A Rum do as volunteers save chicks in peril
A small army of volunteers is taking to the streets of a west coast village – to save endangered seabirds from certain death.
Manx shearwaters are being lured towards the lights of Mallaig at the start of an incredible 6000-mile journey.
The chicks fledge from the mountains of the Isle of Rum opposite Mallaig before flying to their wintering grounds in South America.
However, each year, some young birds become disorientated by outside lights left on at night, causing them to crash land close to the light source.
Many are then killed by gulls, crows, cats or dogs.
Now, during the peak month of this year’s fledgling season, a team of villagers and visitors are trying to save wayward birds that crash land.
Already more than 30 have been rescued by the kindhearted team of volunteers.
Organiser Martin Carty said: “As well as locals we have a couple who have sailed from Skye to help us this month, a lady from Cumbria is coming and in the past we have had students from Poland, Portugal and all over.
“We would welcome any reports of the birds, but the fewer that get attracted to the lights the better.”
Usually an average of 210 Manx shearwaters – which were originally named Manks puffins and are on the amber conservation list – are saved in Mallaig, Morar and Arisaig and last year there were just over 150 rescued.
More than 60,000 pairs – a fifth of the British breeding population – breed on Rum.