Factors affecting the breeding success of the south polar skua Catharacta maccormicki at Edmonson Point, Victoria Land, Antarctica

A south polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki) population was studied at Edmonson Point (74°20′S–165°08′E), Victoria Land, Antarctica, in 1998/1999. The local population consisted of 101 pairs, 89 of which were located within a large, loose colony associated with a rookery of about 2,000 pairs of Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae). Skua nests were clumped around penguin subcolonies. Mean skua Nearest Neighbour Distance (NND) was 21±15 m (n=89)....