Agenda and Abstracts

40^th Annual General Meeting of the:

Atlantic Society of Fish and Wildlife Biologists

29-31 October 2003

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Organized by:

Hugh G. Broders,

Department of Biology, Saint Mary’s University,

Halifax, Nova Scotia.

ASFWB Executive (2002-2003)

President: Andrew Boyne

VP (Program): Hugh G. Broders

VP (Student Affairs): Sarah Field

VP (Membership): Tony Nette

Secretary/Treasurer: Kevin Connor

Past President: Mary Beth Benedict

Newsletter Editor: Rosie MacFarlane

Detailed Agenda

Wednesday 29 October 2003

Thursday 30 October 2003

Friday 31 October 2003

ABSTRACTS

(Listed in alphabetical order by last name of lead author)

Preliminary Results of a Piping Plover Banding Study: Where do all our plovers go and other interesting findings.

Diane L. Amirault

Canadian Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 6227, Sackville, N.B. E4L 1G6, Email: Diane.Amirault@EC.GC.CA

The need for a Piping Plover study became evident in the early 1990’s, when several years of good productivity (greater than 1.5 chicks fledged per pair) suggested that an increase in the regional population could be expected. However, between the two International Census years, conducted in 1991 and 1996, the regional population declined by approximately 17%.

In 1999, a research program aimed at answering key questions related to survival, dispersal, and other population dynamics of Eastern Canadian Piping Plovers was initiated. Over the course of the study, approximately 900 juvenile and adult Piping Plovers have been banded in Eastern Canada. Results to date have yielded considerable insights into Piping Plover population dynamics.

Preliminary results have shown that all except one juvenile Piping Plover have returned to Eastern Canada to nest. Therefore, recruitment into the population is occurring and shortstopping in the Eastern US, where numbers have increased substantially in recent years, cannot explain the lack of recovery within the region. There have been substantial movements between nesting populations within the Gulf of St Lawrence, however no plovers banded in Nova Scotia have ever re-located suggesting that this may be an isolated population. Lower than expected recapture rates suggest that survival rates of Eastern Canadian birds are well below those calculated for the US Atlantic States. Information gathered by observers outside Eastern Canadian breeding areas have also enabled identification of migration and over-wintering locations. The small numbers of Eastern Canadian Piping Plovers observed wintering in the southern US States suggest that many birds over-winter in the Caribbean.

Update on the Cape Breton Marten Recovery Project

Peter J. Austin-Smith

Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division, Kentville, N.S., Email: austinpj@gov.ns.ca

The American marten population on Cape Breton Island was listed as Endangered in June 2001 with an estimate of less 50 individuals remaining (Scott 2001). Despite yearly surveys, there have only been 9 confirmed sightings since 1997, five of which were in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Our Cape Breton marten recovery project integrates three components, each of which plays an equally crucial role in recovering the Cape Breton marten: I) Scientific research to gather genetic and baseline ecological information, II) Educational Outreach to facilitate stakeholder involvement in recovery, and III) Partnering with forest industry to create a GIS spatial habitat model to ensure long-term habitat conservation.

Our recovery efforts have been progressing on these three fronts, and have

1. 1. produced some of the first data on marten home range and habitat use in the province,
   2. developed strong stakeholder involvement resulting from workshops and other outreach activities, and
   3. a continued refinement of GIS habitat suitability models based on stand history.

Rare vascular plant inventories in Northumberland Strait river valleys in Nova Scotia

Sean Blaney

Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre, PO Box 6416, Sackville, N.B., E4L 1C6, Email: sblaney@mta.ca

In Nova Scotia, remnant deciduous forests of basic-soiled, nutrient-rich, river valleys are especially significant for rare vascular plants. These habitats are naturally scarce on the landscape and their extent throughout Nova Scotia has been greatly reduced through conversion to agriculture. Current threats include forestry, clearance for recreational or residential properties, invasive exotic species and cattle grazing. Except for work at a small number of well-known sites, Nova Scotian fieldwork focused on the rare plants of rich river valleys has been very limited since the 1960s. This study, financed by a Nova Scotia Museum Research Grant, involved 11 days of field inventory for vascular plants on River Philip, Pugwash River, Wallace River, River John, and the East, Middle and West Rivers of Pictou. Comprehensive vascular plant lists were compiled for each site, with detailed information recorded on rare plant occurrences. Provincially significant examples of rich river valley forest were discovered on River Philip, River John and the East and Middle Rivers of Pictou. Over 70 rare plant species tracked by the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre were recorded, including one new native species (Wooly Sedge – Carex pellita) for Nova Scotia. Records of one new exotic species for Nova Scotia (Wood Figwort – Scrophularia nodosa) and 24 of the province’s rarest species (AC CDC provincial ranks of S1 or S2) were also found, along with dozens of first county records. Data collected in this project will be incorporated into AC CDC databases and the Nova Scotia Museum Herbarium and will be readily available for landowners, land managers and those involved in stewardship efforts.

Status of Great Black-backed Gull and Herring Gull populations in Nova Scotia.

