The following has been adapted from original text by Stephen F. Newton, Kate Thompson and P. Ian Mitchell in Seabird Populations of Britain and Ireland (with permission from A&C Black, London).
Manx shearwaters spend most of the year at sea returning to land only to breed. They nest in burrows and under boulders, and come ashore only under the hours of darkness in order to evade predators such as great skuas and great black-backed gulls. They breed exclusively on islands, usually free of rats Rattus sp. that depredate eggs, chicks and adults. Manx shearwaters were believed to have been exterminated from their eponymous colony on the Calf of Man by the introduction of rats from a wrecked ship in the late 18th Century. More recently rats and cats Felis catus were responsible for the extirpation of Manx shearwaters from Canna (Lochaber). Those few colonies that occur on islands with rats are generally small and limited in distribution. The exception is on Rum (Lochaber), where the largest single colony in the world coexists with rats, though there is evidence that deleterious impacts are occurring. Coexistence has been allowed by shearwaters nesting on the slopes of the island's mountains at altitudes of more than 450 m – higher than rats normally occur, though milder winters in recent years may be increasing the habitable range of rats into the shearwaters' range.
Most of the estimated world population of c. 340,000–410,000 pairs of Manx shearwaters breed in Britain and Ireland. Of the UK population, 40% breed on Rum, and 50% in Pembrokeshire on the adjacent islands of Skomer, Skokholm and Middleholm (all Dyfed).
Conservation status
Manx shearwater 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 – migratory species
International importance
UK Population |
% Biogeographic Population |
% World Population |
299,700 AOS* |
n/a |
79.9 |
* AOS = Apparently Occupied Sites
The UK population figure (rounded to the nearest hundred) 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)
Manx shearwaters' nocturnal and subterranean habits have caused problems for surveyors in the past. Hence, Operation Seafarer and the SCR Census' estimates of 175,000–300,000 pairs and 250,000–300,000 pairs respectively were based solely on order of magnitude estimates and should not be compared to results obtained during Seabird 2000 which represent the first attempt to survey and quantify accurately the number of Manx shearwaters breeding in the UK. Surveyors used tape-playback which involved playing calls of Manx shearwaters to elicit a response from adults occupying burrows during the day. Unfortunately, not all adults present at a colony will respond to the taped calls, thus counts of responses will underestimate numbers and therefore have to be adjusted by a response rate measured at the colony. Some colonies were also surveyed by counting burrow entrances that had visible signs of use, though this method is difficult or impossible to use in colonies that are shared with other burrowers (i.e. rabbits and Atlantic puffins), or where burrow entrances are obscured (i.e. under boulders or in thick vegetation).
The main gaps in survey coverage in the UK were in the Northern Isles (where only relict populations remain), Bearasay, Eigg and Muck, and the Sanda Islands (Argyll and Bute). However, the combined population of all these islands is thought to be no more than 1,000 apparently occupied burrows.
|
Operation Seafarer (1969-70) |
Seabird Colony Register (1985-88) |
Seabird 2000 (1998–2002) |
UK Population estimate (AOS*) |
n/a |
n/a |
299,678 |
% 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 Manx shearwater found in different regions, and a map showing location and size of colonies, are provided in the Seabird 2000 Manx shearwater 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 Manx shearwater colonies are monitored to allow the production of valid annual abundance trends for any of the regions covered by the SMP.
Productivity
The number of Manx shearwater colonies monitored for productivity is only sufficient to allow the production of a UK trend. This is provided in the section below.
United Kingdom
Breeding abundance
The first comprehensive estimate of Manx shearwater UK population size was obtained during the Seabird 2000 census (1998–2002), when 300,000 AOS were estimated. Over 90% of the UK population is found on the islands of Rum in Scotland and Skomer, Skokholm and Midland in Wales. All three of these Welsh colonies were re-surveyed in 20181 and the population is now estimated to be 500,000 pairs1. The most recent population estimate from Rum was 76,0002. It is, therefore, possible that the UK population of Manx shearwaters is approximately 600,000 pairs, representing an increase of 50% since Seabird 2000.
