Islands of Birds

I made these photographs around a small number of island seabird colonies. The islands featured include Bass Rock and the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, Noss in Shetland, and the small islands of Grímsey, Vigur and Flatey in Iceland. This series celebrates the birds that live on these islands; the unique characters of each species and their collective strength and resilience. Over centuries, each species has found its own ways to survive in these often harsh coastal environments. Seabirds such as these are facing increasing existential challenges from climate change, pollution, unsustainable fishing and other pressures resulting from human industry. Survey work in recent decades has revealed dramatic declines in many seabird populations, including arctic skua, common tern and puffin. While these images celebrate the wonder of the natural world, it is also important to remember what we stand to lose if we don't care for the environment and allow seabird colonies like these to thrive.