News
30/08/2022
Nest Boxes a proven success on Roakabill
Fifteen years of comparative data has proven the success of nest boxes for roseate terns on Rockabill Island, visible from the beach at Baltray on most days. Key points from the study: - The provision of artificial nest structures is used in the conservation of a broad range of bird groups including raptors, owls, ducks, passerines and seabirds, with varying degrees of success. - Artificial nestboxes have been provided to increase the density and breeding success of Roseate Tern pairs at colonies in north-west Europe and the eastern seaboard of the USA and Canada, but their effect on breeding productivity has never been comprehensively quantified. Using 15 years of monitoring data, based on daily nest monitoring visits, we carried out a comparative analysis of the breeding performance of Roseate Tern pairs utilizing artificial nestboxes with those in open nests, on Rockabill Island (Ireland), to evaluate the effectiveness of nestbox installation as a conservation measure. - Nestboxes were used ahead of open sites early in the season, likely by the experienced breeding pairs. Hatching success and fledging success were higher for pairs in nestboxes compared with those in open nest sites. Earlier clutches were more successful than later ones, independent of the effects of nest site type. - The results of this study show definitively that Roseate Terns nesting in nestboxes perform better than those using open nest sites at their largest European colony and that nestboxes are chosen ahead of other sites, likely by the experienced breeding pairs. We recommend the continued and expanded use of nestboxes to help maximize the densities and breeding performance of the Roseate Tern. The full article is available here: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2688-8319.12171
26/08/2022
Ospreys in Dundalk Bay
Two ospreys have been simultaneously observed in Dundalk bay by local birdwatchers, one at Rockmarshal, near Lordship, and the other at Seabank, near Castlebellingham (http://www.irishbirding.com/birds/web/Display/sighting/158280/Osprey.html). Ospreys are sea eagles that specialise in hunting for fish, which they grab out of the water mid flight. Ospreys have been reintroduced into Scotland, and more recently to Cumbria in Britain; the local branch of Birdwatch Ireland is studying a way to set up nesting platforms around Dundalk Bay and environs to see if they will nest. Hitherto ospreys were a common breeding bird, in Ireland until they were wiped out probably from habitat loss and persecution. The presence of two birds together strengthens the argument for reintroduction.
29/07/2022
Avian Flu Update
About 25% of Europe’s breeding seabirds spend occur on the British and Irish coastlines. Normally theyese hyuge colonies, often exceeding 10,000 birds, smell of bird poo. “Instead of the smell of guano, it’s the smell of death,” says Gwen Potter, a National Trust countryside manager working on the Farne Islands, off the coast of Northumberland. “It’s completely horrendous.” The highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N1 – also known as bird flu – is sweeping through bird colonies, especially species which breed in close proximity, such as guillemots, gannets and kittiwakes. For esample the Farne islands, home to 200,000 seabirds, including Arctic terns, Atlantic puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes and razorbills have been devestated. Typical symptoms will have birds will sit on the ground, unable to move, twisting into unnatural positions, before dying. It is happening with chicks, too, still gently trying to flap as they die. “It sweeps through, takes everything in its path. It doesn’t seem to spare anything, really … We’ve collected thousands of dead birds, and that’s the tip of the iceberg. It’s just the scale of it which is hard to grasp,” she says. Early observations show that nesting density is a key factor in how quickly the virus is transmitted. Guillemots nest quite densely, and kittiwakes are often next to them, which makes them vulnerable, although there is more space between them. Terns also nest densely and already 25% of the 350 sandwich terns on the Farne Islands are thought to have died, according to Potter. Some seabird chicks jump into the sea prematurely if their parents have died, while others starve in the nest. Fortunately we have had no sign of this at Baltray this year, and fingers crossed, we are probably through, with almost all birds now fledged and mobile. If you see a dead or distressed wild bird, please report it to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Marine at https://aviancheck.apps.rhos.agriculture.gov.ie/report. Do not handle sick or dead birds.
06/07/2022
WRI Wildlife Hospital Appeal
The WRI Animal Hospital, Ireland's first dedicated Wildlife Hospital, which has helped 2,500 injured animals since opening, had to close its doors to patients last year because they had to find a new home. Currently they have relocated to Mornington, County Meath, and are in the process of applying for planning permission. Their web site is here: https://www.wriwildlifehospital.ie/ there are various ways to show your support for this valuable project for Irish wildlife. Breffni
04/07/2022
Bird flu alert
There has been a major outbreak of bird flu which started in autumn last year but is now continuing into the summer, affecting tens of thousands of birds in the UK: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/disease-and-garden-wildlife/avian-influenza-updates/. Bird flu is caused by the same firus as causes human influenza, however the current vrsion, H5N8, is unlikely to pas to people, unlike the last major outbreak of H5N1 in 2008, which transmitted topeople. If you encounter birds obviously sick birds please report to the nearest vet, to the local county council and to the department of agriculture: https://aviancheck.apps.rhos.agriculture.gov.ie/report Happily we have seen no sign of this at Baltray so far, or elsewhere in county Louth -fingers crossed!