Andrew W. Boyne and Jason T. Beukens

Canadian Wildlife Service, 45 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth, N.S. B2Y 2N6, Email: andrew.boyne@ec.gc.ca

In Nova Scotia, the last province-wide gull survey was conducted in 1987. Aside from extrapolations made from neighbouring states and provinces and scattered data from some colonies, little is known about the status of the gull population in the province since that survey. This is disconcerting as gulls are considered one of the most significant threats to the Endangered Roseate Tern. The majority of the Canadian population of Roseate Terns nests in Nova Scotia and managing gull predation is a key component in the recovery strategy for the species. Furthermore, in the last fifteen years many landfills have been closed and fisheries activities have been reduced in much of the province as a result of quota reductions and moratoriums. Both of these human activities likely provided foraging opportunities for gulls. The impacts of these landscape changes on the provincial gull population are unknown. This presentation will describe the results of a survey for Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls conducted by the Canadian Wildlife Service in mainland Nova Scotia in 2002.

Eastern Hemlock Defoliation Following An Insect Infestation At Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site

Christa Brittain

Parks Canada, Resource Conservation Department, Atlantic Service Centre, Upper Water Street, Halifax, N.S., Email: Christa.Brittain@pc.gc.ca

In the summer of 2002, an unknown insect caused severe defoliation between Canning Road and Grafton Lake in Kejimkujik National Park. Defoliation continued in 2003 with the infestation spreading to Jeremy’s Bay Campground and Indian Point. The defoliating insect has since been identified as Iridopsis ephyraria (Wlk.).

Iridopsis ephyraria is a native Lepidopteran of the family Geometridae. Iridopsis ephyraria is common throughout southern Nova Scotia, however, there are no prior reports of severe defoliation caused by this insect. The defoliation patterns at Kejimkujik are also unique in that the insect appears to be solely feeding upon eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), while the insect is a general feeder. It feeds on a diversity of species including ash,,choke cherry, balsam fir, hemlock, sugar maple, cranberry, and willows.

After two years of infestation, 95% of the sampled 652 hemlocks were defoliated. Seventeen percent were 100% defoliated and 36% were 50-99% defoliated. No relationship between stand composition and the amount of hemlock defoliation was found. Most defoliation occurred in the low-mid crown region (44%) and over the entire crown (56%). Intermediate and suppressed trees were defoliated over their entire crown, while dominant and co-dominant trees were defoliated in the low-mid crown region. Ground sampling was completed in July and aerial surveys were completed in August. Aerial surveys indicated that some tree crowns were defoliated toward the end of the feeding season. These observations indicate that I. ephyraria has a ground up defoliation pattern. Regenerating trees and the lower canopy are defoliated in the first year of infestation and the insect progresses toward the upper canopy in the second year of defoliation.

Annual monitoring will be performed to record the insect’s defoliation patterns and to provide an estimate of mortality resulting from various degrees of defoliation.

Comparing movement patterns of three small mammal species inhabiting fragmented landscapes

Tara F. Callaghan¹, Marina Silva¹, and Sheldon B. Opps²

¹Department of Biology, ²Department of Physics, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Email: tcallaghan@upei.ca

Movement patterns provide a record of how a particular species perceives its environment. The analysis of movement is essential to understanding an animal’s response to habitat fragmentation because changes in the structure of an animal’s environment, such as those caused by fragmentation, may affect its movement pattern. However, habitat heterogeneity varies with the spatial scale at which the animal operates. Therefore, tracing an animal’s movement may help one understand how an animal interacts with its environment, and explain how certain ecological processes such as foraging may occur. The main focus of this study will be to examine the movement patterns of the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus), and the short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea) to assess how these species interact within a fragmented landscape. Specifically, I will focus on determining the scales at which each species reacts to the environment, and whether or not the movement patterns of each species differs from one another. Small mammals were live-trapped from May to September 2003 in various locations of Prince Edward Island. Of the 415 animals captured, 38 movement paths were obtained. Preliminary results indicated an average net displacement of 98 m for the eastern chipmunk and 45 m for the deer mouse, and preliminary observations indicate differences in tortuosity between the movement paths of each species. To date, no trails have been recorded for the short-tailed weasel because of the difficulty of trapping this animal; however, I hope to obtain this data through snow tracking. To quantify the tortuosity of movement paths, analysis of other movement parameters (e.g. fractal dimension, radius of gyration) will be conducted during the next months using BioQuant and the V-Fractal programs. It is expected that the deer mouse will produce a more tortuous path than the other two species because it operates at a finer spatial scale due to its small body size. This will indicate that these species respond differently to habitat alterations such as habitat fragmentation.

Science and Research in Nova Scotia’s Wilderness Areas and Nature Reserves

Robert Cameron

Protected Areas Branch, Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour, PO Box 697, Halifax, NS, B3J 2T8, Email: CAMERORP@gov.ns.ca

Wilderness Areas are large protected areas designated on the basis of ecosystem representation. Nature Reserves protect special, unique or rare species habitat and are much smaller. There are 31 Wilderness Areas and 7 Nature Reserves in the province. A primary objective of both Wilderness Areas and Nature Reserves is to protect biodiversity and research will be focused around achieving this objective. Although Protected Areas staff undertake research and monitoring, in-house resources cannot fully meet this need. Partnerships and assistance to outside researchers are encouraged. Research is divided into three main areas: 1. defining biodiversity; 2. monitoring and protecting from potential impacts; and 3. establishing protected areas role in the broader landscape. Defining biodiversity at the ecosystem level is done through the development of an ecosystem classification system. Natural Landscapes, a broad scale ecosystem classification system, has been developed and work continues on finer scale definitions. Partnerships with NS Dept. of Natural Resources and the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre are aiding the finer scale classification process. Species inventories continue to be done by staff and other specialists. Since designation of Wilderness Areas in 1998, new species of lichens for Canada have been discovered in Cape Breton protected areas as well as findings of numerous rarities such as Bicknell’s thrush in Scatarie Island Wilderness Area. Defining biodiversity at the genetic level has been studied little in Nova Scotia’s Protected Areas, although we are currently involved in genetic study of trout with Kejimkujik National Park and Saint Mary’s University. A long-term monitoring program is being developed to assess impacts to ecological integrity from external and internal stresses. Permanent monitoring stations for water quality has been established on Heritage Rivers in Nova Scotia. Permanent forest health monitoring plots using lichens will be established across the province in protected areas to assess air quality, climate change and to monitor changes in biodiversity and productivity. Partners are being sought for the forest health monitoring program. Research is encouraged on the role of protected areas play as benchmarks for the broader landscape and as part of a larger system for maintaining biodiversity. Researchers are aided through sharing of existing data, providing local expertise and through in-kind support.

