Welcome to the latest Manx BirdLife newsletter
Here is the latest news from Manx BirdLife. 2011 has been a busy year for the Manx BirdLife charity and we are looking forward to 2012. We will aim to keep you informed through our newsletters and website throughout the year. May we wish you a relaxing Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Manx BirdLife Christmas Bird Race – do take part
The first Manx BirdLife Christmas Bird Race takes place this year. It starts at 1 minute past midnight on Christmas Day and runs until midnight on News Years Day. The aim is to find out what species of bird are on the Isle of Man during this seven day period. Please do take part. More information is on the Manx BirdLife website. A form to help birdwatchers record their sightings and keep track of what has been seen will be on the website by Christmas Day. There are no prizes for the Race, but the aim is to encourage everyone to get out and about, enjoying the Manx countryside. Garden bird sightings are equally useful!
Star bird of the autumn – Baird’s Sandpiper
The star bird of the autumn has to be the Baird’s Sandpiper seen on Poyll Breein (‘the Stinking Dub’) at Langness in September. This was the first record for the Isle of Man. Small waders can be hard to identify; from a distance they may look similar and often they are hard to get a good view of, so to identify this bird was a considerable achievement. Baird’s Sandpipers breed in the high Arctic, from eastern Siberia to western Greenland; the normal wintering grounds are in South America. They are a rare vagrant to Europe. For more information see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baird’s_Sandpiper or http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bairds_Sandpiper/id/ac. For a photo of the Baird’s Sandpiper at Langness click here.
Things to look out for this winter
So far this winter, sea watching has produced some good results. In particular reports have come from Peel Castle and the Point of Ayre with many sightings of divers, scoters, auks and Goldeneye. Ashore, look out for Whooper Swans in the north of the Island and for various ducks on the dubs, larger pools and reservoirs. Ballannette Reserve in Lonan is producing some excellent sightings. Around the coast, look out for waders, Twite and Snow Buntings (the latter could also be found on the hills). Langness is, as ever, a good place to visit. If we get any harsh weather there is the chance of seeing Woodcock in upland areas, woods or glens and Water Rails in Ballaugh Curraghs and other wetland. The number of Hen Harriers roosting at Ballaugh Curraghs has apparently decreased dramatically in years, but there may still be some to be seen from the observation platform at Close Sartfield at dusk or at other sites such as Stoney Mountain. There is a good chance of someone seeing a Short-Eared Owl as there are many in England currently. If you feed the birds in your garden, then you may get some of the special winter visitors such as Bramblings and Redwings. Click here for more advice on feeding the birds.
Whatever you see, please do continue to send in your records to Manx BirdLife via the usual form.
Website updates
Since the last newsletter, in addition to the regular weekly summaries of birds seen, there have been some additional items added:
- ‘Peregrine’ articles The complete list of all articles that have appeared in Peregrine since its first edition in 1941.
- Origin of Great Spotted Woodpeckers in Ireland Research suggests that they originated from the UK, not from continental Europe. This suggests that Manx Great Spotted Woodpeckers may have the same UK origin.
- Counting Large Numbers of birds Advice on how to try to count a large group of birds. This can be a daunting prospect, but it is very useful data. Have a look at the videos, one from the Isle of Man and a great video of a Murmuration of Starlings in Ireland.
- Receiving Manx BirdLife tweets on your mobile phone In addition to the website, Manx BirdLife uses Twitter to keep people up-to-date. You can receive updates on any mobile phone that can receive text messages. To find out how to get Manx BirdLife’s tweets go to.
- Return of the Chough to Cornwall The Chough is one of the Isle of Man’s star birds and maybe one that we take too much for granted. In Cornwall, Choughs have only recently returned as a breeding bird.
Calf of Man Ornithological Warden
Simon Davies had a very productive year as Ornithological Warden on the Calf. Unfortunately he has accepted an offer of a job in Australia, so won’t be returning for a second season. The job is therefore being advertised: ‘The post holder will have experience of Bird Observatory work including a relevant bird ringing permit (A class preferred) with endorsements and experience of monitoring and surveying open-nest and cliff-nesting birds. The Ornithology Warden is responsible for monitoring and ringing of the resident populations of chough, Manx shearwaters, peregrine, hen harriers, storm petrels, shags and many other sea bird species. The warden is also responsible for netting and trapping of the numerous passage migrant species that arrive during spring and autumn, using a variety of nets and traps, as well as daily bird logs and sea watches.
In addition monitoring of seal, rat, moth and butterfly populations and assisting the Estate Warden with general maintenance of the site will be required. First Aid qualifications, ATV or tractor driving experience and familiarity with ecological IT systems will be an advantage with this post. The post requires a very flexible approach to working times as most work is outside normal office hours, especially at weekends. This post is initially a 36 week appointment from early March. Living accommodation is provided. For an application form and further details of the post contact 7-8 Market Place, Peel, Isle of Man, IM5 1AB Tel 844432. Email: enquiries@manxwt.org.uk. Deadline for applications is 14th January 2012. The salary is £ 13,104 p/a (pro rata).’
Bird Observations in the Isle of Man in 2011
Don’t forget to send in details of any bird sightings you made on the Isle of Man during 2011. If you’ve been sending them in to Manx BirdLife throughout the year, then there is no need to re-send them; but if you haven’t please do so. The official Bird Recorder for the Isle of Man is Chris Sharpe, so send in sighting to him at ‘Greenbank’, 33 Mines Road, Laxey, Isle of Man IM4 7NH. If you don’t tend to record your bird sightings, how about making a New Year’s resolution to record them in future? You can send them in to Manx BirdLife each week, using the form on the website.
Manx Christmas stamps
Did you know? Local wildlife artist Dr Jeremy Paul painted the six ‘Birds in Winter’ used for the Isle of Man Christmas stamps for 2011. Chris Sharpe from Manx BirdLife provided the text.
Next M.O.S. evening meeting – the next meeting is on Tuesday 10th January. Andre Dubbledam talks about ‘Where the Wild Flowers grow – The Atlas of Manx Flora’. The meeting starts at 7:30pm and takes place at Union Mills Methodist Church. The Manx Ornithological Society welcomes birdwatchers of all ages to its meetings, so please come along. Details for M.O.S. trips and meetings are on the Manx Ornithological Society page on the Manx BirdLife website.
Manx BirdLife – contact details
Manx BirdLife
35 New Road
Laxey
Isle of Man
IM4 7BG
Tel: +44 (0)1624 861130
Email: enquiries@manxbirdlife.im
Website: http://manxbirdlife.im
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