The following has been adapted from original text by P. Ian Mitchell and Stephen F. Newton in Seabird Populations of Britain and Ireland (with permission from A&C Black, London).
European storm-petrels are pelagic, returning to land only to breed, choosing to nest on remote offshore islands where nocturnal access by surveyors is often difficult and dangerous. They nest below ground, appearing above ground only during darkness and are much more widespread in the UK than Manx shearwaters and Leach's storm-petrels. These characteristics of European storm-petrel behaviour and distribution have meant that obtaining accurate estimates of breeding numbers has been virtually impossible.
Conservation status
European storm-petrel is currently identified as a conservation priority in the following:
- Amber listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 4 (2015 update)
- further information on Conservation Designations for UK Taxa
- Amber listed in Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland 2020–2026
- EC Birds Directive – listed in Annex I and as a migratory species
International importance
|
UK Population |
% Biogeographic Population |
% World Population |
|
24,260 AOS* |
5.2 (ssp. pelagicus) |
5.1 |
*AOS = Apparently Occupied Sites
The UK population figure was derived from data in Mitchell, P.I., Newton, S.F., Ratcliffe, N. and Dunn, T.E. (eds.) 2004. Seabird Populations of Britain and Ireland. Poyser, London. This was also the source of figures for the Biogeographic and World populations.
UK population estimates and change 1969–2002 (census data)
Both Operation Seafarer and the SCR Census had largely to guess at the location of many colonies, let alone make an accurate estimate of size. Consequently, the results of Seabird 2000 represented the first accurate baseline estimate of the number of European storm-petrels breeding in the UK. Tape-playback was used to count apparently occupied sites (AOS) of breeding European storm-petrels. The method involves playing the species' calls to elicit a response from adults occupying burrows during the day whilst incubating. Unfortunately not all adults present at a colony will respond to taped calls, thus counts of responses underestimate the number of AOS and have to be adjusted by a response rate measured at the colony.
Evidence of possible or probable breeding (e.g. birds present in suitable habitat during the breeding season) obtained during Operation Seafarer and SCR Census and from other sources was used as a basis for selection of sites to survey during Seabird 2000. However, of the 164 islands (in Britain and Ireland) that were surveyed for European storm-petrels during Seabird 2000, breeding had not previously been confirmed or suspected on 98 islands. Surveys were not possible on 17 islands (e.g. inaccessible colonies) where breeding was either confirmed or suspected during the last 30 years and on a further eight where breeding had been suggested from historical records prior to 1969. It is highly unlikely that any substantial colonies (i.e. greater than 100 pairs) were missed.
|
|
Operation Seafarer (1969-70) |
Seabird Colony Register (1985-88) |
Seabird 2000 (1998–2002) |
|
UK Population estimate (AOS*) |
n/a |
n/a |
25,650 |
|
% change since previous census |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
*AOS = Apparently Occupied Sites
For census results for individual countries and Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man see under relevant sections below.
Distribution/abundance
The Seabird 2000 census provides the most comprehensive recent assessment of the distribution and abundance of breeding seabirds. Numbers of European storm-petrel found in different regions, and a map showing location and size of colonies, is provided in the Seabird 2000 European storm-petrel results page.
The locations sampled during the annual Seabird Monitoring Programme provide some information on distribution and are accessible via the Seabird Monitoring Programme online database.
Annual abundance and productivity by geographical area
With reference to the regional accounts below please note the following:
Breeding abundance: graphs of abundance index with 95% confidence limits are only shown for a region where the trend produced has been deemed accurate (see methods of analysis). Where a trend was thought to be inaccurate, graphs of abundance at major colonies in a region may be shown instead, particularly if such colonies hold greater than 10% of the regional population, are monitored frequently and may thus help illustrate regional population fluctuations outwith national censuses. Occasionally, too few data have been collected regionally to produce either of these.
