Coastal Resource Information System

Fulmars, Shearwaters and Petrels

Members of this group are present year round in the offshore waters of British Columbia, but overall numbers are lowest during winter. In winter, use of the nearshore area increases.

Except during portions of their breeding season, these pelagic birds spend all of their lives at sea. These birds are moderate to highly vulnerable to oil on water (King and Sanger 1979). Nesting habitat is well above the splash zone, and adults fly to and from the nests. Therefore, oil that washes ashore does not directly threaten nests or nestlings.

The vulnerability of these birds to disturbances caused by cleanup operations is likely low because of their pelagic, and therefore mobile nature. The presence of people and machinery from April through October on islands where Petrels breed (in burrows) would likely disturb adults and destroy some nests. However, because these birds are nocturnal during the breeding season, the effects of disturbance on Petrels are generally lower than they are on other species. If cleanup operations and equipment were restricted to the shore, such impacts would likely be avoided.

Fulmar, Shearwater and Petral species present in Coastal BC:

• Leach’s Storm-Petrel
• Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
• Pink-footed Shearwater
• Northern Fulmar

Detailed species reports from the British Columbia Species and Ecosystem Explorer are available by following the above links.

These species are also breifly described below in exerpts from: The Birds of British Columbia, Vol. 2, Nonpasserines: Diurnal Birds of Prey through Woodpeckers by R. Wayne Campbell, Neil K. Dawe, Ian McTaggart-Cowan, John M. Cooper, Gary W. Kaiser and Michael C.E. McNall.

Leach’s Storm Petrel

Leach’s Storm Petrel is widely distributed off the British Columbia coast. It is a highly pelagic species that usually forages seaward of warmer coastal waters and is not abundant until sea surface temperatures exceed 14^o C. They occur singly, or in small, loose groups. In summer, groups of 50 or more birds may be seen and heard flying around forested islands (eg. Florencia Islets) where breeding is not known to occur. Otherwise, it rarely occurs near land except when exhausted or dying birds come ashore after storms. The Leach’s Storm Petrel breeds along the coast of Western Vancouver Island from Seabird Rocks to Triangle Island (Scott Islands), near the entrance to Queen Charlotte Strait, off of Aristazabal Island, and around the Queen Charlotte Islands except for the sandy north and east coast of Graham Island. (Photo credit: Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Province of British Columbia)

Forked-tailed Storm Petrel

The Forked-tailed Storm Petrel is most commonly seen in nearshore areas, where it frequents protected waters of inlets, harbours and bays. It is usually seen singly or in loosely scattered flocks of less than 20 birds. They may gather into groups ranging up to 5000 individuals under certain weather conditions or over concentrations of food. The largest flocks have been reported during foggy conditions. They breed along the coast of Western Vancouver Island from Seabird Rocks to Triangle Island (Scott Islands), near the entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound, off the mainland coast and around the Queen Charlotte Islands except for the sandy north and eastern coast of Graham Island. All colonies are on islands, usually wooded, but always shrub or grass covered. Most are shared with Leach’s Storm Petrels. They are most concentrated in Queen Charlotte Strait. The largest know colony being on Storm Island where about 51,000 pairs bred in 1987. (Photo credits: Moira Lemon, Canadian Wildlife Service)

Pink-footed Shearwater

The Pink-footed Shearwater is the second most numerous shearwater in the province and tends to stay well offshore and is rarely seen from land. It can be either solitary or gregarious and often associates with other shearwaters, especially Sooty Shearwaters. It congregates in good feeding areas (La Perouse Banks) in flocks of up to 300 birds.

Northern Fulmar

The Northern Fulmar occurs regularly throughout the year in offshore waters. It is occasionally seen from shore. Large flocks occur locally in areas of upwelling (La Perouse Banks) along the lines of convergence and other areas of turbulence (eg. Rose Spit). Other concentrations are associated with offal discarded from commercial fishing vessels.