Effects of Gull Predation and Predator Control on Tern Nesting Success at Eastern Egg Rock, Maine

Donehower, Christina E.; Bird, David M.; Hall, C. Scott; Kress, Stephen W.

doi:10.1675/1524-4695(2007)030[0029:eogpap]2.0.co;2

Cited by 34 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Common methods to limit predation on terns include fencing off nesting areas, construction of shelters, lethal predator control, removal and translocation of predators, predator nest and egg destruction or egg oiling, and nonlethal predator harassment (Kress, 1983(Kress, , 1997(Kress, , 2000Morris et al, 1992;Burger and Gochfeld, 1994;Quinn et al, 1996;Nisbet and Spendelow, 1999;Donehower et al, 2007;Cabot and Nisbet, 2013). Predator control usually cannot stop after initial management action or after new colonies have been established, because predators may be attracted to breeding colonies (Ward et al, 2011).…”

Section: Predator Behavior and Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reed (2004) speculates that applying conspecific scents could cause territorial mammalian predators to keep away if they perceive that another individual occupies that area. Predation on tern adults, eggs or young is often performed by only a few specialized individuals (Morris et al, 1992;Becker, 1995;Quinn et al, 1996;Yorio and Quintana, 1997;Donehower et al, 2007;Guillemette and Broussard, 2001;Hall and Kress, 2008;Cabot and Nisbet, 2013). Knowledge of intraspecific differences in predatory behavior can therefore help in protecting tern colonies.…”

Section: Predator Behavior and Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although generally improving productivity of tern colonies, lethal or nonlethal removal of specialists, can be difficult to achieve. In some cases the individual specialists may not nest near the tern colony, making them hard to identify or locate (Donehower et al, 2007). At least some species of predatory gulls appear to have a despotic foraging distribution, and other individuals may increase their rates of predation on tern young or eggs after a high-ranking specialist is removed (Guillemette and Broussard, 2001;Donehower et al, 2007).…”

Section: Predator Behavior and Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of behavior in tern conservation

Palestis

2014

Current Zoology

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Behavioral research has long had an important role in the conservation of terns (Aves: Sternidae). Habitat management and restoration of breeding colony sites depends on knowledge of the cues used to select colony and nest sites. For example, conspecific attraction with playback and decoys is commonly used to bring terns to suitable colony sites and habitat modification is often used to increase the availability of suitable nest sites. Tern colonies are interconnected by dispersal, and a metapopulation approach is needed for effective management. Population dynamics are therefore affected by behaviors that influence the frequency of movement among colony sites: site fidelity, natal and breeding dispersal, and group adherence. The monogamous breeding system of terns should keep effective population size similar to census population size, but variation in sex ratios (likely resulting from sex differences in behavior) and in parental quality can result in a smaller than expected effective population size. In addition to the behavior of terns, knowledge of the behavior of predators on terns contributes to management plans, because predator behavior can sometimes be manipulated and predation is often performed by only a few specialized individuals. Other examples of links between tern behavior and conservation are also briefly reviewed, such as behavioral toxicology research and studies of behavioral responses to human disturbance and manmade structures. More work is needed on the behavior of migratory terns at staging sites, stopover sites and wintering grounds, and on the behavior of less well-studied species and species in less well-studied geographic regions [Current Zoology 60 (4): 500-514, 2014].

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Section: Predator Behavior and Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Predator Behavior and Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Predator Behavior and Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of behavior in tern conservation

Palestis

2014

Current Zoology

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“…on tern productivity has been documented (e.g. Becker 1995;Devault et al 2005;Donehower et al 2007). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…targeting chicks, or colonies of smaller size, less experienced breeders later in the season), the gull breeding cycle (e.g. energy demands of chicks), and if it is the specialisation by one or a few gulls or the whole colony (Yorio & Quintana 1995;Guillemette & Brousseau 2001;Donehower et al 2007). Predation occurred on both island types equally.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clearing islands as refugia for black-fronted tern (Chlidonias albostriatus) breeding colonies in braided rivers

