Closely related to albatrosses, Manx Shearwaters spend most of their lives at sea. They nest in burrows and only return to their nests in the evening. They migrate from Scotland to South America in the winter.
Manx Shearwater is on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Amber List and the Scottish Biodiversity List, which identifies species that are of the most importance to biodiversity in Scotland. Scotland is home to about a third of the world’s breeding population of Manx Shearwaters, mainly on the Isle of Rùm but also on Canna, St Kilda and the Treshnish Isles.
Photos: Greg Morgan, Chris Gomersall and David Palmer for rspb-images.com
Illustration: Mike Langman for rspb-images.com
Action Needed
- A rolling programme of island eradications to restore lost breeding colonies and biosecurity measures to keep all existing breeding sites predator free.
- Ensure important areas for Manx shearwater are effectively managed in protected areas.
- Increase awareness and minimise the impact of artificial light on seabirds.
- Promote transparent, accountable and ecosystem-based fisheries management.
Threats
- Invasive non-native predators at breeding sites
- Artificial light pollution
- Lack of information on fishing activity and risk of accidental bycatch
MSP Nature Champion
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