When Rob Barrett set out to survey one of the country’s largest colonies in the 1970s there were too many birds to count. Now, his pictures and archive images show a species decline echoed around the world
A nesting area on Hornøya, a small uninhabited island in Vardø Municipality in Finnmark county in 2006 and 2023 . Photograph: Rob Barrett and Signe Christensen-Dalsgaard/Rob Barrett
After two or three attempts, Barrett decided there were simply too many birds for him to count with what he had. Subsequently, a better-equipped team estimated the number of kittiwakes there at A 1985 study estimated that more than 250,000 kittiwakes nested in Syltefjord, pictured. Today only a few thousand pairs remain.Today, just a few thousand birds remain at Syltefjord. “It is a very weak shadow of itself,” says Barrett. “It’s so sad to see it as it is.”in the past four decades, as numbers of other seabird species also continue to fall.
Vestveggen , Vedøy: As its name implies, this cliff faces due west. Here, too, the kittiwakes have vanished, as have the common guillemots and razorbills. The cliff is empty, like everywhere else on the island. In the 1950s, a few dozen Brünnich’s guillemots also nested here, but they had already disappeared by the early 1990s.Christensen-Dalsgaard came up with the idea for the photography project after seeing before-and-after pictures of retreating glaciers.
A black and white image from 1931 shows cliffs densely populated with birds. A photograph from 2023 shows none.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Family's Dishwasher Fire a Stark Reminder of Appliance SafetyA US family had a terrifying experience when their dishwasher caught fire overnight, highlighting the potential dangers of running appliances unattended. The Andersons woke to smoke alarms and found their kitchen engulfed in flames. Thankfully, they escaped unharmed, but their home suffered significant damage.
Read more »
Switch Robbo must make to avoid NRL disaster; Sharks’ stark reality laid bare — NRL Talking PointsNRL: Tolutau Koula has sent the Bulldogs packing with this sensational individual try in Manly's nail-biting elimination final win.
Read more »
Rob Stokes declines role on committee to run NSW Liberals after being named by federal executiveFormer NSW minister Stokes had not been told about committee, its composition or terms of reference ahead of the public announcement, source says
Read more »
Rob Stokes backs Northern Beaches deputy mayor to replace Rory AmonSenior Liberal Rob Stokes is throwing his support behind Georgia Ryburn to nominate for the seat of Pittwater, vowing he would “back her every step of the way”.
Read more »
NSW Liberal leader asks Rob Stokes to return to parliament amid Rory Amon scandalNSW Liberal Leader Mark Speakman has asked former planning minister Rob Stokes to return to parliament after the shock resignation of Rory Amon due shock child sex offence charges.
Read more »
Sydney prestige property for sale: Rob Speedie and Annabelle Mooney list Centennial Park mansion FormenteraFormer JPMorgan MD Annabelle Mooney and her husband, Novotech CFO Rob Speedie, have listed their grand – and storied – Centennial Park estate.
Read more »