IoM birds being 'pushed off the island'

A new report shows birds are being "pushed off the island" due to disappearing habitats.

The study from ManxBirdlife warned bird diversity and abundance is at a "historic low".

The organisation has complied a Red List for species whose decline on the island is of gravest concern.

It includes Curlews, Puffins, Skylarks and Tree Sparrows, while Corn Crakes and Yellowhammers could soon be added to a Black List "in the very near future" after having "almost certainly" been lost as Manx breeding birds.

Managing Director of Manx BirdLife, Neil Morris said the assessment, which reveals the state of wild birds in the Isle of Man, is "not a happy picture".

"Our birds are being pushed off the Island, their habitats are disappearing and their populations are declining.

"Diversity and abundance are probably at a historic low," he continued. 

While Eider, Oystercatcher, Redwing and Meadow Pipit remain a relatively common sight on the island, their overseas populations are considered to be threatened so they have also been included on the Red List.

The full list can be found here.