IOSSRP-seabird-R8_FULL LEAFLET 2005 25/02/2014 11:16 Page 2
Working with the local community and visitors on the Isles of Scilly to enhance their important seabird heritage seabird important their enhance to Scilly of Isles the on visitors and community local the with Working
help seabirds to recover. to seabirds help
Boat trips to seabird colonies are important for Scilly’s economy Scilly’s for important are colonies seabird to trips Boat
population lost between 1983 and 2006 alone. We need to need We alone. 2006 and 1983 between lost population
Numbers continue to fall, with 25% of the islands’ seabird islands’ the of 25% with fall, to continue Numbers ©IOSSRP law. by protected are gulls, including seabirds, All Trust.
There are now just 20,000 seabirds altogether on Scilly. on altogether seabirds 20,000 just now are There managed as nature reserves by the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Scilly of Isles the by reserves nature as managed
designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Interest Scientific Special of Sites as designated
on the ground or in burrows. in or ground the on 2000. Most of Scilly’s important seabird colonies are also are colonies seabird important Scilly’s of Most 2000.
the eggs and kill the chicks, especially of species that nest that species of especially chicks, the kill and eggs the European-wide network of key wildlife sites called Natura called sites wildlife key of network European-wide
spelt disaster for seabirds. These non-native predators eat predators non-native These seabirds. for disaster spelt Scilly are designated a Special Protection Area, part of a of part Area, Protection Special a designated are Scilly
But the accidental introduction of brown rats to the islands the to rats brown of introduction accidental the But In recognition of their value for seabirds, the Isles of Isles the seabirds, for value their of recognition In
Puffin
two seabird species. seabird two
©Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
significant proportion of the world’s populations of these of populations world’s the of proportion significant
only coming ashore to breed. The UK supports a supports UK The breed. to ashore coming only
performing astounding migrations across the oceans, the across migrations astounding performing
will also benefit other wildlife such as the Scilly shrew. Scilly the as such wildlife other benefit also will family. They spend most of their lives far out to sea, to out far lives their of most spend They family.
their seabird heritage, now and in the future. The project The future. the in and now heritage, seabird their These two remarkable birds are members of the petrel the of members are birds remarkable two These
seabirds, and supports islanders to make the most of most the make to islanders supports and seabirds, only other English island where Manx shearwaters breed. shearwaters Manx where island English other only
The project involves many people helping to safeguard to helping people many involves project The petrels breed nowhere else in England, and Lundy is the is Lundy and England, in else nowhere breed petrels
And some of these seabirds are really special: storm special: really are seabirds these of some And
A brighter future brighter A
Storm petrel petrel Storm
shearwaters and tens of thousands of puffins. of thousands of tens and shearwaters ©Joe Pender Keeping the islands litter-free removes food and shelter for rats rats for shelter and food removes litter-free islands the Keeping
And there were vast numbers, perhaps 150,000 Manx 150,000 perhaps numbers, vast were there And
©Alastair Wilson Photography
Manx shearwaters and razorbills and shearwaters Manx
nesting, surrounded by rich seas for feeding. for seas rich by surrounded nesting,
Gugh and the uninhabited islands ‘rat-free’. ‘rat-free’. islands uninhabited the and Gugh used as currency – rents were paid in “pufons”. in paid were rents – currency as used seabirds, with many isolated and undisturbed islands for islands undisturbed and isolated many with seabirds,
protect the seabirds on Scilly by keeping St Agnes and Agnes St keeping by Scilly on seabirds the protect the 13th century, seabirds were so important that they were they that important so were seabirds century, 13th the archipelago’s location makes Scilly the ideal home for home ideal the Scilly makes location archipelago’s
attempted in the world to date. The main aim is to is aim main The date. to world the in attempted excavations of a site at Nornour dating back to 2000 BC. By BC. 2000 to back dating Nornour at site a of excavations 14 different species, from puffins to gulls. The gulls. to puffins from species, different 14
community-supported island restoration project restoration island community-supported years - evidence of Manx shearwaters was found in found was shearwaters Manx of evidence - years populations of seabirds - some 20,000 breeding birds of birds breeding 20,000 some - seabirds of populations
The Isles of Scilly Seabird Recovery Project is the largest the is Project Recovery Seabird Scilly of Isles The Man has lived with seabirds on Scilly for thousands of thousands for Scilly on seabirds with lived has Man The Isles of Scilly have one of Europe’s most important most Europe’s of one have Scilly of Isles The
