Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 2012 Report

Here we present the latest analysed trends in abundance, productivity, demographic parameters and diet of breeding seabirds, from the Seabird Monitoring Programme, along with interpretive text on the likely causes of change based on the most recent research.

It replaces and builds upon the now discontinued publication Seabird numbers and breeding success in Britain and Ireland.

Trend information is presented at the UK level and separately for Scotland, Wales, England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, all-Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Interpretation of trends and reasons for change are given largely at the UK level, unless there is country-specific evidence.

A download of data points presented in the graphs of abundance and productivity under species accounts is available.

The table below contains links to the species accounts and gives at-a-glance UK population trends (as percentage change in breeding numbers) from complete censuses undertaken in 1969-70 (Operation Seafarer); 1985-88 (Seabird Colony Register); and 1998-2002 (Seabird 2000). Change from 2000-2011 (i.e. over the period since the last national census) is estimated from trends derived from the SMP sample of colonies; this analysis is only available for species with sufficient data to accurately estimate trends.

View the methods of analysis of breeding abundance and productivity data presented in the species accounts.

This report should be cited as: JNCC (2012) Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 2012 Report (http://www.jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-3201). Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Updated July 2012. Accessed [INSERT DATE OF ACCESS].