Its Autumn!

Wednesday 4th September comments: Sorry we’ve been away for a few days so no updates but we are back and its now Autumn! The Isle of May has changed as the wildlife calendar starts heading into its next cycle… We’ve noticed a few key changes including;

• Grey Seal numbers have increased as the birth of the first seal pup is only weeks away
• The first Pink-footed Geese have started arriving (earlier than normal)
• The seabirds have virtually all gone apart from small numbers of Shags and Kittiwakes on the clifftops
• Migrant birds have increased in number with Wheatears and Meadow Pipits heading through in large numbers whilst warblers (including a late Sedge Warbler) are being spotted
• Birds such as Wrens and Robins have arrived back to over-winter on the island (they do not breed on here)

It’s certainly a time of change and we’ll be keeping you up to date with all the latest news and views as we head into September.

History weekend

Wednesday 28th August comments: The weekend just gone was a huge success as we had the first of a double-header event focusing on the Isle of May’s history. We were joined by local experts (Peter Yeoman and Ron Morris) who led talks about their specialist subjects; the history of the Isle of May.

Peter focused on the early medieval period looking at Christianity at the site (which dates back to the 7th Century) as the Island is one of the most important in early religious history. In contrast Ron is an expert on the history of the island during the world wars and the place certainly saw some action during that period. Overall the two days were a huge success and we’ll be repeating next season so don’t miss out.

However we do have another event this weekend and its NOT to be missed!

Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September – Open Doors Weekend

Gain free access to ALL buildings normally under lock and key on the Isle of may. Visit all three lighthouses including Scotland oldest, the main Stevenson Lighthouse and the Low Light. Also check out the engine rooms which were the power-houses of the place. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

To book, please check out the usual boat operators to the island who are operating for these special events as we still have spaces on the boats. Get yourself here!

Butterfly bonanza

Top: Lots of butterflies!

Middle: Peacock and Comma

Bottom: Small Tortishell and Painted lady

Saturday 24^th August comments: It’s been a stunning few days of weather and as a result the island has been lifting with Butterflies. We don’t get great diversity out here in terms of species but what we do get is good numbers. In recent days alone we’ve had over 700 Red Admirals as well as lots of Painted Ladies, Large Whites, Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshells.

These butterflies are migrating through the island (with some stopping off to breed) and taking advantage of the flowering plants on the island. This fuel stop is vital for them and it’s great to see the clouds of butterflies around the island. As well as the usual suspects we’ve also recorded Ringlet on 21^st July, Comma on 21^st August and Meadow Brown on 22^nd August.

If you are visiting the Isle of May enjoy the impressive array of butterfly’s because you don’t often see concentrations like this. Although the summer hasn’t been the best in terms of sunshine, it is certainly delivering now so come out and enjoy it whilst it lasts.

 

Whale Watching

 

(Very short video of Minke Whale surfacing near the island taken yesterday morning)

Thursday 22^nd August comments: Without doubt the best opportunity to see a cetacean (whale or dolphin) in Isle of May waters is to visit during August-September. In recent days we’ve had a Minke Whale resident (photos above) and the animal has been showing well off the south end of the Isle with Harbour Porpoise seen daily from various areas.

As certain fish species move into the area in late summer (especially Mackerel and Herring) we see an increase in predators such as Minke Whales and Bottle-nosed Dolphins. These large marine mammals are frequently recorded during the late summer and in recent years we’ve also recorded Humpback Whales (2019 and 2016) and Orca (Killer Whales) in 2015.

The North Sea is full of life and these large marine mammals are a good barometer of the health of the sea. If you are visiting or even just visiting a headland on the mainland, keep your eyes peeled as you never know what you may just see!

Autumn waders

(top Purple Sandpiper, bottom left Turnstone, bottom right Common Sandpiper)

Wednesday 21st August comments: Its the time of year when migration is starting to pick up on the Isle of May as birds are starting to move south or head into the UK for the winter. One group of birds which has been moving for several weeks now are the waders and if you look closely along the rocky shorelines of the Isle of May, we have plenty of them.

