In the mid-1970s, seabird researcher Rob Barrett embarked on a quest to document the thriving Syltefjord seabird colony. Upon arrival, the overwhelming cacophony and smell of kittiwakes filled the air, indicating the sheer volume of the colony. Equipped with just his camera and binoculars, Barrett recognized he was ill-equipped to count the estimated 250,000 birds, a number confirmed later by a better-equipped team. This first-hand experience set the stage for his ongoing fascination and heartbreak as seabird populations dwindled over decades.
The contrast between the vibrant seabird life of 1985 and the stark absence seen in 2023 is captured in Barrett's panaromic photographs. He notes, "A picture taken in 1985 shows countless birds on a number of rocky outcrops. A photo from 2023 shows none at all." This dramatic shift encapsulates not just a local tragedy but reflects a broader global issue. As Barrett emotionally reflects, the kittiwakes have become a 'very weak shadow' of their former selves, illustrating the widespread decline of seabird populations.
The statistics are chilling: almost 90% of Norway's mainland kittiwakes have vanished over the past 40 years, with similar declines observed in seabird species worldwide. According to the Norwegian Environment Agency, 'Between 2005 and 2015, the number of seabirds on the Norwegian mainland dropped by almost a third.' This significant drop raises alarms about the health of marine ecosystems and the countless interconnected species that depend on these environments. Without immediate action, the remnants of these colonies could disappear entirely.
Collection
[
|
...
]