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Razorbill (Alca torda)

The following has been adapted from original text by Oscar J. Merne & P. Ian Mitchell in Seabird Populations of Britain and Ireland (with permission from A&C Black, London).

 

The razorbill is a bird of the temperate North Atlantic and adjacent parts of the Arctic Ocean. They breed on both sides of the Atlantic and in the east they breed as far south as Brittany (France), north to Svalbard (Norway) and east to the White Sea in north-west Russia. Razorbills breeding in the British Isles winter along the Atlantic coast of Europe from southwest Norway to Iberia and North Africa, and into the western Mediterranean. Immature birds move significantly further away from their natal colonies than do adults and generally further south, though occasionally they stray west as far as Greenland and the Azores.

Razorbills breed mainly on small ledges or in cracks of rocky cliffs and in associated scree, and on boulder-fields. Rarely, colonies have been found up to 300 m inland. Razorbills are usually associated with colonies of other seabirds, and small numbers scattered among large concentrations of common guillemots and black-legged kittiwakes can easily be overlooked. Razorbill 'nest' sites are usually hidden from view, but the presence of a colony is clearly indicated by the attendance of off-duty birds standing close by. Since it is not usually possible to count occupied sites, the species is difficult to census. Hence, prior to Operation Seafarer (1969-70), very little was known about its numbers and population trends in the UK. Furthermore, interpreting differences between Operation Seafarer (1969-70) and the SCR Census (1985-88) is difficult, since most counts during Operation Seafarer were expressed as pairs, while the SCR Census counted the number of individuals. Despite methodological differences between the two censuses, during 1969–1988, there appeared to be an increase in the total number of razorbills breeding.

Conservation status

Razorbill is currently identified as a conservation priority in the following:

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International importance

UK Population

Biogeographic Population

% World Population

187,100 Individuals

23.6 (ssp. islandica)

20.2

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.

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UK population estimates and change 1969–2002 (census data)

The count unit for razorbills is individuals (on suitable breeding ledges), which may include off-duty adults, non-breeders and immature birds, as well as – where nests are visible – brooding and incubating birds. At a few sites it is possible to count apparently occupied sites or nests (AOS or AON). However, in order to compare counts between years, all counts of AOS and AON were divided by 0.67 to estimate the equivalent count of individuals. In Seabird 2000, only 3% of the population estimate (in terms of birds) was converted from counts of AOS and AON, comparable to the SCR Census when converted counts comprised 5% of the total estimate. In contrast, 78% of the total population estimate of razorbills in Operation Seafarer was expressed as pairs (i.e. AOS or AON). However, it is unclear how surveyors determined 'pairs' present in each colony. Therefore, comparisons of Operation Seafarer data with subsequent counts of individuals should be treated with caution.

During Seabird 2000 and the SCR Census survey, methods prescribed counting razorbills between 1 and 21 June, to coincide with the late incubation and main nestling period, and during 08:00 to 16:00 hrs (BST) to coincide with the periods of most consistent attendance by birds at the colony. This may not necessarily coincide with the maximum numbers of birds attending the cliffs during a season, but instead provides the most comparable measure of attendance when using one-off counts. In Seabird 2000, 43% of counts were conducted during this period and time, with a further 21% in the prescribed period, but either outwith the correct time or the time was not noted. During the SCR Census, only 37% of counts were conducted on the correct dates but actual time was never recorded. These count windows were not prescribed during Operation Seafarer and so some counts were carried out later in July or even in early August when many successful adults would have left with their chicks and when failed breeders would have deserted, resulting in an underestimate.

 

Operation Seafarer    

(1969-70)

Seabird Colony Register    

(1985-88)

Seabird 2000    

(1998–2002)

UK Population estimate (Individuals)

132,734

154,219

187,052

% change since previous census

n/a

+16

+21

For census results for individual countries and Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man see under relevant sections below.

