The Davis Strait - DCE - Nationalt Center for Miljø og Energi
The Davis Strait - DCE - Nationalt Center for Miljø og Energi
The Davis Strait - DCE - Nationalt Center for Miljø og Energi
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4.7.1 Breeding seabirds<br />
Most of the breeding seabirds are colonial breeders and many breeding colonies<br />
are found dispersed along the coast of the assessment area (Fig. 4.7.1<br />
and 4.7.2). Colonies vary in size (from a few pairs to more than 20,000 individuals)<br />
and in species composition, from holding only a single species up to<br />
ten different species. <strong>The</strong> seabirds usually <strong>for</strong>age relatively close to the<br />
breeding sites, however, two species may potentially undertake much longer<br />
<strong>for</strong>aging trips, although not studied within the assessment area. In Qaanaaq,<br />
thick-billed murres have been recorded to fly more than 100 km to find food<br />
(Falk et al. 2000) and the northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) is known to<br />
undertake exceptional long <strong>for</strong>aging trips lasting several days (e.g., Falk &<br />
Møller 1997).<br />
A total of 20 species of seabirds are known to breed regularly along the<br />
coasts of the assessment area. Of these most are more or less colonial, breeding<br />
on steep sea-facing cliffs or on low islets (Boertmann et al. 1996). <strong>The</strong> only<br />
seabird not breeding in distinct colonies is the Arctic skua (Tab. 4.7.1). In<br />
addition, a number of species breed at freshwater habitats or on sheltered<br />
coasts.<br />
Table 4.7.1. Overview of birds associated with the marine environment of the assessment area. b = breeding, s = summering,<br />
w = wintering, m = migrant visitor, c = coastal, o = offshore. “Importance of study area to population” indicates the significance<br />
of the assessment area in a national and international context as defined by Anker-Nilssen (1987).<br />
Species Occurrence Distribution Red-list status in Importance of<br />
Greenland study area to popu-<br />
(Boertmann 2007) lation<br />
Great northern diver m/s spring, summer, autumn c near threatened (NT) medium<br />
Red-throated diver b/m/s spring, summer autumn c least concern (LC) medium<br />
Fulmar b/s/w year-round c & o least concern (LC) low<br />
Great shearwater s July-October o least concern (LC) low<br />
Great cormorant s/w year-round c least concern (LC) high<br />
Mallard b/w winter c least concern (LC) high<br />
Common eider b/s/m/w year-round c vulnerable (VU) high<br />
King eider w Oct.-May c least concern (LC) medium<br />
Long-tailed duck b/m/w year-round c least concern (LC) medium<br />
Red-breasted merganser b/m/w year-round c least concern (LC) high<br />
Harlequin duck m/w year-round c (rocky shores) near threatened (NT) high<br />
Arctic skua b summer c least concern (LC) low<br />
Black-legged kittiwake b/s/w year-round c & o vulnerable (VU) high<br />
Herring gull b summer c not evaluated (NA) low<br />
Glaucous gull b/s/w year-round c & o least concern (LC) medium<br />
Iceland gull b/s/w year-round c & o least concern (LC) high<br />
Great black-backed gull b/s/w year-round c & o least concern (LC) medium<br />
Lesser black-backed gull b April-Sept. c not evaluated (NA) medium<br />
Arctic tern b May-September c near threatened (NT) low<br />
Thick-billed murre b/w year-round c & o vulnerable (VU) high<br />
Common murre b/w year-round c & o endangered (EN) high<br />
Razorbill b/w year-round c & o least concern (LC) high<br />
Atlantic puffin b/w year-round c & o near threatened (NT) high<br />
Black guillemot b/w summer<br />
c<br />
least concern (LC) high<br />
winter<br />
c & o<br />
Little auk w September-May o least concern (LC) low<br />
White-tailed eagle b/w year-round c vulnerable (VU) high