS) (AON) (AON) Ind. Pairs Ind. Pairs
2017 total 341 474 3507 20531 16468 5149 3899 (AIC)
2016 total 309 387 2922 23038 16132 5117 3570 (AIC)
Change 2016- 32 87 585 -2,507 336 32 329 2017
%age change 10 22 20 -11 2 1 9 2016-2017
Table 1.5: Population change of terns, 2016-2017
Common Arctic Sandwich tern tern tern
2017 total 29 832 4
2016 total 19 527 21
Change 2016- 10 305 - 2017
%age change 53% 58% -81% 2016-2017
Table 1.6: Conversion of individual counts to pairs, Guillemot and Razorbill, 2017
Guillemot Razorbill Time of Section Date Cornerstone Individuals Individual Pairs Individuals Pairs count k- k- Individual at main main at main value value main count Cornerstone count count Cornerstone count
K 01/06/2017 08:20 358 0.65 832 539 138 0.59 171 102 K 01/06/2017 13:35 292 0.79 285 226 125 0.66 125 82 J 01/06/2017 08:20 358 0.65 90 58 138 0.59 31 18 J 01/06/2017 13:35 292 0.79 363 288 125 0.66 130 85 I 01/06/2017 13:35 292 0.79 0 0 125 0.66 25 16 I 02/06/2017 08:20 295 0.79 0 0 125 0.66 13 13 E 02/06/2017 08:20 295 0.79 1987 1563 113 0.73 450 327 E 02/06/2017 12:40 278 0.83 2819 2353 110 0.75 794 592 F 02/06/2017 13:45 289 0.80 1227 985 103 0.80 301 240 H 02/06/2017 13:45 289 0.80 261 210 103 0.80 43 34 H 02/06/2017 13:45 289 0.80 28 22 103 0.80 14 14 G 02/06/2017 13:45 289 0.80 105 84 103 0.80 74 59 D 03/06/2017 08:00 292 0.79 5436 4319 106 0.77 763 590 D 03/06/2017 12:05 270 0.86 1197 1029 92 0.89 366 326 D 04/06/2017 12:40 276 0.84 249 209 93 0.88 160 141 B 04/06/2017 08:00 311 0.75 1784 1331 136 0.60 827 499 A 04/06/2017 12:40 276 0.84 756 635 92 0.89 92 82 C 04/06/2017 12:40 276 0.84 3112 2616 92 0.89 724 645 N 05/06/2017 14:30 285 0.81 0 0 112 0.73 46 34
Totals 20,531 16,468 5,149 3,899 . Table 1.7: Tern count sections, 2015-2017
2017 2016 2015 Section
Arctic Common Sandwich Arctic Common Sandwich Arctic Common tern tern tern tern tern tern tern tern
Mouse House 0 0 137 0 0 79 0 107 field Mouse House 0 0 (137) 0 0 (79) 0 44 terrace Visitor Centre 22 0 0 91 0 22* (VC) 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 VC Roof 7
0 0 14 0 0 15 0 VC Bank 53
Kirkhaven Jetty-VC 0 0 3 0 0 49 0 Colony (22)* 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 Jetty Triangle 35 Chapel Bank and 0 0 2 0 0 14 0 2 Chapel Logan’s Road 0 0 64 0 0 47 0 95 South 0 0 156 0 0 154 13 Beacon 250 29 4 77 19 21 Terrace 96 Beacon 0 0 47 0 0 West Brae 120 Colony 0 0 Three Tarn Nick 1
Total 832 29 4 527 19 21 484 13
*Areas counted together
Table 2: Butterfly sightings; first and last dates, the number of days and peak counts per month, Isle of May 2017
First Last March April May June July August September October Species Date Date Days Max Days Max Days Max Days Max Days Max Days Max Days Max Days Max White species 2 1 1 1 Peacock 8/1 28/9 2 1 6 2 7 2 6 3 8 4 6 2 Small tortoiseshell 25/3 5/10 1 1 16 7 21 12 7 3 22 10 12 6 23 70 1 1 Red admiral 1/4 20/10 2 1 18 30 22 20 21 6 30 352 26 300 14 20 Orange tip 14/5 14/5 1 1 Large white 16/5 26/9 2 1 2 1 3 2 4 2 Green-veined white 17/5 23/9 1 1 2 3 3 2 1 1 Painted lady 23/5 29/9 7 13 7 6 5 3 7 6 12 6 Small white 31/5 17/9 1 1 7 3 3 1 4 1 Meadow brown 31/7 17/8 1 1 3 1 Comma 1/8 1/8 1 1 Speckled wood 5/9 28/9 2 1
