Evaluating factors contributing to loon egg hatching success in the Quabbin Reservoir (Massachusetts)

Presenter

Isabella Ceresia

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Allison Roy, Department of Environmental Conservation, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 1, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A70, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 4 (A61-A80) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

The common loon (Gavia immer) is an aquatic bird species that is water-dependent and only comes to shore to breed and nest. They are considered an indicator species, meaning their presence suggests a healthy ecosystem. Loons have a summer (May–July) breeding range that includes Massachusetts (MA). The population in MA continues to recover from being extirpated in the early 20th century due to hunting and human activity. Currently, loons are listed as a species of special concern in MA. The largest current breeding site in MA is the Quabbin Reservoir. Although territories have increased in the Quabbin from 2009–2022, the number of successful breeding pairs has decreased during that same time period. Thus, the goal of the study was to evaluate multi-decadal (2009–2022) changes in hatching success and how it is influenced by nest type and environmental factors. Specifically, we assessed how environmental variables (air temperature, water elevation) and nest characteristics (nest type, sun exposure) affected loon hatching success (proportion of eggs hatched). We also mapped nesting locations using ArcGIS software to understand annual changes in nest locations and to assess climate drivers of spatial distributions. Preliminary results suggest that hatching success is significantly greater in nests on man-made rafts than nests on islands or shorelines. The results will be used to inform management practices (e.g., water level management, raft deployment) that can be implemented to protect this species. 

Keywords

conservation, climate change, loons, hatching success, statistical analysis

Research Area

Biological Organisms

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