The effects of pre-commercial thinning on the abundance and distribution of Bicknell’s Thrush in industrial forests of New Brunswick

Sarah Chisholm

Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S. Email: sechisho@dal.ca

The Bicknell’s Thrush (Catharus bicknelli) is one of the rarest and least understood songbirds in North America. It is listed as a Species of Special Concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), largely because of its reliance upon specific breeding habitat that is threatened by development and forestry practices. Traditional Bicknell’s nesting habitat is described as dense stands of naturally stunted conifers located at high altitudes, however Bicknell’s Thrushes in New Brunswick have been found mainly in dense, regenerating stands of industrial forests. Little is known about Bicknell’s distribution and breeding success in these industrial forests. There is concern that the practice of pre-commercial thinning of forest stands, which takes place at least ten years after a stand is clear cut and which dramatically reduces the density of trees, may be eliminating suitable breeding habitat for this species. The goal of this study is to determine the long term and short term effects of this silvicultural practice upon the abundance and distribution of Bicknell’s Thrush in industrial forests of New Brunswick. During June and July 2003, Bicknell’s abundance was measured in four different groups of forest stands. The first group consisted of stands that were clear cut within the previous 12 years and had not yet undergone pre-commercial thinning. The second group consisted of stands that were aged 11-14 years and were of sufficient density to be thinned that year but had not yet undergone the treatment, while the third group was made up of stands that were 13-16 years of age and had been thinned the previous year. The final group of stands had been clear cut 12-28 years earlier and thus were thinned 2-13 years previously. Stands were surveyed by auditory point counts conducted along a 1 kilometer long transect. Habitat measurements were then carried out to quantify the differences between stands of different ages and treatments. Preliminary results suggest that the highest numbers of Bicknell’s Thrush are found in the densest stands, and that forests that are reduced in density by thinning are less suitable Bicknell’s habitat.

Evaluating No-Kill (Catch & Release) Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) Sportfishing in Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site

Gary N. Corbett¹ and Reg Baird²

¹Parks Canada, Atlantic Service Centre, Upper Water Street, Halifax, N.S., Email: Gary.Corbett@pc.gc.ca, and ² Box 22, Clementsvale, N.S., BOS1GO

Research conducted during the 1980s and early 1990s indicated that acid rain had a negative impact on Brook Trout populations in Kejimkujik National Park, particularly in the most acid stressed waters of the backcountry area. In an effort to conserve trout populations in those areas and maximize spawning potential, sportfishing regulations were changed. Beginning in 1996, all Brook Trout angled in a delineated "catch and release area" in the southern and southwestern part of the park must be returned to the water unharmed. No harvest of Brook Trout has been permitted in the area since 1995. In 1997 a low budget study was initiated to determine if catch and release would have a positive effect upon trout populations. A study area was established in the catch and release area on a section of Peskowesk Brook. A control area was established outside of the catch and release area on a section of the Mersey River. Volunteer anglers were employed to gather data on indices of abundance such as catch rates and demographic data such as age structure of the population over time. Historical data from past creel census was available for the catch and release area and the control area. Each trout which was caught by the anglers in the study area was weighed, measured, marked with a tag and a scale was collected for aging. Each trout was released back into the population to be available for capture again. Since the study began, data have been collected from 564 Brook Trout and catch rates from 186 angling events in the study area. Historically, before catch and release, a database of 117 angling events indicated a mean angler catch per hour of 0.71 trout in what is now the no-kill area. The mean catch per hour since 1997 was 1.43 in the no-kill area. A database on catch rates in the control area on the Mersey River during the 1980s, mid 1990s and in 2002 indicate a fairly stable rate of 0.90 - 1.00 trout per hour. While catch rates may have remained stable in parts of the park where harvest is permitted, catch rates may have increased in the catch and release area. If catch rates are indicative of abundance, trout populations in the catch and release area may be increasing. Data on the age class representation within the catch in the study area show a significant increase in older trout since the inception of catch and release. In 1999 the percentage of 4 year old trout in the study area was no different than the control area (17%). The percentage of 4 year old trout in the study area increased in 2000 to 24% and in 2001 to 28%. In 1999 the percentage of 5 year old trout in the study area was 5%; this increased to 10% in 2000 and 16% in 2001. The first 6 year old Brook Trout was caught in the study area in 2001. In 2002 there were three 6 year old Brook Trout caught in the study area and the first 7 year old Brook Trout. There are no records of any 6 or 7 year old Brook Trout caught in the control area or anywhere in the park in the past, although they may have existed.Overall, the representation of large trout spawners increased in the study area (Peskowesk Brook) from 27% in 1999 to 45% in 2001. These findings may indicate that no-kill regulations can increase the overall abundance of Brook Trout and the survival rate of older trout if environmental conditions are good.

