Scottish Natural Heritage’s Isle of May reported an increased numbers of visitors and a few unusual ones this passed season.
Best known as a santuary for creatures of the feathered variety, the Firth of Forth reserve was also visited by cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) with almost daily sightings of minke whales during August. The second smallest of the baleen whales, which have filtering plates rather than teeth, minke whales measure nine metres (30 feet) long and they are long lived, sometimes living to 50 years.
There were also good sightings of porpoises and a Risso's dolphin, one of the largest dolphins at three metres (10 feet) long. Right at the end of the season there was even a distant view, by one of the reserve staff, of a black and white orca (aka killer whale).
During the months that the visitor boats run (Easter to September) visitor numbers increased by 6%. One sailing saw a party of Chinese diplomats visiting to examine the island as an example of green tourism. Themed open days on seabirds, lighthouses, seals and the people of the May attracted a big turn out and SNH is hoping to run more themed days next year.
The May seabirds got off to a very early start to their season but only had an average year for chick survival. As usual some species gained and others did less well.
Kittiwakes had a good season, as did the shags, but guillemots only had an average season with razorbills doing badly. The worse than usual stormy weather earlier in the year may have been part of the problem.
The other island residents, the grey seals, have got off to a good pupping season with two thousand young being produced so far.
SNH also had the decorators in to paint the North Horn. The horn is a listed building, built in 1939 to warn shipping in the Forth during foggy weather. As part of the maintenance of the buildings, next year the lowlight bird observatory is due to have renovation work done on it.
The online world came to the Isle of May this year as well with the reserve staff blogging and receiving over 13000 page views for the season.
The blog features birds from the reserve this year including a rose finch and the UK’s smallest bird of prey the merlin (pictured above), and daily goings-on on the island, together with impressive photographs.
Dave Pickett, SNH’s reserve manger for the island said: “I’m really pleased people enjoy the blog. It’s a chance to give people a flavour of what it’s like to live and work on this amazing island. The behind-the-scenes look at the May means we can show people the island in all its moods and glory; from the small garden tiger moth, to the huge stormy waves.”
The Isle of May boat services will resume at Easter in 2012 and will run until 30 September.
Visiting the reserve is free except for the privately operated boats.