Manx BirdLife saw out 2015 with its fifth Christmas Bird Race, where members of the public were invited to find as many as the 156 possible species to be present on the Island between Christmas day and midnight of New Year’s Eve. This year saw a new record of 111 species spotted, 71% of the potential birds, which included some rarities on top of the 90 species which have been found without fail every year since the tradition started in 2011.

“We were glad to see a few firsts for the race, such as a group of Knots, Water Rail, one Puffin and one Arctic Tern.” says Dora Querido, Chief Operating Officer at Manx BirdLife.

Knots are waders which are almost exclusively marine in the winter months, constantly on the move and only scattered around the coast. Water Rail also are scarcely distributed on the Island’s inland marshes and are more obviously heard than seen.

The Puffin and Arctic Tern were similarly lucky sightings having usually migrated by now, all adding to a comprehensive picture of bird life on the Island at this time of year.

Good finds included the Barnacle Goose and Bar-tailed Godwit on the coast, Red Grouse on the moors and Woodcock sheltering inland, all of which haven’t been common over the years.

But some of the shyer rare species which have the habit of eluding us all during the seven day bird watch continued to do so this year (the Black Swan of Derbyhaven was nowhere to be seen and Yellowhammers haven’t been recorded since 2011’s race!).

“The race gives an insight into changes in population presence/absence illustrated by comparing data year-by-year, as well as delighting those lucky enough to spot something rare or not previously recorded.” says Dora.

“One absent species worthy of note is the Pochard, spotted every other year but not in 2015, in line with this year’s reassignment to its vulnerable conservation status. This is illustrating how UK and Europe-wide population trends of those species at risk of extinction can predict which birds turn up to overwinter on the Island” explains Dora.

The outcome of the Christmas Race has been on the whole a positive one, with such an array of species being recorded in all sorts of valuable habitats across the Island, and it’s a pleasure to see the enthusiasm and dedication of those getting involved. A huge thank you is in order for everyone who braved the winter weather and took part to send in their sightings, and to those who are continuing to do so into 2016.

Data collection in this way is vital to monitoring the Island’s bird life, and it wouldn’t be possible without inspiring members of the public to keep an eye out for birds and report what they see, here (http://manxbirdlife.im/info/your-observations2). Let’s make this year a good one for bird watching and protecting all the species of the Christmas Bird Race and more.

Photo - Knot at Langness. Courtesy of Peter Christian.