The Common Guillemots severely affected
By the end of 2023, many seabirds had already been heavily impacted by storms on the west coast of the country. Numerous strandings had been recorded on ICAO, particularly of pelagic species, including Northern Gannets, white-faced storm-petrels, Sabine’s gulls, and broad-billed phalaropes. An increase in strandings has been observed again since early February 2024. This time, it primarily involves alcids, especially the Common Guillemots.
The LPO station on Île Grande and the LPO Aquitaine care center have welcomed 85 living Guillemots exhibiting similar symptoms, characterized by hypothermia and alarming thinness. Their average weight was 590 grams, dropping to as low as 430 grams, well below the recognized normal weight of 900 grams for Guillemots.
Analyses are ongoing, and while avian flu does not seem to be implicated, the LPO care centers have quarantine areas where Guillemots are received without passing through the center, to avoid potential contamination. The UMS LPO Wildpeace is stationed near the Île Grande care center to facilitate the quarantine of incoming individuals when necessary.
Analyzing the mortality of seabirds to take action
As part of the LIFE SeaBiL project, the ICAO app has been adapted, and a network of volunteers from various associations and care centers on the Atlantic coast has been established. The goal is to survey stranded seabirds on a large scale, track their mortality, and identify abnormal strandings, as is the case currently.
Data collected since the beginning of the year by volunteers clearly indicate high mortality, with nearly 374 stranded Guillemots reported on French coasts, including 296 since early February. Once again, the observed carcasses appear particularly thin.
What to do in case of a stranded bird?
With strong winds expected at the end of this week, you may encounter stranded seabirds on the coast. Here are our recommendations if you come across a stranding.
If the bird is dead: Do not handle the animal, even if it is in good condition, to avoid the risk of disease transmission.
If the bird is alive:
- Ensure that the animal is genuinely in distress (apathy, drooping wing, signs of bleeding, inability to stand on its legs).
2. Protect yourself by using gloves and staying alert to the bird’s reactions.
3. Capture the bird carefully and without haste, using a thick fabric. Keep the wings close to the body and the head hidden. Never close its beak with an elastic band or tape.
4. Place the bird in a cardboard box and isolate it quietly in a dark, temperate room until transferring it to an authorized facility.
5. Do not feed or give water to the bird, as it may cause choking or ingestion of unsuitable food.
6. Contact the nearest care center.
In any case, we invite you to report it through the ICAO mobile application.
