It flies with a series of rapid stiff-winged flaps followed by long glides on stiff straight wings over the surface of the sea, occasionally banking or ‘shearing’. It breeds in colonies in the UK, on offshore islands where it is safe from rats and other ground predators. Birds leave their nest sites in July, to migrate to the coast of South America, where they spend the winter, returning in late February and March.
A small shearwater, it has long straight slim wings, and is black above and white below.
Discover more about the Manx Shearwater
Where to see
There are a few islands off the west coast of Scotland where they can be seen. Orkney and Shetland are good places to see Manx Shearwater
When to see
You can see them during their migration in the spring and the autumn. During the breeding season you can see them on one of the islands.
Did you know?
They are a very long lived bird with one bird found to have been 50 years old recorded in the UK.
Where to see
There are a few islands off the west coast of Scotland where they can be seen. Orkney and Shetland are good places to see Manx Shearwater
When to see
You can see them during their migration in the spring and the autumn. During the breeding season you can see them on one of the islands.
Did you know?
They are a very long lived bird with one bird found to have been 50 years old recorded in the UK.
Where to see
There are a few islands off the west coast of Scotland where they can be seen. Orkney and Shetland are good places to see Manx Shearwater
When to see
You can see them during their migration in the spring and the autumn. During the breeding season you can see them on one of the islands.
Did you know?
They are a very long lived bird with one bird found to have been 50 years old recorded in the UK.
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Registered Company No: 303299 | Registered address: Wild Scotland, Wester Camerorie, Ballieward, Grantown-on-Spey, PH26 3PR