When are Atlantic Puffins<i>Fratercula arctica</i>in the North Sea and around the Faroe Islands flightless?

Harris, Michael; Wanless, Sarah; Jensen, Jens‐Kjeld

doi:10.1080/00063657.2014.909382

Cited by 21 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 38 publications

(33 reference statements)

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“…Estimates of moult phenology from activity loggers provide additional opportunities to extend such studies by following birds after dispersal from the colony, thus exploring unresolved questions about timing and duration of seabird moult arising from analyses of carcasses (Bridge 2011). Atlantic Puffins Fratercula arctica, for example, have a protracted period of moult with bi-modal peaks in both October and March, suggesting they may moult twice during the non-breeding season (Harris et al 2014). Individual-based data are required to test such hypotheses and explore how these patterns relate to previous reproductive histories.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a consequence, there is limited information on the timing of moult in many pelagic seabirds (Bridge 2006, Gutowsky et al 2014, Cherel et al 2016) and on the key areas that these birds may be using at this time (e.g. Harris et al 2014). Given that reduced flight performance may increase their vulnerability to various natural and anthropogenic stressors (Green et al 2004), better information on moult patterns is also required to support efforts to manage high seas areas to protect pelagic seabirds.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Breeding status influences timing but not duration of moult in the Northern FulmarFulmarus glacialis

Grissot

Graham

Quinn

et al. 2019

Ibis

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Seabirds are key marine top predator species that are often used as indicators of the environmental quality of the oceans. Their breeding phenology has been studied extensively, but their pelagic habits mean less is known about the phenology of other events during the non‐breeding period. Here, we used miniaturized saltwater immersion light‐based geolocators (GLS) to investigate moult phenology in individuals with known breeding histories in a population of Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis in Orkney, Scotland. As seabirds spend more time on the water during moult, moulting periods can be identified from patterns of variation in the amount of time that birds are in contact with saltwater. Estimates of daily variation in this behaviour during the non‐breeding period were based upon wet/dry sensors and then modelled to characterize the timing of the moult. Light‐based geolocation provided information on the areas used by each individual during its moult period. Inter‐individual variability in moult timing was investigated in relation to sex and breeding success in the previous summer. We found a sex difference in the location of the moult, but not in its timing. However, the timing of moult did differ between individuals that had succeeded or failed in their previous breeding attempt, with successful breeders moulting the latest. In contrast, the duration of moult did not depend on prior reproductive success, but there was evidence of inter‐annual variation in moult duration. GLS studies have provided a step change in our understanding of the at‐sea distribution of pelagic seabirds. Our work highlights how activity data from these devices can add value to such studies by identifying key phases of the annual cycle, and locations at these times, when seabirds may be at particular risk. Furthermore, our findings indicate that individual and inter‐annual variation in breeding success may influence phenological patterns in other phases of the Northern Fulmar annual cycle.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Breeding status influences timing but not duration of moult in the Northern FulmarFulmarus glacialis

Grissot

Graham

Quinn

et al. 2019

Ibis

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“…This morphological change could potentially impact the species’ post‐breeding diving capabilities, since changes in both body size and composition influence diving behaviour via their influence on drag and buoyancy (Sato et al 2003, Halsey et al ). However, while seasonal changes in body condition affect marine mammal diving behaviour (Richard et al ), this aspect has not yet been investigated in seabirds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In guillemots and razorbills, wing moult partially overlaps with the period of male‐only post‐fledging parental care and therefore the effects of these two phenomenon are likely to occur simultaneously (Gaston and Jones ). The scheduling of moult in puffins seems much more variable but typically occurs later than in guillemots and razorbills, with peaks in October and March (Harris et al ). Due to the energetic constraints of moult, coupled with flightlessness (Bridge ), moulting auks are thought to favour productive, sheltered areas with predicable prey (Peery et al , Linnebjerg et al ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of body size, sex, parental care and moult strategies on auk diving behaviour outside the breeding season

