Mike Dilger’s wildlife watching

In his series of great places to watch wildlife in the UK, the star of BBC One’s The One Show this month encourages you to experience a spectacular seabird colony on the UK coast.

Why not head to the coast and soak in the sight of the UK’s seabird ‘cities’?

Let’s be honest, given our size and geographical position, the UK appears low down on any global list that ranks countries according to their levels of biodiversity and endemism. However, with ‘Old Blighty’ hosting up to eight million seabirds throughout the summer months, this is one wildlife grouping where we can confidently compete on the world stage.

So, why does our assorted collection of islands hold internationally important numbers of seabirds? Well, firstly, and perhaps most obviously, the UK’s long and convoluted coastlines have an abundance of maritime cliffs. Secondly, our coastal waters have a wide range

of depths, and strong surface currents, both ensuring high levels of zooplankton productivity, which in turn drives healthy fish stocks. Also, with commercial fishing still a key industry in many coastal towns, a whole tranche of seabirds have traditionally been able to take advantage of any discard thrown overboard.

According to their geological composition, maritime cliffs can be broadly classified into either ‘soft’ or ‘hard’ – with the sheer, plunging rock faces offered by the latter usually hosting the biggest and best bird colonies. The vertical and inaccessible nature of these cliffs not only makes it difficult for plants to gain a foothold, but also provides sociable seabirds with communal nesting sites, safely away from the reach of hungry mammalian predators. With the whirring of wings as adults shuttle to and from the cliffs, and the accompanying cacophony of birds fighting over nest sites and mates, it can initially be difficult