Relationship between nest sites of common terns and vegetation on the Eastern Headland, Toronto Outer Harbour

The distribution of common tern (Sterna hirundo) nests relative to vegetation and objects (rocks and sticks) was studied on the Eastern Headland of the Toronto Outer Harbour in 1977. The vegetative cover in one study plot ranged from 0–10% to 91–100%, with a mean of 16%. In that plot the vegetative...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Zoology
Main Authors: Blokpoel, H., Catling, P. M., Haymes, G. T.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1978
Subjects:
Animal Science and Zoology
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Common tern
Sterna hirundo
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z78-277
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z78-277
Description
Summary:The distribution of common tern (Sterna hirundo) nests relative to vegetation and objects (rocks and sticks) was studied on the Eastern Headland of the Toronto Outer Harbour in 1977. The vegetative cover in one study plot ranged from 0–10% to 91–100%, with a mean of 16%. In that plot the vegetative cover near nests ranged from 0–10% to 81–90%, with a mean of 44%. In the second study plot where plants were widely scattered, the great majority of the nests were situated next to plants or objects. Possible advantages and disadvantages of this behaviour are briefly discussed.

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