Scilly’s seabirds are in trouble in are seabirds Scilly’s Why Scilly’s seabirds are so special so are seabirds Scilly’s Why Action to restore Scilly’s seabirds seabirds Scilly’s restore to Action
Help us keep the Isles of Scilly special Your guide to the... The Isles of Scilly are famous for their internationally important wildlife and inspiring landscape. This rich Seabirds on the heritage generates significant income from tourism, and is highly valued by islanders and by visitors. Isles of Scilly
©Cornwall Council (HES)
We need YOUR help to protect our important seabird heritage
Together we can keep these islands ‘rat-free’ Rats are the biggest threat to seabirds on land, please report any signs of rats on the uninhabited islands, St Agnes and Gugh, or on your boat. Call 01720 422153. For further information visit www.ios-seabirds.org.uk
The Project partners and supporters
©Joe Pender • RSPB rspb.org.uk • Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust www.ios-wildlifetrust.org.uk Puffin—a very popular summer visitor to the uninhabited islands • Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty www.ios-aonb.info Five things you can do to make a difference • Isles of Scilly Bird Group • Natural England www.naturalengland.org.uk • Report any signs of rats on the uninhabited islands, St Agnes and Gugh, or on your boat. Call 01720 422153. • Duchy of Cornwall www.duchyofcornwall.org • Avoid seabird colonies, keep dogs under close control and • Tresco Island www.tresco.co.uk move away from birds showing signs of distress. • Isles of Scilly Steamship Company • Please follow restrictions on visiting the uninhabited www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk islands as all are important for wildlife.
• Always dispose of waste properly and help keep our The RSPB is the country’s largest nature conservation beaches clean - litter provides food and nesting material charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. for rats as well as being a hazard for seabirds and other Working with the local community and visitors on the Isles marine life. RSPB is a registered charity in England and Wales 207076, of Scilly to enhance their important seabird heritage in Scotland SC037654 • Become a ‘seabird ambassador‘ as there are lots of exciting opportunities to get involved and learn new skills. Seabird ID photos by: Chris Gomersall, Ben Hall, Andy Hay, John Markham, Contact us at www.ios-seabirds.org.uk Kaleel Zibe (rspb-images.com), Joe Pender and Bryan Thomas. Front cover: Manx shearwater ©Joe Pender. 2014
IOSSRP-seabird-R8_FULL LEAFLET 2005 25/02/2014 11:16 Page 2
Working with the local community and visitors on the Isles of Scilly to enhance their important seabird heritage seabird important their enhance to Scilly of Isles the on visitors and community local the with Working
help seabirds to recover. to seabirds help
Boat trips to seabird colonies are important for Scilly’s economy Scilly’s for important are colonies seabird to trips Boat
population lost between 1983 and 2006 alone. We need to need We alone. 2006 and 1983 between lost population
Numbers continue to fall, with 25% of the islands’ seabird islands’ the of 25% with fall, to continue Numbers ©IOSSRP law. by protected are gulls, including seabirds, All Trust.
There are now just 20,000 seabirds altogether on Scilly. on altogether seabirds 20,000 just now are There managed as nature reserves by the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Scilly of Isles the by reserves nature as managed
designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Interest Scientific Special of Sites as designated
on the ground or in burrows. in or ground the on 2000. Most of Scilly’s important seabird colonies are also are colonies seabird important Scilly’s of Most 2000.
the eggs and kill the chicks, especially of species that nest that species of especially chicks, the kill and eggs the European-wide network of key wildlife sites called Natura called sites wildlife key of network European-wide
spelt disaster for seabirds. These non-native predators eat predators non-native These seabirds. for disaster spelt Scilly are designated a Special Protection Area, part of a of part Area, Protection Special a designated are Scilly
But the accidental introduction of brown rats to the islands the to rats brown of introduction accidental the But In recognition of their value for seabirds, the Isles of Isles the seabirds, for value their of recognition In
Puffin
two seabird species. seabird two
©Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
significant proportion of the world’s populations of these of populations world’s the of proportion significant
only coming ashore to breed. The UK supports a supports UK The breed. to ashore coming only
performing astounding migrations across the oceans, the across migrations astounding performing
will also benefit other wildlife such as the Scilly shrew. Scilly the as such wildlife other benefit also will family. They spend most of their lives far out to sea, to out far lives their of most spend They family.