Table 3.1: Macro-moth sightings: first and last dates, the number of days and peak counts per month, Isle of May 2017
April May June July August September October Species First Last Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Angle shades 10/5 19/10 5 2 4 3 8 13 4 3 Antler moth 7/7 8/9 11 11 17 15 1 1 Barred yellow 25/6 - 1 1 Beautiful golden Y 17/6 15/8 6 5 3 7 1 1 Blair’s shoulder-knot 18/10 19/10 2 1 Bright-line brown-eye 6/5 30/8 19 17 12 18 5 7 1 1 Brimstone moth 14/5 2/7 1 1 2 1 1 1 Brown rustic 28/5 - 1 1 Brown silver-line 25/5 26/5 2 1 Brown-spot pinion 22/9 - 1 1 Burnished brass 25/6 4/8 2 2 3 3 3 2 Cabbage moth 12/5 25/6 2 1 1 1 Campion 18/5 28/8 6 3 8 6 2 2 2 1 Canary-shouldered thorn 9/9 22/9 2 1 Chamomile shark 2/4 27/4 8 2 Chevron 28/8 - 1 1 Cinnabar 14/5 1/6 5 3 1 1 Clouded drab 31/3 ¾ 3 2 Clouded silver 25/5 - 1 1 Clouded-bordered 24/5 30/6 2 1 3 2 brindle Common carpet 16/5 1/9 1 1 3 1 1 1 Common marbled carpet 2/6 25/8 1 1 2 1 Common pug 14/5 25/6 6 4 4 4 Common rustic 1/6 4/9 1 1 4 2 20 26 3 5 Common swift 21/5 4/7 5 2 7 7 1 1 Common wainscott 3/7 21/8 8 4 1 12 Cresent 29/8 - 1 1 Currant pug 16/5 30/6 2 1 2 4 Dark arches 17/6 7/10 3 15 17 87 23 116 14 50 2 3 April May June July August September October Species First Last Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Dark marbled carpet 12/8 - 1 1 Dark spinach 20/7 30/7 3 2 Dark sword-grass 30/7 25/8 1 1 1 1 Dart spp. 28/8 6/9 2 7 4 2 Dotted clay 4/7 - 1 1 Double square-spot 25/6 3/9 1 1 4 2 1 1 Dusky brocade 25/5 30/6 1 1 2 1 Ear spp. 15/8 23/8 3 1 Flame shoulder 18/5 25/8 2 1 1 4 1 1 Flounced rustic 25/8 10/9 5 8 5 4 Foxglove pug 24/5 25/5 2 1 Frosted orange 9/9 - 1 1 Garden carpet 15/5 22/9 1 1 1 1 5 3 2 1 Garden dart 4/7 25/9 1 1 11 30 10 14 Garden tiger 7/7 7/8 10 7 5 6 Ghost moth 2/6 20/6 6 12 Grey chi 26/8 31/8 3 1 Heart and club 13/8 26/8 4 15 Heart and dart 20/5 3/8 4 1 7 2 1 1 1 1 Hebrew character 8/4 1/8 6 3 23 55 5 5 1 1 1 1 Hummingbird hawkmoth 26/5 31/5 3 6 Large yellow underwing 10/6 7/10 3 1 7 2 23 129 14 74 1 1 Least yellow underwing 21/8 - 1 1 Lesser bb yellow 2/8 3/9 10 15 1 1 underwing Lesser common rustic 21/8 - 1 3 Lesser treble-bar 28/8 - 1 1 Lesser yellow underwing 2/8 25/9 14 26 8 7 Light arches 27/7 - 1 1 Lime-speck pug 27/8 1/9 3 1 1 1 Lunar thorn 10/5 - 1 1
