Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 1986–2023, the annual report of the Seabird Monitoring Programme

Author(s): Harris, S.J., Baker, H., Balmer, D.E., Bolton, M., Burton, N.H.K., Caulfield, E., Clarke, J.A.E., Dunn, T.E., Evans, T.J., Hereward, H.R.F., Humphreys, E.M., Money, S. and O’Hanlon, N.J.

Published: November 2024  

Publisher: British Trust for Ornithology

ISBN: 2976-8950

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This report presents the latest seabird population trends in breeding abundance and productivity using data from the Seabird Monitoring Programme (SMP).

The report documents changes in the abundance and productivity of breeding seabird species in Britain and Ireland from 1986 to 2023, and provides a detailed account of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 breeding seasons.

This report includes both inland and coastal populations and trends from the Channel Islands, England, Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, which are presented where sufficient data are available.

The results from this report are used more broadly to assess the health of the wider environment, to inform policy and for conservation action.



Acknowledgements

We are grateful to everyone involved in the SMP, from the surveyors that monitor each breeding season, to those in the offices that coordinate the programme and to the organisations providing knowledge, experience and advice to steer the programme forward. Thank you.

The SMP is funded jointly by BTO and JNCC, in association with RSPB, with fieldwork conducted by both nonprofessional and professional surveyors. The programme is also supported by a wide network of organisations that form an Advisory Group and by the SMP Steering Group comprised of Helen Baker (JNCC), Dawn Balmer (BTO), Mark Bolton (RSPB), Niall Burton (BTO), Tim Dunn (JNCC) and Tom Evans (RSPB). Steering Group meetings are also attended by the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies: Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland (DAERA), Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Natural England (NE) and NatureScot.

Staff Author(s)


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