St Kilda World Heritage Site NTS

At least 6 already fledged last week, another 30 nearing fledging age, plus 4 small chicks on last check Sju. Not looking too bad from 77 territories 🤞

4 of our 6 Arctic Skua chicks have fledged on #StKilda, with the remaining 2 not far away now either. Both were hunkered down a couple of days ago, but will soon be on the wing too.
#NTSSeabirds
#SuperSeabirdSunday

For any visitors coming to St Kilda over the next few weeks, other potential wandering seabirds to look out for include Sooty, Great and Cory's Shearwater, Pomarine and Long-tailed Skua. Please do report any sightings to the #NTS Ranger team 🙏

Wilson's Storm Petrel! Another fantastic find by @rspbscience.bsky.social researcher Brennig Hughes approx halfway back to Leverburgh yesterday. 4th 'at sea' record from near #StKilda and possibly the closest one yet!
@scottishbirding.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social
@hebridesbirds.bsky.social

A bird’s-eye view of the gannet colony at St Kilda The first drone census at St Kilda has revealed the islands are now home to the world’s largest gannet colony.

Results from the 2023 #StKilda Gannet census are to be published in the December issue of #ScottishBirds, revealing relative stability in what is once again the world's largest colony, despite fears that #HPAI may have had a greater impact on the population
#NTSSeabirds
@scottishbirding.bsky.social

This smart adult Ring-billed Gull was a fabulous find this #SuperSeabirdSunday on #StKilda by @rspbscience.bsky.social researcher Brennig! Our first American vagrant of the season, and only a second record for the island after one in 2018.
@hebridesbirds.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social

Views this good of Minke Whales are rare on #StKilda, but yesterday we watched one of at least five close in to the north of Hirta. Spot those white pectoral fin bands 😍
Our marine sightings within 3km of the archipelago are reported to the #HWDT #WhaleTrack app each year.
@whalesorg.bsky.social

Breeding records of Golden Plovers are rare on #StKilda, so it was fantastic to find two chicks yesterday in one of three suspected territories this season. Delightfully well camouflaged wee chicks!
@ukrbbp.bsky.social
@scottishbirding.bsky.social

Most Guillemot jumplings will have jumped by now from #StKilda and be heading out to sea with their dads, whilst some Kittiwake chicks aren't far from fledging age now either.
#NTSSeabirds
#SuperSeabirdSunday

You and Will have certainly contributed a fair share this year Michal ✊️

Check out the fabulous seasonal highlights board updated today by our amazingly talented biosecurity volunteer, Hebe! Those stormies are incredible 😍
@n-t-s.bsky.social
#NTSSeabirds

Views over Village Bay on what has been a stunning weekend on #StKilda. Finally got some of this heatwave sweeping the country after a week of persistent fog!

intimate views of the #StKilda Gannet colony are a rare privilege, due mainly to difficult access, but we were able to land on Boreray a couple of weeks ago in order to conduct a census, for which the results will be shared when analysed. Glorious seabirds! 😍
#SuperSeabirdSunday
#NTSSeabirds

One of many young Fulmars taking shelter under their parents during a grey and drizzly couple of days on #StKilda this weekend. #SuperSeabirdSunday
#NTSseabirds

From the edge of the world 2025 – part 2 Our St Kilda ranger shares an update on the (sprout-filled!) 2025 season so far.

Catch up on what’s been happening #stkilda and have a look at our latest blog www.NTS.org.uk/stories/from... @N-T-Sbsky.social #stkildaclub #livingthedream #islandlife

The great news from #StKilda this #superseabirdsunday is that following a significant decline since 1999, our Kittiwake population is creeping ever closer back up to 4 figures this year, with 989 nests recorded last week!
#NTSSeabirds
@smp-seabirds.bsky.social

A proud father on #StKilda this week, as our pair of Pied Wagtails successfully fledged two young. An irregular breeder here, but this is the second successful attempt in three years. @hebridesbirds.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social

Our volunteers are vital to helping us care for #StKilda. Thank you to Norrie, Kate, Laura and Pam for taking up “the badge”! #stkildaclub #volunteersinwildplaces #ilovepainting #nationaltrustforscotland

Look what we found. This 1887 shilling piece (5p) was left in the shop honesty box. That year the schoolteacher on St Kilda was George Murray who wrote how he was desperate to leave. Storms, including snow in May, meant the first boat didn't come till June. #StKilda

Happy campers leaving #stkilda. Chris, Sandy, Veronica and Ian were last here on one of the 2019 #stkildaworkparties, where lifelong friendships were forged.

Well done Nigel Dawson for completing #stkilda “Chimney Challenge”! A run and then a near vertical scramble up Mullach Sgar. Brilliant effort! #extremescrambles #stkildaclub

Thanks to Ian for leading a very poignant kirk service to commemorate the servicemen who lost their lives in the three crash sites #stkilda #stkildaclub #wewillrememberthem

🎉 MAJOR OCEAN WIN! 📢 UK Government commits to ratifying the High Seas Treaty (aka the BBNJ) by the end of the year, as confirmed by Ocean Minister @emmahardymp.bsky.social at the UN Ocean Conference just now 🎉

#OceanProtection #UNOC3 #UNOC2025 #OceanWin

@oceana.bsky.social @hugotagholm.bsky.social

Not a good day for the seal population. Occasionally Orcas visit St Kilda, this pod was seen hunting off Boreray in 2016
#UNOC3 #SaveOurSeas #NTS

The ocean around St Kilda supports life above and below the water #UNOC3 #SaveOurSeas

The ocean produces over half of the oxygen we breathe. These jewel anemones thrive on the underwater cliffs in the St Kilda archipelago.
#UNOC3
📷George Stoyle

The clear waters around the St Kilda archipelago support a huge amount of life. The underwater scenery is dazzling #SaveOurOcean #UNOC3

Lots of Puffins at the end of the rainbow on Dùn today for #SuperSeabirdSunday
#NTSSeabirds

Did you know that St Kilda is the only Marine World Heritage Site in the UK? #WorldOceanDay #StKilda #NTS

It felt like a reward finding this Blyth's Reed Warbler in the irises behind the street on #StKilda yesterday after a long hard day in the field searching for Great Skuas. Fourth island record and third in 5 years!
@hebridesbirds.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social
@scottishbirding.bsky.social