MANX SHEARWATER
When travelling to Lundy on the Oldenburg check the sea as you approach the island, you might be lucky enough to see a manx shearwater. They have a sooty black upper side and white undersides and fly close to the sea with a long gliding flight. They stay at sea all day, only returning to land after dark. They nest in burrows and can be found all around Lundy's coastline. If you are out after dark and near the coast, you will hopefully hear their eerie calls.
Manx shearwaters have used Lundy for many years, but their breeding was far from successful due to the predation of rats. This was the main reason for the eradication of the rats which took place between 2002 and 2004. Lundy was declared rat free in 2006.
I was involved in making a number of manx boxes for the shearwaters, which were placed on the Sidelands to monitor them and to check for breeding. They were effectively artificial burrows and 30 were put around the island.
Spotting them during the day, on the island requires a good pair of binoculars or a scope. Alternatively, if you can go on a boat trip around the island, you will have a better chance of seeing them.
The best way to see them is if the Warden has organised an evening foray to see the shearwaters. The Warden also knows all the answers to your questions. The birds are on the island from April through to late summer. My shots were taken on the island and so are not the best quality, sorry.
