Ecology of the Long-tailed Skua (Stercorarius longicaudatus Vieillot, 1819) at Scoresby Sund, East Greenland. Part two: arrival, site tenacity and departure

• Main Author: Korte, J. de
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1984
• Subjects: Greenland; Kap; Kap Stewart; Scoresby; Scoresby Sund; Sund; Ugleelv; East Greenland; Long-tailed Skua; Tundra
• Online Access: https://repository.naturalis.nl/pub/504842

Arrival, site tenacity and departure in populations of Long-tailed Skuas were investigated, at Kap Stewart, in 1973 and 1974, and at Kaerelv, G\xc3\xa5seelv and Ugleelv in 1975. The first birds of this species arrived singly or in small groups on 21 May along the ice edge, and 27 May inland. In areas with snow-free patches they established territories within a few days after arrival. Site tenacity through years was recorded in many cases. Territorial birds, regardless of breeding success frequented their territories with or without their partner until mid-August. Immatures were first seen at sea on 13 June, and on land 21 June; they joined groups of roaming non-territorial adults, non-breeding birds and failed breeders. Immatures had departed from the tundra by the end of July and were not seen at sea after mid-August.