Storm Petrels  by Isla Spriggs

Why are storm petrels important to Mousa? Storm petrels are important to Mousa because the island is a crucial predator-free breeding ground for the vulnerable European storm petrel.  

The storm petrels nest within the crevices of the islands ancient iron age broch as well as under rock and in boulder beaches. There are about 12,000 storm petrels on Mousa.  

Storm petrels are small long-lived seabirds that spend most of their lives at sea only returning to land to breed, during the summer months they are nocturnal at breeding sites and use a keen sense of smell to find their food these birds have also been given ominous nicknames like water-witch or bird of the devil due to their dark appearance and association with turbulent weather. 

We named our newspaper after our school logo which is Mousa broch which is where Storm Petrels live. 

Storm petrels represent the bravery we want to bring to Sandwick.