Sooty Shearwater
Ardenna grisea (JF Gmelin, 1789)
OT
SOOSH
430
Family: Procellariiformes > Procellariidae
Although an abundant bird globally, seeing Sooty Shearwaters in Britain and Ireland is a specialist pursuit requiring patient sea-watching in autumn.
Travelling from their breeding grounds in the southern hemisphere, Sooty Shearwaters circumnavigate the Atlantic Ocean flying north along the eastern seaboard of the USA, and returning south past Britain & Ireland, only coming close to shore in autumnal westerly gales.
Individuals can be seen in small numbers anywhere around our coast but the south-western approaches, western Ireland and the Northern Isles are the most likely spots. Stiff, slender wings with silvery undersides and a brown cigar-shaped body distinguish this master of the air and the waves.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Sooty Shearwater
Identification
Sooty Shearwater identification is sometimes difficult.
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| UK Birds of Conservation Concern | Green listed |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Near Threatened 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
|
Listed on the Annexes of
|
Bern(III) |
POPULATION SIZE
We have no population estimates for this scarce species.
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Teesmouth, 1828 |
DISTRIBUTION
Sooty Shearwaters are regular autumn migrants, recorded from the coast, particularly in southwest England and along the North Sea coast.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in winter | 56 |
| % occupied in winter | 1.9 |
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
This vagrant is too rarely reported to map distribution change.
| % change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +2700% |
SEASONALITY
Sooty Shearwater is a regular passage seabird recorded at coastal locations, usually from late summer to late autumn with most passage in August and September.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Sooty Shearwater, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
|
Number of Broods
|
1 |
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: OT | 5-letter code: SOOSH | Euring: 430 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Reducing incidental mortality of seabirds with an underwater longline setting funnel
- Conservation of the dark-rumped petrel Pterodroma phaeopygia of the Galápagos Islands, 1982-1991
- Improved breeding success of great-winged petrels Pterodroma macroptera following control of feral cats Felis catus at subantarctic Marion Island
Read more studies about Sooty Shearwater on Conservation Evidence >
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