The sudden “whoosh” over our heads tells us that we are under attack. One after another Great Skuas turn in the air and aim for our heads. Sometimes they hit with a wing tip or their belly but the mere sight of them dive-bombing is disconcerting enough to send you ducking to the ground.
St Kilda, Scotland, is host to enough Great Skuas to make you feel that the species is doing well but this nesting area is vital due to decreasing numbers overall.
The Skuas have a reputation for being bullies and for good reason. It’s easier to steal someone else’s meal than to catch your own so Great Skuas (known locally as Bonxies) can often be seen intimidating other seabirds into dropping their food.
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Remains of other smaller seabirds can be found in areas where Bonxies live as sometimes become the meal themselves. Therefore a growing population of Skuas in one place can be controversial due to the impact they have on surrounding bird populations.
On St Kilda the need to protect the Great Skua is greater than that of other species though. As is often the way with nature, the impact that is had upon other species should even out as the years pass but from year to year the presence of these robust birds is made clear as they sit at the top of the hierarchy of the skies.
There are quite a few places on the island of Hirta where there is danger of attack from above. Whilst the inclination is to look up, it’s actually your feet that you need to watch as the Skuas are launching an attack to protect their offspring that are sat within the grass.
They are very protective parents and you can see why when you see their adorable chicks. They won’t stay that way for long though before becoming protective parents and pirates of the air themselves. There is a certain enjoyment in seeing Great Skuas though and watching them thrive in remote locations. With protected areas like St Kilda to host them, we should be able to enjoy the boisterousness of Great Skuas for years to come.