Chick provisioning and breeding success of Adelie penguins at Bechervaise Island over eight successive seasons

Data on foraging trip durations and meal sizes were collected by means of an automated monitoring system from breeding Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) at Bechervaise Island over eight breeding seasons, commencing in 1991-92. Significant interannual differences in duration of foraging trips, meal sizes and diet composition were observed. These parameters were correlated with breeding success and fledging masses, and provide useful indicators of food availability during the breeding season. Chicks were particularly vulnerable to a decreased availability of food during the first 3 weeks after hatching.