Guillemot
Surfbirds News: RSPB Archives
The RSPB has raised fears that the effects of oil spilled by the MSC Napoli could hit seabirds that breed in Lyme Bay.
There have been reports of hundreds of oiled birds, most of which are guillemots, washing up along Chesil Beach and at Portland Bill in Dorset. Guillemots have recently returned to cliff ledges on Portland where they nest.
The RSPB's South West seabird specialist, Helen Booker said: “Guillemots start congregating at their breeding sites at this time of year and if birds that breed here are among those oiled then this could have a dramatic effect on the colony.â€
Guillemot, Norfolk September 2006 copyright Peter Beesley
Portland Bill has one of the largest guillemot colonies on the south coast, with several hundred birds congregating on the cliffs there each summer.
The RSPCA is leading the operation to recover and clean up oiled birds on the Dorset coast, but staff from the RSPB’s Weymouth nature reserves are also lending a hand.
RSPB regional policy officer Mark Robins said: “Once again, birds and other wildlife suffer while we wait for progress towards the proper protection the natural environment deserves.
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