Nest site characteristics and breeding success in the Razorbill Alca torda.

Abstract

The breeding biology of the Razorbill Alca torda has been described in a number of studies, notably by Paludan (1947), Plumb (1965), Bédard ( 1969) and Lloyd (1976, 1979). The Razorbill breeds in a variety of nest sites which range in structure from exposed ledges to enclosed burrows. This paper investigates the success of Razorbills breeding in different nesting sites on the island of Skomer, Wales in 1976, 1977 and 1978.