Sign in

UKCEHseabirds

@ukcehseabirds.bsky.social
680 followers 75 following 103 posts

We study seabirds on the Isle of May and elsewhere to understand the effects of environmental change on marine ecosystems

PostsRepliesMedia
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
That is a wrap today for the 2026 seabird breeding season research team after 3.5 months on the Isle of May. 515 people days from staff, collaborators and volunteers resulting in a wealth of data to process and analyse over the coming months.Huge thanks to all, you have been immense
0173
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
The westerly winds have been holding up the guillemots from fledging. But finally the conditions are right and the noise is deafening. The best seabird spectator sport?
1215
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
It has been a windy few days. Razorbills have been wind dancing in the updrafts almost at arms reach
0184
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Enjoy your lunch...a kittiwake coughed up it's breakfast today. Normally it would be composed of sandeel or rockling but half of this one was a near-intact squid. A very rare occurrence in kittiwake diet on the Isle of May
0122
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
So many layers to this evenings sunset on the Isle of May
0254
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
A brisk westerly means for tricky monitoring on the cliffs. But the Razorbills love the updrafts. Display? Or just because they can?
1464
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
From the extensive collection of awful photos: This colour ringed kittiwake was seen this afternoon in one of the Isle of May monitoring plots. Not a bird caught here but ringed last July on Puffin Island, Anglesey. Presumably not yet of breeding age and prospecting various colonies
0232
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Been dodging a few showers today. Looks like we have a pot of gold on one of our guillemot monitoring plots
2569
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Dramatic skies over the Isle of May tonight
0120
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
The Puffin and the Sun Dog.
0363
Reposted by UKCEHseabirds
UK Seabird Monitoring Programme @smp-seabirds.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
The SMP is lacking breeding success data. In 2025, colony count data were submitted for 861 sites, but breeding success data were submitted for just 133 sites. If you can monitor seabird breeding success, email us at smp@bto.org! #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Image of two Arctic Tern chicks, with the text: Breeding success data helps us understand short-term changes in populations.
02420
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Great to have all of the UKCEH seabird team out to the Isle of May last week to chat about projects, brain storm new ideas, and have a general catch-up to the backdrop of seabird chatter! #seabirds #fieldwork #ornithology
091
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
The squallor of a guillemot colony. After overnight rain some of the ledges are a quagmire. Got to admire their resilience to lie in this for hours at a time
0133
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Feeding time for these wee Shag chicks on the Isle of May today 🐣 #seabirds #superseabirdsunday #fieldwork #ornithology
0358
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Meet the Eiders. Many spots are used year on year by the Isle of May eiders for nesting. Two of our favourites are named Fern & Daffy, for obvious reasons
0150
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
A day of attempting to dodge showers and get some fieldwork done. Stunning skyscape at sunset though
0101
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
The first Isle of May eider ducklings are appearing. Female leading two off to the sea with an overly optimistic male in pursuit
0190
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Spot the migrant Painted Lady nectaring on Sea Pink on a stunning Isle of May day
0265
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
A huge collaborative effort this week from the UKCEH team and NatureScot colleagues completing the biennial Puffin census on the Isle of May. 15 people, ~600 hours, ~1.5M steps, tens of thousands of burrows counted. Now we wait for the 2026 Puffin total 🐧 #seabirds #ornithology #fieldwork
2214
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
First Razorbill egg of 2026 💚🥚 Yesterday we found the first Razorbill egg of the season on the Isle of May in one of our auk monitoring plots — an exciting sign that the breeding season is officially underway.
1296
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
The Easter bunny has come early to the Isle of May, delivering us the first Shag eggs of 2026! 🥚🎉🥚 Here's to a bumper breeding season in 2026🤞🙏 #IsleOfMay #seabirds #ornithology @ukceh.bsky.social
0293
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Over 34,000 Shags colour ringed (inc >23,500 on Isle of May) in Scotland + Farne Islands since the 70s to understand their winter ecology, including the unusual locations during February's storms when many sadly died. Please send sightings to shags@ceh.ac.uk www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #seabirds
bbc.co.uk
Scottish shag makes unusual 319-mile trip to Hull
The young seabird, ringed on the Isle of May in Scotland, was spotted at Victoria Dock in Hull.
