Understanding the Factors Limiting Roseate Tern Recovery on Country Island, Nova Scotia

Ruby Schweighardt, winner of NSBS Ian A. McLaren Memorial Scholarship and Acadia University Master student, will share her research findings.

Roseate Terns were listed as endangered in Canada in 1999 due to reduction in breeding pairs and number of breeding sites. Country Island, Nova Scotia is one of three main nesting sites for Roseate Tern in Canada, yet predation by gulls at this site has historically caused high mortality for tern eggs and chicks. In 1998, a restoration program was established using non-lethal predator control to re-establish nesting terns. Over time, the number of nesting Arctic and Common Terns has increased threefold, yet the number of nesting Roseate Terns has continued to decline.

The main objective of this research project is to investigate alternate factors that may be influencing breeding effort and breeding success of Roseate Terns on Country Island.

Ruby will use historical census data and nest monitoring data to investigate trends in colony size and breeding success among the three species of terns during periods both with and without predator control. Ruby will be using historical and current feeding watch data of the three species of tern as well as video footage from nest sites to determine chick diet, and assess how changes in coastal prey availability may impact tern breeding success. This research will contribute to long-term monitoring of the Country Island colony and will have important implications in understanding what factors may influence Roseate Tern breeding success.

Ruby Schweighardt is pursuing a Master of Science in Biology at Acadia University under supervision from Dr. Mark Mallory. Ruby grew up near Ottawa, and completed her Bachelor of Science at Trent University. Her passion for birds started in her undergraduate degree when she took an ornithology course, and she has been hooked on birds ever since.

Ruby has gone on to support avian research in northern Ontario, New Brunswick, the Arctic and Nova Scotia in the following years, gaining experience with geese, water birds, songbirds and seabirds. Ruby plans to continue pursuing avian research in her future career.

Note: This presentation will be pre-recorded. Ruby has accepted a position with Birds Canada on the Breeding Bird Atlas and will be in Northwestern Ontario.

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