Notes on the breeding status of Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) on St. Kitts, West Indies
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Abstract: The breeding population of the Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) in the Caribbean is small and requires monitoring due to anthropogenic disturbances of fragile marine and terrestrial ecosystems. In 2006 and 2007, surveys were conducted of all historical colony sites on the South East Peninsula salt pond system and along beaches during the breeding season (May–July). Three small nesting colonies of 2–32 adults were observed at three Atlantic beach sites (one historical, two new); however, none were observed at historical colony sites associated with a salt pond on the South East Peninsula. The current nesting sites are all located on or near the beach, indicating a shift in the type of habitat chosen for nesting, possibly due to disturbance by humans, livestock, or predators. Only one hatchling was recorded. Further studies are needed to identify and assess environmental, human, and predator related causes of reproductive failure.
Keywords: colony shift, human disturbance, Least Tern, predators, St. Kitts, Sternula antillarum, wetlands
Resumen: Notas sobre el estado reproductivo de Sternula antillarum en St. Kitts, caribe insular- La población reproductiva de Sternula antillarum en el Caribe es pequeña y requiere de un seguimiento debido a los disturbios antropogénicos en los frágiles ecosistemas marinos y terrestres. En 2006 y 2007, durante la temporada de cría (mayo–julio), se muestrearon todos los sitios históricos del sistema de lagunas salobres y playas de la península sudeste donde se habían reportado colonias. Se registraron tres colonias reproductivas pequeñas de 2-32 adultos en tres sitios de playa del Atlántico (uno histórico, dos nuevos); sin embargo, no se observó ninguna colonia en los sitios históricos asociados con lagunas salobres en esta península. Todos los sitios de cría actuales están localizados en playas o cerca de estas, lo que indica un cambio en el tipo de hábitat seleccionado para la reproducción; posiblemente debido al disturbio provocado por humanos, ganado o depredadores. Durante los muestreos sólo se observó un pichón. Son necesarios estudios más profundos para identificar y evaluar las causas ambientales, humanas y los depredadores relacionados con el fracaso reproductivo. Palabras clave: cambio de colonias, disturbio humano, depredadores, St. Kitts, Sternula antillarum, humedales.
Résumé: Notes sur le statut de reproduction de la petite sterne (Sternula antillarum) à Saint-Kitts, antilles- La population nicheuse de Petite sterne (Sternula antillarum) dans la Caraïbe est réduite et nécessite un suivi en raison des perturbations anthropiques des fragiles écosystèmes marins et terrestres. En 2006 et 2007, des enquêtes ont été menées pendant la saison de reproduction (mai à juillet) sur tous les sites de colonies historiques du système des étangs salés de la péninsule du sud-est ainsi que le long des plages. Trois petites colonies de reproduction de 2 à 32 adultes ont été observées sur trois sites des plages de l’Atlantique (un site historique et deux nouveaux sites), mais aucune n’a été observée sur les sites connus associés aux étangs salés de la péninsule du sud-est. Les sites de nidification actuels sont tous situés sur une plage ou à proximité d’une plage, ce qui indique un changement du type d’habitat choisi pour la nidification, probablement en raison de perturbations causées par l’homme, le bétail ou les prédateurs. Un seul poussin a été observé. D’autres études sont nécessaires pour identifier et évaluer les causes de l’échec de la reproduction liées à l’environnement, aux prédateurs et à l’homme.
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