↓ Read on to watch this amazing video
It’s fair to say that cliff jumping is a divisive pastime, and the lads in this video make that clear. This is a high-risk activity that can result in serious injury and only experienced jumpers who have performed a thorough risk assessment of the jump should attempt a jump of this magnitude.
Scotland is a popular destination for cliff jumpers, with its steep cliffs and crystal clear waters. In this short film, we see slow-motion footage of a skydiver jumping off a 150-foot cliff and colliding with a low-flying seabird before going overboard. He appears to have dragged the bird underwater, and we can’t tell if they’re okay after the collision. We hope they are!
Cliff jumpers face many dangers. They may misjudge a jump and throw themselves off a cliff. High winds can change their course and direct them onto rocks. Once in the water, the momentum of the fall can carry them many feet below the surface, where rocks and other underwater obstacles may be present.
If you are not a strong swimmer, there is also an increased risk of getting stuck in deep water. One scenario that most skydivers don’t consider in their risk assessment is hitting a bird!
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact species of this encounter, but the area has a rich diversity of birds. Gulls are abundant in Scotland and throughout the northern hemisphere. They have huge bodies, long beaks and wings, and strong legs. Their plumage can be white, gray or even black.
Razorbirds are another inhabitant of the area. It nests in colonies and is often seen around Lorne Bay. They get their name from their beaks, which have very sharp edges that help them catch fish and ward off predators. Razorbirds feed on crustaceans, worms and fish. In order to catch fish, they fly above the sea in search of delicious food. When they spot one, they can dive up to 400 feet below the surface to catch it. The last thing they want is a free-falling person dragging them below the surface. Hopefully their expertise in diving means the bird, though shocked, made it back to the surface!
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.