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Isle of May seabird studies in 2002 2003

Abstract

This report summarises the results obtained in 2002 of the monitoring of various seabird species on the Isle of May. During the 2002 season, weather conditions on the Isle of May were poor, with much more rain than usual, and strong westerly and easterly winds. Common guillemots, razorbills, Atlantic puffins and black-legged kittiwakes experienced lower breeding success relative to the long-term average, although common guillemots and razorbills did better than in 2001. In contrast, northern fulmars had their best season since 1995, and European shags had their best season ever.

Timing of breeding for all species was normal, although European shags and black-legged kittiwakes started breeding earlier than in 2001. Return rates for razorbills and Atlantic puffins were close to the long-term average, whereas those for common guillemots and black-legged kittiwakes were around 6% lower. European shag return rates, in contrast, were much higher than the long-term average. Lesser sandeels Ammodytes marinus were the predominant prey items for all species except common guillemots, which mainly brought back clupeids for their chicks.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Biota

Reference date 2003··

Citation
Wilson, L.J., Wanless, S., Harris, M.P. & Russell, D. 2003. Isle of May seabird studies in 2002, JNCC Report No. 338, JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 0963-8091.

Lineage
This report summarises the results obtained in 2002 from the monitoring of various seabird species on the Isle of May.

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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