Truemors
Seabirds such as Kittiwakes, Arctic terns and Arctic skuas are failing to breed, which could wipe them out in the UK altogether.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds says that changes in food supply, which could be linked to climate change, could be having an effect on these species.
Scotland has 45% of the EU's breeding population of seabirds, and some birds are even starting to use their habitat, due to cliff erosion, and even changes in the weather.
RSPB Scotland said recent reports of significant declines in plankton biomass point to major changes to ocean ecosystems in the Atlantic, which could be affecting seabirds.It said that although direct evidence was still lacking, increased winter sea surface temperatures disrupting the food chain are thought to be driving the declines.
Douglas Gilbert, an ecologist with RSPB Scotland, said: "The outlook for some species such as Arctic skua, kittiwake and Arctic tern is dire, and there are problems with other species like guillemots and puffins in some areas too.
"Unless conditions change to allow these birds the chance of successful breeding, the long-term future for them is bleak.
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