Conservation & Threats
The Isle of Man's wildlife faces real pressures — from climate change and habitat loss to invasive species. But the island is also a conservation success story, with strong legal protections and active citizen science.
Species of Conservation Concern
View ChoughChough
Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
The Isle of Man's national bird and one of its last UK strongholds. Feeds on invertebrates in cliff-top grassland. Vulnerable to agricultural intensification reducing foraging habitat.
View Hen HarrierHen Harrier
Circus cyaneus
Heavily persecuted on the UK mainland (particularly on driven grouse moors). The Isle of Man is an important refuge with a stable breeding population on upland heather moorland.
View CurlewCurlew
Numenius arquata
The IoM population is declining in line with catastrophic UK-wide losses. Breeds on upland wet grassland and moorland edges. Nest predation and agricultural change are key threats.
View Peregrine FalconPeregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
The world's fastest animal breeds on IoM sea cliffs. Recovered well from the DDT crash of the 1960s. The island's coastal cliffs provide excellent, undisturbed nest sites.
View Basking SharkBasking Shark
Cetorhinus maximus
Protected under Manx law since 1990 — the Isle of Man was a pioneer in Basking Shark conservation. The island's waters are a globally important aggregation site for this filter-feeding giant.
View Harbour SealHarbour Seal
Phoca vitulina
A small but important colony at the Calf of Man. Smaller than Grey Seals, with a rounder face and V-shaped nostrils. Vulnerable to disturbance at haul-out sites.
Threats to Manx Biodiversity
Climate Change
Rising sea temperatures are altering marine species distributions. Earlier springs disrupt the synchrony between breeding birds and their insect prey. Increased storm frequency threatens coastal nesting sites.
Habitat Loss
Agricultural intensification reduces wildflower meadows and wet grassland. Development pressure on coastal and lowland sites. Loss of hedgerows and field margins removes wildlife corridors.
Invasive Species
Himalayan Balsam is spreading along Manx rivers and glens, outcompeting native plants. The New Zealand Flatworm threatens native earthworm populations, with knock-on effects for soil health and species that feed on them.
Marine Pollution
Plastic pollution affects seabirds, seals, and marine invertebrates. The busy Irish Sea shipping lanes bring oil spill risk. Microplastics have been detected in Manx waters and beach sediments.
What's Being Done
UNESCO Biosphere Designation (2016)
The entire island and surrounding seas recognised as a Biosphere Reserve, committing to balancing conservation with sustainable development.
Manx Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves
Managing key habitats including Ballaugh Curraghs wetlands, Close Sartfield hay meadows, and Dalby Mountain moorland.
DEFA Agri-Environment Schemes
Financial support for farmers who manage land for wildlife — maintaining hedgerows, wet grassland, and species-rich meadows.
Basking Shark Watch
Citizen science programme recording Basking Shark sightings around the island. Data contributes to conservation management and international research.
Manx BirdLife Monitoring
Long-term population monitoring of breeding birds, winter surveys, and seabird colony counts across the island and Calf of Man.
Marine Nature Reserve Designations
31 marine protected zones safeguarding habitats from kelp forests to seagrass beds, with fisheries management measures.
How You Can Help
Record Your Sightings
Every record matters. Log wildlife observations on NBN Atlas IoM or the iRecord app to contribute to conservation science.
Join a Beach Clean
The Manx Wildlife Trust and Beach Buddies organise regular beach cleans around the island. Every piece of plastic removed helps marine life.
Support Manx BirdLife
Join Manx BirdLife to support bird monitoring, habitat management, and conservation advocacy on the Isle of Man.
Report Injured Wildlife
Found an injured bird, seal, or other wild animal? Contact the Manx SPCA or DEFA wildlife team for advice.
More from Biosphere
Information sources: DEFA · Manx BirdLife · Manx Wildlife Trust · UNESCO Biosphere IoM