Dunn

Wanless

Green

et al. 2019

Journal of Avian Biology

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Information on seabird foraging behaviour outside the breeding season is currently limited. This knowledge gap is critical as this period is energetically demanding due to post‐fledging parental care, feather moult and changing environmental conditions. Based on species’ body size, post‐fledging parental strategy and primary moult schedule we tested predictions for key aspects of foraging behaviour (maximum dive depth (MDD), daily time submerged (DTS) and diurnal dive activity (DDA)) using dive depth data collected from three seabird species (common guillemot Uria aalge, razorbill Alca torda and Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica) from the end of the breeding season (July) to mid‐winter (January). We found partial support for predictions associated with body size; guillemots had greater MDD than razorbills but MDD did not differ between razorbills and puffins, despite the former being 35% heavier. In accordance with sexual monomorphism in all three species, MDD did not differ overall between the sexes. However, in guillemots and razorbills there were sex‐specific differences, such that male guillemots made deeper dives than females, and males of both species had higher DTS. In contrast, there were no marked sex differences in dive behaviour of puffins in July and August in accordance with their lack of post‐fledging parental care and variable moult schedule. We found support for the prediction that diving effort would be greater in mid‐winter compared to the period after the breeding season. Despite reduced daylight in mid‐winter, this increase in DTS occurred predominantly during the day and only guillemots appeared to dive nocturnally to any great extent. In comparison to diving behaviour of these species recorded during the breeding season, MDD was shallower and DTS was greater during the non‐breeding period. Such differences in diving behaviour during the post‐breeding period are relevant when identifying potential energetic bottlenecks, known to be key drivers of seabird population dynamics.

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“…Migratory patterns are very diverse and can include successive trips to different wintering sites (Fayet et al 2016). The timings and locations of moult are unknown but likely to vary widely within populations (Harris et al 2014). Between 2009 and2015, 16 pairs of chick-rearing puffins were equipped with a geolocator on a leg ring (Biotrack, ≤ 2 g, ~0.5% of body mass) for 1 to 3 yr, recording light level and immersion.…”

Section: Study Site and Geolocation Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Within-pair similarity in migration route and female winter foraging effort predict pair breeding performance in a monogamous seabird

Fayet¹,

Shoji²,

Freeman³

et al. 2017

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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In long-lived monogamous animals, pair bond strength and durability are usually associated with higher fitness. However, whether pairs maximise fitness during the non-breeding season by maintaining contact during the winter or, instead, prioritise individual condition is unclear. Using geolocators recording spatial (light) and behavioural (immersion) data, we tracked pairs of the long-term monogamous Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica during the non-breeding season to determine whether and how migratory strategies were related to future pair breeding performance and whether within-pair similarity in migratory movements or individual behaviour best predicted future fitness. While pair members migrated separately, their routes were similar in the first part of the non-breeding season but diverged later on; nonetheless, pairs showed synchrony in their return to the breeding colony in spring. Pairs following more similar routes bred earlier and had a higher breeding success the following spring. However, female (but not male) winter foraging effort was also a strong predictor of subsequent fitness, being associated with future timing of breeding and reproductive success. Overall, females had higher daily energy expenditure than males, especially in the late winter when their route diverged from their partner's and they foraged more than males. Our study reveals that female winter foraging, probably linked to pre-breeding condition, may be more critical for fitness than maintaining the pair bond outside of the breeding season. However, even without contact between mates, pairs can benefit from following similar migration routes and synchronise their returns, but the mechanisms linking these processes remain unclear.

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When are Atlantic PuffinsFratercula arcticain the North Sea and around the Faroe Islands flightless?

Abstract: Contact CEH NORA team at noraceh@ceh.ac.ukThe NERC and CEH trademarks and logos ('the Trademarks') are registered trademarks of NERC in the UK and other countries, and may not be used without the prior written consent of the Trademark owner.

Cited by 21 publications

References 38 publications

Breeding status influences timing but not duration of moult in the Northern FulmarFulmarus glacialis

Breeding status influences timing but not duration of moult in the Northern FulmarFulmarus glacialis

Effects of body size, sex, parental care and moult strategies on auk diving behaviour outside the breeding season

Within-pair similarity in migration route and female winter foraging effort predict pair breeding performance in a monogamous seabird

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