Stewardship and in-season management strategies for an Atlantic salmon river in Terra Nova National Park

David Cote

Parks Canada, gen. del. Terra Nova National Park of Canada, Glovertown, NL, A0G 2L0, Email: David.Cote@pc.gc.ca

The Northwest River, like other rivers in Newfoundland, has been managed based on a habitat-based model. In 1995, Parks Canada established a counting fence on the river and observed that returns were well below (633) the conservation spawning target (1726) set for the river. The resulting management action was to close the river to recreational fishing until it recovered. Recovery never occurred under this management strategy and by 2001 the population had declined to 153 fish; a level at which the long-term viability of the population was seriously questioned. Concerns for the salmon population coupled with a more in-depth examination of the appropriateness of the habitat model for this system caused managers to explore other methods. Through a series of community meetings and the work of a stewardship group, a new management plan was proposed. This management plan focused on recovering the population through public education and the reduction of illegal fishing, while still providing stakeholders with a limited fishery. These management measures along with the results of year 1 and year 2 are discussed.

Stewardship and public use of Prince Edward Island Wildlife Management Areas

Rosemary Curley¹ and Becky Petersen²

¹P.E.I. Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment, Email: FRCURLEY@gov.pe.ca, and ²Boughton River Watershed Enhancement Association. Email: FRCURLEY@gov.pe.ca

In 2000, 4400 hectares were added to total area protected as Wildlife Management Area on PEI. These lands were acquired by the Province mostly since 1970, and a great deal of the land base was assembled since 1989 through the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture. The goal of the current management regime is to catalogue the wildlife resources within these areas, use a program of boundary marking and signage to make the public more aware of the resource, and to work with local communities to devise and implement a long term management plan entailing retention for wildlife and use by people .

Both consumptive and non-consumptive uses are permitted within WMAs. Wood harvest, hunting, fishing, and trapping are traditional uses, while ecotourism promotion is a new goal embraced by government and local communities.

Consultation with communities for three wildlife management areas is described, as well as specific goals recommended by the communities. Forest management plans , ecotourism projects and commitment to traditional uses are all part of the picture.

West Nile Virus - the Maritime perspective

Pierre-Yves Daoust¹, Donna Giberson², Carmencita Yason³, Darlene Jones¹

¹ Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre, Department of Pathology & Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Email: daoust@upei.ca, ² Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, ³Department of Pathology & Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island.

Since its introduction in 1999, West Nile virus (WNV) has spread throughout the North American continent. In the process, it has caused severe mortality among various species of free-living and captive birds, mainly corvids but also some birds of prey, notably owls. A surveillance program for this virus has been place at each of the four regional centres of the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre since 2000. The virus first appeared in corvids in Ontario in 2001, in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Québec and Nova Scotia in 2002, and in Alberta and New Brunswick in 2003. In 2002, the incidence of infection among submitted bird carcasses in western Canada, central Canada and the Maritime provinces was 16%, 24% and 0.5%, respectively. In 2003, this incidence was 16%, 23% and 0.8%, respectively. As with other infectious diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, the Maritime provinces do not appear to be a hospitable ground for WNV infection. This may result from a combination of a late spring season and less competent mosquito vector species available for transmission of infection as compared to other regions of North America.

Song sharing among male eastern song sparrows (Melospiza melodia)

Jennifer R. Foote¹ and Colleen A. Barber²

¹Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS, B3H 4J1, Email: jrfoote@dal.ca; ²Department of Biology, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS, B3H 3C3.

Song sparrows in western Canada (Melospiza melodia morphna) have repertoires of 5 to 13 different songs, and typically share some songs with neighbouring males. These shared songs are counter-sung at territory boundaries and are thought to be important in territory defence. Studies on male eastern song sparrows (M. m. melodia), however, have shown that males rarely share song types. Several explanations have been proposed to explain the difference between these subspecies such as migratory tendencies and differences in song learning. In this study, we recorded song repertoires of a population of eastern song sparrows over a two year period and analyzed song sharing using printed sonograms. Males had an average repertoire size of 9 song types and shared 23% of their songs with neighbouring males, similar to western males. Males also shared significantly more songs with their neighbours than with non-neighbouring males in the population. Eastern males may use shared song types as western males do when communicating with neighbours. This study suggests that song sparrows in other eastern populations also share a greater proportion of songs than has been documented. Perhaps previous studies failed to find a higher level of song sharing by using different criteria for song sharing analyses than western studies, or by working with unbanded or unstable song sparrow populations.

Habitat use by salt marsh birds in the Maritimes: Effects of habitat loss and fragmentation.

Alan R. Hanson

Canadian Wildlife Service, Sackville NB E4L 1G6 Canada. Email: Al.Hanson@ec.gc.ca

Salt marshes and associated wildlife populations have been identified as priorities for restoration and conservation in northeastern North America. To better understand habitat requirements of salt marsh birds, breeding bird and habitat surveys were conducted on 161 salt marshes in the Canadian Maritime Provinces. The density of Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows was positively influenced by marsh area, with salt marshes less than 5 ha having a much lower density compared to marshes larger in size. Currently the proportion of salt marshes 5.0 ha or greater is only 54, 45, and 31 % of the total number in Bay of Fundy, Atlantic and Gulf of St. Lawrence regions respectively. Willet density was not influenced by marsh area but was positively influenced by pond area. The average amount of salt marsh meadow vegetation in the marsh positively influenced Willet density and species richness. The number of dwellings within 500 m also positively influenced species richness. Proximity to other marshes or dwellings within 125 m of the study marsh did not affect any aspect of bird use. Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow density was positively influenced by the presence of adjacent dykeland. The results from this study indicate that (1) habitat area is important for many species of salt marsh birds, (2) habitat quality is determined at multiple spatial scales by salt marsh birds and (3) marsh protection policies and conservation/restoration activities need to specifically address the collective habitat requirements and conservation concerns for individual bird species and locales.

