Abstract
Bird population changes were studied during the construction of the new Vuosaari Harbour in 2001–2011 (Helsinki, Finland, N60°14.52' E25°9.07'). Part of the monitoring programme was to determine the possible impacts of harbour and ship channel construction on breeding seabird populations. The study revealed that the population trends of most species showed no substantial difference between islets close to harbour and channel and more distant reference islet. A Black-headed Gull colony was destroyed by landfill but that was deliberately and with permission. The trends of Ruddy Turnstone and Great Black-backed Gull populations were more negative in near than in distant islets. In the surrounding archipelago, the Barnacle Goose, Mew Gull and Common Black-headed Gull clearly increased during the study years. The European Herring Gull decreased distinctly, which was probably caused by the removal of individuals from the rubbish dumps around Helsinki. There were some differences between the restricted-and open-access islands. The population of Herring Gull was higher and the decline stronger in the restricted areas, while the Common Ringed Plover population simultaneously increased.
Highlights
The seabird populations of the northern Baltic Sea are threatened by many different factors
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the Vuosaari Harbour and ship channel construction on the local seabird populations
The behaviour of gulls and ducks was monitored during a certain new construction activity in Helsinki, which indicated that these seabirds were frightened by the noise at a distances of hundreds of metres (Kala- ja Vesitutkimus Oy et al 1996)
Summary
The seabird populations of the northern Baltic Sea are threatened by many different factors. Dredging, dumping and harbour construction probably bring about negative impacts on seabirds breeding at sites near construction areas. Most studies of the effects of human activity impacts on the environment have been conducted in Europe and North America. Even small variations from the human standpoint in distance between the disturbance source and birds or in vessel speed can translate into remarkable variation in the disturbance effect. The disturbance of boat traffic on foraging Black Guillemots Cepphus grylle was studied at a breeding colony in the Bay of Fundy, Canada, showing that the species was susceptible to disturbance by approaching vessels. A general setback distance of 50 m between boats and birds was estimated to be sufficient to prevent disturbances to most seabird nesting and roosting sites while allowing viewers to appreciate the seabirds; at shorter distances, the disturbance effect on birds was clearly strengthened (Chatwin et al 2013)
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