Assessing nest attentiveness of Common Terns via video cameras and temperature loggers

Abstract

Abstract Background While nest attentiveness plays a critical role in the reproductive success of avian species, nest attentiveness data with high temporal resolution is not available for many species. However, improvements in both video monitoring and temperature logging devices present an opportunity to increase our understanding of this aspect of avian behavior. Methods To investigate nest attentiveness behaviors and evaluate these technologies, we monitored 13 nests across two Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) breeding colonies with a paired video camera - temperature logger approach, while monitoring 63 additional nests with temperature loggers alone. Observations occurred from May to August of 2017 on Poplar (Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA) and Skimmer Islands (Isle of Wight Bay, Maryland, USA). We examined data respective to four times of day: Morning (civil dawn‒11:59), Peak (12:00‒16:00), Cooling (16:01‒civil dusk), and Night (civil dusk‒civil dawn). Results While successful nests had mostly short duration off-bouts and maintained consistent nest attentiveness throughout the day, failed nests had dramatic reductions in nest attentiveness during the Cooling and Night periods (p 0.05), video-monitored nests did have significantly lower clutch sizes (p < 0.05). Conclusions The paired use of iButtons and video cameras enabled a detailed description of the incubation behavior of COTE. However, while promising for future research, the logistical and potential biological complications involved in the use of these methods suggest that careful planning is needed before these devices are utilized to ensure data is collected in a safe and successful manner.

Keywords

• Common Tern
• iButton
• Nest attentiveness
• Sterna hirundo
• Temperature logger
• Video monitoring