26/01/2019
A new
record number of species were recorded on the Isle of Man during the annual
bird race there in 2018. The event took place over seven days, between
Christmas and New Year, with 116 species tallied. The previous record – set in
2016 – was 113.
Manx
BirdLife runs the event and last year a number of rarer species were found,
enabling the record to be set; these included Glaucous
Gull, Little Egret and Long-tailed
Duck. The race doubles up as a survey on the diversity and number of birds
wintering on the island, providing valuable information on the island's
birdlife.
Neil
Morris, from Manx BirdLife, said: "While two or three species of wild
bird, such as Little Egret, have been gained as winter visitors to the island
due to factors including climate change, it is sad to reflect that rather more
species – such as Yellowhammer – have been lost or become rare and thus
difficult to find."
The first
Isle of Man Bird Race took place in 2011 and has been a popular event ever
since. Manx BirdLife is the organisation that works to protect the island's
wild birds and habitats.
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