Wildlife

Leach Storm Petrel Welfare on Remote Islands

Leach storm petrels nest on a few remote Scottish islands and are among the most pelagic of UK seabirds, spending most of their lives far out in the North Atlantic.

Key Facts

Fewer than 50,000 pairs breed in UK, mainly on St Kilda and the Flannan Isles
Visit colonies only at night using distinctive erratic flight
Return to exactly the same burrow site year after year for decades
Spend the non-breeding season in the central Atlantic
Very sensitive to light pollution at colonies which can cause disorientation and mortality

Welfare Considerations

Leach storm petrel welfare is threatened by predators at colony sites and light pollution that disorients birds returning to burrows at night. Fledglings are attracted to artificial lights and can be grounded in large numbers in coastal towns. Predator-free management of colony islands and coastal light reduction during fledging season are key welfare measures.

What You Can Do

Support island management and biosecurity on remote Scottish islands
Reduce coastal lighting during storm petrel fledging in late summer
Report grounded fledgling petrels to local wildlife hospitals
Donate to St Kilda seabird monitoring
Appreciate remote island seabird colonies as globally important wildlife sites