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SITE NAME
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Zackenberg, Greenland, Denmark
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| Contact details
(phone/fax//e-mail//address): |
| +45 46 30 19 43/45 46 30 19 14 // jaha@dmu.dk // Department of Arctic Environment, National Environmental Research Institute, Box 358, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
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PROJECT DETAILS |
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Start of survey:
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End
of survey: |
Team
size: |
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19.05
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30.08
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5
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WEATHER
CONDITIONS
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Weather conditions: |
| Surge flooding of the river, Zackenbergelven, between 24 July and 29 July, spoiled nest of glaucous gull. Also, surge flooding had an impact on the low tide counts, which might explain low numbers of juvenile birds, counted in the deltas.
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| Date of ice-break on
rivers: |
1.06
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| Date of final loss of
snow: |
18.06
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BIOTIC
CONDITIONS
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| Rodents abundance evaluation: |
low
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Breeding conditions:
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2005 was yet another early season in Zackenberg. Laying was initiated in nearly 70% af all wader nests before 15 June. Median first egg dates were a bit later than in 2004, except for Dunlin which had the same median date as last year: 12 June. However, compared to all preceding nine seasons, median first egg dates from 2005 were among the earlier.
Nest success was very low, and nest predation the highest recorded since the beginning of the monitoring programme, 1995. In most cases of nest loss, Arctic Fox is suspected, although Long-tailed Skuas and gulls are likely to have had a share.
This season, Sanderlings were at their lowest numbers, both in terms of individuals recorded during the census and in terms of the resulting estimates of pairs/territories. Dunlin remains the most numerous wader species, although at slightly lower numbers than of late.
Chick survival is assumed low, but the effects of a surge flooding hampered estimates of juvenile numbers at low tide counts. The deltas were covered in sandy mud from the flooding, limiting the waders' access to their food items. Consequently, very low numbers of birds were counted in the delta.
The number of encounters of foxes was very high, although no breeding was recorded. All known dens were visited, but no pup activity was observed, and it is considered unlikely, that Arctic foxes bred at Zackenberg this season.
Inside the census area, no ptarmigan couples were encountered until a female with chicks was seen late in July. Outside the census area, several couples were seen.
Many pairs of Long-tailed Skuas did not breed this season. Of 28-34 territories, only 8 were found breeding. Most eggs survived to hatching, but only one chick was alive at the last check. It is uncertain if this one chick survived beyond 18 days of age or whether it fledged. In the whole season only one fledged juvenile was seen.
Yet again, the number of snow bunting territories was very high. 114-123 territories is the highest recorded at Zackenberg since the start of ZERO in 1995.
Aggregations of moulting, roosting and feeding Barnacle Geese included 14 families from adjacent colonies, 119 non-breeders inside census area and 287 non-breeders outside census area.
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Rodent dynamics:
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| No lemmings were seen this season, but with 234 winter nests, the 2005 data is near medium of the data for the entire ZERO monitoring programme.
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Rodent species recorded:
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| Latin | Abundance |
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| Dicrostonyx torquatus | rare |
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Summary
of fauna studies: |
| The ZERO annual report 2005 contains results from the monitoring of bird populations and their breeding success and phenology. Additionally, other monitoring results of climate and basic biological parameters are given. It will be published on the ZERO web-site http://www.zackenberg.dk/ and in print.
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