Manx Wildlife Trust has paid tribute to the Calf of Man’s longest serving warden as he flies the nest for pastures new.
Aron Sapsford who has been the Calf of Man Ornithological Warden for a total of 11 seasons, on and off, has flown the nest.
Aron is the longest ever-serving warden in the Calf’s long history and as well as charting the wildlife, has helped train the next generation of ornithologists and conservations.
MWT said: “An early highlight in his long career, very much an ornithological crowning glory, occurred on Hop tu Naa in 1989, when a Mourning Dove from North America arrived on the Calf.
“It was caught, ringed and released, becoming not just a new bird for the Calf, but also for the Isle of Man, for all of Britain and Ireland, for all of Europe and indeed for all of the Western Palearctic, which includes Africa, Arabia and northern Asia.
“Very few ornithologists will ever be able to claim such a first or such a ‘mega’ bird, especially over such a large part of the globe!”
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