Effects of telemetry transmitter weight on breeding success in herring gulls

Dummy ratio-tracking transmitters weighing 10, 30 and 50 g were attached to randomly chosen pairs of breeding herring gulls (Larus argentatus). Breeding success was measured as a function of eggs hatched and chicks fledged. Fewer clutches survived if patients were subjected to more severe treatments (p less than 0.02). Component effects (catching pairs of gulls or increased transmitter weight) were not singularly significant in decreasing clutch success.