Date of Award

Spring 4-2025

Document Type

Distinction Paper

Degree Name

Zoo and Conservation Science-BS

Department

Biology & Earth Science

Advisor

Dr. Michael Hoggarth

First Committee Member

Dr. Bennett Grooms

Second Committee Member

Dr. Sarah Bouchard

Keywords

Roseate Tern, Nest Shelters, Artificial Refuges, Productivity, Endangered

Subject Categories

Animal Studies | Behavior and Ethology | Environmental Studies | Higher Education | Ornithology | Other Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | Poultry or Avian Science | Zoology

Abstract

Restoration projects for endangered species like the Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) often rely on experimental management and research to aid reproductive success. A common practice on islands in the Gulf of Maine is to construct several rock and wood nest shelters to encourage breeding Roseate Terns to nest and raise young; however, there is limited research on what preferences and effects, if any, differing characteristics of these shelters have on their productivity. This study investigated cardinal orientation specifically, taking place on Audubon Seabird Institute’s Stratton Island (43.5051° N, 70.3117° W) during the summer of 2025 (May 13th – August 7th). Roughly 80 rock shelters were constructed, with 20 marked for the study, delegating 5 shelters to each cardinal direction, although all active shelters during the A-wave were categorized and analyzed for the study. Factors such as clutch size, hatch date, the number of chicks per nest, B-chick weight, and chick outcome for each nest were measured in relation to each nest’s orientation. All chicks were banded, and only B-chicks were weighed on days 0, 1, 2, and 3 (under proper permits designated by the Audubon Seabird Institute) to determine their success. Chick outcome was categorized as “likely fledged,” “likely died,” “indeterminate,” and “dead.” The only productivity factor of statistical significance was the weight of B-chicks on day 3 of their life, but this was likely due to a sampling inconsistency. This study found that orientation had little to no effect on various productivity factors, but a selection preference was shown for orientation, with the majority of Roseate Terns selecting West-facing shelters (58%), some selecting North-facing shelters (21%), and few (mostly B-wave birds) selecting east- and south-facing shelters (11%), with the remaining birds nesting in natural structures (10%).

Licensing Permission

Copyright, all rights reserved. Fair Use

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