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The islands are bird sanctuaries and special conservation areas (SACS). In spring and early summer the Little Saltee is probably at its most beautiful. Acres of bluebells give a sheen that is not only colourful but aroma laden too. And the bracken hasn’t grown to a great height. Wild turnip and rape seed plants abound – all to the liking of our pheasant population. April to July, birds are nesting everywhere, Soays are lambing, Kerries are calving down, Fallow deer spring the light fantastic and fawn down.. The gull population (Black Backs and Herring) had decreased over the last decade due to the proximity of both Wexford and Waterford landfill rubbish dumps. The result – Botulism. Over the past six seasons we had noted an almost 90% decline in population. 2007 seems to have an increase in numbers and nesting is within the bracken. Our stalwart sentinels of the homestead are still with us, thank goodness. On the pastures and around the homestead we have noticed an increase in Oyster Catchers and Shell Duck numbers annually. Snipe and lapwings were very prominent this July and are on the increase numerically. Flights of mallard from nearby Tachumsin Lake drop down onto the usually still bay to the west of our most northern point. They meet up there with an increasing 'count' of curlew who have made that area their base. Two pairs of mallard now nest annually in our Habitat Birdlife in general appears luxuriant. It was with great joy that we both could, once again, welcome David Cabot and Maurice Cassidy and have them 'stay over'. We enjoyed filming their exploits by day and bouncing off wild life anecdotes within the Boma over a 'braai' in the evening. What a difference some fine, warm and calm days make to such island work. Long may it last! Ornithological
Fieldwork Report 2008: Little Saltee, Co. Wexford. by David Cabot© David Cabot and Maurice Cassidy visited the island twice during 2008 in continuance of their sea bird population dynamics study. The Cormorant breeding census and ringing was carried out on the 29th May. There were 155 occupied nests compared with 202 recorded in 2007. The 2008 total was the lowest recorded on the island in 49 years. There were two major colonies on the cliff tops probably reflecting an increasing impact from the island herbivores. The displaced bird probably moved to the colony breeding on nearby Great Saltee as well as possibly to the Keeragh Islands. The island was again visited from 13-15 June with a most welcome chicken dinner provided on the evening of our arrival by Liezel Bellew. Between the May and June visits a total of 116 pulli Cormorants were ringed (cf. 319 in 2008) bringing the total ringed on the island since our study commenced to 10,979 pulli and adults. The Shag breeding population was 23 occupied nests, similar to previous years following the population crash during the winter 1988/9. A total of 18 pulli Shags were ringed, about the usual number. The census of breeding Fulmars produced 218 occupied nests, up from 186 recorded during 2007. A lot of effort was expended on catching 128 breeding Fulmars and of these some 86 had been previously caught. We ringed 52 adults including some that had to have their rings replaced. No pulli were ringed. Other sea bird numbers showed little change from 2007. At least one Guillemot bred (egg seen) while 17 Razorbill chicks and two breeding adults were ringed. We thank Patrick and Liezel Bellew for their kind hospitality and generosity with over night accommodation. Copyright also applies to all previous reports published on Little Saltee website.
David Cabot All the following photos are courtesy of MICHAEL STECIUK: Wild Life and Landscape Photographer
Great Benefit With three different graziers on the island it is now most noticeable how the areas of pasture have increased. The southern region is especially favoured by Soays and their close cropping has assisted in the furtherance of luxuriant nesting areas for both Manx and Puffin populations. Elsewhere, our pheasant population in on the increase thanks to the continued devout care taken by our supplier, Marty Scallan. Some very exotic colours are now appearing. Strong chicks become great birds. This season we hope to host our first hatch of grey partridge. Plenty of cover and oodles of natural feed await them. I still long for the call of wild guinea fowl! Maybe this autumn?
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