Study

Egg predation reduced by nest covers during researcher activities in a Caspian tern colony

  • Published source details Quinn J.S. (1984) Egg predation reduced by nest covers during researcher activities in a Caspian tern colony. Colonial Waterbirds, 7, 149-151.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use nest covers to reduce the impact of research on predation of ground-nesting seabirds

Action Link
Bird Conservation
  1. Use nest covers to reduce the impact of research on predation of ground-nesting seabirds

    A before-and-after study at a site on the South Limestone Islands, Lake Huron, Canada (Quinn 1984), found that the hatching rate in a Caspian tern Sterna caspia colony was significantly higher in 1979 when researchers visiting the site added nest covers to nests when they arrived at the colony and removed them as they left, compared to in 1978, when covers were not used (77% of 156 eggs hatching in 1979 vs. 62% of 188 in 1978). This difference was mainly due to large numbers of eggs being eaten by ring-billed gulls Larus delawarensis in 1978. The author notes that two eggs in 1978 were crushed by poor placement of the covers. Covers were 38 cm diameter hemisphere made from wood, steel and chicken wire.

     

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