Site use and fidelity in the Common Guillemot Uria aalge |
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Authors: | M. P. HARRIS S. WANLESS T. R. BARTON |
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Affiliation: | Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Banchory Research Station, Banchory, Kincardineshire AB31 4BY, UK |
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Abstract: | The site fidelity of 470 colour-ringed Common Guillemots Uria aalge with at least 1 year of breeding experience was followed on the Isle of May from 1982 to 1993. On average, 85.7% of birds recorded breeding at a site in any year were present at the same site in the following season. Of those which did not retain their site, 35% had moved to another site, 25% were nonbreeders and 40% were not seen. Site- fidelity of birds which returned to the colony the next year was 91%. There were no significant age or sex effects, but there were significant (and unexplained) year and area effects. Most birds which changed sites moved less than 2 m. Some birds which obtained a new site improved their nesting success, but many others became nonbreeders; it is speculated that the former chose to move site, whilst the latter had been evicted. |
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