Diet of Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) feeding chicks at two Irish colonies highlights the importance of clupeids

Abstract

Capsule We examined regurgitates from Black-legged Kittiwakes during the early chick-rearing period over two breeding seasons at two colonies in Ireland where diet has not been studied previously. Clupeids were the dominant food source at both colonies, which contrasts with other studies throughout the British Isles that suggest Kittiwakes feed mainly on sandeels during this period. Our study is limited by sample size and restricted to the early breeding season, but suggests a link between reproductive success and dietary composition which should be investigated further.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This project was funded by the Natural Heritage Research Partnership (NHRP) between the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and Quercus, Queen's University Belfast and supported through collaboration with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Northern Ireland (RSPB NI) and BirdWatch Ireland (BWI). All fieldwork was conducted under Government licence and complied with the Queen's University Belfast Ethical Code of Conduct. We are particularly grateful to Maggie Hall (BWI) for assistance in the field and the Lambay Estate Trustees for permission to work on the island. Thanks also to Neil McCulloch who acted as NIEA Client Officer.