Sofia Bolumar
she/her
PhD student
Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA) - University of Balearic Islands (UIB)
Discipline
Behaviour, Conservation, Population Dynamics, Migration & Movement Ecology, Science Communication
Regional Focus
Mediterranean
Years Active
6-10 years
Species Focus
Storm-Petrels (Hydrobatidae & Oceanitidae), Gulls and Terns (Laridae), Petrels and Shearwaters (Procellariidae)
Tell us about your work with seabirds.
I am a PhD student in marine ecology with a strong interest in seabirds and their relationship with the ocean. I work on several seabird species, but I have a particular fascination for storm-petrels - small, nocturnal and elusive birds that spend most of their lives at sea and remain surprisingly understudied. Using tracking data, long-term monitoring and quantitative analyses, my research explores how seabirds move, forage and respond to environmental variability, and how individual behaviour links to population processes. Through my work, I aim to better understand seabird ecology while contributing to their conservation in a rapidly changing marine environment.
What advice would you offer to individuals aspiring to pursue a career as seabird scientists?
A career in seabird science is deeply tied to fieldwork, often across an extraordinary range of environments, from tropical islands to sub-Antarctic and polar regions. Aspiring seabird scientists should be prepared to work with harsh and unpredictable weather, and adapt to demanding physical and logistical conditions. Being adaptable is equally important in the scientific context. Seabird research is highly collaborative and often interdisciplinary, so the ability to work with different teams, cultures, and approaches is essential. Openness, flexibility, and a willingness to learn from others are key assets, both in the field and in building strong, productive scientific collaborations.

Sofia Bolumar handling an European Storm-petrel inside a cave, wearing a bandana and a headlamp, and dressed in a green T-shirt. Sofia ringed this adult and then released it.
Email:
Website:
Twitter:
@turriachedda
Instagram:
@turriachedda
