Code Of Conduct: Seabirds And Seals

puffin

Charles Thody Photography

Code Of Conduct

Seabird And Seal Watching

Seabirds and Seals are fascinating to watch. However, we must be careful not to disturb these animals - the below information summarises our rules for watching them safely.

If you are visiting in your own boat, please additionally see this page for relevant Codes of Conduct.

Black-legged kittiwake with chick

 Ed Marshall

Seabirds

Birds leaving their nesting or roosting sites is a common and sad consequence of disturbance. This results in chicks becoming more vulnerable to predation while the adults are away - eggs are not being incubated, hatching is delayed and eggs are knocked off the cliff. In a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) the disturbance of wildlife is a criminal offence. Equally, all species of bird are protected from killing or disturbance while nesting (Manx law by Tynwald).

Causes of bird disturbance
  • Proximity to the colony or nest
  • Larger groups of people
  • Length of time people spend at the site
  • Level of noise and movement by people
How to know if you are disturbing birds
  • Birds fly off cliffs – move slowly away, you are already too close
  • Agitation such as head bobbing and increased vocalisation
  • Watch the birds’ reactions and respect them by acting accordingly
How to avoid disturbing sea birds
  • Keep a distance of 50m from seabird nesting sites/cliffs whether on the water or on land
  • If you think you are disturbing seabirds move slowly and quietly away
  • Do not approach rafting birds or marine mammals
  • Always move on after 10 minutes of watching
Grey Seal and pup

Janet Baxter

Seals

The Wildlife and Countryside Act prohibits interference with places used for shelter or protection, or intentionally disturbing animals occupying such places. If seals are disturbed, they can rush towards the sea, scaring others around them into a domino effect - this may cause them to gash their bellies or rip out claws on the rocks. Additionally, mothers can be disturbed away from their pups and may abandon them.

Causes of seal disturbance
  • Noise - unnatural sounds, such as voices, boat engines etc
  • Sight - seals spook when crafts, such as kayaks and boats come too close
  • Distance - keep a distance of 100m from hauled out and pupping seals
How to know if you are seals birds
  • Lift their heads
  • Bulge their eyes revealing the white parts around the iris
  • Moves towards the water - any seal rushing into the sea has been disturbed
How to avoid disturbing seals
  • At all times watch the seals’ reactions and respect them by acting accordingly. If you spot any of this behaviour move slowly out of sight, you are already too close.
  • Keep a distance of 50m from seal haul-out beaches whether on the water or on land
  • Do not approach rafting marine mammals
  • Always move on after 10 minutes of watching