Biosecurity for LIFE
@biosecuritylife.bsky.social
3 projects working to help protect seabird islands around the UK from the introduction of invasive predators.
Guillemots, among the deepest diving birds in the world can dive 180m to feed! Rats can't compete on the diving front but can hold their breath for 3 minutes! It's really important not to throw a rat overboard from a vessel dead or alive. Carcasses washed ashore on seabird islands create big scares!
February 6, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Guillemots, among the deepest diving birds in the world can dive 180m to feed! Rats can't compete on the diving front but can hold their breath for 3 minutes! It's really important not to throw a rat overboard from a vessel dead or alive. Carcasses washed ashore on seabird islands create big scares!
Most #seabirds are long-lived with delayed maturity, this means even small decreases in productivity can lead to significant population declines, which take a long time to recover from. This is why it's so important that we practice #biosecurity to keep their nest sites free of invasive predators
February 4, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Most #seabirds are long-lived with delayed maturity, this means even small decreases in productivity can lead to significant population declines, which take a long time to recover from. This is why it's so important that we practice #biosecurity to keep their nest sites free of invasive predators
Not only have storms been hampering our plans to get to #islands recently, they've also been causing difficulties for #seabirds foraging on their wintering grounds at sea. We can help seabirds when they come to land, ensuring nest sites are free of invasive predators www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Puffins struggle to survive as Storm Chandra sweeps country
The Scottish SPCA has urged people not to touch any puffins found on beaches and instead call the charity for advice.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 3, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Not only have storms been hampering our plans to get to #islands recently, they've also been causing difficulties for #seabirds foraging on their wintering grounds at sea. We can help seabirds when they come to land, ensuring nest sites are free of invasive predators www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Happy to have carried out our annual #conservation #DetectionDog check of St Agnes on #Scilly despite being delayed by fog. Always nice to chat to local community members who remain vigilant for rats throughout the year, particularly fun to inspire the next generation @scillyteacher.bsky.social
February 2, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Happy to have carried out our annual #conservation #DetectionDog check of St Agnes on #Scilly despite being delayed by fog. Always nice to chat to local community members who remain vigilant for rats throughout the year, particularly fun to inspire the next generation @scillyteacher.bsky.social
Have you heard the good news?!
Following seven years of campaigning @rspbcymru.bsky.social welcome the publication of the Seabird Conservation Strategy for Wales by Welsh Gov. Biosecurity is highlighted to protect safe places to breed amongst other priorities.
Learn more here:
bit.ly/4sSmDIq
Following seven years of campaigning @rspbcymru.bsky.social welcome the publication of the Seabird Conservation Strategy for Wales by Welsh Gov. Biosecurity is highlighted to protect safe places to breed amongst other priorities.
Learn more here:
bit.ly/4sSmDIq
January 28, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Have you heard the good news?!
Following seven years of campaigning @rspbcymru.bsky.social welcome the publication of the Seabird Conservation Strategy for Wales by Welsh Gov. Biosecurity is highlighted to protect safe places to breed amongst other priorities.
Learn more here:
bit.ly/4sSmDIq
Following seven years of campaigning @rspbcymru.bsky.social welcome the publication of the Seabird Conservation Strategy for Wales by Welsh Gov. Biosecurity is highlighted to protect safe places to breed amongst other priorities.
Learn more here:
bit.ly/4sSmDIq
Thanks to @trinityhouseuk.bsky.social for inviting us to speak at their Lighthouse Visitor Centre Symposium in London yesterday. There is a lot of overlap with #seabird #islands and #lighthouse islands so it is great to have them onboard supporting #biosecurity measures and helping raise awareness.
January 15, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Thanks to @trinityhouseuk.bsky.social for inviting us to speak at their Lighthouse Visitor Centre Symposium in London yesterday. There is a lot of overlap with #seabird #islands and #lighthouse islands so it is great to have them onboard supporting #biosecurity measures and helping raise awareness.
Our planned #biosecurity trip to #Scilly last week was cancelled thanks to Storm Goretti. With 99mph winds & rain, the Manx Shearwater who nest there will be glad to have not left their South American wintering grounds yet! Rodents can hitch a ride on storm debris so biosecurity checks are vital.
