UK Wildlife

Storm Petrel Smallest British Seabird

The European storm petrel is the smallest British seabird, nesting in crevices on remote islands and spending its non-breeding life at sea, rarely seen from shore.

Key Facts

Storm petrels are the smallest European seabird - barely larger than a house sparrow
Nest in boulder fields and dry stone walls on remote Atlantic islands
Walk on water while feeding, giving rise to the name 'petrel' from St Peter
UK breeding population estimated at 25,000-100,000 pairs, poorly known due to nocturnal habits
Can be attracted to islands at night using tape-lure of their calls

Welfare Considerations

Storm petrel welfare depends entirely on predator-free island nest sites. Rats are devastating predators at breeding colonies. RSPB and Wildlife Trust island management programmes that keep islands rat-free are essential. Climate change affecting ocean invertebrate prey is a longer-term concern.

What You Can Do

Support island rat eradication programmes that protect storm petrel colonies
Join organised storm petrel ringing nights on appropriate islands to contribute to monitoring
Advocate for marine conservation that maintains the ocean invertebrate communities petrels feed on