Birds and wildlife

Balearic Shearwater

Puffinus mauretanicusGroup: Petrels and shearwatersUK Conservation status:Red

How to identify

Slightly larger than the closely related Manx Shearwater, the Balearic Shearwater is brown above and grey/white below. It flies with rapid, shallow wingbeats on stiffly held wings. You might see them resting on the water, or perhaps plunge-diving for food. Despite breeding in the Balearic Islands and the south coast of France, Balearic Shearwaters migrate north towards the Bay of Biscay, which is when some birds make it into British waters.

Where and when to see them

The Balearic Shearwater can mainly be seen off the coast of south England, in particular Cornwall, Devon and Dorset and west Wales, but also into the North Sea, off the east coast.

Key

  1. Resident
  2. Passage
  3. Summer
  4. Winter
* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Key facts