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The role of food supply in the breeding performance of terns 1991

Abstract

In 1984, it became evident to the Shetland Ringing Group and others monitoring seabirds in Shetland that arctic terns had had a very poor breeding season. This situation continued in 1985, and a study carried out in 1986 suggested that predation by gulls was an important factor. However, it was felt by many others that the cause of the breeding failure was starvation of the chicks.

Since the internationally-important population of arctic terns in Shetland was known to feed on sandeels, and there was a locally important sandeel fishery around Shetland, it was felt that the situation demanded further investigation. Therefore the Nature Conservancy Council (NCC) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) agreed to fund a study by Glasgow University of the role of food supply in the breeding performance of terns. This is the report of that study, carried out between 1987 and 1989.

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Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 1991·05·01

Citation
Monaghan, P., Uttley, J.D. & Burns, M.D. (1991) The role of food supply in the breeding performance of terns, JNCC Report 2. JNCC, Peterborough. ISSN 0963-8091.

Lineage
A study by Glasgow University of the role of food supply in the breeding performance of terns.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2026·04·21

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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