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
📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social
@manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
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
📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social
@manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
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
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#ukbirding #birdringing
October 25, 2025 at 8:58 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
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#ukbirding #birdringing
🐦 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
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
🐦 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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Also a more showy Pied Flycatcher present (pictured) for a handy comparison.
📸 Matthew Livsey
#ukbirding
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
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
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
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
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
🗺️🐦 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
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
🗺️🐦 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
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
3/3 The majority of chicks were colour ringed, allowing them to be identified in the field. We also had success catching adults in the breeding colonies, so we’re excited to see where they spend their winters.
Keep an eye out for the Calf Class of 2025!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#seabirds
Keep an eye out for the Calf Class of 2025!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#seabirds
August 6, 2025 at 2:56 PM
3/3 The majority of chicks were colour ringed, allowing them to be identified in the field. We also had success catching adults in the breeding colonies, so we’re excited to see where they spend their winters.
Keep an eye out for the Calf Class of 2025!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#seabirds
Keep an eye out for the Calf Class of 2025!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#seabirds
2/ Herring Gulls did well with 277 chicks ringed (2x the highest total from the last 3 years and highest since 2019). LBB Gulls did poorly, with only 3 chicks ringed and stronghold colonies devoid of chicks. GBB Gull chick numbers were on par with the last 5/6 years, with 39 ringed.
#seabirds
#seabirds
August 6, 2025 at 2:53 PM
2/ Herring Gulls did well with 277 chicks ringed (2x the highest total from the last 3 years and highest since 2019). LBB Gulls did poorly, with only 3 chicks ringed and stronghold colonies devoid of chicks. GBB Gull chick numbers were on par with the last 5/6 years, with 39 ringed.
#seabirds
#seabirds
🐣 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
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
🐣 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
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
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
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
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
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
4/4 After the females have left the nest, we return to check if they were successful. If so, we can estimate the number of chicks from the fragments of hatched shells around left the nest 🐣 This feeds into the @btobirds.bsky.social Nest Record Scheme, informing about Eider productivity!
June 27, 2025 at 5:18 PM
4/4 After the females have left the nest, we return to check if they were successful. If so, we can estimate the number of chicks from the fragments of hatched shells around left the nest 🐣 This feeds into the @btobirds.bsky.social Nest Record Scheme, informing about Eider productivity!
3/4 Once their chicks hatch, they walk them down to the sea and work their way round to the north of the island. There they wait for the tide to be just right so that they can paddle their family across the Sound to the Isle of Man to raise them!
June 27, 2025 at 4:58 PM
3/4 Once their chicks hatch, they walk them down to the sea and work their way round to the north of the island. There they wait for the tide to be just right so that they can paddle their family across the Sound to the Isle of Man to raise them!
2/4 Catching the females informs us about our breeding population and their habits. One female retrapped this year was ringed on the Calf in 2009, a new Calf longevity record!
We also find some females consistently nesting earlier or later, and many returning to the same areas year on year
We also find some females consistently nesting earlier or later, and many returning to the same areas year on year
June 27, 2025 at 4:25 PM
2/4 Catching the females informs us about our breeding population and their habits. One female retrapped this year was ringed on the Calf in 2009, a new Calf longevity record!
We also find some females consistently nesting earlier or later, and many returning to the same areas year on year
We also find some females consistently nesting earlier or later, and many returning to the same areas year on year
🦆 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
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
🦆 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
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
🦆🔭 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
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
🦆🔭 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
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
3/3 …but why the plastic Puffins?
We have placed decoys and speakers playing Puffin call as part of a project to bring them back as a breeding species on the Calf, following the successful eradication of longtails (🐀).
To find out more 👇
www.mwt.im/puffin-project
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
We have placed decoys and speakers playing Puffin call as part of a project to bring them back as a breeding species on the Calf, following the successful eradication of longtails (🐀).
To find out more 👇
www.mwt.im/puffin-project
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
June 16, 2025 at 9:05 AM
3/3 …but why the plastic Puffins?
We have placed decoys and speakers playing Puffin call as part of a project to bring them back as a breeding species on the Calf, following the successful eradication of longtails (🐀).