Citizen Science in Atlantic Canada: the Development for Bird Studies Canada’s Atlantic Region Programs

Ramsey Hart

Bird Studies Canada, P.O. Box 6227, Sackville NB, E4L 1G6 Email: ramsey.hart@ec.gc.ca

Bird Studies Canada is the nation’s leading non-governmental organisation dedicated to research and conservation of birdlife. An Atlantic regional office of BSC has been established in Sackville NB for 3 years and has developed a number of successful partnerships with other NGOs and government agencies. Four distinctly regional bird monitoring programs have now been established: the Cape Breton Beached Bird Survey, the Atlantic Canada Nocturnal Owl Survey, the NB Hawk and Woodpecker Survey, and the High Elevation Landbird Program. In addition to these programs the Sackville office promotes BSC’s national programs such as the Canadian Loon Lake Survey and Project Feederwatch. The presentation will highlight key findings of these programs and discuss the factors leading to their successful development: partnerships, volunteerism, focussed use of paid staff time, and support from the national office. The importance of these factors in developing new initiatives such as the Maritime Marsh Monitoring Program will also be discussed.

First Description of Atlantic Whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani) Ontogeny

Dan J. Hasselman¹ and Rod G. Bradford²

¹Marine Gene Probe Lab, Biology Department, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Email: coregonus@eastlink.ca. ² Diadromous Fish Division (DFO), Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, NS

The Atlantic whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani) is an endangered species endemic to Nova Scotia. Little is known of its general biology or life history, and the species’ ontogeny has never been documented. Description of Atlantic whitefish early life history is necessary for positive field identification, and in the revision of existing larval fish keys. Such information will aid in the interpretation of the species’ habitat requirements during ontogenetic development, in understanding the systematic relationships within the sub-genus Coregonus, will improve the monitoring and management of Atlantic whitefish, and will aid in the recovery of this endangered species. Atlantic whitefish eggs, larvae, and juveniles were reared from known parental stock, and were described using criteria adopted from literature on general fish embryology/early life history, and other studies of coregonid ontogeny. The ontogenetic development of Atlantic whitefish resembles that of its close relatives, lake whitefish (C. clupeaformis) and cisco (C. artedii). However, important differences exist which support the status of Atlantic whitefish as a distinct species. Although speculative, the higher number of myomeres possessed by Atlantic whitefish may be consistent with the putative ancestral role of this species relative to other North American coregonids.

Movement, habitat use, and home range of coyotes and red foxes on Prince Edward Island.

Karen Johnson¹, Marina Silva¹, Sheldon B. Opps²

¹Department of Biology, ²Deparment of Physics, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3. Email: kmjohnson@upei.ca

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the coyote (Canis latrans) are considered the top mammalian predators on Prince Edward Island. While the red fox is a species native to the province, the coyote is a recent addition to the Island’s mammalian fauna. It is estimated that the coyote arrived on Prince Edward Island after crossing the ice of the Northumberland Strait in the early 1980’s. The arrival of the coyote on the Island has resulted from the species’ expansion across North America. Studies have shown that this expansion has often negatively affected native red fox populations, primarily through interference competition. As regions have become colonized by the coyote, the home ranges of red foxes have become restricted to the areas existing between coyote territory boundaries. As well, the habitat available for fox utilization is usually of lesser quality as compared to those areas inhabited by coyotes. Based on these previous studies, we hypothesize that the expanding coyote population on Prince Edward Island has affected the home range and the movement patterns of the red fox population. However, research is limited concerning the home range and movement patterns of both the coyote and the red fox on Prince Edward Island. It is therefore important to increase our knowledge concerning these two species to better understand the ecology of the larger mammals on Prince Edward Island. The objectives of this study are to: 1) determine the home range size of coyotes and red foxes on the Island; 2) describe the movement patterns of both species through fractal analysis; 3) determine habitat utilization for each species. From this information, we hope to determine how the species respond to their environment as well as to each other.

Winter nests of southern flying squirrels, Glaucomys volans, in Nova Scotia

Amanda Lavers and Tom Herman

Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Email: Amanda.lavers@acadiau.ca

Populations of southern flying squirrels, G. volans, in Nova Scotia are at the northern edge of the species' range so winter survival is likely crucial. This nocturnal species is active throughout the winter and occupies daytime nests or dens in tree cavities. Using radio telemetry, we investigated 56 winter nests of G. volans at three sites within Kejimkujik National Park and at two sites on private land. Tracking revealed that southern flying squirrels use cavities in both live and dead trees of several species. Animals used a mean 5 nests over two-month tracking periods. The mean distance between multiple nests of an individual was 300m. Individuals often used one nest more than others. Animals nested solitarily and aggregated in mixed-sex groups of 2-10 individuals. G. volans were observed sharing nests with northern flying squirrels, G. sabrinus.

