Breeding seabirds of the Sicilian islands: distribution and abundance within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive monitoring program

Four marine bird species breeding in the circum-Sicilian islands were monitored during 2021-2024 with the aim of updating data on distribution, breeding success, and population size for the EU Marine Strategy Directive (MSFD 2008/56/CE). Counts allowed to assess population sizes, in terms of breeding pairs, for Audouin’s Gull (91-160), Scopoli’s Shearwater (14,825-15,925), Yelkouan Shearwater (610-720), and Mediterranean Storm Petrel (3,030-3,050). However, for the latter two species, data could provide underestimates, as some breeding sites, located in poorly accessible areas, require further research.