Productivity: graphs of estimated reproductive success (hereinafter referred to as productivity) are only shown if data analysis produced a significant result for regional and/or year effects (again see methods of analysis). If results were not significant, then a regional mean productivity value is given. However, on some occasions, too few data are available from which to provide a meaningful average.
Overview of all regions
Breeding abundance
An insufficient number of European storm-petrel colonies are monitored in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands, to allow the production of valid annual abundance trends.
Productivity
An insufficient number of European storm-petrel colonies are monitored in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands, to allow the production of valid annual productivity trends.
United Kingdom
Breeding Abundance
The first comprehensive estimate of European storm-petrel population size was obtained during the Seabird 2000 Census, when 25,650 AOS were recorded. Due to the logistical difficulty in monitoring this nocturnal and burrow-nesting species, little information exists on population trends since then, although survey work at the largest UK colony on Mousa was carried out frequently between 2008 and 2015. In 2008, Mousa was estimated to hold 11,781 AOS, an almost 120% increase on the 5,410 AOS recorded during Seabird 2000. A tape playback survey in 2015 estimated the population size to be 10,778 AOS1, which still represented an almost 100% increase since Seabird 2000. A similar increase of 109% occurred on the Treshnish Isles of Fladda, Lunga and Sgeir a' Chaisteil from 4,127 in 1996 to 8,664 AOS in 2018. In 2019, 4,640 AOS were recorded on Priest Island, a 5% increase since Seabird 2000 (4,400 AOS). These recent counts may reflect an overall increase in the UK European storm-petrel population size, although this will only be known for certain when the Seabirds Count (2015–2021) census is complete.
Productivity
No systematic data on European storm-petrel productivity in the UK have been submitted to the SMP.
Scotland
Population estimates and change 1969–2002 (census data)
|
|
Operation Seafarer (1969-70) |
Seabird Colony Register (1985-88) |
Seabird 2000 (1998–2002) |
|
Population estimate (AOS*) |
n/a |
n/a |
21,370 |
|
% change since previous census |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
*AOS = Apparently Occupied Sites
Breeding Abundance
Seabird 2000 estimated that Scotland held 21,370 European storm-petrel AOS, the first comprehensive estimate obtained for the species. Almost all colonies are found on offshore islands to the west and north of the mainland. Over 50 colonies are known but only three held more than 1,000 AOS during Seabird 2000; Mousa (5,410 AOS (from data re-analysed in 2010, originally 6,800 AOS)2, Treshnish Isles (5,040 AOS) and Priest Island (4,400 AOS). Due to the logistical difficulty in monitoring this nocturnal and burrow-nesting species, little information on population trends since Seabird 2000 exists. A tape playback survey on Mousa in 2015 estimated a population size of 10,778 AOS1, which represented an almost 100% increase since Seabird 2000. A similar increase of 109% occurred on the Treshnish Isles of Fladda, Lunga and Sgeir a' Chaisteil from 4,127 in 1996 to 8,664 AOS in 2018. In 2019, 4,640 AOS were recorded on Priest Island, a 5% increase since Seabird 2000 (4,400 AOS). These recent counts may reflect an overall increase in the Scottish European storm-petrel population, although this will only be known for certain when the Seabirds Count (2015–2021) census is complete.
Productivity
No systematic data on European storm-petrel productivity in Scotland have been submitted to the SMP.
England
Population estimates and change 1969–2002 (census data)
|
|
Operation Seafarer (1969-70) |
Seabird Colony Register (1985-88) |
Seabird 2000 (1998–2002) |
|
Population estimate (AOS*) |
n/a |
n/a |
1,475 |
|
% change since previous census |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
*AOS = Apparently Occupied Sites
Breeding Abundance
In England, European storm-petrel is confined as a breeding species to the Isles of Scilly. Intensive surveys during Seabird 2000, covering all islands in the archipelago, found 11 colonies and estimated a total population of 1,475 AOS with the majority of these on Annet (938). Melledgan (140 AOS) and Round Island (183 AOS) were the only other islands to hold over 100 AOS. A repeat survey of the archipelago in 2015 found 14 colonies holding 1,299 AOS3, indicating that the English population on the islands may have experienced a slight decline since Seabird 2000. Since the removal of rats in the winter of 2013/14, European storm petrels have started to breed annually on St. Agnes, since 2015, and on Gugh, since 2016. In 2019, a total of 13 AOS were recorded on both islands4.
