Issue
No.1 Autumn 1998 INTRODUCTION AND THANKS Welcome
to Firstly, a very sincere thanks to all of you, our sponsors. It is through your efforts and generosity in supporting our work that we have reached the stage we have. What a year it has been. It is hard to believe that it is only 12 months ago that the charity was formed. Since that time, with your support, we have secured finance which has enabled us to meet all of our goals for this summer and most of our aspirations for the future. Added to this support are the efforts of our staff and the endorsement of our research from the Manx Ornithological Society (MOS), Manx Nature Conservation Trust (MNCT), British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). The complete package is something in which we can all take pride and it is our intention that the finished product, the published research findings, will be a credit to the Island. The purpose of
this news sheet is to keep sponsors and others up to date
with our work as it progresses, and it is the first of
what we hope will be an annual update. We have delayed
its publication until now in order that we can tell you
about the first summers research, the Breeding Bird
Survey (BBS) undertaken between April and July this year.
The format is intended to provide interesting facts and
information about The full scientific evaluation of our results can only take place at the end of the research period, however already this summer we have gathered a wealth of information which shows the value of what is to come. In this edition we provide you with some interesting 'snippets' from the first few months and tell you about the work ahead. We hope you enjoy it. Any feedback on how it can be improved over time, or suggestions for articles that you would like to see included, would be more than welcome. Regards Chris Sharpe QUOTE FROM WILLIAM CAIN CHAIRMAN MNCT I congratulate As the Isle of Man becomes more prosperous, as we all hope it will, the pressures on the natural environment will increase and the conservation of our wildlife will become more urgent. It is therefore of great importance that we record accurately and comprehensively the Island's wildlife, so that future conservation policies can be properly developed. All success to YELLOWHAMMER
Photo by Barry Hughes "THE TEAM" ARON SAPSFORD.
Arons working background is 'Ornithology' through and
through. Starting off as Assistant Warden and then Warden
at an observatory in Southern England, Aron migrated
North one spring to take up employment on the Calf of
Man, a position he held for three years. Finding the IOM
to his liking, he stayed (holding territory and finding a
mate, Karen) carrying out part-time work for the Manx
Chough Project. He now works full-time for Breeding Status - 'Definite' (nest with young (Lucie)) CHRIS SHARPE. Honorary Secretary to the charity, interested in birds since childhood. That interest has grown into a passion leading, along with Aron, to the current research programme. Working background of Finance and Administration with Government where he still works for the Department of Home Affairs. The 'pen pusher' of the team. Breeding Status - 'Possible' (Male in suitable habitat) Dr PAT CULLEN. Probably 'The bird man' of the IOM. Pat a (semi) retired GP has had a lifelong interest in birds. In addition to being co-author of 'Birds of the Isle of Man' Pat is Recorder for the Island, responsible for collating bird sightings and passing them to the MOS for inclusion within its journal 'Peregrine'. Vice-President of the Society, Pat also carries out census work on various species notably 'Rook' and 'Heron' Breeding Status - 'Definite' (Male holding territory) BOB JEAVONS. A self confessed novice 'birder' Bobs many other skills were the reason he was invited to come on board. His background of Retailing and Commerce (Tynwald Mills Ltd) has been of great benefit in ensuring that the needs of running a sizeable undertaking are balanced with the scientific aspect of the charity. Breeding Status
- 'Definite' (Occupied nest) FACT ABOUT STONECHAT Often thought of as a bird of the coast, this species is surprisingly common within the Manx hills and was recorded in 74 of the 128 1km squares surveyed during this summer. JASON BISHOP One of our two part-time fieldworkers, Jason was employed from April to July. No stranger to the Island, 'Jase' was the Calf Warden for two years and has visited the main Island on many occasions. Prior to starting on the project he had been doing voluntary work on a reserve in Norfolk and is hoping to travel to Norway later this year to undertake research on the Storm Petrel. Breeding Status - 'Non-Breeding' (Observed Loafing about) PETER GIOVANNINI our second 'part-timer'. Peter is a forester by trade but has many years experience in carrying out voluntary research and census work for the BTO. This was his first visit to the IOM and he was impressed by both the varieties of birds and with the diverse habitats the Island enjoys. Breeding Status - 'Non Breeding (Migrant) ANDREW LAIDLAW our volunteer computer 'wiz' Andrew has been a real god-send. He is responsible for developing our computer systems and data recordal, in order that they produce our 'end result' and are compatible with systems used by Government and other conservation bodies. He puts in many hours of un-paid work and is always on hand for advice. Keen on birding, we hope to be able to encourage the development of his birding skills over the life of the project. Breeding Status - 'Definite' (Young at Nest) JENNY KISSACK another volunteer is responsible for the logo on the front page. It appears on all our stationery and on the side of our vehicle, and has attracted a lot of positive comment from sponsors and the general public alike. It helps tremendously to have a corporate identity and Jenny has embraced both the Manx 'Knox' style and the 'folklore' of the Wren in a very attractive way. Breeding
Status - 'Definite' (Distraction Display)!! QUOTE FROM PETER Beary Mountain.
