The ACAP-listed Balearic Shearwater is to be surveyed along the southern United Kingdom coast this month

An at-sea survey for the ACAP-listed Balearic Shearwaters Puffinus mauretanicus is planned along the United Kingdom coastline between Portland Bill in Dorset and Ilfracombe in north Devon (including Lundy Island) this month by MARINElife (click here).

The project aims to “gather UK population data for Balearic shearwaters during a time when animals visit UK waters to moult, and help establish a UK population estimate; maximise our ability to estimate numbers in this region, as just surveying one smaller area in a day may be misleading as Balearic shearwaters are often seen in flight, passing through an area; build on evidence for identifying hotspots for Balearic shearwaters; and better understand the potential threats to Balearic shearwaters, particularly where we may see large groups in relatively restricted areas of the Western Channel.”

Balearic Shearwater at sea, photograph by Pep Arcos

MARINElife is a charity which works to conserve marine wildlife through research and education.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 03 August 2015