Productivity
No systematic data on the productivity of European storm-petrels in England have been submitted to the SMP.
Wales
Population estimates and change 1969–2002 (census data)
|
|
Operation Seafarer (1969-70) |
Seabird Colony Register (1985-88) |
Seabird 2000 (1998–2002) |
|
Population estimate (AOS*) |
n/a |
n/a |
2,805 |
|
% change since previous census |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
*AOS = Apparently Occupied Sites
Breeding Abundance
Seabird 2000 recorded 2,805 European storm-petrels AOS at six colonies in Wales. Only one small colony was found in Gwynedd on Bardsey Island, with the other five in Dyfed. The largest colony was on Skokholm where 2,450 AOS were recorded. Due to the logistical difficulty in monitoring this nocturnal and burrow-nesting species, little information exists on population trends, with all recent data collected from a few small colonies on Bishop and Clerks Islands, and Grassholm. In 2010, 149 AOS were recorded on the Bishop and Clerks Islands compared to 108 AOS during Seabird 2000. The small colony on Grassholm (where 4, 3 and 11 AOS were recorded in 2010, 2012 and 2014 respectively), was unknown at the time of Seabird 2000. On Ramsey Island, seven AOS were recorded in 2018. For the first time since monitoring began, two AOS were found in 2018 on Midland which is part of the Skomer, Skokholm and the Seas off Pembrokeshire SPA.
Productivity
No systematic data on European storm-petrel productivity in Wales have been submitted to the SMP.
Northern Ireland
European storm-petrel does not breed in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland
Population estimates and change 1969–2002 (census data)
|
|
Operation Seafarer (1969-70) |
Seabird Colony Register (1985-88) |
Seabird 2000 (1998–2002) |
|
Population estimate (AOS*) |
n/a |
n/a |
99,065 |
|
% change since previous census |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
*AOS = Apparently Occupied Sites
Breeding Abundance
During Seabird 2000, 30 colonies in the Republic of Ireland were known to hold breeding European storm-petrels, all located on the west coast between counties Kerry and Donegal. Of these, 12 were surveyed but numbers at the remaining colonies could only be estimated. Surveyed colonies held 57,110 AOS with another 41,955 AOS estimated for colonies not surveyed. The largest colonies surveyed were all in Co. Kerry; Inishtooskert (27,297 AOS), Great Skellig (9,994 AOS), Inishvickillane (6,394 AOS) and Puffin Island (5,177 AOS). The largest colony for which only an estimate was made was Inishtearaght at 15,000 AOS, with five others each estimated to hold between 3,000 and 8,000 AOS.
As part of the recent Republic of Ireland Seabird Census (2015–2018)5, European storm-petrels estimates were published from four islands off the coast of Kerry. However, due to uncertainty regarding the methods used during Seabird 2000, comparison with these population estimates was not possible6,7. The recent estimates were 1,904 AOS on Great Skellig, 3,050 AOS on Inishtooskert, 32,101 AOS on Inishvickillane, and 0 AOS on Puffin Island.
Productivity
No systematic data on European storm-petrel productivity in the Republic of Ireland have been submitted to the SMP.
All Ireland
Population estimates and change 1969–2002 (census data)
|
|
Operation Seafarer (1969-70) |
Seabird Colony Register (1985-88) |
Seabird 2000 (1998–2002) |
|
Population estimate (AOS*) |
n/a |
n/a |
99,065 |
|
% change since previous census |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
*AOS = Apparently Occupied Sites
Breeding Abundance
Within Ireland, European storm-petrel nests only in the Republic of Ireland. Thus, all data and text for the Republic of Ireland are also pertinent to the status of the species for the whole of Ireland.