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Distribution/abundance

The Seabird 2000 census provides the most comprehensive recent assessment of the distribution and abundance of breeding seabirds. Numbers of razorbill found in different regions, and a map showing the locations and size of colonies, is provided in the Seabird 2000 razorbill 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.

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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 of productivity data 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.

Note: for clarity, the Figure 1 ‘Overview of all regions’ abundance graph does not include confidence limits. These can be found in the respective regional accounts below.

 

Overview of all regions

Breeding abundance

RA abundance summary.jpg

Figure 1. Trends in abundance index of razorbill 1986–2019. UK (red), Scotland (blue) and Wales (orange). Further details, including 95% confidence limits, can be found in the sections below. Based on SMP data; view the methods of analysis.

 

The razorbill abundance trend indices for all three countries declined slightly after monitoring began in 1986 but had recovered by 1992 (Figure 1). Since then, they have remained at, or above, the baseline. After 2005, all three indexes underwent a period of decline, which was most pronounced in Scotland, However, for much of the last decade, the indices have been increasing, and in Wales markedly so. Since 2017, the Scotland and England indices have been in decline, although Wales has continued to increase.

The number of colonies monitored frequently by the SMP are only sufficient to allow meaningful abundance trends to be produced for the UK, Scotland and Wales.

 

Productivity

RA productivity summary.jpg

Figure 2. Trend in UK breeding productivity (no. of chicks fledged per pair) of razorbill 1986–2019. UK (red) and Scotland (blue). Further details can be found in the sections below. Based on SMP data; view the methods of analysis.

 

A large proportion of the razorbill sites monitored for productivity are based in Scotland and, as such, the UK and Scotland trends are closely matched. Both trends were relatively stable between 1986 and 1998, after which they declined to a low point in 2008. Since then, they have increased, although have not reached the level they were at in the 1990s.

The number of colonies monitored frequently by the SMP are only sufficient to allow meaningful productivity trends to be produced for the UK and Scotland.

 

United Kingdom

Breeding abundance

RA UK abundance.jpg

Figure 3. Trend in UK abundance index (solid line) of razorbill 1986–2019 with 95% confidence limits (dotted lines). Based on SMP data; view the methods of analysis.

 

Census results show that the UK razorbill population increased by 16% between 1969-70 and 1985-88, and a further 21% by Seabird 2000 (1998–2002) to over 187,000 individuals. After a period of stability between 1986 and 1991, the SMP trend index (Figure 3) increased steadily until 2003, when it was 91% above the baseline. Between 2005 and 2010, the index declined, possibly as a result of so-called 'density-dependent' effects, where growth at some colonies slowed or reversed when competition for space and food reached critically high levels. In autumn 2007, a ‘wreck’ of adult razorbills in the Skagerrak (the strait between Denmark, Norway and Sweden) and North Sea, most of which originated from Scottish colonies (see Scotland section), may also have contributed to the declining trend. The index has risen since 2010, with 2017 recording the highest index value to date (143% above), although the wide confidence intervals mean this apparent increase should be treated with caution. The trend has declined since then and was 95% above the baseline in 2019.

Table 1 below shows how numbers have changed at some of the most important UK and Republic of Ireland colonies within the Special Protection Area (SPA) network in the period since they were surveyed for Seabird 2000. The largest declines have been at SPAs in northern and western Scotland, while those in England and Wales have all increased.

 

Table 1. Recent counts of the number of razorbill (IND) recorded in UK and Republic of Ireland SPAs compared to the number recorded during Seabird 2000. The percentage that each colony has changed between counts, and the per annum change, is also provided. (Note: data for St Abb's Head relate to only part of the SPA).

