European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus
Status; International importance;
Population
estimates; Distribution; Annual abundance/
productivity; Phenology/diet/survival
Description
The following was 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. Consequently, 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.
Conservation status
European storm-petrel is currently identified as a conservation
priority in the following:
Amber listed in Birds
of Conservation Concern 3 (2009 update)
EC Birds Directive -
listed in Annex 1
(further information on Conservation Designations for UK Taxa)
Amber listed in
Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland 2 (2007
update)
International importance
* 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)
The results of Seabird 2000 represented the first accurate
baseline estimate of the number of European storm-petrels breeding
in the UK. A method called 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 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 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 where colonies are found and how large
they are is provided in the Seabird 2000 European
storm-petrel results page (PDF, 1.1 mb).
An
interactive map is available on the NBN Gateway, where you can
filter to display only the Seabird 2000 data. For more
recent, but less comprehensive, coverage view the distribution on
the NBN with all available contributing datasets
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
Breeding abundance
The first comprehensive estimates of
population size of European storm-petrel were obtained during the
Seabird 2000 Census, when close to 25,700 pairs was counted. Due to
the logistical difficulty in monitoring this nocturnal and
burrow-nesting species, little information exists as to population
trends.
Productivity
No systematic data on productivity have been
collected as part of the SMP.
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 12,370 AOS
of European storm-petrel, 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 (6,800), Treshnish Isles (5,040) and
Priest Island (4,400). Recent surveys have been carried out on
Mousa, where 11,781 AOS were recorded in 2008, and on Priest Island
where 2,168 AOS were recorded in 2009. In 2010, after a few
birds were heard calling during the breeding season in recent years
a survey of accessible suitable habitat on Noss (Shetland)
found 18 AOS. No apparently occupied sites were recorded on Noss
during Seabird 2000 so this appears to be a recent colonisation.
Due to the logistical difficulty in monitoring this nocturnal and
burrow-nesting species, little other information exists as to
population trends.
Productivity
No systematic data on productivity have been collected as part
of the SMP.
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
those on Annet (938). Melledgan (140 AOS) and Round
Island (183 AOS) were the only other islands to hold over 100
AOS. A repeat survey in 2006 found 1,398 AOS indicating the English
population is relatively stable overall. Changes noted at the
major colonies were: Annet and Melledgan declined to 788 AOS
and 69 AOS respectively, Round Island increased to 251 AOS
and Rosevear increased from 57 to 129 AOS.
Productivity
No systematic data on productivity have been
collected as part of the SMP.
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 found 2,805 pairs of European storm-petrel breeding
at 6 colonies in Wales. Only one small colony was in found in
Gwynedd, on Bardsey, with the the other five in Dyfed. By far
the most important colony is on Skokholm where 2,450 pairs
were estimated to breed. Due to the logistical difficulty in
monitoring this nocturnal and burrow-nesting species, little
information exists as to population trends. Survey work on a few
islands in Dyfed in 2010 found 159 AOS compared to 210 AOS during
Seabird 2000 indicating a partial decline.
Productivity
No systematic data on productivity have been
collected as part of the SMP.
This species does not breed in 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 |
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 lying on the
west coast between counties Kerry and Donegal. Of these, 12 were
surveyed but the populations of the others could only be
estimated. Surveyed colonies were found to hold 57,110 pairs with
another 41,955 pairs estimated for unsurveyed colonies. The most
important surveyed colony was Inishtooskert, which held 27,297
pairs. The next largest of the surveyed colonies were on Great
Skellig (9,994 pairs), Inishvickillane (6,394 pairs) and
Puffin Island (5,177 pairs) with only three other colonies
holding over 1,000 pairs. The largest colony for which an estimate
only was made was Inishtearaght at 15,000 pairs with five others
each estimated to hold between 3,000 and 8,000 pairs. Due to the
logistical difficulty in monitoring this nocturnal and
burrow-nesting species, little information exists as to population
trends.
Productivity
No systematic data on productivity have been
collected as part of the SMP.
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
The European storm-petrel nests only in the Republic of Ireland.
For information on these colonies select the appropriate tab
above.
Productivity
No systematic data on productivity have been
collected as part of the SMP.
This species does not breed on the Isle of
Man.
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, and although several more are suspected to exist,
none of these are thought to consist of more than a few
pairs. The sole colony exists on Burhou, lying off the coast
of Guernsey. Due to the logistical difficulty in monitoring this
nocturnal and burrow-nesting species, little information exists as
to population trends.
Productivity
No systematic data on productivity have been
collected as part of the SMP.
UK phenology, diet, survival rates
No data have been collected as part of the Seabird Monitoring
Programme.
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; Centre for Ecology and
Hydrology; Countryside Council for Wales; Department of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Isle of Man); Department of
Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Republic of Ireland);
States of Guernsey Government; JNCC; Manx Birdlife; Manx National
Heritage; The National Trust; National Trust for Scotland; Natural
England; Northern Ireland Environment Agency; The Royal Society for
the Protection of Birds; Scottish Natural Heritage; Seabird Group;
Shetland Oil Terminal Environmental Advisory Group; Scottish
Wildlife Trust. 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.