their seabird heritage, now and in the future. The project The future. the in and now heritage, seabird their These two remarkable birds are members of the petrel the of members are birds remarkable two These
seabirds, and supports islanders to make the most of most the make to islanders supports and seabirds, only other English island where Manx shearwaters breed. shearwaters Manx where island English other only
The project involves many people helping to safeguard to helping people many involves project The petrels breed nowhere else in England, and Lundy is the is Lundy and England, in else nowhere breed petrels
And some of these seabirds are really special: storm special: really are seabirds these of some And
A brighter future brighter A
Storm petrel petrel Storm
shearwaters and tens of thousands of puffins. of thousands of tens and shearwaters ©Joe Pender Keeping the islands litter-free removes food and shelter for rats rats for shelter and food removes litter-free islands the Keeping
And there were vast numbers, perhaps 150,000 Manx 150,000 perhaps numbers, vast were there And
©Alastair Wilson Photography
Manx shearwaters and razorbills and shearwaters Manx
nesting, surrounded by rich seas for feeding. for seas rich by surrounded nesting,
Gugh and the uninhabited islands ‘rat-free’. ‘rat-free’. islands uninhabited the and Gugh used as currency – rents were paid in “pufons”. in paid were rents – currency as used seabirds, with many isolated and undisturbed islands for islands undisturbed and isolated many with seabirds,
protect the seabirds on Scilly by keeping St Agnes and Agnes St keeping by Scilly on seabirds the protect the 13th century, seabirds were so important that they were they that important so were seabirds century, 13th the archipelago’s location makes Scilly the ideal home for home ideal the Scilly makes location archipelago’s
attempted in the world to date. The main aim is to is aim main The date. to world the in attempted excavations of a site at Nornour dating back to 2000 BC. By BC. 2000 to back dating Nornour at site a of excavations 14 different species, from puffins to gulls. The gulls. to puffins from species, different 14
community-supported island restoration project restoration island community-supported years - evidence of Manx shearwaters was found in found was shearwaters Manx of evidence - years populations of seabirds - some 20,000 breeding birds of birds breeding 20,000 some - seabirds of populations
The Isles of Scilly Seabird Recovery Project is the largest the is Project Recovery Seabird Scilly of Isles The Man has lived with seabirds on Scilly for thousands of thousands for Scilly on seabirds with lived has Man The Isles of Scilly have one of Europe’s most important most Europe’s of one have Scilly of Isles The
Scilly’s seabirds are in trouble in are seabirds Scilly’s Why Scilly’s seabirds are so special so are seabirds Scilly’s Why Action to restore Scilly’s seabirds seabirds Scilly’s restore to Action
Help us keep the Isles of Scilly special Your guide to the... The Isles of Scilly are famous for their internationally important wildlife and inspiring landscape. This rich Seabirds on the heritage generates significant income from tourism, and is highly valued by islanders and by visitors. Isles of Scilly
©Cornwall Council (HES)
We need YOUR help to protect our important seabird heritage
Together we can keep these islands ‘rat-free’ Rats are the biggest threat to seabirds on land, please report any signs of rats on the uninhabited islands, St Agnes and Gugh, or on your boat. Call 01720 422153. For further information visit www.ios-seabirds.org.uk
The Project partners and supporters
©Joe Pender • RSPB rspb.org.uk • Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust www.ios-wildlifetrust.org.uk Puffin—a very popular summer visitor to the uninhabited islands • Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty www.ios-aonb.info Five things you can do to make a difference • Isles of Scilly Bird Group • Natural England www.naturalengland.org.uk • Report any signs of rats on the uninhabited islands, St Agnes and Gugh, or on your boat. Call 01720 422153. • Duchy of Cornwall www.duchyofcornwall.org • Avoid seabird colonies, keep dogs under close control and • Tresco Island www.tresco.co.uk move away from birds showing signs of distress. • Isles of Scilly Steamship Company • Please follow restrictions on visiting the uninhabited www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk islands as all are important for wildlife.
• Always dispose of waste properly and help keep our The RSPB is the country’s largest nature conservation beaches clean - litter provides food and nesting material charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. for rats as well as being a hazard for seabirds and other Working with the local community and visitors on the Isles marine life. RSPB is a registered charity in England and Wales 207076, of Scilly to enhance their important seabird heritage in Scotland SC037654 • Become a ‘seabird ambassador‘ as there are lots of exciting opportunities to get involved and learn new skills. Seabird ID photos by: Chris Gomersall, Ben Hall, Andy Hay, John Markham, Contact us at www.ios-seabirds.org.uk Kaleel Zibe (rspb-images.com), Joe Pender and Bryan Thomas. Front cover: Manx shearwater ©Joe Pender. 2014 IOSSRP-seabird-R8_FULL LEAFLET 2005 25/02/2014 11:16 Page 1
Your guide to breeding seabirds on the Isles of Scilly
©Joe Pender
A great place for seabirds
The Isles of Scilly are home to 20,000 seabirds of 14 different species. They are a great place to enjoy the UK’s spectacular seabird heritage.