Habitat Suitability Assessment of Southeastern Cape Breton Island in Relation to the Lack of an Established Population of Black Bear

Charles Macmichael

School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S., Email:cmacmichael@hotmail.com

The black bear (Ursus americanus) is a prevalent species across the province and is also of interest to large game hunters. Bears are habitat generalists and can often become a nuisance in human populated areas. As bears are capable of living throughout the province at many levels of human contact, it is highly unusual that there should be a large land area that is without a resident population of bears.

The region of southeastern Cape Breton Island, from St. Peter’s to Sydney, appears to contain suitable habitat for bear (Tony Nette, pers. comm.), and yet the species has not established residency. The fact that black bear, so prevalent everywhere else, is absent from this region causes wildlife managers to suspect that the habitat is in some way unsuitable.

The research is working to determine if an environmental cause can be found to explain the absence of a black bear population. While other factors, including those that are human-related, may be involved to exclude this species from the study area, initial study will focus on habitat suitability as the main reason for the absence. Historical absence will be assessed using literature and the archival data. Preliminary findings indicate that bear were historically present in this region. Habitat requirements of the study species will be used to assess the Cape Breton region and control regions of the same Atlantic Coastal Ecoregion (DNR, ELC 2003). The control regions include the Chebucto Peninsula and the Canso Peninsula. All three regions will be assessed using existing data sets and GIS mapping techniques. Fieldwork will be done to verify and augment existing data regarding understory vegetation, as necessary, during the fall of 2003.

From this work we hope to gain a better understanding of the provincial habitat requirements for bear. The gathered information will enable wildlife managers to make better decisions regarding identification of suitable habitat, hunting regulations, and the possibility of reintroduction into southeastern Cape Breton.

GIS-based Assessment of American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) Habitat at Two Spatial Scales in New Brunswick

Margo Nicolacopoulos

Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick. Email: margo.nicolacopoulos@gnb.ca

Numbers of singing male American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) counted during the annual singing-ground survey, an index of the breeding woodcock population, have declined range-wide and in New Brunswick since 1968. Changes in land-use/land-cover patterns and decreases in available habitat are thought to play an important role in this apparent decline in the population. It was hypothesized that current woodcock singing ground routes do not represent available habitat and therefore results from the surveys do not accurately reflect trends in the woodcock breeding population.

Representivity of the routes and temporal changes (1982-2000) at two scales were quantified using 44 singing-ground survey routes in New Brunswick. These results were compared to a provincial scale analysis with the use of two GIS forest inventories (1982-1986 and 1993-2000). I found that the abundance of singing grounds and nesting/feeding cover is in fact increasing across the province (+59%, and +44%, respectively), and at a more rapid rate than the area surveyed by the SGS routes (+1%, -3% respectively). Although the SGS routes are currently (1993-2000) representative of proportion of available woodcock habitat found in the province, this trend will change in the near future due the static nature of the area found along SGS route sites, compared to the dynamic New Brunswick landscape.

Deer Ticks and Lyme Disease in Nova Scotia

Jeff Ogden

N.S. Department of Natural Resources, PO Box 130 Shubenacadie, N.S., B0N 2H0, Email: ogdenjb@gov.ns.ca

In the summer of 2002, Nova Scotia recorded it’s first known, endemic, human cases of Lyme Disease. The deer tick, Ixodes scapularis, is the primary vector of Borrelia burgdorferi, the agent that causes Lyme Disease. Through a passive surveillance program conducted by the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources during the 2002 and 2003 field seasons, I. scapularis has been found to be widely spread throughout the province. During field studies in the spring of 2003 a recently established population of infected deer ticks was detected in the proximity of the town of Lunenburg. It is important to define the geographic range of this endemic deer tick population and determine the presence of additional deer tick populations in other parts of the province in order to define the areas of greatest risk for human contact. Public health officials can than use this information to quantify the present overall risk of tick-borne illness in Nova Scotia.

Roosting and foraging ecology of eastern pipistrelles (Pipistrellus subflavus)

Greg M. Quinn and Hugh G. Broders

Department of Biology, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS, Canada, Email: g_quinn@smu.ca

Preliminary research in 2001 indicated that there might be a forest-dwelling, breeding population of eastern pipistrelles in SW Nova Scotia (Kejimkujik National Park) which might represent the only breeding population in Canada. Given the paucity of records of this species in Nova Scotia, even Canada, it seems likely that this represents a disjunct and actively breeding population. In 2003 we initiated more intensive work on the roosting and foraging ecology in Kejimkujik National Park, NS. So far the data indicate: 1. The local population is female-biased (none of 9 individuals captured were males); 2. Females travel >5 km from roosting sites to foraging areas; 3. Females display fidelity to roosting areas but switch trees regularly; 4. Females are colonial roosters with 3-11 individuals per colony (n=12); and 5. Roosts are located in hardwood and softwood tree species and of 11 colonies we were able to find, all were located in clumps of old man’s beard (Usnea spa.) on branches near the main stem at heights > 8 m. Echolocation sampling using ground-based ultrasonic detectors found most activity was recorded over water. Little or no activity was found over grassy, open areas, bogs, forests, and over the forest canopy. Telemetry has been difficult to date, primarily due to large home ranges (>5km radius) and the sparse road network in the study area. Eastern pipistrelles have been recorded foraging over rivers, lakes, bogs, and over the canopy at river-edge. This study is in the early stages, and is scheduled to continue until spring 2005.

Into the blue - using cesium-137 to track the ocean Migration of Atlantic salmon.