Productivity
Figure 1. Trend in breeding productivity (no. of chicks fledged per pair) of Manx shearwater in the UK, 1986–2019. Based on SMP data; view the methods of analysis.
Because of the logistical difficulties involved, both in visiting remote islands and collecting data from a nocturnal burrow-nesting seabird, productivity is monitored at only a few Manx shearwater colonies in the UK (three colonies in Wales, two in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland). Analysis has shown that there is no statistically significant annual variation in productivity within the sampled colonies, with Manx shearwaters fledging an average of 0.65 chicks per breeding pair per year between 1986 and 2019.
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 |
126,545 |
% change since previous census |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
*AOS = Apparently Occupied Sites
Breeding abundance
The first comprehensive estimate of Manx shearwater population size in Scotland (126,545 AOS) was obtained during the Seabird 2000 Census. The majority of these were found on Rum (120,000 AOS), with a further 4,803 AOS found on the island group of St Kilda. Due to the logistical difficulty in monitoring this nocturnal and burrow-nesting species, no information exists on population trends at these two largest colonies since Seabird 2000. The only other colony holding over one thousand pairs at the time of Seabird 2000 was the Treshnish Isles (1,283 AOS). These were re-surveyed in 2018 when 1,992 AOS were recorded, an increase of 55%.
Productivity
Productivity data are currently collected on Rum, Canna and Sanday. Analysis of data from these colonies showed an average productivity of 0.62 chicks fledged per AOS per year between 1986 and 2018. Due to an unusual period of prolonged bad weather, the 2019 productivity dataset for Rum was incomplete. On Canna, Manx shearwaters used to be present in good numbers (1,500 AOS in the mid-1970s) but suffered very poor productivity due to predation by brown rats Rattus norvegicus and, by 2000, had been virtually wiped out3,4. Following rat eradication in 20065, the first nesting shearwater was detected in 2009 but, by 2019, this had grown to only two nests. However, productivity has increased from an average of 0.6 in the 1980s to 0.90 chicks fledged per pair between 2015 and 20196.
The shearwater colony on Rum is subject to predation by a large population of brown rats. The impact of this predation is unclear and it is not known whether the colony is stable or declining7. Productivity in study plots on Rum averaged 0.66 chicks fledged per pair between 1986 to 20186.
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 |
367 |
% change since previous census |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
*AOS = Apparently Occupied Sites
Breeding abundance
At the time of the Seabird 2000 census, the relatively few Manx shearwaters breeding in England were located at several sites on the Isles of Scilly (201 AOS), and on the island of Lundy (166 AOS). A project to eradicate rats from Lundy, completed in spring 2004, appears to have benefited breeding Manx shearwaters, with a series of whole-island surveys showing a significant increase in the population since Seabird 2000; with 1,081 AOS in 2008, 3,451 AOS in 2013 and 5,504 AOB in 2018 – almost 15 times the English population found during Seabird 20008,9. A survey of the Isles of Scilly in 201510 found 439 AOS on the same islands counted during Seabird 2000, however, an additional 84 AOS were also found at five other locations11, an increase of 160% since Seabird 2000.
Productivity
No systematic data on the productivity of Manx shearwaters 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 |
168,133 |
% change since previous census |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
*AOS = Apparently Occupied Sites
Breeding abundance
The first comprehensive estimate of Manx shearwater population size in Wales (168,133 AOS) was obtained during the Seabird 2000 census, when 101,800 AOS were estimated on Skomer, 46,200 AOS on Skokholm and a maximum of 16,183 AOS on Bardsey. Smaller colonies of 1,000 to 3,000 AOS were recorded on Midland and Ramsey.
Until recently, little information existed on Manx shearwater population trends in Wales. However, Skomer, Skokholm and Midland were re-surveyed in 20181 resulting in a combined estimate of 456,000 AOS (CI ± 112,000 (excluding Midland)). Bardsey Island, which hosts the third largest colony in the UK, was surveyed between 2014 and 2016 when an estimated 20,675 AOS were recorded. Together with Ramsey (5,000 AOS), the total Welsh population is now estimated to be 500,000 AOS1.