Area

SPA Name

Seabird 2000 (Year)

Recent count (Year)

Change (%)

per annum

Shetland

Foula

4,200 2000

559 2007

-87

-25.0

Shetland

Fair Isle

3,599 2000

1,930 2015

-46

-4.1

Orkney

West Westray Cliffs

2,412 1999

982 2017

-59

-4.9

East Coast

Troup, Pennan and Lion's Heads

4,831 2001

4,422 2017

-8

-0.6

East Coast

Fowlsheugh

6,362 1999

14,063 2018

+121

+4.3

East Coast

Forth Islands

4,830 2001

5,466 2018

+13

+0.7

East Coast

St Abb's Head NNR

2,214 1998

2,683 2018

+21

+1.0

East Coast

Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs

8,539 2000

27,967 2017

+228

+7.2

The Minch

Handa

16,991 2001

8,207 2019

-52

-4.0

The Minch

Shiant Isles

8,046 1999

8,029 2015

0

0

The Minch

Mingulay and Berneray

22,900 1998

17,400 2014

-24

-1.7

Irish Sea

Rathlin Island

20,860 1999

22,975 2011

+10

+0.8

Irish Sea

Skomer and Skokholm

5,306 2000

10,120 2018

+91

+3.7

Irish Sea

Lambay Island

4,337 1999

7,353 2017

+70

+3.0

 

Productivity

RA UK productivity.jpg

Figure 4. Trend in UK productivity (no. of chicks fledged per pair) of razorbill, 1986–2019. Based on SMP data; view the methods of analysis.

 

Razorbill productivity in the UK was relatively stable from 1986 to 2001 but then declined to a low point in 2008, when only 0.38 chicks were fledged per pair. Between 2010 and 2017, however, there was a steep upward trend to 0.65 chicks fledged per pair. In 2019, an average of 0.63 razorbill chicks were fledged per pair (Figure 4).

Productivity at several colonies monitored in Scotland and Wales has been particularly poor in recent years compared to that recorded in England. The decline in productivity coincided with food shortages, especially notable at colonies in the north and east of the UK and, at the Isle of May, a decrease in the energy content of fish brought to chicks1. The association between years of low razorbill productivity with rising sea surface temperatures (SST) due to climate change is uncertain, although there is evidence that a decline in sandeel stocks may be linked to rising sea temperatures2,3.

 

Scotland

Population estimates and change 1969–2002 (census data)

 

Operation Seafarer    

(1969-70)

Seabird Colony Register    

(1985-88)

Seabird 2000    

(1998–2002)

Population estimate (Individuals)

111,038

123,586

139,186

% change since previous census

n/a

+11

+13

 

Breeding abundance

RA Scot abundance.jpg

Figure 5. Trend in abundance index (solid line) of razorbill in Scotland, 1986–2019 with 95% confidence limits (dotted lines; drawing of upper limit restricted to preserve detail in the abundance index). Based on SMP data; view the methods of analysis.

 

In Scotland, census data show that the razorbill population during the Seabird Colony Register was 11% higher than in 1969-70 and had increased again, by 13%, by Seabird 2000. The SMP annual abundance trend (Figure 5) increased between 1992 and 2003, then underwent a period decline until 2010, when the index was equal to the 1986 baseline. The index then increased to a peak of 106% above the baseline in 2017, although declined rapidly thereafter to 26% above the baseline in 2019. Wide confidence throughout much monitoring period mean, however, that the Razorbill abundance index trend should be treated with caution.

In autumn 2007, a ‘wreck’ of adult razorbills in the Skagerrak and North Sea, most of which originated from Scottish colonies, may have contributed to the dip in the trend between 2007 and 20094. Whole-colony counts submitted to the SMP from 52 sites indicate that these sites held 28,493 razorbill individuals in 2018, an increase of 28% compared to the total from the same sites counted during Seabird 2000.

 

Productivity

RA Scot productivity.jpg

Figure 6. Trend in productivity (no. of chicks fledged per pair) of razorbill at Scottish colonies, 1986–2019. Based on SMP data; view the methods of analysis.