Yesterday an all island count revealed Oystercatcher 39, Turnstone 131, Purple Sandpiper 51, Redshank 18, Curlew 78, Whimbrel 3, Ruff, Greenshank and Dunlin (a healthy total of birds). These migrating waders are using the island as a service station, fueling up as they prepare to continue on their journeys although one or two will stay for the winter.

It just shows the importance of the island, not just for seabirds and seals, but also other wildlife including wading birds. Tomorrow we’ll bring you the highlights from the sea and you’ll not be disappointed…

They Think Its All Over…

Saturday 17^th August comments: It’s almost over. We’ve observed it, we’ve talked about it but now we are officially saying the seabird breeding season of 2019 is at a close. It’s been a mixed season for weather but that hasn’t put the seabirds off. We’ll not know the full extent of how successful the summer has been until the numbers are crunched but circumstantial evidence would suggest a good year for the majority of seabirds.

If you are visiting over the next six weeks (we close the island on 30^th September) then we still have lots on offer as the Isle of May is one of those places that just keeps on giving….

Late seabirds: When we say its ‘over’ the seabird season isn’t technically over as the last few Puffins can be seen (still a few attending chicks in burrows), Fulmars have not fledged chicks yet so plenty of large chicks around whilst thousands of Kittiwakes are still present. We’ve also got Shags on the clifftops so still plenty to see.

History and events: Towards the end of August we have two very exciting events lined up over consecutive weekends. We have a local history weekend (24^th-25^th August) and this is followed by the Open Doors Event (31^st August-1^st September) which gives you access to all buildings normally under lock and key on the island (including 3 lighthouses!) These are not to be missed!

Walks around island: The views from the island can be spectacular as you can see as far south as St.Abbs Head (Scottish Borders) and heading up towards the Angus coastline. On a clear day you can see Edinburgh and even the famous bridges.

Lighthouse and art exhibition: Completely free to enter, the main Stevenson lighthouse is open daily with the added extra of the art exhibition which is an extension to the popular Pittenweem festival. Well worth a check out!

Migrants: Late August and September is the time to see rare and unusual bird migrants on the island; ask a member of staff about the latest sightings or keep your eyes peeled when you walk around checking any bushes or vegetation for movement. Anything is possible!

For visiting the island, check out the various websites of the boat companies who sail:

May Princess (sails from Anstruther): https://www.isleofmayferry.com/

Osprey rib (sails from Anstruther): http://www.isleofmayboattrips.co.uk/index.php?fullsite=1

Seabird Rib (sails from North Berwick): https://seabird.org/visit/boats/isle-of-may-landings/10/22/159

Fulmar fun…

Fulmar chick on the Isle of May

Run away… (look carefully)

Mucky work ringing Fulmars but important work

Thursday 15^th August comments: Even as we enter mid-August and the seabird breeding season is almost finished, we still have work to do. Over the last few days we’ve been working with our Fulmars and that may sound reasonable (it’s just another seabird right?) but until you work with Fulmars, you have no idea…let us explain…

Fulmars are very specialist seabirds as they are members of the tubenose family; they have the ability to excrete salt from seawater in a tube on top of the mouth (basically acts as a desalination unit). The species is very long living with records of birds of forty years old whilst they do not breed until they are 6-8 years old, so as I say very specialist.

However if you’ve ever been close to a Fulmar, you’ll remember it for one thing; its defensive mechanism… The species has the ability to fend off attackers by firing an oily fishy substance in their direction and boy if it hits you, you smell for days! That is why Fulmars are very rarely predated and that’s why scientists grimace when it comes to working with them.

On the Isle of May we have 280 pairs (slight decrease on previous season) and over the last few days we’ve been ringing the chicks on the island and as you could imagine, it’s been a bit of a stinky matter (however after several washes I think the team are starting to smell fresh again). It’s been good fun with a serious element and once figures are crunched we’ll reveal just how well they’ve done.