Jeff Reader, Aaron Spares, and Michael Dadswell

Biology Department, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Email: jeff.reader@acadiau.ca, sparesa@yahoo.com

Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, have been dwindling in returns since the mid-1980’s, placing many populations on the endangered species list. Juvenile evidence suggests rivers are healthy and that fish leave bound for the open ocean, yet do not return. Salmon are known to follow surface currents, which form a large, counter-clockwise gyre in the North Atlantic from North America to Northern Europe and back. Tag returns and fisheries data suggest both continents’ salmon utilize this gyre for trans-Atlantic migrations.

Our research utilizes body concentrations of cesium-137 in 1SW and MSW returnees to determine if salmon from their respective continents utilize various regions of the North Atlantic during a trans-oceanic migration. Cs-137 is a radioisotope that bioaccumulates in fish. Higher levels exist in the eastern North Atlantic due to nuclear accidents, and fish living in or migrating through the region demonstrate elevated concentrations. Our proposed migration route shows post-smolts entering the gyre on their respective sides of the Atlantic, and migrating within it in a similar fashion (ie. same direction and relative speed). We hypothesize North American and European returnees will have accumulated different levels of Cs-137 due to varying periods spent in the eastern Atlantic.

Samples from Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ireland have been collected during 2003 spawning runs. Sample analysis using gamma ray spectrometry and microelemental analytical techniques will continue into 2004, further supporting preliminary findings.

Mitigating Moose-Vehicle Accidents in Northeast New Brunswick: An Electric Fence Experiment

Gerald Redmond

Maritime College of Forest Technology, Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre, 1350 Regent Street, Fredericton, New Brunswick, E3C 2G6, Email: gredmond@mcft.ca

Moose-vehicle accidents have become serious problems in many areas of New Brunswick. As moose populations have grown and roads have improved, the number of moose-vehicle collisions also have increased. Beginning in fall of 2000, a three-year project was initiated near the town of Belledune in northeastern New Brunswick using Electro-Braid electric fencing in an effort to reduce moose-vehicle accidents along a 5-km section of Route 11. Two control zones at either end of the fenced zone were also monitored for moose activity during the 3-year study. Preliminary results from this experiment that ended 30 September 2003 will be reported. The effectiveness of electric fencing as a deterrent to moose movements along dangerous sections of highways will be discussed.

Assessing northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) and forest salamanders habitat requirements at various scales within the Greater Fundy Ecosystem

Louise Ritchie and Graham Forbes

Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, NB, E3B 5A3. Email: forbes@unb.ca

Management of mixed-wood forests in the Maritimes is difficult because of their complicated stand dynamics and the changing market demand for tree species. Currently stands are managed to contain either deciduous or coniferous structures. Given that mixed-wood forests contain elements of both, there is some debate about their importance as a habitat type for vertebrates.

The Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) and forest salamanders (red-backed, yellow spotted, blue spotted and the eft stage of the Eastern Newt) were selected as focal species and potential mixed-wood indicators based on previously reported habitat associations. The disparity of home-range size, motility and dispersal ability exhibited by latter facilitates the assessment of stand and landscape-level disturbances.

A preliminary flying squirrel trapping study was conducted from June to August 2003. The study area is located in Greater Fundy Ecosystem and Fundy Model Forest of the Southern New Brunswick. Trap-lines were established at 277 locations across an 1000km² landscape. The location of trap-lines within 3 dominant forest types (HW, SW and MWD) was randomly determined within a two-tiered hierarchical design including the continuous variables of landscape cover and patch size. To assess edge-effect on the focal species, a transect of up to three trap-lines was run into the center of each patch. Trap-lines comprised four traps spaced at 20m. Any small mammals caught were ear- tagged, weighed and a genetic sample was taken. The species, sex and reproductive status of the animals was recorded. Future field work will involve surveying salamanders at the locations established in 2003. By isolating the frequently confounding variables of forest cover, composition and configuration at a variety of spatial scales (stand, patch and landscape), the objective of this study is to assess not only the stand-level habitat but also the landscape-level requirements of Glaucomys sabrinus and local forest salamanders.

Foraging Ecology of Terns breeding on Country Island, Nova Scotia

Jen Rock

Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S., Email: rockj@dal.ca

Country Island, N.S., is the site of an important breeding colony of Common (Sterna hirundo), Arctic (Sterna paradisaea) and Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii). In 1998 a tern restoration plan was initiated on the island, that focused on non-lethal predator control and on monitoring chick diets and reproductive success. However, the foraging areas of these birds have not been identified. Protection and restoration of threatened tern colonies requires locating preferred foraging areas and an understanding of foraging behaviour. The goals of my study were to identify and describe the physical characteristics of tern foraging sites and to investigate how different tern species use these areas with respect to frequency of use and prey species obtained. Leg-mounted radio transmitters were attached to 15 breeding adults (5 Common, 5 Arctic, and 5 Roseate terns) and individual birds were followed via aerial surveys to their respective foraging sites. Chick provisioning was monitored and prey species and frequency of feeding visits recorded. Surveys showed that all three species foraged at the same shallow inshore areas while provisioning observations revealed that adults of all species predominantly fed their chicks hake, sandlance and herring. Preliminary data suggest that all three tern species exploit the same food resources and may depend on select areas to obtain prey. A better understanding of tern foraging behaviour can provide a basis for improved protection through initiatives that identify and conserve critical habitat such as preferred foraging sites.

