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Isle of May seabird studies in 2003 2005

Abstract

This report details the results of seabird research on the Isle of May in 2003. During 2003, weather conditions on the Isle of May were considerably warmer and drier than in recent years. Most seabird species experienced a reasonably productive breeding season, with breeding success for all species except common guillemot and razorbill being close to, or above, the long-term average. European shag productivity saw its highest value on record and continued the trend of very high breeding success seen during the previous three seasons. Black-legged kittiwakes had their second most productive season since 1990. Breeding success of both northern fulmars and Atlantic puffins was close to the long term average, and similar to 2002. Common guillemot productivity was no higher than in 2002, and was still below the long term average. Razorbill breeding success was well below the long term average and lower than that of 2002.

Timing of breeding was earlier for European shags and common guillemots, but normal for northern fulmar, black-legged kittiwake, Atlantic puffin and razorbill. Return rates of colour-ringed European shags, black-legged kittiwake and Atlantic puffins were close to, or above, the long term average, while those for common guillemots and razorbills were slightly lower. As in previous years, lesser sandeels were the predominant prey species for all species, except for guillemots, which mainly brought back clupeids for their chicks.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Biota

Reference date 2005·01·01

Citation
Wilson, L.J., Wanless, S., Harris, M.P. & Jones, G. 2005. Isle of May seabird studies in 2003. JNCC Report No. 362, JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 0963-8091.

Lineage
This report details the results of seabird research on the Isle of May, in the Firth of Forth, in 2003.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2020·07·13

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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