1228
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Last but not least in our 2025 Isle of May breeding summary: Puffins nest in burrows, raising a single chick each summer before spending winter at sea. They take ~3 years to mature & can live for >30 years. 📊Breeding success: 0.75, above average 📉Adult survival: 82%, average #IsleOfMay #Seabirds
Infographic summarising the 2025 Atlantic Puffin breeding season on the Isle of May. It shows two key metrics: breeding success of 0.75 chicks per pair (above average) and adult survival of 82%, which is on the long-term average. The graphic includes simple icons and highlights that adult survival is an important indicator for long-lived seabirds. Source: UKCEH.
2227
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
How was the 2025 season for Guillemots on the Isle of May? 📊 Breeding success: 0.72, average 📉 Adult survival: 83%, below average Adult survival is crucial for long-lived seabirds, so even small changes matter. Long-term monitoring helps us track how they respond to a changing world. #seabirds
Infographic summarising the 2025 Common Guillemot breeding season on the Isle of May. It shows two key metrics: breeding success of 0.72 chicks per pair (average) and adult survival of 83%, which is below the long-term average. The graphic includes simple icons and highlights that adult survival is an important indicator for long-lived seabirds. Source: UKCEH.
1165
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
This #WorldWildlifeDay, we’re celebrating the seabirds of the Isle of May — from Puffins & Guillemots to Razorbills & Kittiwakes. These cliffs support thousands of breeding birds, a powerful reminder to protect our marine wildlife & coastal habitats. 🐦🌊 #IsleOfMay #seabirds #ornithology
2166
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Despite facing ongoing challenges from avian flu (amongst other things), the Isle of May Kittiwake population continues its upwards trend from a low count of 1,712 nests in 2013. 🐦📈 #IsleOfMay #seabirds #ornithology #breedingsuccess #productivity #island #wildlifescience #conservation
1233
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Shags have had a tough few years on the Isle of May following a large mortality event in winter 2023/24 and a smaller event earlier this year. Thankfully both 2024 and 2025 saw above average productivity, so hopefully the population can recover in time. 🐣 #IsleOfMay #seabirds #ornithology
1277
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
The 2025 #seabird breeding results are in from the Isle of May: Razorbills fledged 0.63 chicks per pair - right on the long-term average. Even better: 91.2% survival, well above the long-term average of 83.9% Strong productivity + excellent survival = a really encouraging year for #Razorbills. 💚
34611
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Puffins and Shags seem to have been hit hardest by recent storms, with many reports of birds washed ashore. This includes one Isle of May Puffin that was ringed as an adult in 1995, making it at least 34 years old! #stormChandra #seabirds #winterstorms www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Puffin aged 34 dies after being washed up in stormy weather
Staff at an Aberdeenshire rescue centre were able to trace its history thanks to a ring on its foot.
23624
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Lots of reports of dead seabirds in the aftermath of recent storms. Please keep an eye out for any dead colour ringed Shags and send details to shags@ceh.ac.uk #seabirds #ornithology #winterstorm
The image contains a header at the top reading "Wanted: Shag resightings". Below this is a picture of a Shag weraing a blue colour ring with the code "UXE" and a text box of the information needed if you see a colour ringed Shag. This information is: date, location, colour of the ring, three letter code, and a photo if possible. All the information can be emailed to shags@ceh.ac.uk
03133
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
New Year, new job. Come and join the @ukceh.bsky.social team on the Isle of May ceh.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-GB/CEH_Ca...
ceh.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com
Avian Ecologist
Salary - £31,942 - £33,898 Depending on experience Hybrid working (50/50) Location: Edinburgh Closing date: 16th January 2026 We are looking for an enthusiastic Avian Ecologist to join our team in Edi...
01827
Reposted by UKCEHseabirds
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) @ukceh.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Warming oceans are having widespread and often negative effects on migratory seabirds, new research involving UKCEH shows. The study compared seasonal sea surface temperatures with seabird numbers to quantify effects on reproduction, survival & population trends. doi.org/10.1073/pnas... 🧪1/
doi.org
Demographic responses of North Atlantic seabirds to seasonal ocean warming | PNAS
Climate-driven ocean warming is profoundly reshaping marine ecosystems, with cascading effects on biodiversity and trophic interactions. For migrat...
