Manx BirdLife (MBL) was delighted to team up for a fourth summer of sea watches at The Sound with fellow conservation organisation Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch (MWDW).
The sea watches are public drop-in events that take place at The Sound between May and September; the best time of year for calmer seas, necessary for accurate spotting of cetaceans and other large marine vertebrates such as Basking Sharks and Sunfish. Grey Seals and birds such as Gannets, Great Black-backed Gulls, Oystercatchers and Choughs always make a welcome appearance and are a great way to engage people between cetacean sightings.
The popular events are supported by dedicated volunteers and attract a mixture of local wildlife enthusiasts, passes by, and visitors from across, who take the opportunity to chat with MWDW and MBL and to borrow optic equipment to join in the sea watches.
An extra watch was put on for May Bank Holiday this year to coincide with Manx Wildlife Week and a visit to The Sound by the charities’ Patrons His Excellency Lieutenant General Sir John Lorimer and Lady Lorimer.
The purpose of the events is to share passion for marine wildlife and species knowledge with the wider public, and to encourage people of all ages to be citizen scientists looking out for and reporting sightings of cetaceans and birds around the Isle of Man coast. These species are near to, or at the top of, marine food webs and are therefore good indicators of the health of marine ecosystems. Species sightings help the charities to track health and population changes.
2026 was a particularly busy year for the events, with nearly 200 people engaged with across the summer months. The August sea watch was particularly memorable with sightings of 10 porpoises rolling in the waves and 200 Shags flying in and rafting, both to the west of The Sound.
MBL and MWDW would like to thank the Sound Café for their support of the sea watches, with the welcome option to use their inside space when the rain comes, and toilets, which enables staff and volunteers to work at this remote location for a few hours at a time.
The charities hope to return for another summer of sea watches next year!
Manx BirdLife is the conservation charity based in the Isle of Man working to protect the Island’s wild birds and the habitats on which they depend. To support the charity’s work or submit bird sightings, go to Manx BirdLife Home – Manx BirdLife or call 01624 861130.
Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch is the conservation charity conserving whales, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks around the Isle of Man. To support the charity’s work or submit cetacean and shark sightings, go to Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch – Conserving cetaceans and basking sharks around the Isle of Man through research and education.
By Anna Graham, Education Manager, Manx BirdLife
