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SEABIRDS
What are they?
Seabirds are a taxonomically varied group that depend on the marine environment for at least part of their life cycle.
350 species (3.5% of all bird species) Top-predators Can cover large foraging distances Typically long living and monogamous Have a late onset of reproductive age and
small clutch size Loyal to their breeding site
Why are they of interest?
As top-predators, they play an important structural role in the marine eco-system
Indicators of the health of the marine eco-system…
…such as climate change
Low density surface waters
Inhibition of
vertical mixing
Inhibition of
vertical nutrient
flow
Decline in
plankton
Decline in krill
and fish
Declines in top-
predators, including seabirds
They are on the decline…
BirdLife International, 2012
They are on the decline…
BirdLife International, 2012
Why are they declining?
Human activitie
s
Alien Species
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Fisheries
Offshore wind farms
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Anthropogenic debris
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Light pollution
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Human persecution
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The Local Scene
© John J. B
org
The Local Scene
Scopoli’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 4500 pairs – 5% of
the global population*
Colonies at Ta’ Cenc, Filfla and the cliffs on the south of Malta
‘Vulnerable’
The Local Scene
Yelkouan Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan 1600 - 1800 pairs –
10% of the global population
Colonies at Rdum tal-Madonna and the western and south-western cliffs of Malta and Gozo
‘Vulnerable’
The Local Scene
European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus melitensis 5000 - 8000 pairs – 50% of the global
population* Colonies at Filfla ‘LC’…but declining
They are on the decline…
BirdLife International, 2012
Radio-tracking Stormies
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Metz
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Radio-tracking Stormies
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etz
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Marine Protected Areas
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Further reading Croxall, J.P.; Butchart S.H.M.; Lascelles, B.; Stattersfield A.J.; Sullivan B.;
Symes, A. & Taylor, P. (2012). Seabird conservation status, threats and priority actions: a global assessment. Bird Conservation International, 22, 1–34.
Sangster, G.; Collinson, J.M.; Crochet, P.A; Knox, A.G.; Parkin, D.T. & Votier, S.C. (2012). Taxonomic recommendations for British birds: eighth report. Ibis, 154(4), 874-883.DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-919X.2012.01273.x
Seabirds are key indicators of the impact of climate change on the world's oceans. http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb/casestudy/279
Native birds on Gough Island are being devastated by house mice. http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb/casestudy/175
Longline fishing effort overlaps with foraging hotspots for seabirds. http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb/casestudy/166
Offshore wind farms are impacting seabirds and migrating passerines. http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb/casestudy/289
Seabirds suffer from eating "junk“. http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb/casestudy/159
Malta pioneering seabird research! http://www.talking-naturally.co.uk/malta-pioneering-seabird-research/
EU LIFE+ Malta Seabird Project. http://www.birdlifemalta.org/photos/otherfiles/5174.pdf