11515
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
A kittiwake ringed as a chick by @ukceh.bsky.social on the Isle of May in 2023 has been reported from Greenland. Our tracking studies over the years have revealed that many of the Isle of May kittiwakes pass Greenland on route to wintering off Newfoundland @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social
0222
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Back on the Isle of May for more shag ring reading. Pleasant conditions at roost time
0181
Reposted by UKCEHseabirds
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) @ukceh.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Importantly, birds that remained with the same partner tended to lay eggs earlier, which is strongly tied to how many chicks they rear 🐣. See our news story: ceh.ac.uk/news-and-med... Read the full paper: sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #seabirds #ClimateChange 🧪
ceh.ac.uk
Seabirds are more likely to ‘divorce’ in bad weather
Wild seabirds are more likely to split up in windy weather, according to a new study involving the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
01210
Reposted by UKCEHseabirds
Edinburgh Napier University @edinburghnapier.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
🐦‍⬛ | Wild seabirds are more likely to split up in windy weather, according to a newly published study led by #EdNapier. The paper reveals that environmental conditions before the breeding season appear to have an impact on mate faithfulness. Full story ➡️ orlo.uk/Zfiqf #MustBeNapier
A European Shag.
196
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
Seabird scientists from UKCEH in Montpellier earlier this month, presenting their latest work. Conference on Wind Energy and Wildlife Impacts www.cww2025.org #CW2025 #UKCEH 🪶🌊
0110
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
Just launched, spmapper is a new marine spatial planning tool from UKCEH! By estimating where and how much seabirds eat, spmapper can help with siting new offshore windfarms and protection areas. nerc-ceh.github.io/spmapper-pkg...
nerc-ceh.github.io
spmapper
A spatial planning tool to indicate the foraging value of marine areas to breeding seabirds.
0135
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
Results are in for the Isle of May seabird breeding season. Fulmar breeding success was 41%. An average season with the long term mean at 40% @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social @smp-seabirds.bsky.social @ukceh.bsky.social
1306
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
Important progress by @bennett-sophie.bsky.social on the immensely challenging topic of estimating abundance and breeding success in burrow-nesting seabirds using Bioacoustics doi.org/10.1002/ece3...
070
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
The post breeding season fieldwork has begun with shag ring resighting on the go. Please send any colour ringed shag sightings from the UK east coast to shags@ceh.ac.uk
22311
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
We are back on the Isle of May for the final bit of breeding season monitoring. Fulmar checks are now complete. We'll be sharing all the Isle breeding season results very soon. @smp-seabirds.bsky.social @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social
0508
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
Exploring the intersection of art and marine science with Neil Banas and friends. Check out marvellous oceanic origami, stop-motion animation and more here origamiplankton.org 🧜‍♂️
origamiplankton.org
Origami plankton – and other ocean micro-worlds
051
Reposted by UKCEHseabirds
Neil Banas @neilbanas.bsky.social · 31/05/2025
We've got a new website to collect the ventures of the Waterways Collective (waterwayscollective.org), a group of artists and scientists who came together in 2024 to see where we'd get following wild #salmon journeys up into the Scottish #landscape and out into the #Atlantic.
Screenshot of front page of waterwayscollective.org. White text on black background, along with a digitally fuzzed bluegreen image of leaping salmon (credited to Marie-Chantal Hamrock). "Waterways is a Scotland-based art-science collective following Atlantic sallmon and their migrations into local landscapes, distant seascapes, multi-species histories, and possible futures."
052
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
The final 5am watch of the season
1201
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
UKCEH researchers Kate Searle and Chris Pollock recently spoke about UKCEH modelling at a workshop in Leiden. Networking and discussing with European researchers on using models to predict offshore windfarm impacts on wildlife, to develop more joined-up solutions across national boundaries
0111
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
New paper on avian flu in seabirds from an Edinburgh Uni PhD student published! Edinburgh University has been working on the Isle of May with UKCEH and other partners to investigate the effects of this virus among seabirds. Read about it here: doi.org/10.1038/s415...
doi.org
Asymptomatic infection and antibody prevalence to co-occurring avian influenza viruses vary substantially between sympatric seabird species following H5N1 outbreaks - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - Asymptomatic infection and antibody prevalence to co-occurring avian influenza viruses vary substantially between sympatric seabird species following H5N1 outbreaks
01916
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
The view today on a kittiwake trip duration watch. The puffins seem curious too
081
UKCEHseabirds @ukcehseabirds.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
Epic day yesterday with watches, puffin fledgling rescue, puffin chick weighing, kittiwake logger deployment and puffin netting from 5am to 9.30pm. Similar vein today with everyone out for 5am with mire kittiwake watches and concurrent puffin netting. We'll have a fair bit of seabird data by the end
0182