Calf of Man Bird Observatory
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calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social
Calf of Man Bird Observatory
@calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social
Bird Observatory since 1959 🐦🔭 Manx National Heritage, managed in partnership with @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social | A jewel of #ManxNature 🇮🇲
Last weekend we closed down the observatory and said goodbye to the Calf for the winter. It's been a great season - thanks to all who have helped to make this year a success!

📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social

@manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
A windy day took an exciting turn this morning with this beaut of a Buzzard caught! A young female, she is only the second Buzzard to be ringed on the Calf.

@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social

#ukbirding #birdringing
October 25, 2025 at 8:58 PM
A real gem waiting for us on the outside of the moth trap this morning. What a moth!!!

@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
It’s always exciting getting a first for the Calf in the moth trap… but even more special when they are as stunning as this OLEANDER HAWKMOTH! 🤩

@calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
October 14, 2025 at 12:43 PM
🐦 RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER ringed at the Obs this morning!

The 2nd record of RB Flycatcher this season an exciting addition to a busy day’s ringing (206 processed incl 193 new). A notable increase in Chaffinches, Goldcrests, tits and Robins among other species too

📸 Matt Livsey

#ukbirding
September 28, 2025 at 9:06 PM
A young Pink-footed Goose was ringed on the Calf last night, only the second ever caught after the first in 1990!

We’ve seen the first push of ‘Pinkies’ the past couple of days as they head south for the winter. A classic autumn sight! 🪿🍂

@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social

#ukbirding #birdringing
September 21, 2025 at 7:59 PM
A young COMMON ROSEFINCH ringed at the Observatory today!

A nice addition to the arrival of migrants, with a notable increase in Robins and Swallow passage, a family of 4 Pink-Footed Geese, 13 Golden Plover and 13 Redshank also.

www.trektellen.org/count/view/2...

📸 Matt Livsey

#ukbirding
September 19, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Second autumn vagrant in a week: RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER above Gibdale this morning, the first August record and 1st since 2020!

Also a more showy Pied Flycatcher present (pictured) for a handy comparison.

📸 Matthew Livsey

#ukbirding

@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
August 25, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Birders check yer bramble bushes… immature BARRED WARBLER ringed at the Observatory this morning!

Autumn migration is well underway with birds continuing to trickle through the Calf, and this beauty was an exciting addition to the net round.

📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social

#ukbirding
August 22, 2025 at 3:48 PM
🗺️🐦 Our Wheatears are on the move!

One of this year’s Wheatear chicks colour-ringed on the Calf was seen at the Lower Otter Restoration Project in Budleigh Salterton, Devon!

One of over 100 pulli we ringed this year, with over 30 nests monitored.

@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#ukbirding
August 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
🐣 With the breeding season coming to an end, let’s look back at how our seabird colonies have done this year!

The Bird Team have been busy counting nests, monitoring productivity and ringing chicks and adults to help us understand how they’re doing. 1/

@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#seabirds
August 6, 2025 at 2:46 PM
There’s still time to apply for our Assistant Bird Warden position!

🗓️ Deadline THIS FRIDAY 🐦 see below for more details 👇

@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social

#ukbirding
🦆🔭 Join our Team!

We’re looking for a passionate ringer & birder to join our friendly team as Assistant Bird Warden! The role will involve monitoring autumn migration through daily census and bird ringing.

To find out more 👇
www.mwt.im/jobs/calf-ma...

🗓️ Applications close Friday 18th July
July 16, 2025 at 6:53 PM
🗓️ DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY!

There’s still a few days left to get your applications in for our September Ornithological Volunteer position. A great opportunity to join the Calf team for some quality birding and island antics during peak migration!

Follow the link below for full details 👇

#ukbirding
🐦 Exciting volunteering opportunity! 🔭

We are looking for an Ornithological Volunteer to join our friendly team on the Calf of Man during peak autumn migration, from the 2nd September until 30th September 2025!

See below for more information 👇
www.mwt.im/jobs/calf-ma...

@btobirds.bsky.social
July 7, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Reposted by Calf of Man Bird Observatory
Didn’t expect to have a very vocal LAUGHING GULL fly around above me whilst I went to ring gull chicks on the Calf of Man this afternoon!! The bird stayed around just long enough for others to get there and bring a camera before it headed high north! #ukbirding
July 2, 2025 at 5:32 PM
LAUGHING GULL found by @edjbetteridge.bsky.social this afternoon!

