THE DISTRIBUTION OF MANX SHEARWATERS PUFFINUS-PUFFINUS IN NORTH-WEST EUROPEAN WATERS

Seabirds in north-west European waters were surveyed offshore througho ut the year from 1979 to 1993. During the breeding season the distribu tion of Manx Shearwaters centred around the main colonies of Rhum, Sko mer and Skokholm. Densities were low in the North Sea, where birds wer e mainly restricted to waters off the north-east coasts of England and Scotland, in particular the Moray Firth, the Firth of Forth and Flamb orough Head. Manx Shearwaters can forage at long distances from the co lonies, but highest densities were observed in the Irish Sea, south-we st Wales, south-west Ireland and the inshore waters of West Scotland d uring the chick-rearing period when parent birds visit the colony more frequently. The area of the Irish Sea front was important, particular ly in the autumn, and feeding occurred here in preference to other are as of the Irish Sea. From November to February Manx Shearwaters were v irtually absent from north-west European waters.