2024 was a year of remarkable progress and growth for Manx BirdLife, marked by several exciting milestones and significant achievements in wildlife conservation across the Isle of Man.
A Year of Growth and Progress
The first few months of 2024 were dedicated to improving the Manx BirdLife Point of Ayre National Reserve in preparation for its official public opening. Volunteers and staff worked tirelessly to complete essential tasks, such as finishing the hide, installing new signage, and finalizing the welcome area. Ahead of our thank you event in July for all those who have helped so far, the charity hosted a series of open days, allowing supporters an early look at the progress.
June saw a milestone in the reserve’s educational outreach as Ballaugh Primary School became the first school to visit the site. Led by Education Manager Anna, the students enjoyed a day filled with learning and exploration, discovering the diverse wildlife that calls the reserve home. In August, Anna partnered with local artist Laura Moon to host a mindfulness art event. The event blended nature and creativity, giving children an opportunity to engage with the environment through artistic expression.
The charity also hosted ‘Celebrating Manx Birds III’ in November, when (despite Storm Bert’s best efforts) over 50 people joined a host of speakers from across the island and the UK to learn why ‘bigger, better, more joined up’ is the way forward for nature conservation. The event provided invaluable insights into the future of bird conservation on the Island and highlighted the collective efforts needed to safeguard biodiversity.
A Year of Wildlife Success
Despite the challenges posed by a wet spring, which disrupted breeding patterns for many bird species, the weather proved ideal for ducks at the reserve. Among the highlights were the sightings of a young family of shoveler and three broods of gadwall, marking the second, third, and fourth confirmed breeding records of gadwall on the Isle of Man.
One of the most compelling wildlife stories of 2024 was the return of a lone common tern. After spending the past two summers feeding fish to plastic decoys, the bird successfully paired with another tern this year and attempted to nest on the reserve’s floating rafts. Although the adult pair disappeared just days before the eggs were due to hatch, and the eggs were presumed to have been predated, this nesting attempt marks the first for common terns on the island in nearly 50 years. It demonstrates the reserve's potential as a sanctuary for these rare visitors.
In an exciting botanical news, over 600 bee orchids were spotted on the reserve – the highest number ever recorded. This rare and beautiful flower thrived in the favourable conditions, making 2024 an excellent year for this protected species.
A Record-Breaking Christmas Bird Race
As the year drew to a close, Manx BirdLife celebrated a record-breaking Christmas Bird Race. Between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, an impressive 125 bird species were recorded, including sightings of an avocet, a ring-necked duck, and a red kite – three species never before recorded during the bird race. This made the 2024 Christmas Bird Race the biggest and most successful yet.
The Biggest Milestone: The 200th Species
However, the standout moment of the year came in November when Reserve Manager David spotted an avocet feeding on the reserve. This rare bird (this is only the third record of its kind for the Isle of Man) was later confirmed as the 200th species recorded at the site. A long time coming, this particular milestone is a testament to the hard work of the Manx BirdLife team of reserve staff and volunteers and the potential the reserve holds for Manx wildlife.
You can find the full list of bird species recorded at the Manx BirdLife Point of Ayre National Reserve here.
Looking to the Future
In addition to the impressive successes at the reserve, 2024 also saw the launch of the Chough survey, which will continue into 2025. The charity also helped launch the first Langness breeding bird protection trial, aimed at safeguarding species like oystercatchers and ringed plovers from human disturbances. The trial was a resounding success, with ringed plovers successfully nesting on the peninsula after several years of unsuccessful breeding attempts.
As 2025 begins, Manx BirdLife reflects on a year of growth, achievement, and discovery. With numerous exciting plans in the works, the charity is poised to continue its vital work in conservation. The year ahead promises even more initiatives, with new projects and opportunities aimed at further advancing wildlife protection efforts on the Isle of Man. Keep an eye out for updates as Manx BirdLife embarks on another year of progress for wildlife.
