Opmerkelijke concentratie jagers stercorariidae in zeevogelrijk zeegebied ten oosten van Aberdeen (Schotland), september 1988

Seabirds were counted during the herringlarvae-survey on board of the fishery research vessel MV Tridens along the British east coast from 19 to 23 September 1988. Some 20 miles off the coast of Aberdeen (East Scotland) very high densities of seabirds were recorded at the Aberdeen-front (indicated by phytoplankton bloom) on 21 September 1988. In one hour time, on a transect running from 56°38,9 N, 010- 29,0 W to 56°50,9 N, 01°31,1 W no less than 91 skuas were recorded including all four North Atlantic species in almost equal numbers (listed above). In this area rich primary production was observed, but schoolfish such as Herring or Sprat was found not particularly common (indicated by echosounder), nor were herringlarvae or larvae of other fish species (subject of stuy on board). Mixed flocks of all species of skuas are highly unusual and a flock like the one recorded is highly remarkable, not only for the North Sea. Following this observation, Long-tailed Skuas were observed in many countries surrounding the North Sea.