Seabirds spend most of their life at sea, i.e. during the non-breeding season or foraging in the breeding season. As part of a strategy to protect seabirds, we need to identify offshore areas that are ecologically important for them. Identifying these areas is challenging, seabird species have a variety of foraging ranges, strategies and habitat preferences.
Our team analyse aerial and ship-based survey data in order to predict the distribution/abundance of selected bird species in the Irish EEZ. The results will inform decisions on conservation or management actions for species where a site-based approach is appropriate.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service fund this project. 