Productivity
Manx shearwater productivity data in Wales are currently collected from colonies on Skomer, Bardsey, and Skokholm. Since 1995, mean productivity in Wales has been relatively high but variable. Detailed monitoring and reporting on Skomer has highlighted some of the problems faced by the Manx shearwaters breeding there. Very low productivity on Skomer was recorded between 1992 and 1994; the reasons for this are unclear, although very wet weather in May 1993 (the poorest breeding season to date) flooded many burrows. On Skomer in 2012, lack of food around hatching time was considered to have had the highest effect on productivity (0.41 fledged young per egg laid), although wet weather and the flooding of a small number of burrows may also have contributed. In 2014, the highest productivity was recorded since 1998 (0.71) but then declined to reach 0.45 in 2018, the second lowest figure since studies began in 1995, and the lowest since 2012. In 2019, productivity on Skomer was 0.52 chicks fledged per pair, an increase of 0.07 since 2018 (0.45) but 0.08 lower than the 2012–2019 average (0.60)12. In 2019, Bardsey had the most successful Manx shearwater breeding season since 2005, with productivity higher than the mean (0.74 ±s.e.0.03) at 0.77 chicks fledged per pair.
Northern 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 |
4,633 |
% change since previous census |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
*AOS = Apparently Occupied Sites
Breeding abundance
The first comprehensive Manx shearwater population size estimates in Northern Ireland were obtained during the Seabird 2000 census. Only two colonies are known, both on the Copeland Islands; with Big Copeland estimated to hold 1,766 AOS, and a further 2,867 AOS on nearby Lighthouse Island (total 4,633). The islands were re-surveyed in 2007, when 1,406 AOS were recorded on Big Copeland and 3,444 AOS on Lighthouse Island (total 4,850) indicating that numbers had changed little overall13. Changes at the respective islands between these two censuses (-20% on Big Island and +20% on Lighthouse) may be associated with logistical difficulties in surveying this nocturnal, burrow-nesting species. No data have been submitted to the SMP since 2007.
Productivity
Productivity data were collected annually on Lighthouse Island, one of the Copeland Islands, between 2007 and 201314, with an average of 0.73 chicks fledged per pair per year during that period. In 2018, a sample of 117 study burrows on Lighthouse Island contained 31 chicks in August. If this is assumed to be the number of chicks that subsequently fledged, productivity was an average of 0.78 chicks per pair. Methods, however, have differed between years; therefore, this estimate should be treated with caution15.
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 |
32,545 |
% change since previous census |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
*AOS = Apparently Occupied Sites
Breeding abundance
During Seabird 2000, 32,545 Manx shearwater AOS were recorded in the Republic of Ireland, although several small colonies, each probably holding a few hundred pairs, were not surveyed. The main concentration of colonies was in the south-west on the offshore islands of County Kerry, several of which held between 2,000–10,000 AOS. In County Galway, Cruagh held 3,286 AOS with small numbers on a couple of other islands. A few small colonies were recorded in counties Wexford and Dublin. Due to the logistical difficulty in monitoring this nocturnal and burrow-nesting species, no information exists as to population trends since Seabird 2000. The recent Republic of Ireland seabird census (2015–2018) did not publish data on Manx shearwater due to ongoing survey work16.
Productivity
No systematic data on Manx shearwater 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 |
37,178 |
% change since previous census |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
*AOS = Apparently Occupied Sites
Breeding abundance
The first comprehensive estimate of Ireland’s Manx shearwater population size was obtained during the Seabird 2000 census, when 37,178 pairs were recorded. The majority of these (approximately 33,000 pairs) were found in the Republic of Ireland where many colonies exist on offshore islands. In contrast, only two colonies are known in Northern Ireland, both on the Copeland Islands. During Seabird 2000, Big Copeland was estimated to hold 1,766 pairs with a further 2,867 pairs on nearby Lighthouse Island (total 4,633). The islands were re-surveyed in 2007, when 1,406 pairs were recorded on Big Copeland and 3,444 pairs on Lighthouse Island (total 4,850) indicating that numbers had changed little overall13. Changes at the respective islands between these two censuses (-20% on Big Island and +20% on Lighthouse) may be associated with logistical difficulties in surveying this nocturnal, burrow-nesting species. For the same reason, no other information exists as to population trends for the whole of Ireland since Seabird 2000. The recent Republic of Ireland seabird census (2015–2018) did not publish data on Manx shearwater due to on-going survey work16.
