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Paula Shannon

Abstract (from Avian Conservation and Ecology): A variety of seabird species migrate annually from wintering grounds in the Southern Hemisphere to the Gulf of Maine, USA to breed and raise their young. Post-migration, adult seabirds depend on the spatio-temporal match of reliable food resources to replenish energy reserves before breeding. However, the conditions during this critical window of time are becoming increasingly uncertain given the magnitude and pace at which climate change is impacting the Gulf of Maine region. We investigated the pre-breeding foraging ecology of Arctic Terns (Sterna paradisaea), Common Terns (S. hirundo), and the federally endangered Roseate Tern (S. dougallii) by analyzing stable...
Categories: Publication; Types: Citation
Abstract (from Waterbirds): The Gulf of Maine, USA is home to four colonial co-nesting tern species: Least Tern (Sternula antillarum), Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea), and the federally endangered Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii). Over three decades of visual observations of chick provisioning were compiled for a comparative dietary study in the region, including the first detailed descriptions of Least and Roseate Tern chick diets. Three prey groups comprised the majority of chick diets among tern species between 1986–2017: hake (Urophycis spp. or Enchelyopus cimbrius) 28–37% frequency of occurrence (FO), sand lance (Ammodytes americanus or A. dubius) 8–22% FO, and herring (Clupea spp....
Categories: Publication; Types: Citation
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Seabird Diets in a Warming Climate: An Assessment of the Relationships of Terns (Sterna sp.) and their Prey in the Northern Breeding Range
The Northeast coast of the United States is an important area for a variety of native nesting seabirds including Common, Least, Arctic, and the federally endangered Roseate terns. These species migrate to the Northeast region to take advantage of highly productive waters during late spring and early summer to breed and raise their young. During this period, adults are highly dependent on local prey resources to support chick growth and survival. Long-term diet studies show terns are highly dependent on a few select prey groups, potentially making seabird populations sensitive to changes in prey distribution. This sensitivity is particularly important as many prey species are shifting to new areas in response to...
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