The sights and sounds of Wales’ spectacular seabird colonies are part of what makes our coastline so special. But without urgent action to restore the health of our seas, many of these iconic species could face an uncertain future.
5 min read
Every spring, Wales’ coastlines come alive once again.
From Puffins gathering on offshore islands to Guillemots packed tightly onto towering cliffs, our seas become home to one of the UK’s greatest wildlife spectacles. Across Wales, “seabird cities” burst into life — noisy, crowded and full of movement — as 1.35 million birds return to breed.
But these extraordinary scenes can no longer be taken for granted.
Many seabird populations are declining at an alarming rate. Species including Gannets, Fulmar, Kittiwake and terns are facing growing pressures both at sea and on land. Climate change is warming our seas and, in many places, affecting the availability of the small fish seabirds rely on to survive and feed their chicks. Avian flu has devastated some colonies in recent years, while pollution, disturbance and wider pressures on the marine environment continue to take their toll.
Wales is home to globally important seabird colonies, making the country a vital stronghold for species that are struggling elsewhere. Internationally significant sites such as Grassholm sit alongside nationally important strongholds including Ramsey Island, Skomer, Skokholm and The Skerries, which together support hundreds of thousands of breeding seabirds each year. These remarkable places attract wildlife enthusiasts from across the UK and overseas, bringing important benefits to local communities and tourism.
Encouragingly, recovery is possible.
Conservation across Wales is already making a difference. Rat eradication and robust biosecurity measures on Ramsey have helped Manx Shearwater numbers recover dramatically from 500 pairs in 1998 to 6,200 in 2022, while Storm Petrels have returned to breed for the first time. Elsewhere, practical conservation work, habitat restoration, monitoring and wardening are helping vulnerable seabird populations withstand increasing pressures. When nature is given the chance, it can respond remarkably quickly.
But the scale of the challenge means we cannot do it alone.
This World Seabird Day we’re calling on the Welsh government to deliver on its commitment to implement a Seabird Conservation Strategy for Wales by:
Protecting seabirds means protecting the healthy seas they depend on. It means restoring marine ecosystems, tackling climate change and ensuring the long-term future of Wales’ incredible coastal wildlife.
Without urgent action, future generations could lose the unforgettable experience of standing on a Welsh cliff surrounded by the sights and sounds of thriving seabird colonies.
And for many people, that would mean losing part of what makes Wales so special.
People wanting to help can also support our seabird appeal, helping fund vital conservation work to protect vulnerable species and the places they call home across the UK coastlines.
