Atlantic petrel  (Pterodroma incerta)

Although still common, the Atlantic petrel qualifies as Endangered because it has a very small breeding range, with the vast majority of the population on just one island (2). Such a limited range places the bird at risk from chance events such as natural disasters or the introduction of mammalian predators (2) (6). On Gough, predation by the introduced house mouse (Mus musculus) is having a severe effect on the Atlantic petrel's breeding success, with just two percent of the chicks reaching fledging in 2007 (2). The large population of native southern skua (Catharacta antarctica) are also known to feed on seabirds including the Atlantic petrel (2).

On Tristan Island, where the Atlantic petrel was once common, it was likely to have been driven into decline by hunting, as it was formerly one of the few sources of food for the islanders during winter (6). Although this exploitation has abated, predation by introduced rats appears to have driven the island's population to extinction (2).

Gough Island is both a Nature Reserve and World Heritage Site, and while this provides good protection from human disturbance, it does not offer the Gough bunting any protection from the mouse predation that is driving it towards extinction (2). A study of the mice conducted by The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and funded by the UK government's Overseas Territories Environment Programme has shown that their eradication from the island is feasible. Unfortunately, however, until adequate funding is acquired this will not occur (7). Gough Island is widely recognised as having one of the most diverse bird colonies in the world, including four endangered species, and every effort should therefore be made to protect it and the rich biodiversity it hosts (8).