It has been highlighted in the news this week that Manx shearwaters from Skomer and Skokholm islands have been flung inland by the tail end of hurricane Irene. As a consequence many young birds have been found as far inland as Llandeilo.
The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales are appealing for donations to help them work with these birds and the quarter of a million out on the islands. These young birds should already be on their way to Argentina and their winter feeding grounds and are getting dangerously delayed by the inclement weather.
The research done by Oxford University on the island shows that these birds usually only land on Skomer and Skokholm islands with their remaining time spent out at sea. Therefore the birds who are being found inland are very much out of their natural environment.
Skomer Warden Chris Taylor said “Manx shearwaters are stunning birds who spend a significant amount of their lives out at sea, this will be a treacherous time for them. Mostly these are young birds who have just left the nest for the first time and will be extremely disoriented. As I work with these birds on a daily basis this is particularly distressing to me. They should be on their way to their feeding grounds to build up their strength and develop their incredible flying skills.
There is 50% of the world’s population of Manx shearwaters on Skomer and Skokholm islands. These storms have happened at a particularly bad time for the birds”
To make a donation to the Trust to work with these wonderful birds and to ensure their future please donate online http://www.welshwildlife.org/GiveaDonation_en.link, Text Donate now by texting NaturShearwater to 70300, phone the offices 01656 724100 or post cheques made payable to the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. Please highlight your donation is for the Manx shearwaters.
The Trust are advising anyone finding one of these birds to box them safely away from any predators and to take them to the coast, releasing them in the evening when they should avoid the attacks of black back gulls.