 

The razorbill productivity trend declined overall between 1986 and 2008, although has increased since then. Some colonies recorded consistently low levels of productivity between 2009 and 2019. At these colonies, in the years when chicks fledged, success has only been above 0.25 on Papa Westray five times (mainly from 2014 onwards); and on Fair Isle only above 0.5 five times (again from 2014 onwards but not during 2017)5. The few data available from Sumburgh Head suggest low productivity has been widespread in the Northern Isles in recent years6. Mingulay (Western Isles), where productivity monitoring began in 2013, had poor breeding seasons in 2013 (0.23), 2014 (0.28) and 2015 (0.30). In contrast, the frequently monitored colonies at North Sutor and on the Isle of May (both east coast of Scotland) were relatively successful between 2009 and 2019, fledging an average of 0.49 and 0.57 chicks per site respectively, with neither colony recording complete failure.

 

England

Population estimates and change 1969–2002 (census data)

 

Operation Seafarer    

(1969-70)

Seabird Colony Register    

(1985-88)

Seabird 2000    

(1998–2002)

Population estimate (Individuals)

5,405

10,101

11,144

% change since previous census   

n/a

+87

+10

 

Breeding abundance

RA Engl Flamborough abundance.jpg

Figure 7. Abundance of razorbill at Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs, 1986–2019.

 

Razorbill numbers in England almost doubled between Operation Seafarer and the Seabird Colony Register, from 5,405 to 10,101 individuals. By the time of Seabird 2000, a further 10% increase had occurred. Few colonies of any great size are monitored in England regularly from which to draw firm conclusions about trends since Seabird 2000. However, available data strongly suggest an increase may have occurred. For example, in 2017 and 2018, 24 monitored colonies held 33,000 individuals compared to 10,000 during Seabird 2000. Data from the largest English colony, at Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs (Figure 7), found a substantial increase with 27,967 individuals being recorded in 2017, an increase of 230% since the Seabird 2000 census (8,463 individuals), and more than double the English population recorded during that census. In 2019, data from only a few smaller colonies were submitted to the SMP.

 

Productivity

Productivity data have been collected in England from the Farne Islands since 1996 and Bempton Cliffs since 2009. On average, razorbills fledged 0.64 chicks for both sites combined between 2009 and 2019.

 

Wales

Population estimates and change 1969–2002 (census data)

 

Operation Seafarer    

(1969-70)

Seabird Colony Register    

(1985-88)

Seabird 2000    

(1998–2002)

Population estimate (Individuals)

9,316

9,501

12,638

% change since previous census

n/a

+2

+33

 

Breeding abundance

RA Wales abundance.jpg

Figure 8. Trend in abundance index (solid line) of razorbill in Wales, 1986–2019 with 95% confidence limits (dotted lines; drawing of upper limit restricted to preserve detail in the abundance index). Based on SMP data; view the methods of analysis.

 

National census data show numbers were stable between Operation Seafarer and the Seabird Colony Register but, by Seabird 2000, had increased 33% - a trend which has continued to the present. Almost 75% of Welsh razorbill colonies (n=51) were surveyed in 2018, with numbers totalling 15,992 individuals, 26% more than recorded in the whole country during Seabird 2000. The trend in abundance index for razorbills at Welsh colonies (Figure 8) has increased since 1986, with a new peak being reached in 2019, at 186% above the 1986 baseline. However, due to the wide confidence intervals, this recent increase should be treated with caution.

 

Productivity

RA Wales Skomer productivity.jpg

Figure 9. Trend in productivity (no. of chicks fledged per pair) of razorbill on Skomer, 1986–2019. Based on SMP data.

 

Although productivity on Skomer Island has varied between years, there was an overall decline between 1999 and 2012 (Figure 9). Since then, productivity has begun to rise and, in 2019, was 0.67 chicks fledged per pair. Since 2017, all recorded productivity values have been higher than the historical average of 0.53 chicks fledged per pair between 1993 and 20197. Razorbill productivity data were not collected at any Welsh colonies prior to 1993.