Schlesselmann¹,

O’Donnell²,

Monks³

et al. 2018

NZ J Ecol

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Black-fronted terns/tarapirohe (Chlidonias albostriatus) are highly adapted to nesting on clear shingle areas of the braided rivers in the South Island, New Zealand. They are nationally and internationally classified as 'Endangered'. Ongoing threats, primarily an interaction of predation and habitat degradation or loss, have resulted in population decline. Conservation management in the form of control of introduced mammalian predators has proven partially successful. Using the lower Waitaki River as a case study, we cleared vegetation from seven islands creating potential refugia from mammalian predators and providing high quality bare gravel breeding habitat. We: (1) determined the mammalian predators present on river banks, vegetated islands and cleared islands; (2) assessed the nesting success of black-fronted terns and primary causes of nest failure; (3) identified the predator species at nests using remote cameras; and (4) compared the nesting success on cleared and vegetated islands. Fewer mammalian predators were detected on islands compared to adjacent riverbanks: mustelids (Mustela spp.) occurred on approximately half of the vegetated islands, but only mice (Mus musculus) were detected once on one of the cleared islands. Black-fronted terns established three colonies on islands immediately after the clearing of vegetation, but nesting success in the lower Waitaki River was low overall (50.5% to 56.4% of nests contained at least one egg that hatched) and the primary cause of nest failure was predation before and after clearing islands. The main predators of nests (62.5% of predation events) were southern black-backed gulls (Larus dominicanus). There was no overall difference in nesting successes of colonies between cleared and vegetated islands, presumably because gulls depredated tern eggs irrespective of vegetation cover around target nests. Nesting success depended on the timing and size of the colony, with earlier established nests and nests in larger colonies being more successful. Artificially created nesting habitat can play a critical role for conservation, particularly on lowland rivers in New Zealand, and we recommend control of avian predators be considered.

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Seasonal and circadian patterns of herring gull (Larus smithsoniansus) movements reveal temporal shifts in industry and coastal island interaction

Gutowsky,

Baak,

Craik

et al. 2023

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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Anthropogenic food subsidies attract opportunistic generalists like gulls in high densities, which may lead to negative impacts on human communities and local ecosystems. Managing impacts requires understanding why gulls use particular natural or industrial sites at different times of day or phases of the breeding cycle. Use of natural and human‐influenced habitats likely varies temporally as gulls alter schedules and site selection to match the predictability of different resources as they vary through space and time relative to patterns in human activities (seasonal industries, the work week, working hours) and natural rhythms (daylight, tide cycles), while gull resource requirements and restrictions to movement also shift with changing reproductive demands. We quantified seasonal and circadian patterns in American herring gull (Larus smithsoniansus) interactions with anthropogenic and natural sites throughout breeding using GPS data from 15 gulls tracked over 3 years from two colonies. We examined the weekly probability of gull occurrence at distinct destinations (e.g. breeding colony, islands, offshore, fish processing plants), and how occurrence varied with time of day, weekday/weekend, tide phase and colony, using GLMMs with a binomial response for destination‐specific occurrence. Probability at the colony varied predictably through the breeding season (highest attendance from dusk to dawn, during incubation and early chick rearing), providing confidence in the modelling approach for detecting temporal patterns in behaviour. Gulls visited other islands mostly outside incubation and early chick rearing, and from dusk through the night, likely roosting. Occurrence offshore where interaction with fishing vessels is possible was highest from dusk to dawn, and differed among colonies, but was the most likely destination during incubation and early chick rearing. Occurrence at fish plants gradually increased until after fledging when attendance was highest from Aug‐Oct coincident with the peak of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) processing and was more likely during the weekdays, during working hours, and during low and flood tide. Gulls in southwest Nova Scotia, Canada, have the behavioural flexibility to adapt to both natural rhythms and human schedules when beneficial, enabling them to thrive in a region where industry and natural resources are abundant. These findings can provide information to guide when and where to test different subsidy management strategies locally, while also considering potential increased pressures on island ecosystems. We emphasise that management outcomes of reductions of food subsidies for opportunistic species depend on multiple factors, including availability of alternative food sources and timing of use.

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Effects of Gull Predation and Predator Control on Tern Nesting Success at Eastern Egg Rock, Maine

Cited by 34 publications

References 25 publications

The role of behavior in tern conservation

The role of behavior in tern conservation

Clearing islands as refugia for black-fronted tern (Chlidonias albostriatus) breeding colonies in braided rivers

Seasonal and circadian patterns of herring gull (Larus smithsoniansus) movements reveal temporal shifts in industry and coastal island interaction

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