Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/2445/32311
Title: Activity patterns and foraging behaviour of Audouin's gulls at the Ebro Delta, NW Mediterranean.
Author: Mañosa, Santi
Oro, Daniel
Ruiz, Xavier
Keywords: Gavines
Alimentació animal
Indústria pesquera
Ebre, Delta de l' (Catalunya)
Gulls
Animal feeding
Fishing industry
Ebro River Delta (Catalonia)
Issue Date: 2004
Publisher: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Abstract: Twenty Audouin´s gulls, Larus audouinii, breeding in the Ebro Delta (NW Mediterranean) were radio-tracked in 1998 to study their foraging behaviour and activity patterns. Some detrimental effects of tagging on the breeding success of the birds were detected, especially when both members of the pair were tagged. The results were actually constrained by the low number of locations due to natural breeding failure and failure in tag emission, as well as the adverse effect of tagging. However, through a combination of aircraft surveys at sea and a fixed station for automatic tracking of the presence of the birds at the colony, novel individual-based information of home ranges and activity patterns was obtained. Trawler fishing activity seemed to influence both the foraging range and habitat use: while trawlers operated, gulls overlapped their fishing grounds with vessels, probably to scavenge on discards. Very few locations were obtained during a trawling moratorium period, although they were all recorded in coastal bays and terrestrial habitats. During the trawling activity period, gulls ranged over a minimum convex polygon area of 2900 km2. Gulls were tracked up to 40 km from the colony, but some individuals were observed beyond 150 km while still breeding. Arrivals and departures from the colony were in accordance with the trawling timetable. However, most birds also showed some nocturnal foraging activity, probably linked to active fishing of clupeoids (following diel migrations) or to the exploitation of purse-seine fishing activity. Foraging trips lasted on average 15 hours: males performed significantly shorter trips than females, which spent more time outside the colony. The proportion of nocturnal time involved in the foraging trips was the same for males and females, but whilst all males initiated their trips both during the day and at night, some females only initiated their trips during the day. Hatching success was found to be related to foraging effort by males. Gulls spent on average ca. 38% of their time budget outside the nesting territory, representing the time devoted mainly to flying, foraging and other activities.
Note: Reproducció del document publicat a: http://dx.doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2004.68n4605
It is part of: Scientia Marina, 2004, vol. 68, num. 4, p. 605-614
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2445/32311
Related resource: http://dx.doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2004.68n4605
ISSN: 0214-8358
Appears in Collections:Articles publicats en revistes (Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals)

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