Sir,

Over the next six weeks, this year’s young Manx Shearwaters will be leaving Skomer Island at night and migrating to warmer waters. Being nocturnal and leaving individually, many become stranded and seek protection from attack. They are unable to ‘take off’ from land.

Anyone finding one of these black and white birds with small hooked beak and webbed feet is asked to put it in a box with air holes and contact one of the following:

Jean Hains, Oiled Bird Rescue Centre, West Williamston, near Carew tel. (01646) 651236 - Answerphone available.

Nigel Rossiter - 07974 387715 for collection.

Audrey Harrison - 01646 683462, mobile 07981892092.

Julie Scholfield - 01834 844062, mobile 07817292760.

The Oiled Bird Rescue Centre has over 40 years’ experience of dealing with these birds and averages dealing with 100 birds each season.

When possible birds can be brought to the centre and this help will be greatly appreciated.

Shearwaters need to be released at dusk by a trained person, from a headland where there are no lights (as they navigate by the stars) and near to their flight path.

BTO ringing has shown that birds can live to be 30-40 years old, living in the oceans and returning to Skomer Island at five to six years of age to breed.

Press and TV have already stated that numbers of sea birds are in decline, including Shearwaters, so please help to save these young birds.

Jean Hains,

Oiled Bird Rescue Centre,

Lower House Farm,

West Williamston.