Long-Tailed Skua, showing the fine long tail streamers
It is not only the owls which are breeding well during the current peak in small mammal numbers. Long-Tailed Skuas are also cashing in on the abundant lemmings. These seem to have peaked in numbers during winter, but the numbers are still high enough for the birds to rear their chicks.
Adult skuas defend their chicks by stooping at any intruder
A family party of Long-Tailed Skuas at the nest.Handsome birds in flight and on the ground.
