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The Davis Strait - DCE - Nationalt Center for Miljø og Energi

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94<br />

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

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