Is a Kittiwake a bird?

Why did the Kittiwake bird fail the UK and OSPAR assessments?

Kittiwake, like other marine bird species that feed at the surface of the sea were found to have experienced frequent, widespread breeding failure, and therefore failed the UK and OSPAR assessments of breeding abundance ( HM Government, 2012; OSPAR Commission, 2017 ).

What happened to the kittiwakes of Shetland?

In the late 1980s, changes in ocean currents led to low levels of sandeels in waters around Shetland and therefore, the poor breeding success of kittiwakes and other seabirds at Shetland colonies ( Hamer and others 1993; Monaghan and others, 1989; Wright and Bailey, 1993).

How does sea surface temperature affect kittiwake breeding success?

Recently, Carroll and others (2017) found sea surface temperature to be negatively related to sandeel biomass, as well as to kittiwake breeding success. However, the processes which lead to this correlation are not understood.

Where are the UK’s kittiwake colonies?

The UK target was met at kittiwake colonies on the UK mainland coast of the North Sea, but no colonies passed the assessment in Shetland and Orkney, where the population is in steep decline. The reasons for the poor breeding success in the Northern Isles are unclear.

Can kittiwake breeding success be used to indicate changes at lower trophic levels?

This will help to determine whether kittiwake breeding success can be used to indicate changes at lower trophic levels. It is unclear why kittiwake breeding success has been poorer than expected across all colonies in Orkney and Shetland since the early 2000s.

Can kittiwake breeding success be used as an indicator of fishing impact?

These studies suggest that kittiwake breeding success could be used as an indicator of fishing impacts on the availability of prey to kittiwakes and other sandeel reliant seabirds.

What is the Kittiwake climate indicator?

This indicator aims to distinguish between the effects of prevailing climatic conditions and those that may have resulted from human activities such as fishing. Kittiwakes are particularly susceptible to food shortages because they rely on fish being close to the surface to feed on them.

Does sea surface temperature affect kittiwake breeding success in the Celtic Seas?

This indicator could not be developed for the Celtic Seas because no relationship between sea surface temperature and kittiwake breeding success could be found by this and other studies (Cook and others, 2014b, and Lauria and others, 2012).

What happened to Shetland’s kittiwake population?

Similarly, Shetland’s kittiwake population plummeted from over 55,000 in 1981 to 5,000 in 2011, and observers believe those numbers have declined even further in the past few years. Only the lack of a properly funded census has prevented ornithologists from putting precise numbers on the devastation that is occurring.

What happened to Shetland’s puffins?

The place was covered with colonies of puffins, kittiwakes, fulmars, and guillemots,” said Helen Moncrieff, manager of RSPB Scotland’s office in Shetland. “There were thousands and thousands of birds and visitors were guaranteed a sight of puffins. Today they have to be very patient. At the same time, guillemots have halved in numbers.

Do oceanographic variables influence kittiwake habitat selection?

Indeed, we found that kittiwake habitat selection was influenced by six oceanographic variables that influence prey distribution.

Does the decline in sandeels affect other seabirds?

Since CCRA2, evidence is now increasing that declines in the abundance and nutritional quality of sandeels has reduced the breeding success and populations of some seabirds (notably surface-feeding species such as kittiwake) although mechanisms remain to be fully established.

How do stratification and stratification affect kittiwakes?

For example, seasonal stratification timing and strength, as well as timing of the spring bloom, influence the timing of emergence and movements of both zooplankton and their sandeel predators through the water column, which ultimately determine feeding conditions for kittiwakes at the sea surface (Carroll et al. 2015; Scott et al. 2006).

How does climate affect kittiwake breeding success?

The annual survival rates of European shags were also negatively related to temperature (Burthe et al., 2014). Although most studies have focussed on temperature effects, recent evidence has shown that kittiwake breeding success is negatively correlated with another climate-induced process, stratification in the water column (Carroll et al., 2015).

Is the first kittiwake colony on the Tyne at risk of extirpation?

Experts fear that the first colony of Kittiwakes ever established along the River Tyne may be at risk of extirpation, due to deterrents placed around their favoured nesting sites.

Does age-related investment matter in kittiwake reproduction?

In kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla ), reproductive success improves with experience and it has been argued that, even from a theoretical perspective, differences in age-related investment should only occur if annual survival decreases with age.

How successful are kittiwake colonies at breeding in the North Sea?

In the North Sea, the annual proportion of kittiwake colonies achieving the required level of breeding success and the proportion of kittiwake colonies where breeding failure was recorded were, not unsurprisingly, strongly, negatively correlated ( r = −0.95, P < 0.01, Fig. 4 ). 3.5. Impact of fisheries on seabird productivity in the North Sea

Does stratification affect kittiwake breeding success?

The annual survival rates of European shags were also negatively related to temperature (Burthe et al., 2014). Although most studies have focussed on temperature effects, recent evidence has shown that kittiwake breeding success is negatively correlated with another climate-induced process, stratification in the water column.

Will Shetland’s kittiwake population recover this year?

That figure dropped to 570 last year and there are no signs of any recovery this year, although it is still early in the season. Similarly, Shetland’s kittiwake population plummeted from over 55,000 in 1981 to 5,000 in 2011, and observers believe those numbers have declined even further in the past few years.

Is the Tyne’s Kittiwake in decline?

A nationally Red-listed species, the wider River Tyne population numbered 1,639 nests last year – the majority around the Newcastle and Gateshead quaysides – and is one of the few which is not in decline. Famously the furthest inland colony in the world, the Tyne Kittiwake Partnership was formed to safeguard the population along the river.

Is the Kittiwake endangered?

The kittiwake ( Rissa Tridactyla, or black-legged kittiwake), which breeds along northern coasts, has declined globally by about 40% since the 1970s. More than 70% of the British breeding kittiwake population is found in Scotland.

How many puffins are there in Shetland?

Surveys have revealed that the number of Atlantics puffins has declined at several sites across the UK. On Shetland, it’s claimed that the population of this beloved beaked bird have dropped from 33,000 in 2000 to just 570.

Where have dead puffins been washed ashore in Scotland?

He said they have had earlier reports of dead puffins being washed ashore in the southern part of the North Sea and north east coast of Scotland, but more recently in Orkney area.

Is the Puffin at risk of extinction?

The much-loved puffin is at risk of extinction, environmentalists have warned. Surveys have revealed that the number of Atlantics puffins has declined at several sites across the UK. On Shetland, it’s claimed that the population of this beloved beaked bird have dropped from 33,000 in 2000 to just 570.

Why are puffins washing up dead on Orkney beaches?

Dozens of dead and barely alive puffins are being washing up on Orkney’s coastline. Experts are investigating the discovery of the birds at Scapa and other beaches in recent days. They do not yet know why the birds are dying but they believe it is unlikely to be avian flu.