Inter- and intra-year variation in foraging areas of breeding kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla)

摘要: While seabird conservation efforts have largely focused on protection from threats at the colony (e.g. reducing disturbance and predation), attention is increasingly being given to implementing measures for foraging areas sea. For this be effective, important must identified. Although numerous studies examined behaviour, information still lacking variability in area utilisation within among breeding seasons. GPS devices were attached adult black-legged kittiwakes an expanding North Sea (55°20′N, 1°32′W) during both incubation chick-rearing 2012 2011, determine whether remained consistent identify oceanographic characteristics of used foraging. The type size prey items consumed different stages cycle was also examined. During (April–May 2012), foraged substantially further fed larger sandeels than when feeding chicks, there significant inter-annual variation period (June–July 2011 2012). Foraging characterised by cooler sea surface temperatures high chlorophyll a concentration, although association with specific features changed season between years. These results emphasise importance considering how reliance conditions change over time seeking marine seabirds.