Manxie rescue underway this month as fledglings get downed on the Welsh mainland

A team of volunteers who successfully released 24 ‘Manxies’ at Martin's Haven this month

Once more off the coast of Wales, Manx Shearwaters Puffinus puffinus have been fledging from islands such as Skokholm and Skomer.. Some of the young birds do not make it out into the North Atlantic on their trans-equatorial migration, but instead end up grounded on the adjacent mainland – often due to gales and then artificial lighting confusing them.

Team of volunteers have been active along the Welsh coast collecting downed birds and returning them to sea, as reported by Manx Shearwater Rescue Pembrokeshire on its Facebook page.

The latest report by the rescue group follows:

“80-90% of Skokholm Manx Shearwaters have fledged after a really busy night thee days ago when loads got away.  An Oxford University study on Manx Shearwater burrows in Skomer North Haven, provisionally suggests that the 2026 breeding success is 0.71.  So 71% of birds that laid an egg were successful in raising a chick to fledging.”

ACAP Latest News has published on the effects of light pollution on a number of shearwater and petrel species, notably for fledglings. Click here for a 2025 report on downed Manx Shearwaters.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 17 September 2026