Fulmar Finders Information United Kingdom 2020 and 2021

Abstract

This document is an illustrated report intended for the surveyors in the monitoring program of plastic particles from stomachs of beached Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis). It contains brief summary information and photos of stomach contents from individual birds. The previous report contained only some of birds collected in 2020 because of corona travel restrictions. The current report therefore shows all birds from the UK for 2020 and 2021 (plus a late 2018 bird from Shetland). Low sample sizes are not a problem for the monitoring program although larger sample sizes will increase the potential for statistical analyses. In order to avoid the variability in annual samples, the 'current situation' is viewed as an average over the most recent five consecutive years. During 2017-2021, 84% of 108 fulmar stomachs from the UK North Sea coasts contained plastic with an average per bird of 24 particles and 0.17 g in mass. The Fulmar-Threshold-Value (FTV) of 0.1 g was exceeded by 45% of the stomachs. The international policy aim is that this percentage should be reduced to below 10%. For details on e.g. trends, see the 2021 update of the scientific monitoring report series for the UK.

Fulmar Litter Monitoring in the UK : Update 2022

“…These documents are intended for the surveyors in the monitoring program. Also this 2022 monitoring report is accompanied by such illustrated counterpart (Van Franeker et al 2024).…”

“…It contained four sheets and three fragments, weighing 0.0381 gram, so much below the 5-year average mass of plastics in fulmars. More photo's from 2022 bird stomachs can be found in the report byVan Franeker et al (2024).…”