staycations in 2020 PRODUCEd the ultimate seabird WATCHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UK'S birders
8 January 2021
Handa Island Wardens Lockdown Film 2020 © Johnny Rolt
In 2020 people flocked to the sea as soon as lockdown restrictions were lifted – they needed the coast as never before. Wildlife Trusts around the country were reporting a surge of public interest in marine life and coastal species as tern species rocket in numbers.
Arctic tern pairs were up by 2900% and Sandwich tern pairs were up by 65% at North Wales Wildlife Trust’s fabulous Cemlyn nature reserve in 2020. The reserves team also report sightings of the roseate tern, the rarest breeding seabird in the UK. With an estimate of over 9,000 birds, the two low-lying islands in the Cemlyn lagoon were at full capacity with these wonderfully elegant, noisy seabirds.
Cemlyn has long been home to a small colony of Arctic and common terns, but in 2020 the colony received a massive boost, following the abandonment of the large colony on the Skerries. A migratory species, they travel thousands of miles to and from the southern hemisphere to Wales, in order to breed. Tern species are slender, elegant birds and used to be known as ‘sea swallows’. Arctic terns have blood-red bills that can help to distinguish them from common terns.
Additionally, over 1,984 pairs of Sandwich terns bred with a peak count of 1,000 fledglings. The birds nest in the open on islands, so they are vulnerable to predators and very sensitive to disturbance, especially from dogs and people. This nature reserve is the only Sandwich tern colony in Wales and one of the most important in the UK, so it receives special protection: Wildlife Trust wardens keep watch to ensure the birds get the best chance possible to breed successfully. They are appealing for future funding for wardens to protect this very important colony.
Chris Wynne, senior reserves manager, North Wales Wildlife Trust, says: “It was a truly awesome and surprising spectacle for 2020 – a full-on tern metropolis at Cemlyn, with chicks and activity happening at full pelt, constant movement and a wall of noise. The influx of hundreds of additional birds followed the abandonment of the Skerries colony. We believe at least half the birds came over to Cemlyn, borne out by the evidence provided by reading the coloured rings tagged on the legs of some of the Arctic and common terns, and recorded by our wardens. Hopefully next spring these streamlined beauties will make a return – a lot of excited birders will be waiting for them.”
Guillemot numbers at highest since 2004 on Scotland’s Handa island.
Based on data from 10 plots, sampling guillemots across the island of Handa, this bird species’ population has increased for the third consecutive year. 2020 witnessed the highest number of guillemots recorded on Handa since 2004. Guillemots breed on sheer cliff faces but spend most of their time out at sea. Scotland is an important home for these birds, with populations reaching up to 50,000 in a typical summer.
Three Scottish Wildlife Trust rangers, alone during lockdown on the remote Scottish island of Handa, blogged about their experiences, producing a stunning film of the spectacular spring wildlife during its respite from visitors. The island had its first spring months in more than 50 years, without the typical 1,000s of visitors who would usually make the trip. A film was lovingly produced showcasing the many wildlife characters on the island in May and June, including puffins, great skuas, gulls, gannets, otters, seals and more.
Arctic tern pairs were up by 2900% and Sandwich tern pairs were up by 65% at North Wales Wildlife Trust’s fabulous Cemlyn nature reserve in 2020. The reserves team also report sightings of the roseate tern, the rarest breeding seabird in the UK. With an estimate of over 9,000 birds, the two low-lying islands in the Cemlyn lagoon were at full capacity with these wonderfully elegant, noisy seabirds.
Cemlyn has long been home to a small colony of Arctic and common terns, but in 2020 the colony received a massive boost, following the abandonment of the large colony on the Skerries. A migratory species, they travel thousands of miles to and from the southern hemisphere to Wales, in order to breed. Tern species are slender, elegant birds and used to be known as ‘sea swallows’. Arctic terns have blood-red bills that can help to distinguish them from common terns.
Additionally, over 1,984 pairs of Sandwich terns bred with a peak count of 1,000 fledglings. The birds nest in the open on islands, so they are vulnerable to predators and very sensitive to disturbance, especially from dogs and people. This nature reserve is the only Sandwich tern colony in Wales and one of the most important in the UK, so it receives special protection: Wildlife Trust wardens keep watch to ensure the birds get the best chance possible to breed successfully. They are appealing for future funding for wardens to protect this very important colony.
Chris Wynne, senior reserves manager, North Wales Wildlife Trust, says: “It was a truly awesome and surprising spectacle for 2020 – a full-on tern metropolis at Cemlyn, with chicks and activity happening at full pelt, constant movement and a wall of noise. The influx of hundreds of additional birds followed the abandonment of the Skerries colony. We believe at least half the birds came over to Cemlyn, borne out by the evidence provided by reading the coloured rings tagged on the legs of some of the Arctic and common terns, and recorded by our wardens. Hopefully next spring these streamlined beauties will make a return – a lot of excited birders will be waiting for them.”
Guillemot numbers at highest since 2004 on Scotland’s Handa island.
Based on data from 10 plots, sampling guillemots across the island of Handa, this bird species’ population has increased for the third consecutive year. 2020 witnessed the highest number of guillemots recorded on Handa since 2004. Guillemots breed on sheer cliff faces but spend most of their time out at sea. Scotland is an important home for these birds, with populations reaching up to 50,000 in a typical summer.
Three Scottish Wildlife Trust rangers, alone during lockdown on the remote Scottish island of Handa, blogged about their experiences, producing a stunning film of the spectacular spring wildlife during its respite from visitors. The island had its first spring months in more than 50 years, without the typical 1,000s of visitors who would usually make the trip. A film was lovingly produced showcasing the many wildlife characters on the island in May and June, including puffins, great skuas, gulls, gannets, otters, seals and more.
Guillemots on Handa Island © Pete Haskell.
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