Shetland Skuas

The population of Arctic Skuas has declined by 81% according to the latest report by the British Ecological Society.

The National Seabird 2000  census recorded 2,136 Arctic and 9634 Gt Skuas with 90% of the population in Orkney and Shetland


Full report https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2656.12890

Locations of Arctic skua colonies used in analyses of population trend (n = 33 sites) and annual productivity (underlined, n = 20 sites). Dotted line = southernmost extent of Arctic skua breeding range during Seabird 2000. Overall percentage change in Apparently Occupied Territories (AOTs) between the first and last year surveyed (1992 and 2008–2015) is given for each site (see Supporting Information Table S1 for further details). Symbol sizes are scaled to AOT counts in 1992 (four categories: 0–12, 16–26, 30–66, 101–159). Symbol shape denotes colony type, classified by cliff‐nesting seabird host abundance within 5 km of colony during the Seabird 2000 census: squares = type 1 colonies (>10,000 pairs), circles = type 2 colonies (1,000–10,000 pairs), triangles = type 3 colonies (<1,000 pairs)

Arctic Skuas declined at all the study colonies from 1061 ATO 's (1992) to just 200 in (2015), indicating the largest declines took place in the north with the largest productivity in Handa in NW Scotland.

Attacks on Kittiwakes which had only come down onto a loch to bathe  

Arctic Skua nest next to colonies of seabirds either Arctic Terns, or cliff dwelling birds that usually feed on Sandeels - Puffin, Kittiwake, Guillemot and Razorbill. These skuas rely on stealing food from these birds, this is called Kleptopasrasitism

An Arctic Tern attacks an Arctic Skua

Gt Skuas increased at most sites except Foula where a 24% decline occurred. Its odd that the greatest declines in Arctic Skuas occurred where Gt Skua population were small. Food availability and density of Gt Skua were associated with breeding success of Arctic Skua

Gt Skuas are larger and more powerful that Arctic Skuas , they rely on harassing large birds such as gannet for a free meal

Gt Skua seen off by a Fulmar

The world's Gt Skua population is around 16,000 with 57% being in Scotland (Bird life International 2018) especially in Shetland and Orkney. Around 9,634 ATO (Apparently Occupied Territories) can be found in the UK (2004)

They are very aggressive towards humans and animals that stray onto their breeding grounds, making a head on attack and sometime hitting the intruder with their feet.

Gt Skua population in Shetland has fluctuated with numbers up and down at various throughout the isle. Gannet numbers are increasing so you would think that there would be more fish brought back to young gannets and therefore more opportunities for GT Skuas . Noss for instance has around 25000 Gannets double that of 1970

On Foula in 2015 a lot of cannibalistic predation of well grown chicks was again high, although a census count of 1,846 AOT was 11% higher than 2007

In Shetland, 4 colonies at Hermaness, Noss, Mousa and Fair Isle had 1,747 ATO's in 2013, an increase of 27% since  2007. But on Foula a decrease of 28% occurred between 2000 & 2007 (2,293 down to 1,657 ATO's)

In Orkney, a complete census revealed a 23% decrease between 2000 - 2010 (1,710 ATO's)

Discards from fishing boats used to be an important part of the Gt Skuas diet in Shetland but with the reduction of discards they have now started to either concentrate on attacking Gannet for fish, eating birds such as Puffin or resorting to cannibalism .

Having just taken part in the 2018 Seabird census I am very interested in seeing the current figures

Norwick, Unst

If you in Sheffield or surrounding area why not come along to a talk I am giving on Amazing Shetland, details above

We took a trip north to the island of Unst on Friday and here are a few of the photographs

                                                                                                                Sanderling

                                                                                                       Dunlin

                                                                                                       Turnstone

                                                                                                   Common Gull

                                                                                                        Turnstone

Arctic Tern

                                                  Dunlin

                                                                                     Arctic Skua and Arctic Terns

                                                                                         Gt Black Back Gull

                                                                                                 Ringed Plover

                                                                                                         Gt Skua

                                                                                                 GTBB

Whale of a time

Well the 31 July turned into a whale of a day. We headed down to Sumburgh head and looking south and managed to get two views of a distant Minke Whale travelling north. Things picked up in the evening when news of Orcas at Fladdibister saw us set off quickly heading north.

At least 20 cars pulled into the layby on Cunningsburgh head looking over the sound, a police van pulled in, not to arrest anyone but to look for the Killer Whales as well. News came in via Facebook that they were heading down slower than expected so several cars, including us headed up the coast.

We arrived just a minute or two too late as they had just gone beyond the headland heading into Mousa sound. We all met up at the Cemetery at Mail and ran across the beach over the style and up a field to be greeted by heavy rain and no sign of the whales.

Heading back to Sandwick we pulled over to join a long line of cars at the north end which gave great views over Mousa. A RIB with Craig Nesbit (Noss warden) had come into the area and it proved a good focal point to use to located the whales.

After 10 mins we could see the Killer Whales at a distance, at least 4 including a male with a large dorsal fin. By this time it was 21.15pm, dull with occasional showers and at a too greater distance to take any photos. They stayed in Mousa sound until about 22.30 by which time it was very poor viewing conditions

It was the first time we had seen Killer Whales in Shetland, hopefully not the last. It surprised me how many people did not have binoculars, they were all caught up in Killer Whale fever. A lot of thanks must go to Hugh Harrop for setting up a facebook page for people to submit sightings making it easier to find the whales.

Lets hope everyone acts responsibly when parking. Judging by the number of cars that turned up, its going to get bigger and bigger. All we need is a good day with the weather and some close up photos and I will be even happier.

Back down to Sumburgh Head now and it was good to see lots of Puffins close up, in a  week or two the will be departing for the winter. Hope to find out they have had a good breeding  season along with all the other seabirds, seems to be lots of sand eels about with Arctic Terns also benefitting for large shoals in Lerwick.

Further out at sea lots of Gt Skuas could be seen waiting for Gannets to return with fish. The Gannets flew as close to the sea as possible but the Skuas which tended to be high up in the sky dived bombed them, flipping their wings or tail forcing the gannet to regurgitate the fish . All photos at a great distance

This year is great for wild flowers

                                                                                Lion's Mane Jellyfish Lerwick harbour

This species has a powerful and painful sting, this species blooms in summer and  is mainly found in Scottish waters but so far only reported to the Marine Conservation in Orkney & Angus . It occurs in cold waters and is the largest jellyfish. The bell can grow to 2m and the tentacles of larger species can exceed 30m. The colours of the smaller sized Lion Mane Jellyfish tend to be the colour above, with the larger ones vivid crimson to dark purple.

I have just updated my website, please take a look at http://amazingshetland.co.uk