Intercolony variations in movement patterns and foraging behaviors among herring gulls (Larus argentatus ) breeding in the eastern Wadden Sea

Ecology and Evolution
Leonie EnnersStefan Garthe

Abstract

Herring gulls (Larus argentatus) are opportunistic predators that prefer to forage in the intertidal zone, but an increasing degree of terrestrial foraging has recently been observed. We therefore aimed to analyze the factors influencing foraging behavior and diet composition in the German Wadden Sea. Gulls from three breeding colonies on islands at different distances from the mainland were equipped with GPS data loggers during the incubation seasons in 2012-2015. Logger data were analyzed for 37 individuals, including 1,115 foraging trips. Herring gulls breeding on the island furthest from the mainland had shorter trips (mean total distance = 12.3 km; mean maximum distance = 4.2 km) and preferred to feed on the tidal flats close to the colony, mainly feeding on common cockles (Cerastoderma edule) and shore crabs (Carcinus maenas). In contrast, herring gulls breeding close to the mainland carried out trips with a mean total distance of 26.7 km (mean maximum distance = 9.2 km). These gulls fed on the neobiotic razor clams (Ensis leei) in the intertidal zone, and a larger proportion of time was spent in distant terrestrial habitats on the mainland, feeding on earthworms. δ13C and δ15N values were higher at the colony furthest fr...Continue Reading

References

Feb 20, 2004·Nature·Stephen C VotierDavid R Thompson
May 18, 2016·Movement Ecology·Natalie IsakssonSusanne Åkesson
Aug 17, 2016·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Emily L C ShepardShane P Windsor
Aug 17, 2016·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Judy Shamoun-BaranesC J Camphuysen
Jul 12, 2017·Ecology and Evolution·Susanne van DonkJaap van der Meer

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