©IOSSRP
St Agnes seen from Annet The Isles of Scilly Seabird Recovery Project is the largest community-supported island restoration project attempted in the world to date. The main aim is to protect the seabirds on Scilly by keeping St Agnes and Gugh and the uninhabited islands ‘rat-free’. The project involves islanders and visitors in helping safeguard the seabird heritage for the future. We need YOUR help Seabird facts to protect our important seabird heritage • Storm petrels breed nowhere else in England. In 2006 there were 1,398 pairs on Scilly. • Report any signs of rats on the uninhabited islands, St Agnes and Gugh, or on your boat. Call 01720 422153.
• In England, the Manx shearwater breeds only on Scilly and • Avoid seabird colonies, keep dogs under close control and on Lundy. In 2006 there were 171 pairs on Scilly. move away from birds showing signs of distress. • Follow restrictions on visiting the uninhabited islands as all are important for wildlife. For more information, please contact us at www.ios-seabirds.org.uk or 01720 422153
Fulmar, kittiwake and Manx shearwater common tern Shag and cormorant
Black above and white below, they Common terns, kittiwakes and the Nowhere else in England can you fly with rapid, stiff-winged flaps larger fulmars have silvery-grey enjoy the spectacle of large rafts followed by long glides on slim, upperparts and white underparts. of glossy green-black shags afloat Manx shearwater Fulmar Shag straight wings, occasionally between islands. Cormorants are 'shearing' over the sea. They breed mainly in the UK, Fulmars have a characteristic stiff- less widespread and your best coming to their nest burrows on offshore islands at winged flight. The kittiwake is our chance of spotting this larger bird night. Birds leave in August to winter at sea off Brazil smallest breeding gull and can be is from a special boat trip when and Argentina, returning in late February. distinguished by its call, black legs guides can help you spot the and small yellow bill. Common terns, differences. Both species’ Storm petrel known as sea swallows, are graceful, populations have been fairly buoyant fliers and can be seen Kittiwake stable over the last 25 years. Cormorant Little bigger than a sparrow, they around the islands plunge-diving to are all black with a white rump. catch fish. The common tern has a Enjoy our amazing seabirds They spend most of their life out of black cap and red bill with black tip. sight from land, fluttering over the • Take a guided boat trip to enjoy the seabird colonies, or a water with V-shaped wings and Storm petrel Fulmars are increasing whilst both pelagic boat trip between April and September when most feet pattering the waves. They breed on rat-free islands kittiwakes and common terns are seabirds are here. in the north east Atlantic, nesting in burrows. declining on the islands. Common tern • Listen for the eerie calls of Manx shearwaters at night. Puffin, guillemot and Lesser black-backed, • Take a guided walk around the islands or go to a talk where razorbill (auks) great black-backed experts can tell you more about the wildlife. and herring gulls • Look for seabirds from the Scillonian III passenger ferry. Boat trips between May and July Check the Steamship Company’s website for sailings with wildlife guides on board at www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk. to Annet, Mincarlo and Men-a- The colonial-nesting lesser black- Vaur are the best way of seeing backed gulls have slate grey backs these auks. Look for dumpy, black Puffin and yellow feet. The similar sized Lesser black-backed gull The Project is funded by LIFE, the EU’s financial instrument for the environment, and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project is also and white birds that fly low with herring gulls have silvery backs and supported by the Defra-backed Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding rapid beats from short wings – all wings with black tips and pink feet. Natural Beauty Sustainable Development Fund (SDF). can be identified year-round by Great black-backed gulls are larger, bill shape. Razorbills have blunt, with black backs and pink feet. Use deep bills, while guillemots bird guides to identify the confusing (which have browner plumage brown plumages of younger birds. than the very black and white Guillemot Great black-backed gull razorbills) have dagger-like bills. All three of these gull species have The smaller puffin has a colourful declined over the last 25 years. parrot-like bill in summer which is Surveys in 2006 found the Isles of greyish in winter. Once present in Scilly were internationally important their thousands, there were only for lesser black-backed gulls and about 170 pairs of puffins on the nationally important for great black- islands in 2006. backed gulls. Razorbill Herring gull IOSSRP-seabird-R8_FULL LEAFLET 2005 25/02/2014 11:16 Page 1
Your guide to breeding seabirds on the Isles of Scilly
©Joe Pender
A great place for seabirds
The Isles of Scilly are home to 20,000 seabirds of 14 different species. They are a great place to enjoy the UK’s spectacular seabird heritage.