 

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 (Individuals)

6,975

11,031

24,084

% change since previous census

n/a

+58

+118

 

Breeding abundance

Razorbill numbers in Northern Ireland have increased substantially since Operation Seafarer according to national census data. The Seabird Colony Register recorded 58% more individuals than the first census, which was followed by a further 118% increase by Seabird 2000.

Only eight or nine razorbill colonies exist in Northern Ireland. Most of the national population (87% during Seabird 2000) is found on Rathlin Island where a count in 2007 recorded 10,684 individuals – a decline of 49% since Seabird 2000. A repeat survey in 2011 recorded 22,975 individuals – more than double the 2007 figure – making it the second largest colony in the UK at that time. Few colonies have been surveyed recently and, without a more recent count from Rathlin Island, it is not possible to draw any meaningful conclusions on the current status of the Northern Ireland’s razorbill population.

 

Productivity

Data submitted to the SMP on the productivity of razorbills in Northern Ireland are sparse; thus, no meaningful average productivity value can be provided.

 

Republic of Ireland

Population estimates and change 1969–2018 (census data)

 

Operation Seafarer    

(1969-70)

Seabird Colony Register    

(1985-88)

Seabird 2000    

(1998–2002)

Republic of Ireland Census

(2015-18)

Population estimate (Individuals)

33,989

20,987

27,446

33,689

% change since previous census   

n/a

-38

+31

+23

 

Breeding abundance

In contrast to Northern Ireland, razorbill numbers in the Republic of Ireland were found to have declined by 38% between Operation Seafarer and the Seabird Colony Register. Although a subsequent increase had occurred by Seabird 2000, the population was still slightly below that recorded during the first census. A recent seabird census in the Republic of Ireland recorded 33,689 razorbill individuals between 2015 and 2018, an increase of 23% since Seabird 20008. Although the national trend was positive, there was considerable variation in trends at individual colonies since the Seabird 2000 census. Most notable of these was the change in the population at the Cliffs of Moher which had decreased by 48% (from 7,700 to 4,046 individuals). In contrast, Great Saltee and Lambay Island increased by 75% and 70%, from 3,239 to 5,669 and 4,337 to 7,353 individuals, respectively. Abundance of razorbills at colonies can be closely associated with prey abundance, therefore, it is possible that local changes in food availability are driving the apparent regional differences in population trends9. In 2019 few data were submitted to the SMP.

 

Productivity

Data submitted to the SMP on the productivity of razorbills in the Republic of Ireland are sparse; thus, no meaningful average productivity value can be provided.

 

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 (Individuals)

40,964

32,018

51,530

% change since previous census

n/a

-28

+61

 

Breeding abundance

The razorbill population for the whole of Ireland was 51,530 individuals during Seabird 2000, 61% higher than during the Seabird Colony Register when numbers had declined by 28% since Operation Seafarer. Most of the Northern Ireland population (87% during Seabird 2000) is found on Rathlin Island where a count in 2011 recorded 22,975 individuals – making it the second largest colony in the UK and the largest in Ireland at that time. A recent seabird census in the Republic of Ireland between 2015 and 2018 recorded 33,689, an increase of 23% compared to Seabird 20008. Without a more recent whole-colony count from Rathlin Island, it is not possible to know the current status of the razorbill population in the whole of Ireland.

 

Productivity

Data submitted to the SMP on the productivity of razorbills throughout Ireland are sparse; thus, no meaningful average productivity value can be provided.

 

Isle of Man

Population estimates and change 1969–2018 (census data)

 

Operation Seafarer

(1969-70)

Seabird Colony Register

(1985-88)

Seabird 2000

(1998–2002)

Isle of Man Census

(2017-18)

Population estimate (Individuals)

897

848

1,524

682

% change since previous census

n/a

-5

+80

-55

 

Breeding abundance

RA IoM abundance.jpg

Figure 10. Abundance of razorbill on the Calf of Man, 1986–2019.

