Storms Blow Birds Away
James Lees with two Manx shearwaters.
Wardens at a nature reserve in Gloucestershire are keeping a weather eye out for injured seabirds after a number have been blown off course during recent storms.
Staff at Slimbridge Wetland Centre have already rescued a gannet and several Manx shearwaters after they arrived in the past few days and were too weak to feed. These Atlantic-dwelling species are rarely seen in Gloucestershire but have been blown hundreds of miles off course by the strong south westerly gales.
Other rare visitors, usually found in Arctic Canada, have also been buffeted all the way to Slimbridge. They include a buff-breasted sandpiper, two Sabine's gulls, two Arctic skuas and a guillemot.
More are expected to arrive overnight with the forecast of stronger winds.
Most of the arrivals are resting and feeding while they wait for the winds to drop but the staff have stepped in to save those who are particularly weak.
James Lees, reserve warden, said: “In many ways as a birdwatcher it is exciting to see these unusual visitors at Slimbridge but it is also sad to see some of the ones that are struggling."
He added: “We have managed to intervene successfully when necessary and are watching out for any other cases in which we need to step in."
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