January 13, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Our planned #biosecurity trip to #Scilly last week was cancelled thanks to Storm Goretti. With 99mph winds & rain, the Manx Shearwater who nest there will be glad to have not left their South American wintering grounds yet! Rodents can hitch a ride on storm debris so biosecurity checks are vital.
If along with many others you've already given up on your New Years Resolution, here's a simple and achievable one you can easily stick to. Help save our #seabirds from invasive predators like rats by checking your bag, vehicle, cargo and boat for signs every time you get out on the waves this year
January 12, 2026 at 10:44 AM
If along with many others you've already given up on your New Years Resolution, here's a simple and achievable one you can easily stick to. Help save our #seabirds from invasive predators like rats by checking your bag, vehicle, cargo and boat for signs every time you get out on the waves this year
The Shiant Islands show what biosecurity can achieve. After rat eradication, ground-nesting seabirds like Storm Petrels, now on incredible winter migration, are thriving again. Ongoing checks of boats, gear and supplies are vital to protect this hard-won recovery. #NatureRestorationFund
January 7, 2026 at 2:54 PM
The Shiant Islands show what biosecurity can achieve. After rat eradication, ground-nesting seabirds like Storm Petrels, now on incredible winter migration, are thriving again. Ongoing checks of boats, gear and supplies are vital to protect this hard-won recovery. #NatureRestorationFund
A week ago today a rat was spotted during a 10-hour flight from Amsterdam to Aruba, a good reminder that rats can and do get anywhere! When travelling to seabird islands it is vital that we check our bags, cargo and vessel, from kayaks to yachts and aircraft
A Rat on Board of KLM Flight Leaves Passengers Stranded in the Caribbean
Rat stowaway on KLM A330 forces flight grounding in Aruba, stranding 250+ passengers in Caribbean. Discover the bizarre incident and airline response.
www.aeronewsjournal.com
December 21, 2025 at 10:16 AM
A week ago today a rat was spotted during a 10-hour flight from Amsterdam to Aruba, a good reminder that rats can and do get anywhere! When travelling to seabird islands it is vital that we check our bags, cargo and vessel, from kayaks to yachts and aircraft
#BiosecurityforWales would like to send a huge thank you to @thebugfarm.bsky.social, Dale Sailing, Mathias Hardware, Celtic Camping & Voyages of Discovery for providing Greg and Jinx with invaluable opportunities to train in a variety of environments to ensure that Jinx is ready for anything!
December 20, 2025 at 8:59 AM
#BiosecurityforWales would like to send a huge thank you to @thebugfarm.bsky.social, Dale Sailing, Mathias Hardware, Celtic Camping & Voyages of Discovery for providing Greg and Jinx with invaluable opportunities to train in a variety of environments to ensure that Jinx is ready for anything!
Biosecurity often requires detective work 🕵️
Can you tell the difference between these footprints? One set are mouse and the other rat, hint: the footprints are on identically sized white card!
#biosecurityforwales #wildlifeconservation #saveourseabirds #sailwithoutstowaways
Can you tell the difference between these footprints? One set are mouse and the other rat, hint: the footprints are on identically sized white card!
#biosecurityforwales #wildlifeconservation #saveourseabirds #sailwithoutstowaways
December 19, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Biosecurity often requires detective work 🕵️
Can you tell the difference between these footprints? One set are mouse and the other rat, hint: the footprints are on identically sized white card!
#biosecurityforwales #wildlifeconservation #saveourseabirds #sailwithoutstowaways
Can you tell the difference between these footprints? One set are mouse and the other rat, hint: the footprints are on identically sized white card!
#biosecurityforwales #wildlifeconservation #saveourseabirds #sailwithoutstowaways
Pembrokeshire Marine Code tide tables for 2026 are now available.
Amongst the tide tables & other useful info you'll find our biosecurity checklist as a handy reminder of the quick & simple checks you should carry out on your boat, cargo & baggage before heading to or near to seabird islands.