 

Between Operation Seafarer and the Seabird Colony Register the number of razorbills on the Isle of Man was relatively stable. By Seabird 2000, the population had increased by 80% to 1,524 birds. A seabird census of the Isle of Man in 2017 recorded a total of 682 individual razorbills, a 54% decrease since Seabird 20009. On the Calf of Man, which held between 20–25% of the razorbill population during the SCR and Seabird 2000 censuses, numbers have shown considerable variation over time (Figure 10). However, differences in the method used to collect data makes it difficult to draw any conclusions from the trend.

 

Productivity

Data submitted to the SMP on the productivity of razorbills on the Isle of Man are sparse; thus, no meaningful average productivity value can be provided.

 

Channel Islands

Population estimates and change 1969–2015 (census data)

 

Operation Seafarer

(1969-70)

Seabird Colony Register

(1985-88)

Seabird 2000

(1998–2002)

Channel Islands Census

(2015)

Population estimate (Individuals)

63

81

65

112

% change since previous census

n/a

+29

-20

+72

 

Breeding abundance

The small population of razorbills nesting on the Channel Islands numbered just 65 individuals during Seabird 2000, almost the same as that recorded by Operation Seafarer. Razorbills were slightly more numerous during the Seabird Colony Register, when 81 individuals were recorded. In 2015 a Channel Islands seabird census recorded 112 razorbills, an increase of 72% since Seabird 200010. No razorbill abundance data from the Channel Islands have been submitted to the SMP since 2015.

 

Productivity

No data on the productivity of razorbills on the Channel Islands have been submitted to the SMP.

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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 systematic data on razorbill diet have been collected as part of the SMP.

 

Return rate and survival rates

Important notes on interpretation: Estimation of razorbill adult return and survival rates are currently undertaken at two sites within the Seabird Monitoring Programme - the Isle of May (North-east Fife) and Skomer (Dyfed). Return rates are based on sightings of individually colour-ringed birds and are calculated as the proportion of marked birds present in year one that are seen in the following year. Because not every adult alive is seen each year, 2019 return rates presented here for the Isle of May need to be treated as minimum estimates of survival of birds seen in 2018. In contrast, survival estimates do take into account birds that are not seen one year but which re-appear in following years.

RA return rate Isle of May.jpg

Figure 11. Annual return rate of razorbills breeding on the Isle of May, 1987–2019.

 

The annual return rate of razorbills from the Isle of May (Figure 11) shows fluctuation over time with a recent increase11, with rates between 2009 and 2012 and in 2017 among the highest recorded there. After a steep decline in 2008, return rate increased overall until 2018 when it was equivalent to the 1987 value (92.1%) when monitoring began. The return rate in 2019 was 87.2%. In contrast, the survival rate on Skomer (Figure 12) does not show any clear trend over the monitoring period, although fluctuation has become more pronounced in recent years, with much lower rates being recorded in 2007 and 20147. In recent years, Skomer survival rates returned to the high levels recorded at the beginning of this long-term study. Survival across the Skomer study (1987–2018) averages 0.87, and in 2017-18 was 0.817.

There appears to be no relationship between the UK population trend (nor the trends in Scotland and Wales) and survival/return rates at the two colonies where this is measured. The low return rate on the Isle of May in 2008 followed a post-breeding 'wreck' of adult birds in the Skagerrak (the strait between Norway, Denmark and Sweden) during autumn 2007. Ringing recoveries indicated birds had mainly originated from northern or eastern Scotland4. A further 'wreck' off the east coast of Scotland and northern England during winter 2012/13, when many adult and juvenile guillemots and razorbills died, may have been the cause of low return rates on the Isle of May during the 2013 breeding season.

