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Using GPS technology to assess feeding areas of Atlantic puffins Fratercula arctica

Harris, Michael P.; Bogdanova, Maria I.; Daunt, Francis; Wanless, Sarah. 2012 Using GPS technology to assess feeding areas of Atlantic puffins Fratercula arctica. Ringing & Migration, 27 (1). 43-49. https://doi.org/10.1080/03078698.2012.691247

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Abstract/Summary

Large areas of sea around Britain have been identified as potential sites for renewable energy development, heightening the need for information about important areas for seabirds. The Atlantic Puffin Fratercula arctica is one of the commonest seabirds in northeast Britain yet little is known about where individuals feed. We used back-mounted GPS loggers to track Atlantic Puffins breeding at a colony close to where wind farms are proposed. During chick rearing, birds made two types of feeding trip: long absences that included an overnight stay at distant (38–66 km) feeding areas and short daytime excursions to areas much nearer the colony (9–17 km). There was considerable overlap of the distant feeding area with the proposed wind farms. However, Atlantic Puffins are known to be sensitive to disturbance and comparison of individuals with and without loggers showed that the birds' behaviour had been disrupted by some aspect of the procedure. While the areas used by the birds carrying GPS loggers accorded with expectations based on other methods, it is possible that results from these birds represent a worst-case scenario and overestimate the degree of overlap with the proposed wind farms.

Item Type: Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1080/03078698.2012.691247
Programmes: CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biodiversity > BD Topic 1 - Observations, Patterns, and Predictions for Biodiversity > BD - 1.4 - Quantify and model interactions to determine impacts ...
CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biodiversity > BD Topic 3 - Managing Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Environment > BD - 3.4 - Provide science-based advice ...
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas: UKCEH Fellows
Watt
ISSN: 0307-8698
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.: This is the Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in Ringing & Migration, 27 (1). 43-49 [copyright British Trust for Ornithology], available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/ 10.1080/03078698.2012.691247
NORA Subject Terms: Marine Sciences
Ecology and Environment
Date made live: 23 May 2012 14:45 +0 (UTC)
URI: https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/18140

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