Stranding van Noordse Stormvogels begin januari 2009

After the 4th of January 2009 a sudden influx of Northern Fulmars Fulmarus glacialis has been observed in the southern and eastern North Sea. Many emaciated specimens were found dead on beaches initially in the north of the Netherlands, subsequently in Germany and most recently in southwestern Norway. Densities go up to the unusual level of about one Fulmar per km of beach. At the time of writing of this first report (18 january) the full extent of the wreck is still uncertain. Among beached birds and during some at sea observations, an exceptionally high percentage of dark coloured high arctic fulmars has been seen observed, reminding of a wreck in 1962. There appears to be little similarity to the more recent wreck in 2004 when many birds showed plumage problems and arrested moult. Further reports, beach surveys and the collection of beached Fulmars are requested to both document the wreck and sample birds for the monitoring study of plastics in their stomachs. An ‘events-calendar’ and short colour-phase manual and other relevant documentation on the wreck will be posted on www.zeevogelgroep.nl.