Best bird of the survey had to be the 'Reeling' call of
the Grasshopper Warbler. The pitch of the call changes as
the bird moves its head from side to side to get the best
effect from its call. BREEDING BIRD SURVEY 1998 Our research got off to a flying start (pardon the pun) with the first phase of our breeding bird research starting, as planned, in April this year. Over the next four months our staff were busy surveying throughout the Island. Most of our work was in the uplands to assist the RSPB survey of Hen Harriers throughout the UK. For our summer research the Island has been divided into 1km squares. Each of the squares chosen for 1998 was visited twice, once in April/May and once in June/July. Each visit was 2 hrs long, unless the square was on the coast, when the time was reduced in proportion to the amount of land in the square. During the visit
every bird observed was plotted on a map and each
sighting was given a breeding 'status' depending upon its
activity, in much the same way as our team has been!! At
the end of the 4 months each of the 128 squares earmarked
for surveying this summer had been visited twice and all
of the 31723 records had been verified and entered on the
computer. Squares surveyed this year are shown on the map.
THE NEXT PHASE - WINTER ATLAS 1998/99 Already our attention is turning to the 'Winter Atlas' which is starting in mid-November 1998 and running through to mid-February 1999. This will be the first of three consecutive winter surveys, which will combine to produce results which will show the distribution and abundance of each species wintering on the Island. Birds behave differently in the winter than they do in the summer. True, there are favoured sites for feeding, roosting or just simply sheltering from bad weather, but as a general rule birds are more nomadic in the winter than the summer, when they are more closely tied to their breeding territory. Our survey methods need to take account of this and therefore we will not be carrying out timed counts over such a small area as 1 km squares. The survey
techniques will, however, be structured to give an
accurate picture. Due to the influences of mild or harsh
winters, either here or in Europe, the Island can see
influxes of birds that we would not normally get. To
account for these variations our winter work is being
spread over three years to build a more reliable picture
than just one years' data would produce. SQUARES SURVEYED DURING SUMMER
OTHER OBSERVATIONS Being in the position to travel the Island researching birds, has also meant that our staff have observed a whole host of other species. We recognised that it would be a shame if those went 'unrecorded'. We therefore set up a system of recordal which ensured that 'other' sightings were noted and passed to the MNCT and the Biological Records Officer at Manx National Heritage. Sometimes the
record was as simple as 'present' in a particular square,
although on most occasions actual counts were made.
Records included sightings of Hedgehog, Polecat, Stoat (unfortunately
found dead), frogs, lizard, Butterflies, Moths and Seals.
We are pleased to offer these records and hope they are
of some use. SOME FACTS FROM THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS Total number of records generated from timed counts 31,723 Square with the most species observed:- Close Sartfield, 46 Species Square with the most species of Breeding Status:- Close Sartfield, 41 Species Top 10 breeding species recorded in the most squares 1. Meadow Pipit 121 2. Wren 111 3. Hooded Crow 90 4. Skylark 80 5. Robin 78 6. Dunnock 77 7. Stonechat 74 8. Blackbird 73 9. Chaffinch 71 10. Pheasant 70 Top 10 breeding species by number of records 1. Meadow Pipit 2940 2. Herring Gull 1806 3. Wren 944 4. Guillemot 835 5. Chaffinch 497 6. Skylark 464 7. Robin 464 8. Linnet 424 9. Jackdaw 346 10. Willow Warbler 299 NB.
Observations from the countless numbers of people who
have submitted records to FACT ABOUT SKYLARK Although
considered a declining species in the UK, Manx numbers of
Skylark seem healthy, based upon the first years survey,
with birds being recorded in 63% of squares. SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM SUMMER 1998 For those
involved with So what were the main highlights:- 27/04/98 7 Dotterel observed during a timed count at Cregneash were watched for over an hour before flying off purposefully towards Ireland. 09-10/05/98 Spoonbill - only the second ever Manx record this bird was first observed by Ben Fraser, the RSPB Hen Harrier fieldworker. Although only staying a short while it afforded good views to quite a few birdwatchers. 25-26/05/98 American Golden Plover - first for the Island, spotted by Aron at Langness and observed by several people over the next two days. Very similar to 'our' Golden Plover this splendid bird was in full breeding plumage. Ruddy Duck – The first ever breeding record for the Island. A pair with 6 well-grown young was found at the Eary Dam on 13 July Little Terns
- Thanks to assistance from the Department of Agriculture
Fisheries and Forestry the small colony of Little Tern
found on the Ayres beach were protected from inadvertent
disturbance from the public by a cordon erected around
the area. At least 30 nesting attempts and a minimum of 8-9
young fledging. QUOTE FROM GORDON CRAINE PRESIDENT OF THE MANX ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY As President of
the Isle of Man Ornithological Society I strongly support
the work being done for LONGER TERM PLANS We have touched upon the work carried out during the summer and of our plans for the coming winter, but what about the longer term? To a degree our work will settle into a routine. Over the next four summers the remaining areas of the Island will be surveyed using the methods already described. Once gathered the data will be analysed and published in our 'Breeding Bird Atlas' in late 2003/ early 2004. By February 2001 the Winter Atlas research will have been completed and the task of analysing the data and writing up the species accounts will start. Hopefully in time for Christmas 2001 that part of our research will be published and available to the public. Ongoing will be the computer development (Andrew take note!) and Administrative tasks associated with running a charity and ensuring our standards remain high. One aspect of our work, which we cannot start at present, deserves some comment. We feel that, for the good of the Islands future, it is important that we encourage and develop an interest in and understanding of our birdlife within our younger generation. Without developing them, building an accurate picture of what we currently have can only be a part of the picture. The Department of Education has agreed that, as part of our programme of work, it would welcome regular visits by staff members to all of the Primary Schools over the life of the project. Using computers, linked to sightings of birds in their area, we intend to gain students interest, encourage them to take note of what they see and to understand why birds are important. Our original
