A really positive news story this week: Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel has witnessed a remarkable resurgence in bird populations, particularly rare seabirds, according to the RSPB.
The island, home to 95% of England’s breeding Manx Shearwaters, experienced a surge from about 600 in 2001 to over 25,000 after a successful rat eradication project in 2006. Puffin numbers increased from 13 in 2000 to 1,335 in 2023, while new arrivals like Storm Petrels, with over 150 pairs, showcased the island’s growing biodiversity. The success is attributed to a partnership between Natural England, the Landmark Trust, and the National Trust, with calls to designate Lundy as a Special Protection Area for seabirds.