Orkney's seabirds and coastal otters

Synopsis The size and distribution of Orkney's breeding seabird populations are relatively well known, with cliff-nesting species having been monitored annually since 1976. Conditions for these monitored species appear to be less favourable now than they were at the beginning of the study. Nationally significant populations of seaducks and waders winter in Orkney. With exceptions, the population size, distribution and ecology of these birds is only poorly understood. Otters appear to be widespread; however, spraint surveys suggest that these animals may not be as numerous in Orkney as they are in Shetland, the Western Isles and Highland Region.