Wood Turtle (Clemmys insculpta) Habitat Requirements, Home Range, and Movements in New Brunswick.

Vanessa Roy and Graham Forbes

Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick. Email: forbes@unb.ca

Wood turtle populations throughout North America have been steadily declining, likely due to road mortality, habitat loss and pet-trade collecting. In Canada, the wood turtle is listed as a species of concern by COSEWIC. Consequently, efforts are being undertaken to protect the remaining populations within the country. A two-year study of wood turtles was undertaken by UNB at the beginning of the summer of 2003, within the military training area of Gagetown military base in New Brunswick. The study involves determining population size, age structure, distribution, movement patterns and habitat selection of the wood turtle. In 2003, we conducted systematic searches within 10m of the main waterways. Turtles were marked to determine population density estimates. Structural characteristics (canopy cover, ground cover, vegetative species, etc…) were measured at each capture site and a corresponding random site. A sub-sample of 30 juvenile (<10 years old) and adult turtles will be fixed with radio-tags to monitor movement, habitat requirements, and to locate over-wintering sites. To date, a total of 11 turtles (6 adults, 5 juveniles; 3 females, 3 males) have been radio-tagged from a total of 67 turtles captured. Habitat in which turtles were found ranged from highway roadsides to alder banks and sandy beaches. The preliminary tracking of the 11 radio-tagged individuals has revealed, to some extent, that these turtles restrict their movement within approximately 500m of the main watercourse. Further radio-tracking within the next year will help support these preliminary results.

Movement Patterns of Small Mammals: A Comparison of Field Studies and Computer Simulations

Sarah Wheatley¹, Sheldon B. Opps², Marina Silva¹

¹ Department of Biology, ² Department of Physics, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown PE C1A 4P3, Email: sarahw_82@hotmail.com

Agricultural landscapes isolate populations of woodland species in habitat patches by destroying natural habitats and introducing matrix habitat into the landscape. Hedgerows, or small strips of vegetation, form extensive networks in agricultural landscapes. Although the primary functions of hedgerows do not focus on their usefulness to wildlife, they can be very important to the movement of animals inhabiting landscapes fragmented by agriculture. However, the degree to which an animal uses and moves through a hedgerow depend on its internal characteristics, the characteristics of the surrounding areas, and the behaviour of the animal. Internal characteristics of hedgerows such as length and width are critical in determining the potential use of a hedgerow by small mammals. For example, width may influence the intensity of edge effects such as microclimatic conditions, weed invasion and predation. The main goal of this study will be to investigate the movement patterns of small mammals in hedgerows. To achieve this goal, two different approaches will be used: field experiments and computer simulations. Field experiments will consist of the movement of small mammals in artificial corridors of different widths (2.5, 5, 10, 20 metres). Small mammals will be live trapped in nearby forest patches from July to August, 2003. Movement paths will be obtained using the spool and line technique. This involves glueing a spool of fine thread to the back of the animal, then the spool catches in vegetation and outlines the animal’s path. Then paths will be recorded using a video camera and analysed using the BIOQUANT software program. The second approach to investigate movement in this study will involve the use of computer simulations. To do this, a program developed by another member of this research group, will be modified to incorporate hedgerows in computer simulated landscapes. Several habitat characteristics will be modified including the physical characteristics of hedgerows and their level of connectivity with adjacent forest patches. Preliminary results obtained from field experiments, suggest different degrees of complexity for the movement of animals in hedgerows of varying width. It also appears that the movement of smaller animals is more complex than the larger species. However, further analysis using both field data and computer simulations will be conducted to quantify these patterns of movement.

Never Cry Wolf? The Possibility of Wolf Recovery in Nova Scotia

Andrei Whitake

School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, 1322 Robie St, Halifax Nova Scotia, B3H 3J5, Email: awhitake@dal.ca

Insular environments pose challenges for wildlife populations. The wolf was extirpated in Nova Scotia at the turn of the 20th century due to persecution and habitat modification undertaken after European settlement. Free from harassment, wolves may be to re-colonize Nova Scotia if wolf recovery is successful in the eastern United States. This presentation will look at the historical occurrence of the wolf in Nova Scotia and will examine the current habitat and prey characteristics to determine of the province to see if wolf recovery could be a reality. Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis suggests that the province may be able to support a small population of wolves, though the viability of this population over the long term would be of a concern. It is suggested that connectivity to a recovered population of wolves in New Brunswick would be crucial for the long-term survival of any wolf population in Nova Scotia.

Out of the Vortex? - Preserving a Remnant Population of Endangered Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar), Inner Bay of Fundy Population, in Fundy National Park

H. Renee Wissink, and Alain Caissie

Fundy National Park, Alma, NB. Email: Renee.Wissink@pc.gc.ca

The Inner Bay of Fundy population of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) was listed as endangered by COSEWIC in May 2001. This population, which inhabited 32 major river systems within the upper Bay of Fundy, including the Point Wolfe and Upper Salmon rivers in Fundy National Park, has declined 90% or more in abundance since 1989 and is at imminent risk of extinction in the wild. Since 2001, Fundy National Park has participated in the National Recovery Strategy for this population and has initiated an ambitious recovery program with particular focus on the remnant population in the Upper Salmon River. After an initial two-year period of intensive assessment and population monitoring, the park recovery program has now entered an innovative phase of gene banking, captive rearing and breeding, and reintroduction of various life stages. Following the best-known principles of conservation biology, the program is managed adaptively from year to year using feedback from its genetic monitoring program.