Amongst the tide tables & other useful info you'll find our biosecurity checklist as a handy reminder of the quick & simple checks you should carry out on your boat, cargo & baggage before heading to or near to seabird islands.
December 17, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Pembrokeshire Marine Code tide tables for 2026 are now available.
Amongst the tide tables & other useful info you'll find our biosecurity checklist as a handy reminder of the quick & simple checks you should carry out on your boat, cargo & baggage before heading to or near to seabird islands.
Amongst the tide tables & other useful info you'll find our biosecurity checklist as a handy reminder of the quick & simple checks you should carry out on your boat, cargo & baggage before heading to or near to seabird islands.
#BiosecurityForWales had such a good time at the #PembrokeshireBirdConference. We had lots of great chats at our stall and Greg, our Conservation Detection Dog Handler and Island Manager of Ramsey island gave a really sobering update on Avian Influenza in Wales
December 15, 2025 at 11:30 AM
#BiosecurityForWales had such a good time at the #PembrokeshireBirdConference. We had lots of great chats at our stall and Greg, our Conservation Detection Dog Handler and Island Manager of Ramsey island gave a really sobering update on Avian Influenza in Wales
With the Christmas season here it reminded us of a biosecurity story. Christmas Island lost its native rat in the 1900s after invasive ship-borne rats arrived carrying disease. Rodent biosecurity checks are important to protect our seabird islands and all their native species. #NatureRestorationFund
December 10, 2025 at 10:51 AM
With the Christmas season here it reminded us of a biosecurity story. Christmas Island lost its native rat in the 1900s after invasive ship-borne rats arrived carrying disease. Rodent biosecurity checks are important to protect our seabird islands and all their native species. #NatureRestorationFund
Manx Shearwaters spend the winter roaming the South Atlantic, but one of their biggest threats is back home at their breeding sites. Invasive mammals can devastate colonies & that's why it's still important to continue biosecurity throughout winter. #NatureRestorationFund
December 8, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Manx Shearwaters spend the winter roaming the South Atlantic, but one of their biggest threats is back home at their breeding sites. Invasive mammals can devastate colonies & that's why it's still important to continue biosecurity throughout winter. #NatureRestorationFund
Sad to miss #Coquet & the #Farnes this week, but already re-scheduling #biosecurity trips for the New Year. It's really important we continue to protect these tern colonies from arrival of invasive predators, so Arctic Tern arriving back from the Antarctic in the spring have a safe place to nest.
December 5, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Sad to miss #Coquet & the #Farnes this week, but already re-scheduling #biosecurity trips for the New Year. It's really important we continue to protect these tern colonies from arrival of invasive predators, so Arctic Tern arriving back from the Antarctic in the spring have a safe place to nest.
Weather has again hampered plans for island checks by a #biosecurity dog. Even straightforward islands to visit in the summer, can be logistically challenging in the winter! Now is the best time to carry out dog checks, when invasive predator population levels are highest (if present) for detection.
December 3, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Weather has again hampered plans for island checks by a #biosecurity dog. Even straightforward islands to visit in the summer, can be logistically challenging in the winter! Now is the best time to carry out dog checks, when invasive predator population levels are highest (if present) for detection.
If you discover an invasive predator on your boat, never throw it overboard - many are very good swimmers & can travel even further if they find debris to drift on. We recommend returning to a mainland harbour & deploying appropriate control measures: biosecurityforlife.org.uk/resources/ca...
December 2, 2025 at 5:14 PM
If you discover an invasive predator on your boat, never throw it overboard - many are very good swimmers & can travel even further if they find debris to drift on. We recommend returning to a mainland harbour & deploying appropriate control measures: biosecurityforlife.org.uk/resources/ca...
The UK's smallest breeding #seabird, Storm Petrels are particularly vulnerable to predation by invasive non-native mammalian predators as they nest among rocks or in burrows. This is why they nest on rat free #islands. Simple #biosecurity checks when visiting islands can help keep these birds safe.
