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A project to remove rats from Lundy has seen numbers of the burrow-nesting seabird it set out to save more than triple.
In 2001 there were only around 150 pairs of Manx shearwaters but a survey carried out by the RSPB this year recorded 560 - and conservationists believe the
number may actually be far higher.
The birds are counted by playing a tape of their call at the mouth of burrows during the day and a note is made if there is a call in return. But experts
believe the response rate is only around 50%, so there are likely to be many more Manx shearwaters than the survey recorded.
RSPB spokeswoman, Sophie Atherton said: “The discovery about the response rate means there are probably more than a 1,000 pairs of Manx shearwater on Lundy,
which is the beginnings of a healthy colony.
“Bird numbers have increased much faster than was expected so this is doubly good news.”
The Seabird Recovery Project, a partnership between Natural England, the RSPB, the Landmark Trust and the National Trust began in 2001 and aimed to increase
Manx shearwater numbers on the island to provide an insurance policy for the species as a whole.
More than half of the world’s population of the birds breeds on the Pembrokeshire islands of Skomer and Skokholm and were there to be a disaster such as an
oil spill there, the amount of birds lost could have a major impact on the species.
David Appleton of Natural England said: “The higher numbers of Manx shearwaters now on Lundy may partly be down to immigration from other islands, as the
birds do not start breeding until they are six years old.
“Without the removal of the rats though, Lundy would not be a safe place for these birds to come to and the species may have become extinct on the island.”
As well as an increase in their numbers, the Manx shearwaters have also expanded their range on the island. They were once concentrated on the western
slopes, but occupied burrows have now been discovered at a number of other locations.
Manx shearwaters aren’t the only birds doing well on Lundy. This year’s survey also showed the highest numbers of guillemots and razorbills since 1981.
Puffin numbers are also on the rise. At the previous count (in 2004) there were just five birds but this year’s survey found 14.
Sophie Atherton added: “It’s been a good year for the island’s birds, in particular the Manx shearwater figures are a resounding validation of the work of
the Seabird Recovery Project. We wouldn’t have anything to celebrate if the rats were still there.”
Source - Seabird insurance policy pays dividends: Lundy wildlife
thriving since rats removed
Articles
- Booker, H., Price, D. & Taylor, A.M. (2008) "Manx Shearwater breeding success on Lundy 2007" Journal of the Lundy Field Society 1:47-56
[notes]
- Saunders, N. & Wheatley, S. (2008b) "Puffin numbers on Lundy during Summer 2007" Journal of the Lundy Field Society 1:57-64
[notes]
- Saunders, N. & Wheatley, S. (2008a) "Puffin numbers on Lundy during Summer 2006" Annual Report of the Lundy Field Society 2006
56:50-56
[notes]
- Appleton, D., Booker, H., Bullock, D.J., Cordrey, L. & Sampson, B. (2006) "The Seabird recovery project: Lundy Island" Atlantic Seabird
8(1/2):51-60
[notes]
- Appleton, D., Booker, H., Bullock, D.J., Cordrey, L. & Sampson, B. (2004) "Interim report on the sea bird recovery project: Lundy" Annual Report
of the Lundy Field Society 2003 53:57-61
[notes]
- Price, D. & Booker, H. (2002) "Manx Shearwaters on Lundy: report on the results of a breeding season survey in May 2001" Annual Report of the
Lundy Field Society 2000/2001 51:95-103
[notes]
- Stapp, P. (2002) "Stable isotopes reveal evidence of predation by ship rats on seabirds on the Shiant Islands, Scotland" J. Applied Ecol.
39(5):831-840
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118942210/abstract
- Cole, L. & Reach, I. (2000) "Puffin numbers on Lundy during Summer 1999" Annual Report of the Lundy Field Society 1999 50:35-40
[notes]
- Hiscock, K. (1999) "Rats and seabirds on Lundy" Annual Report of the Lundy Field Society 1998 49:82-85
[notes]
- Davey, E. (1998) "Puffin numbers on Lundy during Summer 1997" Annual Report of the Lundy Field Society 1997 48:29-30
[notes]
- Griffith, S. (1996) "Puffin numbers on Lundy during June 1995" Annual Report of the Lundy Field Society 1995 46:27-28
[notes]
- Natynczuk, S.E., Smith, P.A., Oakeley, S.F., Evans, S.J. & Albone, E.S. (1993) "Rats and nesting sea birds on Lundy"
Annual Report of the Lundy Field Society 1992 43:42-49
[notes]
- Smith, P.A., Smith, J.A., Tattersall, F.H., Natynczuk, S.E., Seymour, R. & Lancaster, V. (1992) "The Lundy Ship Rat expedition 1991"
Annual Report of the Lundy Field Society 1991 42:95-98
[notes]
- Campey, R. (1990) "Puffin numbers on Lundy during June 1989" Annual Report of the Lundy Field Society 1989 40:28-30
[notes]
- Taylor, A.M. (1990) "Manx Shearwaters on Lundy: Further ringing studies and observations on breeding status" Annual Report of the Lundy Field
Society 1989 40:31-33
[notes]
- 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]
- Perrin, M.R. & Gurnell, J. (1972) "Rats on Lundy" Annual Report of the Lundy Field Society 1971 22:35-40
[notes]
- Studdy, R.E. (1949) "Report on the Manx Shearwater" Annual Report of the Lundy Field Society 1948 2:25-26
[notes]
- Southern, H.N. & Tucker, B.W. (1944) "The Manx Shearwater on Lundy" British Birds 38:122-129
[notes]
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