Smart summer-plumage adult, very vocal circling with other gulls for 15mins before heading towards the Isle of Man.

@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
@britishbirds.bsky.social
@rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
July 2, 2025 at 8:06 PM
LAUGHING GULL found by @edjbetteridge.bsky.social this afternoon!

Smart summer-plumage adult, very vocal circling with other gulls for 15mins before heading towards the Isle of Man.

@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
@britishbirds.bsky.social
@rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
July 2, 2025 at 8:04 PM
🦆 Eider Update! 🐣

The Bird Team have been busy over the past 2 months monitoring our breeding Eiders. They’ve been mapping nests, recording clutch size and catching the females as part of a long-term project.

So far this season they’ve found 76 nests, predominantly in bracken and heather… 1/4
June 27, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Reposted by Calf of Man Bird Observatory
Please continue to report all sightings of dead birds for possible testing for avian influenza:

📌In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/rep...

📌In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/dae...

📌In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report
Report dead wild birds
How to report dead wild birds.
www.gov.uk
June 27, 2025 at 8:52 AM
🦆🔭 Join our Team!

We’re looking for a passionate ringer & birder to join our friendly team as Assistant Bird Warden! The role will involve monitoring autumn migration through daily census and bird ringing.

To find out more 👇
www.mwt.im/jobs/calf-ma...

🗓️ Applications close Friday 18th July
June 26, 2025 at 12:25 PM
A bit of excitement this afternoon when Ed found TWO Quails!

The seventh Calf record and first since 1990. It’s also the first involving more than one individual!

@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social

#calfbirdobs #ukbirding #ManxNature
I did not expect to flush not 1 but 2 Quails, metres apart from the cliffs on the Calf of Man this afternoon!! Not typical Quail habitat right next to a Herring Gull colony! #ukbirding
June 22, 2025 at 7:25 PM
1/ 🐧🧐 Can you spot the real Puffin?

The team had a very exciting encounter yesterday during seabird productivity checks on Burroo Neck…

As we walked back, a Puffin circled close by and landed right next to our decoy Puffin colony! 🤩

@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#calfbirdobs #ManxNature
June 16, 2025 at 8:36 AM
📣 NEW BLOG POST! 🦆

We had some great birding highlights throughout May, and the Ornithology Team have been busy following the progress of our breeding birds. Head over to our new blog to find out more... 👇

www.mwt.im/blog/calf-ma...

@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social

#calfofman #ManxNature
June 13, 2025 at 6:31 PM
🐦 Exciting volunteering opportunity! 🔭

We are looking for an Ornithological Volunteer to join our friendly team on the Calf of Man during peak autumn migration, from the 2nd September until 30th September 2025!

See below for more information 👇
www.mwt.im/jobs/calf-ma...

@btobirds.bsky.social
June 13, 2025 at 6:28 PM
📣 NEW BLOG POST! 🪏🌸🦈

Wondering what the Calf Team got up to in May? Check out our latest blog for an update on the Estate work, special visitors and some wildlife highlights from the past month…

www.mwt.im/blog/calf-ma...

@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social

#calfbirdobs #ManxNature
Calf of Man: May Estate update | Manx Wildlife Trust
The Estate Team made the most of the gorgeous weather throughout May to tick off many of the outdoor jobs. The sunshine also brought the island's flora to life, while the birds were busy with their br...
www.mwt.im
June 10, 2025 at 7:19 AM
📣Our latest blog post is up!

Check it out to find out what the Calf Team got up to in the latter-half of April, including the wildlife highlights, bird monitoring and estate work...

www.mwt.im/blog/calf-ma...

@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#calfbirdobs #ManxNature
Calf of Man late-April Antics! | Manx Wildlife Trust
Late April saw more spring migrants arrive and pass through the Calf, while other species settled down to breed. The Ornithology Team were successful in their ringing efforts, breaking several records...
www.mwt.im
May 27, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Bird of the day, and what a handsome chap! 😍

Other highlights included a juvenile Crossbill, 2 Swifts, a Tree Pipit, 14 Spotted Flycatchers, a Jackdaw and two Hen Harriers.

www.trektellen.org/count/view/2...

#ukbirding #ManxNature
WESTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER trapped on the Calf of Man this morning!! #ukbirding @calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social
May 15, 2025 at 8:13 PM