In addition, the winter of 2013/14 saw a succession of severe storms from late January to the beginning of March result in a large 'wreck' of seabirds along Atlantic coasts from England and Ireland to Spain. A minimum of 54,000 seabirds, mostly auks, were washed ashore dead or dying. Examination of many corpses revealed birds were emaciated with empty stomachs indicating starvation as the main cause of death although a small proportion showed signs of oil contamination12. Overall, about 10% of casualties were razorbills12. However, in Cumbria, 70% of the 850 seabirds washed ashore dead or dying during this 'wreck' were razorbills13. Biometric data from 43 corpses recovered from Cumbrian beaches indicated birds were of the subspecies islandica which breeds in Britain and Ireland, France and Iceland. Rings recovered from razorbill corpses (from beaches in England and in France) also indicated birds originated from colonies around the UK and Ireland13. The majority of birds examined were found to be adults. The total mortality will be much higher than reported because not all beaches were checked, birds were washed ashore over a number of weeks and many birds will be lost at sea12.

On Skomer, after collecting sufficient data to observe the effect of the above event on long-term population parameters (scientists require two years’ data following a winter to be confident of survival estimates), a considerable drop in the survival of adult breeding razorbills was clear (Figure 12), after a period of steady increase over the last 30 years. The survival of breeding adult razorbills after the seabird wreck in the winter of 2013-14 was just 0.59, more than 30% below the study average of 0.90 (1970–2014)14.

RA survival Skomer.jpg

Figure 12. Annual survival rate of razorbills breeding on Skomer, 1986–2019.

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References

1 Wanless, S., Harris, M.P., Redman, P. and Speakman, J.R. 2005. Low energy values of fish as a probable cause of a major seabird breeding failure in the North Sea. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 294, 1–8.

2 Heath, M., Edwards, M., Furness, R., Pinnegar, J. and Wanless, S. 2009. A view from above: changing seas, seabirds and food sources in Marine Climate Change Ecosystem Linkages Report Card 2009. eds. Baxter, J.M., Buckley, P.J. and Frost, M.T. Online science reviews, 24pp. www.mccip.org.uk/elr/view

3 van Deurs, M., van Hal, R., Tomczak, M. T., Jónasdóttir, S. H., and Dolmer, P. 2009. Recruitment of lesser sandeel Ammodytes marinus in relation to density dependence and zooplankton composition. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 381, 249–258. 

4 Heubeck, M., Aarvak, T., Isaksen, K., Johnsen, A., Petersen, I.K. and Anker-Nilssen, T. 2011. Mass mortality of adult Razorbills Alca torda in the Skagerrak and North Sea area, autumn 2007. Seabird, 24, 11–32.

5 Parnaby, D., Cope, R., Dodd, C., Hellicar, M. and Gale, T. 2019. Fair Isle Seabird Studies 2019. Unpublished JNCC Report, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.

6 Miles, W. and Mellor, M. 2018. SOTEAG Ornithological Monitoring Programme 2018 Report. The Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St Andrews.

7 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.

8 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.

9 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.

10 Veron, M. and Veron, C. 2016. Seabird Count 2015; monitoring the status of Guernsey’s Seabirds. La Société Transactions, Channel Islands.

11 Newell, M, Harris, M.P., Burthe, S., Bennett, S., Gunn, C.M., Wanless S. and Daunt, F. 2019. Isle of May seabird studies in 2018. Unpublished JNCC Report, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.

12 Jessop, H. Seabird tragedy in the north-east Atlantic winter 2013/14. Unpublished RSPB report, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Sandy.

13 Sellers, R.S. 2014. Mass mortality of razorbills and other seabirds on the coast of Cumbria in February 2014. Lakeland Naturalist, 2, 63–71.

14 Stubbings, E.M., Büche, B.I., Miquel Riera, E., Green, R.M. and Wood, M.J. 2015. Seabird monitoring on Skomer Island in 2015. Unpublished JNCC Report, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.

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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 Razorbill appears courtesy of Ian Rendall ©, is subject to international copyright law and may not be reproduced in any form whatsoever.

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SMP Report 1986–2019

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