Date of Award

Spring 5-15-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Science

Department

Biological Sciences

College

College of Natural & Health Sciences

Committee Chair

Dr. Thomas Nupp

Second Committee Member

Dr. Chris Kellner

Third Committee Member

Dr. Jorista Garrie

Dean of Graduate College

Dr. Jeff Robertson

Abstract

The colonial ground nesting interior Least Tern (Sternula antillarum athalassos,) is an example of a species that requires frequent monitoring in order to estimate population size and determine long-term trends. Modifications in nesting habitat such as flooding, predation, and disturbances to colonies severely reduce reproductive success each year. I continued long-term monitoring efforts by identifying colonies and recording breeding activity along the Arkansas River. To improve the way that we understand factors that contribute to survival rates of nests and chicks, I examined survival at several colonies during the 2017 breeding season. Then to improve current monitoring techniques I tested the ability of time-lapse cameras to document instances of flooding, predation, and disturbances to nesting colonies. I successfully identified colonies that were successful or failed during the 2017 breeding season along with information about disturbances. I found that average survival of nests at 33% [0.15 SE] was poor and average survival of chicks at 56% [0.14 SE] was fair. I found that time-lapse cameras significantly improved our ability to document events at nesting locations. Most notably I was able to detect flooding, quantify avian predators within the colony, and accurately gauge levels of human disturbances to breeding birds from camera footage. Based on my findings, I would recommend focusing on improving nest success and continuing to use camera methods to document events at colonies.

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