It's been a long time in the planning, but with the arrival of contractors Corramore at Sumburgh Head, plans are becoming reality. Take a look at our partner Shetland Amenity Trust's website for details on the project.
Continued visitor access is very important to everyone here. We are delighted that Corramore have factored in this into their work programme, and you will still be able to access much of the reserve and get great views of the cliffs. For obvious reasons, certain parts of Sumburgh Head need to be closed off whilst the reconstruction work goes ahead. The men from Corramore are busy today preparing the area for the work, including putting up barriers. I'm sure you'll appreciate this has to be done to allow the work to go ahead.
Our Date With Nature will remain open seven days a week, 11-4, with Stephanie or Blair on hand to share the news of the seabirds breeding season. Follow the signs to our temporary "visitor centre" (we've a small display area in our workshop) and to where we are giving free introductory presentations at 11, 12, 2.30 and 3.30
People are wondering what the effects of the construction will be on the puffins in particular. Please be assured that the requirements of breeding birds have been factored in during the whole planning process in consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage and we do not expect there to be any impacts on the birds.
What is having impacts on the puffins are avian predators. Lesser black-backed gulls and hooded crows are frequently investigating the burrows and we’ve found a couple of broken puffin eggs. Bonxies have been seen drowning puffins. We’ve found a few predated guillemot eggs dotted around the reserve, perhaps taken by a gull or crow. So, as well as puffins and guillemots having a tough life foraging for food, they’ve got predators to deal with! There is always something to capture interest during a visit to Sumburgh Head, even if it is a bit gruesome.
If you don’t get a chance to visit Sumburgh Head, make sure you check out Puffincam online (via www.rspb.org.uk/shetlandsummer or www.shetland.org.uk/puffincam) . Our egg is due to hatch around June 14th. Fingers crossed it all goes OK!