---
title: "Malta tracks Mediterranean shearwaters: Cory\'s and Yelkouan"
---

# Malta tracks Mediterranean shearwaters: Cory's and Yelkouan

The three species of Mediterranean-breeding shearwaters, Yelkouan *Puffinus yelkouan*, Balearic *P. mauretanicus* and Cory's *Calonectris diomedea*, have all been identified as potential candidates for listing within ACAP ([click here](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/36_1/36_1_1-8.pdf)).

  

 [BirdLife Malta](http://www.birdlifemalta.org/) runs the [Yelkouan Shearwater Project](http://www.lifeshearwaterproject.org.mt/en/), one of Malta's largest conservation initiatives.  Malta has around 10% of the world population of the [Near Threatened](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3937&m=0 ) Yelkouan Shearwater.  As part of this project, both Yelkouan and Cory's Shearwaters are being tracked at sea by satellites.

  

 A fledging Cory's Shearwater has been tracked leaving the Mediterranean, travelling over 4500 km to the coast of Senegal ([click here](http://www.lifeshearwaterproject.org.mt/en/view.aspx?id=151)).  In contrast, tracked Yelkouan Shearwaters, also fledglings from Malta, stayed within the Mediterranean, travelling eastwards to the Aegean Sea in Greek and Turkish waters ([click here](http://www.lifeshearwaterproject.org.mt/en/view.aspx?id=147)).

  

 Yelkouan Shearwaters, including breeding adults, have also been fitted with Global Positioning System and geolocator (GLS) loggers in Malta, showing that movements reach Egypt and Crete as well ([click here](http://www.lifeshearwaterproject.org.mt/en/view.aspx?id=129)).

  

 For recent information on the [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=30026&m=0 ) Balearic Shearwater [click here](https://acap.aq/2009-news-archive/calls-to-protect-mediterranean-shearwaters-from-longline-mortality).

  

 *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 30 January 2010*