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MALLAIG Each Autumn, Rum Shearwater fledglings are attracted to the lights of the Mallaig harbour area and other surrounding human habitats. In an effort to help them on their way, Martin Carty and local volunteers conduct nightly walks throughout the fledging period looking for wayward birds. Those that crash land are vulnerable to a number of fates if not rescued quickly. Predation by Great Black-backed Gulls (Larus marinus) and domestic pets is one of the most common. However many have been run over by cars and killed by other human factors. In 2009, a total of 255 birds were collected in the month of September. Many more were killed before rescuers managed to get to them. Overnight, the birds are kept in cardboard boxes, to be ringed and released the following morning. A specially selected site to the south of Mallaig is used as it is away from the main colony of Great Black-backed Gulls that inhabit Mallaig harbour. The area is by the main road and allows adequate height for the birds to fly when released.  To illustrate the plight of the birds, Martin contacted the BBC’s Autumnwatch programme. To his delight, a filming trip was subsequently arranged! Click below to watch the segment in full! If you live on the West coast and have found a Shearwater, we’d be keen to hear from you. Please detail where the bird was and what, if anything you did with it. http://www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/mallaig.htmlmailto:mjcarty@manxshearwater.co.uk?subject=Mallaig%20Shearwatershttp://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/greatblackbackedgull/index.aspxhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/autumnwatch/http://www.bbc.co.uk/autumnwatch/mailto:info@manxshearwater.co.uk?subject=Found%20Shearwatershttp://www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/mallaig.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/autumnwatch/shapeimage_3_link_0shapeimage_3_link_1shapeimage_3_link_2shapeimage_3_link_3shapeimage_3_link_4shapeimage_3_link_5

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