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Well-worn roads run extensively alongside the entire Manx coastline, providing frequent opportunities of spotting such indigenous bird species as Peregrine, Chough and Raven. Fulmar and Shag are widely distributed but there are only four Cormorant colonies on Isle of Man.
A few of the more spectacular cliffs have Kittiwake and Guillemot colonies, while Black Guillemots nest almost anywhere on the island. Stonechats are common on the gorse and bramble scrub, which is a typical feature of the steep coastal brooghs. Except for the height of the summer, parties of Purple Sandpiper can be found at several well-established sites on the rocky coast of Isle of Man.
Sky Hill near Ramsey and the areas adjoining Castletown constitute the Raven country, you could also spot a merlin occasionally; but the bird of the Manx hills is now the Hen Harrier that first nested in 1977 in the failed plantation of Glen Rushen. Since then, this species has made rapid inroads into the avian population on Isle of Man.
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The wooded slopes overlooking the northern plain have breeding Sparrowhawks & Woodcocks;one could even spot a Wood Warbler in May. Much of the moorland has been turned over to conifer plantations. Some have existed for more than 100 years and have ornithologically attractive clearings and areas of failed plantation. |
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During the last decade of the 20th century the Siskin, and more recently the Crossbill, have begun to colonise the coniferous plantation; the smaller thickets and shelter belts frequently support a pair of Long-eared Owls (as in Ireland, the commonest owl) and the very young plantations may attract Short-eared Owls.
Renowned for its great Hen Harrier roost, Ballaugh Curragh has a fine variety of birdlife at all seasons. The less extensive Greeba Curragh, stretching eastward from St. John's, is easily reached by the old railway track from which Woodcock can invariably be seen on spring evenings.
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