Distinctive white rump and all black plumage of a Storm Petrel
Storm petrel in the hand…not as big as many think!
Margaret Thorne ringing and processing a Storm Petrel
Friday 21st August comments: From late July into the middle of August headlands and islands up and down the east coast witness some very bizarre behaviour during the hours of darkness. Once dusk approaches mist nets are erected, tape players positioned and the call of Storm Petrels are played out into the darkness…
These small oceanic wanderers, no bigger than a Swallow, breed in the Northern Isles but only feed during the night to avoid predation from large gulls and other predators. However night time tape luring has revealed that these birds (also known as St.Peter’s birds because they patter or walk on water) are feeding along the east coast and are caught to be ringed and release.
Over the last few weeks, nocturnal activity on the Isle of May has produced over 50 individuals including a bird which is at least 11 years old. It’s amazing to think that these little birds are out there and is it possible that they are breeding closer to the May than Shetland? We’ll probably never discover the answer to that question but we’ll keep on studying the bird life of the island as it’s all part of the day job…well night job.
Isle of May National Nature Reserve 