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September 05, 2004
Guillemots wrecked on north west Scotland coasts
Hundreds of Guillemots are beaching themselves along the coasts of north Scotland...
Hundreds of Guillemots are beaching themselves along the coasts of north Scotland leaving RSPB staff baffled as to the cause. Guillemots have had a bad breeding season in the Northern Isles but it seems now that birds further south are being hit too. The cause remains a mystery, as does why only Guillemots appear to be affected, and not other auks such as Puffins.
A RSPB spokesperson said, "This is a cruel double blow for Scotland's seabirds. After a disastrous breeding season these birds have now been hit hard again. Hundreds of birds are coming ashore along the north west coast with reports from John O'Groats round to the Hebrides. Fifty five were picked up moribund at Achmelvich beach alone, but it is a similar story elsewhere."
On the Western Isles birds are filling the bays offshore. RSPB Conservation Officer Martin Scott said "We found 33 on one 1km stretch of beach alone. Most had already died but we took one home to try and rehabilitate it, but it didn't even survive the ten mile trip in the car. Numbers are building up
offshore and it looks likely many more birds will be beached. The survival rate of these birds is very low making it all the more depressing"
The cause of this phenomena, a seabird wreck, is not known but it is believed that the birds are starving. This may have been compounded by recent gales or perhaps even a parasite. Samples have been sent for analysis.
If you find a beached seabird contact the SSPCA. The RSPB are also asking for counts of beached birds for research purposes. These can be reported to local RSPB offices.
Picture courtesy of YVONNE BENTING/HEBRIDEAN IMAGING.
Posted by Surfbirds at September 5, 2004 07:11 PM
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