plans included the employment of a second full-time staff
member. In addition to carrying out fieldwork that staff
member will carry out those school visits. Fundraising
effort to reach this final goal will continue and we hope
we can continue to rely upon your support to help us
achieve "all that we can be". LONGER TERM PLANS We have touched upon the work carried out during the summer and of our plans for the coming winter, but what about the longer term? To a degree our work will settle into a routine. Over the next four summers the remaining areas of the Island will be surveyed using the methods already described. Once gathered the data will be analysed and published in our 'Breeding Bird Atlas' in late 2003/ early 2004. By February 2001 the Winter Atlas research will have been completed and the task of analysing the data and writing up the species accounts will start. Hopefully in time for Christmas 2001 that part of our research will be published and available to the public. Ongoing will be the computer development (Andrew take note!) and Administrative tasks associated with running a charity and ensuring our standards remain high. One aspect of our work, which we cannot start at present, deserves some comment. We feel that, for the good of the Islands future, it is important that we encourage and develop an interest in and understanding of our birdlife within our younger generation. Without developing them, building an accurate picture of what we currently have can only be a part of the picture. The Department of Education has agreed that, as part of our programme of work, it would welcome regular visits by staff members to all of the Primary Schools over the life of the project. Using computers, linked to sightings of birds in their area, we intend to gain students interest, encourage them to take note of what they see and to understand why birds are important. Our original
plans included the employment of a second full-time staff
member. In addition to carrying out fieldwork that staff
member will carry out those school visits. Fundraising
effort to reach this final goal will continue and we hope
we can continue to rely upon your support to help us
achieve "all that we can be". THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS As has already been mentioned, without the support and commitment of all of our sponsors, we would not have been able to start this valuable research. Your continued support is key to our work continuing. It is only right that we reflect our appreciation by listing below all those who have assisted in funding our work to date. CORPORATES
INDIVIDUAL SPECIES SPONSORS
OTHER SPONSORS
DEPARTMENTS OF GOVERNMENT
HOW ELSE CAN YOU HELP In addition to your financial support, there are other important ways in which you can assist our research. Observations. In supporting our work you have expressed an interest in our birdlife. Presumably, as you go about the Island, or even whilst at home, you will observe birds. Those records will help to build up a picture of the distribution of the birdlife of the Island. It doesn’t matter whether it is 'just' a House Sparrow nesting in your eaves or a Swallow seen flying into a nearby farm building, your records are invaluable. Although April-July and November- February are the key times, any records will be welcomed. They will also be passed on to the MOS for its use. Please get in touch with Aron or Chris on 861130 for forms to record your observations. Spread the word. Already we have managed to raise and maintain a high profile for the research. Why not play your part by telling friends and relatives about us or encouraging those you work for to 'Sponsor a Species'. At individual level consider sponsoring a species in the name of a friend or relative as an unusual birthday or Christmas gift. Perhaps £200 per annum is achievable as a figure from a fundraising event through work or at a garden party?
Line Drawing by
Paul Roper FINALLY -WHY IS THIS RESEARCH IMPORTANT? Why is our research important. Many different species go towards making up our ecosystem. Equally many factors, beneficial and adverse, manmade and natural, affect the balance of nature. Some are short-term influences whilst others are long term, having far reaching consequences. It is important that we are able to fully understand the status of our wildlife in order that we can measure the impact that these factors have upon the environment in which we live. Birds are perhaps one of the more obvious groups which, properly researched, can indicate the health of that environment. Some valuable research, for certain species, already exists locally, notably the Manx Chough Projects' work on the Red-billed Chough. Currently however, unlike most other Western European countries, we do not know the status of our birdlife, as a whole. Our research will establish that status. It will reveal sites and species which are significant not only locally but in a wider context, it will allow a measure of the status of our birdlife against that elsewhere and will provide a base against which future research may be measured. Finally, given
the finance for the second full-time employee, it can
fulfil its potential as a very valuable educational tool
for those who, one day soon, will fill our shoes and
inherit what we leave them. FURTHER INFORMATION For further
information about how you can help, or if you have a
query you would like answering please contact the offices of
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a local charity, formed in July 1997 to undertake a five
year research programme on the birds of the Isle of Man.
