Breeding success, diet, and brood neglect in the kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) over an 11-year period

• Published in: ICES Journal of Marine Science
• Main Authors: Harris, M. P., Wanless, S.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press 1997
• Subjects: Articles; rissa tridactyla
• Online Access: http://icesjms.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/54/4/615; https://doi.org/10.1006/jmsc.1997.0241

Seabirds are frequently used as indicators of the state of the marine environment. The kittiwake ( Rissa tridactyla ) is a common and widespread surface-feeding seabird often used for such a purpose. Data were collected on the food of chicks, breeding success, and chick neglect at a colony in south-east Scotland every summer in the period 1986–1996. Breeding success declined significantly over the period and breeding became later. In one year, many adults failed to breed. A similar decline in breeding success was also recorded at colonies over a 250–300 km section of coast in south-east Scotland and north-east England. Sandeels ( Ammodytes marinus ), especially 0-group fish (young of the year), made up the bulk of the diet in all years; herring ( Clupea harengus ) and sprat ( Sprattus sprattus ), waste from trawlers, and planktonic Crustacea was of lesser importance. Nesting success increased significantly with the proportion of 0-group sandeels in the diet of chicks and with the average energy value of 0-group sandeels, variables which were significantly and positively correlated. Clupeids and trawler waste were probably taken only when sandeels were unavailable. Brood neglect was not a good indicator of annual total breeding success. The decline in nesting success appeared to commence before the development of a large local industrial fishery for sandeels.