The Manx Wildlife Trust have received a number of recent reports of wildlife disturbance, some about barn owls and others about grey seals.
It would respectfully remind photographers and wildlife watchers to always give wildlife space.
It has issued a few tips for those of you that are keen to capture the magnificent beasts, but also just respect their space too:
- If a barn owl is hunting during the day it is probably struggling to find enough food. Disturbing them at this time could make life even harder for them.
- If a seal lifts it’s head to look at you then it is disturbed. It may not seem like much, but causing a seal to return to the sea when it is on land resting, and likely digesting food, can have a serious effect.
Here is a simple rule of thumb from trust: If your actions cause the animal’s behaviour to change in any way you should stop and slowly back away.
There is some good guidance on bird watching and wildlife photography on the Government website.
And also relating to seals on the MWT website.
Wildlife Trust work
Mary, a seal that was rescued in October, has been released back into the wild by MWT.
The Atlantic Grey Seal was reported by a member of the public last year.
Following an assessment she was rescued by Manx Wildlife Trust’s trained volunteer Marine Mammal Medics.
She was then kept at its Seal Rehabilitation Centre in the north of the Island.
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