EGG-LAYING, CHICK GROWTH AND FOOD OF KITTIWAKES RISSA-TRIDACTYLA AT HOPEN, SVALBARD

In 1984, kittiwakes at Hopen laid eggs ca. 14 days later than previous ly found in North Norway and on the Kola Peninsula. The mean clutch si ze, egg volume, and hatching success were otherwise very similar to th ose documented on the mainland. Although feeding trips were very long, a rapid chick growth and high rate of chick survival suggested that f ood availability was not a limiting factor in 1984. In contrast to oth er sites at Svalbard where polar cod Boreogadus saida and crustaceans dominate kittiwake diets, the diets of chicks at Hopen consisted mainl y of capelin Mallotus villosus which the adults probably collected at or beyond the polar front southeast of the island.