SEABIRD S.O.S.


In September , the stormy weather (remember Storms Ali and Bronagh!) brought an inf lux of seabirds to Stapeley Grange.


Manx shearwaters and two gannets were admit ted to the centre af ter they were found grounded and exhausted having been blown of f -course.


As a result of the strong winds, f ive


ensure they were eat ing well and put t ing on weight before they could be released back into the wild. Sadly, one of the gannets didn't make it as he deteriorated, however the other birds - all of which were found in Wales - did recover and were later released.


The birds were closely monitored to


stunning birds in their own dif ferent ways and it is great to see them close up. They only come to our shores to breed and are rare admissions to Stapeley


Gannets and Manx shearwaters are both


Grange. They are both quite nervous in capt ivity so we try and get them released back into the wild as quickly as we can. Gannets are the largest seabirds in the


North At lant ic, with wingspans which can reach up to 2m. Gannets f ly over the sea at heights of around 100f t while searching for f ish and when they f ind a shoal they can dive f rom a height of 60f t at speeds of 60mph, in order to catch them.


with a wingspan of up to 90cm, and they live in colonies on the Isle of Man and North Wales.


Manx shearwaters are smaller birds,


the islands to migrate to the coast of South America, but strong winds can blow them of f course.


From July the adults and juveniles leave


can't get airborne without being on water so need a helping hand.


Once grounded, they will not eat and


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