UK Seas

Discover the wonderful sea creatures that inhabit the UK seas and shores

UK seas is a guide to the fauna and flora found around UK coasts. While the majority of species are marine, some species are included that are regularly encountered on land by the coast, so you’ll find descriptions of non-marine species such as reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants as well.

Storm petrel

Hydrobates pelagicus

Type

Birds

Description

Small bird, hardly bigger than a sparrow, almost black in colour, with a prominent white rump. It looks rather like a house martin in both colouration and size.

The Storm Petrel really looks like it walks on water as it daintily patters on the sea’s surface to pick up small food items.

Location

Only encountered offshore, or near nest sites at night. Mostly west and north UK.