Already tracked by humans thanks to its GPS, now this adult black-legged kittiwake has been photographed being stalked by an Arctic skua, also known as parasitic jaeger! The latter is aptly named, since a large part of its diet is based on the stealing of prey caught by other seabird species. As for the gull, equipped with a GPS on its nest at Pointe du Raz (Brittany) at the beginning of July, it is doing well and continues to go back and forth to feed its large chick for a few more days before it fledges.
The Arctic skua (or parasitic jaeger) is also a target species for the Migratlane programme. We hope to be able to capture them on their breeding grounds in Northern Europe, in order to discover the migratory routes and wintering grounds of overwintering individuals along the French coast.
Photo : Pierre Rigalleau
Foraging trips of 3 adults black-legged kittiwake feeding their chicks on the cliffs of the Pointe du Raz (Britanny) in July 2023.
Black-legged kittiwake chicks, close to fledging, at the colony of Boulogne sur Mer (Northern France). One of them is fitted with a GPS that will record its first ever movements at sea.