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April May June July August September October Species First Last Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Lunar underwing 8/9 7/10 9 63 3 10 Lunar yellow underwing 3/9 - 3 3 Magpie Marbled coronet 20/4 21/8 4 13 25 121 20 35 8 5 1 1 Marbled minor 21/8 - 1 1 Middle-barred minor 4/7 - 1 1 Mottled beauty 21/8 - 1 1 Mottled grey 1/4 - 1 1 Mottled rustic 16/5 26/8 6 4 10 15 7 4 4 1 Mouse moth 23/8 10/9 5 5 5 3 Netted pug 24/5 5/7 2 3 4 7 1 1 Northern spinach 8/7 9/7 2 2 Nutmeg 7/6 25/6 3 1 Pink-barred sallow 21/9 22/9 2 1 Red-green carpet 1/4 19/10 2 1 1 1 Red-line quaker 19/10 - 1 1 Riband wave 4/8 - 1 1 Rosy minor 23/8 - 1 1 Rosy rustic 7/8 22/9 11 9 7 7 Rustic 30/6 31/8 1 1 8 3 7 12 Rustic shoulder-knot 18/5 - 1 1 Rusty dot-pearl 22/7 - 1 1 Sallow 31/8 1/9 1 1 Scalloped hazel 14/5 24/5 4 1 Scalloped oak 27/7 5/8 1 2 1 1 Scarce bordered straw 4/9 - 1 1 Setaceous hebrew 1/9 7/10 1 1 1 2 character Shuttle-shaped dart 10/5 26/8 1 1 1 1 Silver Y 15/5 2/10 2 1 3 2 4 2 4 1 19 5 1 1 Silver-ground carpet 16/5 1/9 4 2 7 2 1 1 2 1 1 1
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April May June July August September October Species First Last Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Days Max. Small angle shades 21/8 - 1 1 Small square-spot 15/5 25/9 6 3 3 3 3 1 5 2 5 3 Small wainscot 31/8 7/9 1 1 2 1 Smoky wainscot 19/7 28/8 5 7 10 4 Snout 17/6 22/7 1 1 6 2 Spectacle 13/5 7/7 7 10 8 4 4 10 Spinach 30/6 12/8 1 6 3 1 1 1 Spruce carpet 19/10 - 1 1 Square-spot dart 21/8 6/9 10 8 3 2 Square-spot rustic 6/7 31/8 7 2 7 5 Tawny speckled pug 21/8 - 1 1 Triple-spotted clay 4/7 - 1 1 Twin-spot carpet 19/8 - 1 1 Uncertain 20/7 - 1 1 White ermine 16/5 10/6 1 1 2 3 White-line dart 27/8 4/9 5 6 2 1 Willow beauty 2/8 2/9 6 3 3 2 Wormwood pug 3/7 7/7 2 1 Yellow shell 7/7 - 1 1
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Table 3.2: Micro Moths; first and last dates, number of days and peak count per month, Isle of May, 2017
April May June July August September October Species First Last Days Max Days Max Days Max Days Max Days Max Days Max Days Max Depressaria radiella 10/4 - 1 1 Agonopterix heracliana 10/5 - 1 1 Depressaria spp. 14/5 22/5 7 4 Plutella xylostella 14/5 5/7 2 1 2 1 Cochylis atricapitana 15/5 14/6 8 3 5 1 Lobesia littoralis 17/5 25/5 3 15 Monopis laevigella 17/5 - 1 1 Anania hortulata 18/5 22/7 3 2 6 5 9 3 Metzneria lappella 24/5 - 1 2 Celypha lacunana 25/5 20/7 1 1 4 1 Anthophila fabriciana 27/5 18/7 1 20 3 2 Chrysoteuchia culmella 16/6 22/7 6 17 4 4 Agriphila straminella 4/7 - 1 1 Blastobasis adustella 4/7 - 1 1 Crambus periella 4/7 7/7 2 5 Eucosma campoliliana 4/7 19/7 2 1 Orthotaenia undulana 4/7 - 1 1 Scoparia ancipitella 4/7 - 1 2 Agapeta hamana 5/7 - 1 1 Aethes rubigana 19/7 - 1 1 Cnephasis spp. 19/7 - 1 1 Eucosma cana 19/7 - 1 1 Eudonia pallida 19/7 - 1 1 Hofmannophila 19/7 - 1 1 pseudospretella
Table 3.3: The number of days moth trapping occurred per month on the Isle of May, 2017
Number of Month trapping days
March 1
April 23
May 26
June 20
July 22
August 22
September 16
October 7
Total 137
Research reports
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