Productivity
No systematic data on Manx shearwater productivity in the Republic of Ireland have been submitted to the SMP. Data are only available from Northern Ireland where productivity was monitored annually on Lighthouse Island, one of the Copeland Islands, between 2007 and 201313,14. On average 0.73 chicks were fledged per pair per year during that period. In 2018, a sample of 117 study burrows contained 31 chicks in August. If this is assumed to be the number of chicks that subsequently fledged, productivity was an average of 0.78 chicks per pair. Methods, however, differed between years; therefore, this productivity estimate should be treated with caution15. No data from Lighthouse Island have been submitted to the SMP since 2013.
Isle of Man
Population estimates and change 1969–2002 (census data)
|
Operation Seafarer (1969-70) |
Seabird Colony Register (1985-88) |
Seabird 2000 (1998–2002) |
Isle of Man Census (2017-18) |
Population estimate (AOS*) |
n/a |
n/a |
34 |
536 |
% change since previous census |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
+1,576 |
*AOS = Apparently Occupied Sites
Breeding abundance
The Isle of Man Manx shearwater population is small and confined to the Calf of Man and, during Seabird 2000, only 34 AOS were recorded. In 2005, tape playback methods obtained responses from 104 burrows and 91 burrows were found to be occupied in 2010. Since the completion of a rat eradication programme, during the autumn and winter of 2012/13, the population has increased substantially; counts of apparently occupied burrows between 2015 and 2018 recorded 464, 265, 400 and in each year respectively17. In 2019, 650 AOS were recorded.
Productivity
No systematic Isle of Man Manx shearwater productivity data have been submitted to the SMP.
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 |
55 |
10 |
% change since previous census |
n/a |
n/a |
-82 |
*AOS = Apparently Occupied Sites
Breeding abundance
The Channel Islands Manx shearwater population declined from 55 AOS during the Seabird Colony Register to 10 AOS during the Seabird 2000 census. During the Channel Island Seabird Census of 2015, several burrows were identified that may have been occupied in the traditional breeding area on the island of Jethou and, in 2016, Manx shearwaters were heard calling over Burhou, Alderney. Further survey work is, therefore, required to ascertain the current size of the Manx shearwater population18.
Productivity
No systematic Channel Islands Manx shearwater productivity data have been submitted to the SMP.
UK phenology, diet, survival rates
Phenology
No systematic data on phenology (timing of life-cycle events) have been collected as part of the SMP.
Diet
No data on diet have been collected as part of the SMP.
Survival rate
Survival estimates include birds that are not seen one year but which re-appear in following years.
Figure 2 shows the annual estimated adult survival rate of breeding Manx shearwaters on Skomer Island (Dyfed), the only colony at which this parameter is monitored in the UK. Adult survival increased between 1994 and 2000, then declined gradually to 2016 (to a similar value as 1994) but had increased again by 201712. The survival rate for adult breeding Manx shearwaters in 2018 was 80%, slightly below the study average (1978–2018: 86%) and the average since the study became more robust in 1992 (1992–2017): 88%. These survival estimates are low, both in comparison with more detailed studies carried out in the 1960s and 70s on Skokholm (when adult survival was 93–96% and 94%, respectively) and with what might be expected for a species with such a low reproductive rate19,20.
Figure 2. Estimated adult survival rate of Manx shearwaters on Skomer, 1986–2018.
References
1 O'Connell, M., Brown, R., Büche, B., Eagle, G., Roden, J., Stubbings, E. and Wood, M. J. 2019. A census of breeding Manx Shearwaters Puffinus puffinus on the Pembrokeshire islands of Skomer, Skokholm and Midland in 2018. Seabird, 32, 106–118.
