David Steel
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steelyseabirder.bsky.social
David Steel
@steelyseabirder.bsky.social
Manager of Isle of May National Nature Reserve since 2015 having been on Farne Island 2001-2014. Also Scottish Birds Records Committee (SBRC) Chair
Pinned
I co-authored a paper with Dr Chris Redfern looking into how people actually benefit nesting Arctic Terns on the Farne Islands (in complete contrast to what we have believed and thought). Link to the paper: nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/57ASV9...
Photo: Siegfried Woldhek #Seabirds
Reposted by David Steel
NEW BLOG - the RBBP reviews what species we should collect data on regularly. Here’s an explanation of what we consider when species are removed, and why Avocet and Mediterranean Gull are staying on our list, for now rbbp.org.uk/2025/11/25/r...
Reviewing the RBBP species list
Reviewing the RBBP species list Mediterranean Gull, Mark Eaton The RBBP collects data and reports upon all native species with UK breeding populations of fewer than 2,000 pairs. In addition, s...
rbbp.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 2:15 PM
This is a young Grey Seal pup which is now independent and is mounting into its more waterproof teenage coat. It’s certainly looking healthy enough to survive the next week or two!
November 25, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Reposted by David Steel
An incredible opportunity to work with the @rspb.bsky.social and Storm petrels as part of your Master's degree! 🕊️

#research #seabirds
Studying for an MSc this year & looking for a #seabird research project?

We're looking for a student to help investigate the factors that influence #StormPetrel response rates during playback surveys. 🔊🐣

🔗Do get in touch if you have any Qs: www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu... #seabirds #ornithology
November 24, 2025 at 1:24 PM
It's that time of year when the mighty bull Grey Seals move into the colony on the Isle of May as its all change as the blog explains: isleofmaynnr.wordpress.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Reposted by David Steel
Manx Shearwater recently arrived in the South Atlantic and already well into molt. Seems most places I go the common shearwater is in the opposite hemisphere from which it breeds and not looking their best. 🪶 Off #Argentina #seabirdSaturday
November 22, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Reposted by David Steel
Guillemots on Skomer Island in June #Seabirds #UKWildlife
November 22, 2025 at 5:24 PM
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A good news #Seabirds story for your feed. Got to love Phillip Island off Norfolk- South Pacific. It keeps turning up surprises!
November 22, 2025 at 10:00 PM
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@robcrank68.bsky.social 's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Mr&Mrs - here are Falklands Imperial Cormorants #EastCoastKin #photography #birds
November 23, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Reposted by David Steel
Sometimes I struggle with big gull ID. But here's one species that you never have to struggle with in any age or plumage because of that absurd, big-ass honkin' bill. 😄 Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus) #BirdingAustralia #BirdingTasmania #gulls #seegulls #SaturdayLaridae
November 22, 2025 at 6:47 PM
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Gannet shows how its done.
#SuperSeabirdSunday
November 23, 2025 at 9:51 AM
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My contribution to #SuperSeabirdSunday: Blue Fulmar, Svalbard, June 2023.
November 23, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Reposted by David Steel
White-tailed eagle (sea eagle).

Not actually a seabird, but it’s got ‘sea’ in its common name and I was on the sea (Sound of Raasay) when I took the photo. 😀

#superseabirdsunday
November 23, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Reposted by David Steel
A Kittiwake from the Farne Islands. #SuperSeabirdSunday #Seabirds
November 23, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Reposted by David Steel
Finishing off our South African #GullsoftheWorld for #SuperSeabirdSunday with the Cape Gull.

Not a lifer for us as we got the Grafham bird but still great to see them in their natural range.

@unsociable-lapwing.bsky.social @steelyseabirder.bsky.social
#Seabirds #BirdingSouthAfrica 🪶
November 23, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Reposted by David Steel
Guillemots for seabird Sunday.
#SuperSeabirdSunday
November 23, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Reposted by David Steel
Welcome to Super Seabird Sunday where we ask you to share videos, photos & artwork of seabirds to brighten up timelines. A trio of #sanderlings at #Cleveleys from 2021 (photo by Mr Wonderful). #visitfyldecoast #SuperSeabirdSunday
November 23, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Reposted by David Steel
An adult Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross sat and checked us out whilst on a pelagic South of #CapeTown #SouthAfrica on the 25th November 2013 #Wildlfe #Photography Please check out the submissions at #SuperSeabirdSunday and give this a repost if you like. Thanks.
@steelyseabirder.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by David Steel
November 23, 2025 at 11:32 AM
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November 23, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Reposted by David Steel
Naah, those aren't grumpy.

#SuperSeabirdSunday 🪶
November 23, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Reposted by David Steel
Puffin on Skomer Island in June #SuperSeabirdSunday #Seabirds
November 23, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Reposted by David Steel
Re-sharing this one for #SuperSeabirdSunday, and also for #BirdOfTheDay (the theme today is #MrAndMrs, and you can almost see this couple enclosed in a heart shape ❤️).

#Birds #BirdPhotography #UKWildlife #EastCoastKin 🌿
The look of love. 🥰 A pair of Puffins on Skomer Island gazing into each other's eyes.* #Plumescrolling #Birds #Nature #WildlifePhotography #UKWildlife 🌿

* Or engaged in a staring contest and waiting to see who will blink first. 😉
November 23, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by David Steel
November 23, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Reposted by David Steel
November 23, 2025 at 9:32 PM