©IOSSRP
St Agnes seen from Annet The Isles of Scilly Seabird Recovery Project is the largest community-supported island restoration project attempted in the world to date. The main aim is to protect the seabirds on Scilly by keeping St Agnes and Gugh and the uninhabited islands ‘rat-free’. The project involves islanders and visitors in helping safeguard the seabird heritage for the future. We need YOUR help Seabird facts to protect our important seabird heritage • Storm petrels breed nowhere else in England. In 2006 there were 1,398 pairs on Scilly. • Report any signs of rats on the uninhabited islands, St Agnes and Gugh, or on your boat. Call 01720 422153.
• In England, the Manx shearwater breeds only on Scilly and • Avoid seabird colonies, keep dogs under close control and on Lundy. In 2006 there were 171 pairs on Scilly. move away from birds showing signs of distress. • Follow restrictions on visiting the uninhabited islands as all are important for wildlife. For more information, please contact us at www.ios-seabirds.org.uk or 01720 422153
Fulmar, kittiwake and Manx shearwater common tern Shag and cormorant
Black above and white below, they Common terns, kittiwakes and the Nowhere else in England can you fly with rapid, stiff-winged flaps larger fulmars have silvery-grey enjoy the spectacle of large rafts followed by long glides on slim, upperparts and white underparts. of glossy green-black shags afloat Manx shearwater Fulmar Shag straight wings, occasionally between islands. Cormorants are 'shearing' over the sea. They breed mainly in the UK, Fulmars have a characteristic stiff- less widespread and your best coming to their nest burrows on offshore islands at winged flight. The kittiwake is our chance of spotting this larger bird night. Birds leave in August to winter at sea off Brazil smallest breeding gull and can be is from a special boat trip when and Argentina, returning in late February. distinguished by its call, black legs guides can help you spot the and small yellow bill. Common terns, differences. Both species’ Storm petrel known as sea swallows, are graceful, populations have been fairly buoyant fliers and can be seen Kittiwake stable over the last 25 years. Cormorant Little bigger than a sparrow, they around the islands plunge-diving to are all black with a white rump. catch fish. The common tern has a Enjoy our amazing seabirds They spend most of their life out of black cap and red bill with black tip. sight from land, fluttering over the • Take a guided boat trip to enjoy the seabird colonies, or a water with V-shaped wings and Storm petrel Fulmars are increasing whilst both pelagic boat trip between April and September when most feet pattering the waves. They breed on rat-free islands kittiwakes and common terns are seabirds are here. in the north east Atlantic, nesting in burrows. declining on the islands. Common tern • Listen for the eerie calls of Manx shearwaters at night. Puffin, guillemot and Lesser black-backed, • Take a guided walk around the islands or go to a talk where razorbill (auks) great black-backed experts can tell you more about the wildlife. and herring gulls • Look for seabirds from the Scillonian III passenger ferry. Boat trips between May and July Check the Steamship Company’s website for sailings with wildlife guides on board at www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk. to Annet, Mincarlo and Men-a- The colonial-nesting lesser black- Vaur are the best way of seeing backed gulls have slate grey backs these auks. Look for dumpy, black Puffin and yellow feet. The similar sized Lesser black-backed gull The Project is funded by LIFE, the EU’s financial instrument for the environment, and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project is also and white birds that fly low with herring gulls have silvery backs and supported by the Defra-backed Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding rapid beats from short wings – all wings with black tips and pink feet. Natural Beauty Sustainable Development Fund (SDF). can be identified year-round by Great black-backed gulls are larger, bill shape. Razorbills have blunt, with black backs and pink feet. Use deep bills, while guillemots bird guides to identify the confusing (which have browner plumage brown plumages of younger birds. than the very black and white Guillemot Great black-backed gull razorbills) have dagger-like bills. All three of these gull species have The smaller puffin has a colourful declined over the last 25 years. parrot-like bill in summer which is Surveys in 2006 found the Isles of greyish in winter. Once present in Scilly were internationally important their thousands, there were only for lesser black-backed gulls and about 170 pairs of puffins on the nationally important for great black- islands in 2006. backed gulls. Razorbill Herring gull