2 Murray, S., Shewry, M. C., Mudge, G. P.and Spray, S. 2003. A survey of Manx Shearwaters Puffinus puffinus on Rum, Inner Hebrides in 2001. Atlantic Seabirds, 5, 89–100.
3 Luxmoore, R., Swann, R. and Bell, E. 2019. Canna seabird recovery project: 10 years on. In: C.R. Veitch, M.N. Clout, A.R. Martin, J.C. Russell and C.J. West, eds. Island Invasives: Scaling up to meet the challenge, . IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, pp. 576–579.
4 Swann, R.L. 2005. Canna seabird studies 2003, JNCC Report No. 361, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.
5 Bell, E., Boyle, D., Floyd, K., Garner-Richards, P., Swann, B., Luxmoore, R., Patterson, A. and Thomas, R. 2011. The ground-based eradication of Norway rats Rattus norvegicus from the Isle of Canna, Inner Hebrides, Scotland. In: C. R. Veitch, M. N. Clout and D. R. Towns, eds. Island Invasives: Eradication and Management. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.
6 Swann, R.L., Aiton, D.G., Call, A., Foster, S., Graham, A., Graham, K. and Young, A. 2017. Canna seabird studies 2017. Unpublished JNCC Report. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.
7 Lambert, M., Carlisle, S. and Cain I. 2015. The role of brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) predation in determining breeding success of Manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus) on Rum. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report, No. 697.
8 Brown, A., Price, D., Slader, P., Booker, H., Lock, L. and Deveney, D. 2011. Seabirds on Lundy: their current status, recent history and prospects for the restoration of a once important bird area. British Birds, 104, 139–158.
9 Booker, H., Price, D., Slader, P., Frayling, T., Williams, T. and Bolton, M. 2019. Seabird recovery on Lundy population change in Manx Shearwaters and other seabirds in response to the eradication of rats. British Birds, 112, 217–230.
10 Heaney, V., and St Pierre, P. 2017. The status of seabirds breeding in the Isles of Scilly 2015/2016. Isles of Scilly Seabird Recovery Project Report 2015. Unpublished RSPB Report. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Sandy.
11 Perfect, E. 2019. Manx shearwater studies. In: A. John, ed. Bardsey Bird Observatory Report – A review of the wildlife of Bardsey Island in 2018, 160–173. Unpublished Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory report.
12 Wilkie, N.G., Zbijewska, S.M., Piggott, A.R., Hastie, V. and Wood, M.J. 2019. Seabird monitoring on Skomer Island in 2019. Unpublished JNCC Report, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.
13 Stewart, J. R. and Leonard, K. 2007. Survey of the Manx Shearwater Breeding Populations on Lighthouse Island and Big Copeland Island in 2007
14 Rhodes, K. 2017. MSc thesis: Ecological impact of rabbits and their role in providing nest sites for Manx Shearwaters, Lighthouse Island, Copelands, Northern Ireland. Queen’s University, Belfast.
15 Booth Jones, K. and Wolsey, S. 2019. Northern Ireland Seabird Report 2018. British Trust for Ornithology, Thetford.
16 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.
17 Hill, R.W., Morris, N. G., Bowman, and K. A., Wright, D. 2019. The Isle of Man Seabird Census: Report on the census of breeding seabirds in the Isle of Man 2017-18. Manx BirdLife. Laxey, Isle of Man.
18 Veron, M. and Veron, C. 2016. Seabird Count 2015; monitoring the status of Guernsey’s Seabirds. La Société Transactions, Channel Islands.
19 Harris, M.P. 1966. Age of return to the colony, age of breeding and adult survival of Manx Shearwaters. Bird Study, 13(1), 84–95.
20 Perrins, C.M. Harris, M.P and Britton, C.K. 1973. Survival of Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus. Ibis, 115, 535–548.
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 Manx shearwater appears courtesy of Ian Rendall ©, is subject to international copyright law and may not be reproduced in any form whatsoever.
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