To find out more 👇
www.mwt.im/puffin-project
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
We have placed decoys and speakers playing Puffin call as part of a project to bring them back as a breeding species on the Calf, following the successful eradication of longtails (🐀).
To find out more 👇
www.mwt.im/puffin-project
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
2/ PUFFIN ASHORE! 🥳
Very promising signs, and one of several we’ve seen show an interest in landing near our decoy colonies we’ve planted around the coast. They’ve also been seen regularly offshore lately!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
@visitisleofman.bsky.social
🎥 @birdingfox.bsky.social
Very promising signs, and one of several we’ve seen show an interest in landing near our decoy colonies we’ve planted around the coast. They’ve also been seen regularly offshore lately!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
@visitisleofman.bsky.social
🎥 @birdingfox.bsky.social
June 16, 2025 at 8:54 AM
2/ PUFFIN ASHORE! 🥳
Very promising signs, and one of several we’ve seen show an interest in landing near our decoy colonies we’ve planted around the coast. They’ve also been seen regularly offshore lately!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
@visitisleofman.bsky.social
🎥 @birdingfox.bsky.social
Very promising signs, and one of several we’ve seen show an interest in landing near our decoy colonies we’ve planted around the coast. They’ve also been seen regularly offshore lately!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
@visitisleofman.bsky.social
🎥 @birdingfox.bsky.social
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
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
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
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
📣 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
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
📣 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
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
🐦 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
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
🐦 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
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
Ringing highlights today included 2 Reed Warblers, a male House Sparrow, and two foreign controls (a Belgian Sedge Warbler 🇧🇪 and French Chiffchaff 🇫🇷).
Other migrants included Dunlin, Collared Dove, Grey Heron, 4 Spot Flys.
www.trektellen.org/count/view/2...
#ukbirding #ManxNature
Other migrants included Dunlin, Collared Dove, Grey Heron, 4 Spot Flys.
www.trektellen.org/count/view/2...
#ukbirding #ManxNature
May 9, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Ringing highlights today included 2 Reed Warblers, a male House Sparrow, and two foreign controls (a Belgian Sedge Warbler 🇧🇪 and French Chiffchaff 🇫🇷).
Other migrants included Dunlin, Collared Dove, Grey Heron, 4 Spot Flys.
www.trektellen.org/count/view/2...
#ukbirding #ManxNature
Other migrants included Dunlin, Collared Dove, Grey Heron, 4 Spot Flys.
www.trektellen.org/count/view/2...
#ukbirding #ManxNature
Our Water Rails have hatched! 🥳🐣
Last year they returned as a breeding species on the Calf for the first since 1994, with a single pair. This year we are pleased to report we have two pairs, and both now have fluffy black chicks (broods of 4+ and 7+)!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
Last year they returned as a breeding species on the Calf for the first since 1994, with a single pair. This year we are pleased to report we have two pairs, and both now have fluffy black chicks (broods of 4+ and 7+)!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
May 7, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Our Water Rails have hatched! 🥳🐣
Last year they returned as a breeding species on the Calf for the first since 1994, with a single pair. This year we are pleased to report we have two pairs, and both now have fluffy black chicks (broods of 4+ and 7+)!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
Last year they returned as a breeding species on the Calf for the first since 1994, with a single pair. This year we are pleased to report we have two pairs, and both now have fluffy black chicks (broods of 4+ and 7+)!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
The third Whinchat of the season was ringed with today, a beautiful female. Other highlights included a Skylark and four Spotted Flycatchers, and the female Ring Ouzel and Magpie pair were still present. Full list ⬇️
www.trektellen.org/count/view/2...
#ukbirding #ManxWildlife
www.trektellen.org/count/view/2...
#ukbirding #ManxWildlife
May 3, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The third Whinchat of the season was ringed with today, a beautiful female. Other highlights included a Skylark and four Spotted Flycatchers, and the female Ring Ouzel and Magpie pair were still present. Full list ⬇️
www.trektellen.org/count/view/2...
#ukbirding #ManxWildlife
www.trektellen.org/count/view/2...
#ukbirding #ManxWildlife