Did you know? Storm Petrels weigh the same as one AA battery, making them the smallest Atlantic seabirds
Weight is regularly recorded by our scientists when tagging birds because it is a key indicator of health and age
#ScienceFactFriday
Weight is regularly recorded by our scientists when tagging birds because it is a key indicator of health and age
#ScienceFactFriday
December 1, 2025 at 11:37 AM
The UK's smallest breeding #seabird, Storm Petrels are particularly vulnerable to predation by invasive non-native mammalian predators as they nest among rocks or in burrows. This is why they nest on rat free #islands. Simple #biosecurity checks when visiting islands can help keep these birds safe.
Ever wondered what it would be like to be a rat dropping on an island waiting to be discovered by Jinx the Conservation Detection Dog? Wonder no more!
We delivered some biosecurity equipment to Flat holm earlier this month and Greg and Jinx performed their routine check of the island #dogswithjobs
We delivered some biosecurity equipment to Flat holm earlier this month and Greg and Jinx performed their routine check of the island #dogswithjobs
November 30, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Ever wondered what it would be like to be a rat dropping on an island waiting to be discovered by Jinx the Conservation Detection Dog? Wonder no more!
We delivered some biosecurity equipment to Flat holm earlier this month and Greg and Jinx performed their routine check of the island #dogswithjobs
We delivered some biosecurity equipment to Flat holm earlier this month and Greg and Jinx performed their routine check of the island #dogswithjobs
Our "Boat operator packs" contain useful information & kit for improving biosecurity & surveillance on boats. If you operate regular boats/kayaks to seabird islands in Wales, find out more about sailing without stowaways and paddling without passengers, reach out to us or head to our website ⛵
November 29, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Our "Boat operator packs" contain useful information & kit for improving biosecurity & surveillance on boats. If you operate regular boats/kayaks to seabird islands in Wales, find out more about sailing without stowaways and paddling without passengers, reach out to us or head to our website ⛵
Here's our new Biosecurity Checklist for Ringers and Researches who head over to islands. Keeping these islands predator-free is integral to them remaining havens for seabirds.
@btobirds.bsky.social @rspbcymru.bsky.social @birdsinwales.bsky.social @northwaleswt.bsky.social @wtsww.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social @rspbcymru.bsky.social @birdsinwales.bsky.social @northwaleswt.bsky.social @wtsww.bsky.social
November 28, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Here's our new Biosecurity Checklist for Ringers and Researches who head over to islands. Keeping these islands predator-free is integral to them remaining havens for seabirds.
@btobirds.bsky.social @rspbcymru.bsky.social @birdsinwales.bsky.social @northwaleswt.bsky.social @wtsww.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social @rspbcymru.bsky.social @birdsinwales.bsky.social @northwaleswt.bsky.social @wtsww.bsky.social
We had a glorious sunny day with volunteers from the North Wales hub!
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers for taking the time to keep improving their skills and thank you to @RSPBCymru Cors Ddyga reserve for providing us with a brilliant site to practise our incursion response.
#saveourseabirds
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers for taking the time to keep improving their skills and thank you to @RSPBCymru Cors Ddyga reserve for providing us with a brilliant site to practise our incursion response.
#saveourseabirds
November 27, 2025 at 7:30 AM
We had a glorious sunny day with volunteers from the North Wales hub!
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers for taking the time to keep improving their skills and thank you to @RSPBCymru Cors Ddyga reserve for providing us with a brilliant site to practise our incursion response.
#saveourseabirds
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers for taking the time to keep improving their skills and thank you to @RSPBCymru Cors Ddyga reserve for providing us with a brilliant site to practise our incursion response.
#saveourseabirds
Here's our stall at the @birdsinwales.bsky.social conference back in October. We had a fantastic time catching up with old friends and spreading our message about the importance of biosecurity! Thanks WOS for the photo and for having us for the 3rd year running at another fascinating conference❤️
November 26, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Here's our stall at the @birdsinwales.bsky.social conference back in October. We had a fantastic time catching up with old friends and spreading our message about the importance of biosecurity! Thanks WOS for the photo and for having us for the 3rd year running at another fascinating conference❤️