Conservation measures for the Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia at the largest colony in Sweden

Ulrik Lötberg; Natalie Isaksson; Lennart Söderlund; Susanne Åkesson

doi:10.34080/os.v32.22569

Authors

Ulrik Lötberg BirdLife Sweden https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6945-0873
Natalie Isaksson Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College, University of the Highlands and Islands https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1222-6897
Lennart Söderlund
Susanne Åkesson Centre for Animal Movement Research, Department of Biology, Lund University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9039-2180

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34080/os.v32.22569

Keywords:

Baltic Sea, breeding site, national action program, predation, restoration, seabird, monitoring

Abstract

We present conservation actions during 2007–2020 as part of the national Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia species action plan at Stenarna in the Björn archipelago, Uppland, the largest colony in Sweden. We applied a combination of monitoring, research, and management measures conducted within an adaptive approach framework, using both established and novel techniques. The implementation of conservation measures led to increased breeding success, from 0 fledglings per pair in 2007 to 1.3 in 2020. A surveillance video camera installed in 2009 aided in monitoring efforts and also revealed predation by Herring Gull Larus argentatus and White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla, leading to species-specific control strategies. Management of the island and surrounding archipelago, including hunting of invasive American mink Mustela vison, vegetation removal, and habitat restoration after a severe storm, have also been instrumental to the success of the project. Implementation of projects such as this have the potential to improve conditions for continued viability of endangered species in a changing world and are likely to be useful to other conservation practitioners.

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