SCOTLAND’S seabird levels continue to decline but hope is on the rise in the short-term, according to data published by NatureScot.
Seabird levels around Scotland fell significantly between 1986 and 2023 – with breeding levels now close to half of 1986, when monitoring first began.
However, data captured in the UK Seabird Monitoring Programme paints a more positive future for Scotland’s birds.
In the 10 years between 2013 and 2023, three species have stabilised, while some populations have even increased – the European shag and the common guillemot population.
The 2023 results have also highlighted a positive change in breeding numbers, as the number of chicks born was similar to the long-term average.
Simon Foster, NatureScot trends analyst, said: “Scotland’s seabirds are of international importance, and they attract thousands of people to visit our coastlines each year, but they face many pressures and threats.
“Food availability, climate change, fisheries, predation, and invasive species are all thought to be contributing to their current declines. In recent years, avian flu has also had a considerable impact on several seabird species.
“Developments, such as offshore windfarms, may cause additional pressures on already declining seabird populations.
“Crucially, although they rely on the sea, they breed on land and so are relatively easy to monitor, compared with other marine life.
“This latest indicator shows the importance of continued long-term monitoring to help understand what is happening to our significant seabird populations so action can be taken whenever possible.”
Some birds, like the Arctic skua, showed the worst decline and had been said to have been affected by food shortages and increased predation.
This decline in numbers could have a knock-on effect to Scottish tourism as thousands of people flock to the coastlines each year to visit these seabirds.
To continue to support the seabird population, NatureScot and the Scottish Government have put together the Scottish Seabird Conservation Action Plan.
Other initiatives like Biosecurity for Scotland are working with organisations and island communities to protect the populated islands from invasive non-native predators, like rats. They are doing this by reducing the way these harmful species can get to an island.
The Predator Free Certificate Scheme works with boat operators, offering free training and accreditation to help increase biosecurity in their daily operations.