Productivity
No systematic data on productivity have been collected as part of the SMP.
Isle of Man
European storm-petrel does not breed on the Isle of Man.
Channel Islands
Population estimates and change 1969–2002 (census data)
|
|
Operation Seafarer (1969-70) |
Seabird Colony Register (1985-88) |
Seabird 2000 (1998–2002) |
|
Population estimate (AOS*) |
n/a |
n/a |
60 |
|
% change since previous census |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
*AOS = Apparently Occupied Sites
Breeding Abundance
During Seabird 2000, only one colony in the Channel Islands was surveyed, Burhou which lies off the coast of Alderney. This small colony held 60 AOS in 2002. Several more colonies are suspected to exist but probably hold no more than a few AOS. Routine monitoring at Burhou recorded 90 AOS in 2006, falling to 40 AOS in 2008 and 28 AOS in 2011. The recent Channel Islands seabird census estimated 3,000 individuals to be present, although this was based on ringing data collected over a three-year period (2014 to 2016)8 and cannot be compared with the Seabird 2000 census estimate which used the tape playback method.
Productivity
No systematic data on the productivity of European storm-petrels on the Channel Islands have been submitted to the SMP.
UK phenology, diet, survival rates
No data have been collected as part of the Seabird Monitoring Programme.
References
1 Bolton, M., Sheehan, D., Bolton, S.E., Bolton J.A.C. and Bolton J.R.F. 2017. Resurvey reveals arrested population growth of the largest UK colony of European Storm-petrels Hydrobates pelagicus, Mousa, Shetland. Seabird, 30, 15–30.
2 Bolton, M., Brown, J.G., Moncrieff, H., Ratcliffe, N. and Okill, J.D. 2010. Playback re-survey and demographic modelling indicate a substantial increase in breeding European Storm-petrels Hydrobates pelagicus at the largest UK colony, Mousa, Shetland. Seabird, 23, 14–24.
3 Heaney, V., and St Pierre, P. 2015. The status of seabirds breeding in the Isles of Scilly 2015. Isles of Scilly Seabird Recovery Project Report 2015. Unpublished RSPB Report, Sandy.
4 Heaney, V. 2020. Seabird Technical Report 2019 – Seabird Monitoring and Research. Unpublished Report to Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust.
5 Cummins, S., Lauder, C., Lauder, A. and Tierney, T. D. 2019. The Status of Ireland’s Breeding Seabirds: Birds Directive Article 12 Reporting 2013–2018. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 114. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Ireland.
6 Arneill G. and J. Quinn 2018. Census of European storm petrels (Hydrobates pelagicus) on multiple islands off the south-west coast of Ireland. Unpublished report for National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Ireland.
7 O’Connor, M., Arneill, G., Greer, A. and E. Crowley. 2019. Burrow Nesting Seabird Survey in the south-west of Ireland. Unpublished report for National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Ireland.
8 Veron, M. and Veron, C. 2016. Seabird Count 2015; monitoring the status of Guernsey’s Seabirds. La Société Transactions, Channel Islands.
Partners
Data have been provided to the SMP by the generous contributions of its partners, other organisations and volunteers throughout Britain and Ireland. Partners to the SMP are: BirdWatch Ireland; The British Trust for Ornithology; Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland); Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (Isle of Man); Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (Republic of Ireland); JNCC; Manx Birdlife; Manx National Heritage; The National Trust; National Trust for Scotland; Natural England; Natural Resources Wales; NatureScot; The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; Scottish Wildlife Trust; Seabird Group; Shetland Oil Terminal Environmental Advisory Group; States of Guernsey Government; UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. More about the SMP partners >>
Image of European storm-petrel appears courtesy of Ian Rendall ©, is subject to international copyright law and may not be reproduced in any form whatsoever.
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