News

Portland’s Bird Monitoring

Portland Harbour is protected to the South and East by four rock armour breakwaters two of which are completely isolated from the land. Totalling over 4.5 km in length, these breakwaters provide a unique habitat for wildlife. The inaccessible nature of the breakwaters limits human disturbance and proves a favourable breeding site for various species of seabirds. Working with the local ornithological community the port has been part of a longterm ringing effort, which works to ring juvenile birds allowing them to be tracked and identified by ornithologists throughout their lifetime.

Portland Harbour is protected to the South and East by four rock armour breakwaters two of which are completely isolated from the land. Totalling over 4.5 km in length, these breakwaters provide a unique habitat for wildlife.

The inaccessible nature of the breakwaters limits human disturbance and proves a favourable breeding site for various species of seabirds. Working with the local ornithological community the port has been part of a longterm ringing effort, which works to ring juvenile birds allowing them to be tracked and identified by ornithologists throughout their lifetime.

This work has provided insight into the behaviour of the individuals nesting on the breakwaters, for example Herring Gull (Larus Argentatus). The close working partnership with the ornithological community has also proved to be commercial benefit to the port by provided access to expertise in support of commercial work.

ENVIRONMENTAL TAGS: Habitats and Biodiversity