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The Black Guillemot appears on our logo and Lighthouse Island is an important breeding site for these members of the auk family - indeed in the past few years we have also started to host a nascent colony of their auk cousins, the Puffin
Two years ago, we commenced a project to replace and GPS log all of the Black Guillemot nest boxes. On CBO we have 63 nest boxes scattered along the rocks of the east side of the Island.
One of the reasons Lighthouse Island is so important is that we have no mammalian predators such as rats or mice and we intend to keep it that way!
This year we joined forces with the National Trust to develop a Biosecurity policy. This means that we will be proactively monitoring wax and chocolate chew-block stations spread around the island looking for any rodent teeth marks.
If you would like to help support our efforts and creating a wildlife haven for the species why not become a member today by going to our website.
www.thecbo.org.uk/joincbo/
You can also purchase CBO merchandise; either a hat, polo shirt or fleece, which all have our Black Guillemot CBO logo. Get in via Facebook page. Hope to hear from you soon!
www.facebook.com/copelandbirdobservatory
Great work Calf of Man and thanks for highlighting this. Insert CBO Lighthouse Island and run the same story.On Tuesday we did a quick beach clean in preparation for the imminent arrival of baby seals in the Calf's southern bay (known as the puddle).
Despite the area only being cleaned a few months ago, in just one hour we collected 798 pieces of rubbish. A third of the rubbish comprised of hard plastic (e.g. bottle tops, cotton buds, sanitary items, shotgun cartridge tubes etc). Another third was fragmented polystyrene (e.g. fast food cartons, fish boxes etc). The rest was made of up of typical beach finds here e.g. crisp packets, rope, bottles, and balloons. What a mess.
Storm Ali hits CBO. Force 8 for a while, with a gust to Force 10 (110km/hr). Not surprisingly little moving at sea, though a single passing Pomarine Skua has been recorded!
Quality rather than quantity on CBO last weekend. Not much passerine movement touching on Lighthouse Island, however 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, and a single Blackcap were capped off on Saturday morning with a Treecreeper, only the 19th in our history, bringing the year list up to 101.
Shearwatering continued with another 84 chicks ringed.
A day party on Saturday were met by our first newborn Grey seal pup of the Autumn.
(Thanks to Eve, Patricia & Lynn for the photos)
We’ve had a few dropouts for the trip to Lighthouse Island tomorrow, 15th September. Three places have become available. If interested contact wesleysmyth06@aol.com
Autumn visit to CBO! Here is a great opportunity to visit Lighthouse Island and observe the work of the CBO team. We will be running a day visit on Saturday 15th September, weather permitting. The trip will leave the Harbour at Donaghadee at 1000 and depart the island again at 1530 to return to Donaghadee by 1600. The cost of the trip will be £20pp and booking is essential. A full guided tour of the island will be included. You will need to bring your own refreshments and lunch, stout footwear and waterproofs in case of either rain or spray on the boat.