Population size and predation risk of Leach’s Storm-petrel (Hydrobates leucorhoa) nesting at Île-Bonaventure, Québec

Leach’s Storm-petrel are a small, wide-spread, pelagic seabird that have recently undergone population declines, they are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN and Threatened in Canada. Populations of Leach’s Storm-petrel on the Gaspé Peninsula are very small and known from just two locations. Île Bonaventure, a migratory bird sanctuary and part of the Parc National de l’Île Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé is thought to have a small nesting population. The goal of this project is to complete the first recent population census of the nesting population of Leach’s Storm-petrel on this island, to delineate the nesting areas on the island, and assess the risk of predation from mammalian predators, specifically red fox, voles, mice, and weasels. The results of this project are key to understanding the nesting population on Île Bonaventure, to expand our knowledge of the species in Atlantic Canada, and will be used by managers to ensure proper conservation and management practices are implemented for the species on l’Île Bonaventure.

Faculty Supervisor:

Heather Major

Student:

Partner:

Société des établissements de plein air du Québec

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Arts, entertainment and recreation; Management of companies and enterprises; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of New Brunswick

Program: