Reproductive success of least terns and black skimmers in southeastern North Carolina
- UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Katrina M. Roman (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
- Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
Abstract: One mixed colony of Least Terns and Black Skimmers at Wrightsville Beach,
N.C., was monitored to determine the reproductive success of these birds from 2003-
2005. Nests were visited, on average, every 3 days from April through July of each
year. Mean clutch size differed significantly for both Least Terns and Black Skimmers
among years. In 2005, there were significantly more 1-egg clutches for both species.
Nest success differed significantly by clutch size for both species in 2005, and total nest
success (2003-2005) also differed significantly for both species, with 1-egg clutches
having much lower nest success. Hatching success differed significantly by clutch size
in Least Terns in 2003 and 2005 and in Black Skimmers in 2005, and total hatching
success (2003-2005) also differed significantly for both species among years. In Least
Terns, 2-egg clutches had significantly greater hatching success in 2003 and 1-egg
clutches had significantly lower hatching success in 2005. Overall (2003-2005), 2-egg
clutches had the greatest hatching success and 1-egg clutches had the least. In Black
Skimmers, hatching success increased as clutch size increased in 2005 and overall.
There was a negative correlation between number of nests and nest success for both
Least Terns and Black Skimmers, and number of eggs and hatching success for both
Least Terns and Black Skimmers. This research provides important baseline data that
may be used for conservation efforts for Least Terns and Black Skimmers in managed
coastal habitats.
Reproductive success of least terns and black skimmers in southeastern North Carolina
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Created on 1/1/2009
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science
- Language: English
- Date: 2009
- Keywords
- Black skimmer--Nests, Black skimmer--North Carolina--Reproduction, Wildlife management--North Carolina--Wrightsville Beach, Least tern--North Carolina--Reproduction
- Subjects
- Black skimmer -- North Carolina -- Reproduction
- Least tern -- North Carolina -- Reproduction
- Wildlife management -- North Carolina -- Wrightsville Beach
- Black skimmer -- Nests