Subcolony variation in phenology and breeding parameters in little auk Alle alle

Abstract

In seabirds, variation in breeding phenology and success is often induced by macro-and mesoscale fluctuations in oceanographic conditions, which is recordable at the regional or colony scale. Variation in breeding parameters may also exist at the microscale-among discrete breeding aggregations and subcolonies. The aim of this study was to compare breeding phenology and parameters (hatching success, chick survival, chick body mass indices) among little auks (Alle alle) nesting in three subcolonies differing in their microtopographic and microclimatic features, situated in Magdalenefjorden (north-western Spitsbergen). The hatching phenology varied significantly among the subcolonies. This was probably due to the different duration of snow persistence in spring, as nests are occupied as soon as the snow cover melts sufficiently to allow access to them. The earliest hatching was recorded in the subcolony located on steep slopes at low altitude in the vicinity of the fjord, which favours early ice and snow melting in spring. Hatching success differed significantly among subcolonies, which could also have been due to the microclimatic features of the subcolonies. Hatching success was the lowest in the subcolony where birds started to breed while patchy snow was still persisting. Water from the melting snow could have flooded some of the nests. Alternatively, the low hatchability could have been caused by a higher frequency of less experienced breeders (e.g., first-time breeders) among the individuals nesting in this subcolony. Other breeding parameters (chick survival and growth) were generally similar in all the subcolonies.

The effects of loggers on the foraging effort and chick-rearing ability of parent little auks

“…Breeding season in little auks starts between late February and early May and is strongly determined by snow melting in spring, which allows birds to enter the nest (Stempniewicz 2001;Moe et al 2009;Jakubas and Wojczulanis-Jakubas 2011). Little auks lay a single egg in late June.…”

Influence of nest burrow microclimate on chick growth in a colonial High-Arctic seabird, the little auk

“…In the Wilson's storm petrel (Oceanites oceanicus), too, a high correlation between air temperature and increases in weight of chicks was reported (Wasilewski 1986). The body mass of little auk offspring may vary among sub-colonies as an effect of nest microclimate (Jakubas & Wojczulanis-Jakubas 2011). The lack of a significant correlation between AGR2 and mean nest temperature may be due to the recession in chick body mass prior to fledging.…”

“…Its breeding is strictly governed by the springtime melting of snow and ice, which allows the birds to enter the burrows to nest. Little auks match their reproduction to the period when soil temperatures are above 0°C (Moe et al 2009;Jakubas & Wojczulanis-Jakubas 2011). The slopes occupied by little auk colonies generally consist of many subareas, varying in physical and social features such as micro-topography, vegetation, location on the slopes and breeding density (Jakubas & Wojczulanis-Jakubas 2011).…”

“…Little auks match their reproduction to the period when soil temperatures are above 0°C (Moe et al 2009;Jakubas & Wojczulanis-Jakubas 2011). The slopes occupied by little auk colonies generally consist of many subareas, varying in physical and social features such as micro-topography, vegetation, location on the slopes and breeding density (Jakubas & Wojczulanis-Jakubas 2011). Particular breeding pairs may therefore experience in their nest burrows microclimatic conditions differing from those in the neighbouring burrows.…”

Remote Time-lapse Photography as a Monitoring Tool for Colonial Breeding Seabirds: A Case Study Using Thick-billed Murres (Uria lomvia)

“…Inter-colony variation in attendance can exist due to colony size, location, and/or foraging conditions (Birkhead 1978;Zador and Piatt 1999;Harding et al 2005;Elliott et al 2010). In addition, within-colony variation and spatial autocorrelation in attendance, date of laying, and other breeding parameters can also exist (Birkhead 1978;Murphy and Schauer 1996;Jakubas and Wojczulanis-Jakubas 2011) and could be corrected with the use of multiple cameras observing additional areas of the colony. However, the lack of additional cameras in this study is not a limitation to the method as such-the same limitation of intra-and inter-colony spatial autocorrelations and attendance differences would exist for direct observations and counts as well.…”