Abstract
In an earlier paper (Taylor [1986]), information gained from ringing and other observations was shown to indicate that Manx Shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus)
attempted to breed on Lundy but were largely unsuccessful. Since then a further 244 Manx Shearwaters have been ringed on the island, forty have been
retrapped and three from elsewhere have been controlled. In contrast to earlier work, which had been carried out at a variety of sites, most of this recent
ringing effort has been concentrated in a small area. It is a sloping patch of short turf, less than 50m square, just above the cliff top, between the Old
Light and the Battery. Compared with surrounding areas there is much less Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) and fewer exposed boulders, making the observation
and catching of birds considerably easier.
Birds have been found to enter burrows regularly in this area and have been detected underground during the day in April, May and July by playing
tape-recordings of Manx Shearwater calls outside the burrows, eliciting calls from the birds inside. In previous attempts to find birds later in the
breeding season, in late August and early September, the searches had not been focussed on such a well-established site, so at the end of August 1988 the
study area was visited to look for any signs of activity.
Articles
- Taylor, A.M. (1986) "Manx Shearwaters on Lundy: Ringing studies and other observations" Annual Report of the Lundy Field Society 1985
36:23-24
[notes]
- Thomas, D.H. (1982) "The size of the colony of Manx Shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus) on Lundy" Annual Report of the Lundy Field Society 1981
32:16-20
[notes]
- Studdy, R.E. (1949) "Report on the Manx Shearwater" Annual Report of the Lundy Field Society 1948 2:25-26
[notes]
Notes
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