Egyptian Vulture Sighted In Isles Of Scilly For First Time In A Century

An Egyptian vulture has been sighted in the Isles of Scilly.

Egyptian Vulture Seen In Isles Of Scilly For First Time In A Century

The bird was first seen on Monday flying over Peninnis Head on St Mary’s to Tresco, where it was seen perching on a pine during the middle of the day.

This is the first time the species has been sighted in the UK in more than a century and only the third time recorded. The previous two times were in 1825 and 1868.

Will Wagstaff, who was leading a birding tour group on the island of Tresco and managed to snap a few photographs of the vulture, told Cornwall Live the group couldn’t believe their luck.

“Rare migrants are few and far between on Scilly in mid-June,” he told the paper. “So, the news that a ‘big bird’ had been seen in the fog over St Mary’s early in the day was intriguing to say the least - especially as the range of species being suggested was rather wide.

“To say I was surprised to then see an Egyptian vulture appear out of the mist over my head was an understatement.”

He added: “I gather the only accepted British records were in 1825 and 1868, so this was long overdue and has aroused a lot of interest in the UK birding community. Until this bird appeared I had been happy with a White Wagtail and four Grey Herons.

“It only takes one bird to make a day and what a bird it was.”

Another bird-watcher who caught the lucky sighting described the vulture as “an exceptionally cool bird in flight”.

“A very surreal moment seeing it in Scillionian air space,” he wrote on Twitter.

The identification of the species will be done by the British Birds Rarities Committee, and then passed to the British Ornithologists Union Records Committee to be verified or not as a true wild bird sighting, reports the BBC.

Professor Stuart Bearhop, an ecologist with the University of Exeter, told the broadcaster: “If proven to be of wild origin then it would be the first sighting for 150 years, maybe a bit longer. It’s an incredibly rare sighting.”

“I think people will travel to see it, people are looking at it as a once-in-a-century bird,” he added.

Egyptian vulture is a giant bird of prey which has a distinctive bright yellow face and a mane of feathers. It's one of the only birds of prey known to use tools when hunting.

Its extant population is between 12,000 and 38,000, according to BirdLife International.

Even though the bird was seen in Isles of Scilly, it's believed that it visited from northern France.

Egyptian vultures are mostly seen in northern Africa, southern Europe, and south western Asia.

Comments

The 10 Best Pet Sitting Apps of 2025: Compare Costs and Book Instantly

Trying to be a responsible dog owner is rewarding, but it’s also a huge commitment. Finding a last-minute dog walker for a late meeting, a trusted sitter for a vacation, or an affordable trainer can feel overwhelming. You need help that’s reliable, vetted, and available now. That’s where pet sitting apps come in. They connect you with a community of professional dog walkers, sitters, and trainers at the tap of a button. But which app is the right fit for your needs and budget? We’ve broken down the top ten platforms that are leveraging artificial intelligence and advanced technology to provide exceptional care for your pets. We also analyzed hundreds of user reviews, compared features, and tested platforms to bring you the most current information on finding reliable, tech-enhanced pet care. Whether you need occasional dog walking, overnight sitting, or specialized medical care, these apps combine human expertise with technological innovation to ensure your pet receives the best p...

The Best Fish Feed in Nigeria for Catfish: Why Quality Matters

A few months ago, I visited a fish farm run by an ambitious aquapreneur who had high hopes for his homemade fish feed. His pond was large, his vision clear: this feed would cut costs, boost growth, and drive profitability. But within a week, disaster struck. Fish floated belly-up. Growth stalled. The numbers didn’t add up. The problem wasn’t the fish. It was the feed. The catfish were growing exactly as they were fed: poorly. Just as fish can’t flourish on empty calories, a farm can’t succeed on subpar feed. The right nutrition makes the difference between a thriving business and a sinking investment. In Nigeria’s competitive catfish farming industry, choosing the best feed isn’t just about cost, it’s about protein content, digestibility, floatability, and growth performance. The wrong feed leads to stunted growth, higher mortality, and lost profits. The right one maximizes yield, health, and market value. In this article, we’ll explore:...

How Much Does It Really Cost to Start a Catfish Farm in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt in 2025?

After the Nigerian government hinted at a possible ban on fish importation , my inbox began to fill with a familiar question from would-be fish farmers in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt: “Can I start a catfish farm now and do it for less?” It’s a timely concern. With import restrictions looming and demand for locally raised fish climbing, 2025 could be a turning point for Nigeria’s aquaculture industry. But while the opportunity is real, the path to profitability depends on where you set up, how lean your operations are, and whether you can balance cost-cutting with quality production. A Market on the Edge of Change Nigeria needs an estimated 3.2 million metric tonnes of fish annually. Yet local production meets barely 30% of that demand. The rest comes from imports mainly mackerel, sardines, and tilapia; worth over ₦500 billion annually. A potential import ban would create an immediate supply gap, and catfish is perfectly positioned to fill it. Already a staple in Nigerian homes and...

Trojanpost