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Seaducks in the Moray Firth: a review of their current status and distribution

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

L. H. Campbell ,
J. Barrett  and
C. F. Barrett
L. H. Campbell
Affiliation:
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, U.K.
J. Barrett
Affiliation:
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, U.K.
C. F. Barrett
Affiliation:
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, U.K.
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Synopsis

Five species of seaduck were counted in the Moray Firth in 1981/82 and 1982/83. Over 20,000 seaducks were recorded each winter, using at least four different main sites. With the exception of long-tailed duck the majority were found within 5 km of the shore. A review of available data showed that the relative importance of each site varied from year to year and it is argued that the whole firth should be considered as a single large site. This site is shown to hold the largest numbers of seaduck in Britain and to be of international importance for three different species. The vulnerability of seaduck flocks to oil pollution in this area may be greater than that of other seabirds.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B: Biological Sciences , Volume 91: The Marine Environment of the Moray Firth , 1986 , pp. 105 - 112
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1986

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