Hi
A quick update from the wardening team. Lots to tell you. We were hoping to get to Fowlsheugh last Monday, but 70mph winds put paid to that. This was a shame as I was all geared up to start my annual programme of seabird monitoring. Kathryn, our summer "internee" is doing some of the work for me this year. She will be doing a couple of counts of all the herring gulls nesting on the reserve. Later on in the season she will do a "big chick count" and we will have an idea as to how well the breeding season has gone for them. This is important work, as the herring gull population has declined . We don’t really know why, there are a range of possible reasons. People find this difficult to believe as arguably, the numbers in our towns and cities have increased. But trust me..herring gulls are in trouble!
I will next be on the reserve on Sunday. I will spend most of the day looking at kittiwakes and in the afternoon, I am leading a "pick out a puffin" walk. Mark, the usual host is having a day off...so the attendees will have the pleasure of my company. On the subject of walks...they continue throughout June..so please tell your friends and family about them.
The reserve will be busy next Thursday...we are having the official opening of the new observation shelter. Children from Stonehaven Academy are involved as they have been doing a project about the reserve.
Finally, just for information..during this season, you may see kittiwakes being hauled unceremoniously from their nests by people with a lassoe type contraption. Please don't be alarmed. Its all in the name of science. The kittiwakes are being fitted with a satellite tracking system. They will be re-caught later in the season and their movements analysed. It’s all to do with an off shore wind farm (proposed) development. We need to know where these birds are going to feed to see if the wind farm will have any impact on them. It is also interesting information in itself. No-one really knows the distances these birds travel for food at this time of year. The work is being coordinated by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH.) I will update you with their findings as and when.
Fingers crossed the weather improves and happy wildlife watching wherever you are heading this weekend.
Vicky