Spatial distribution of Leach’s Storm-petrel (Hydrobates leucorhous) on Bonaventure Island, Québec
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Date
2025-09
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University of New Brunswick
Abstract
Leach’s Storm-petrel (Hydrobates leucorhous) populations are declining across their range, yet little is known about their breeding distribution on Bonaventure Island, Québec. I used autonomous recording units (ARUs) and spatial interpolation to assess their distribution across the island. Results indicate that call densities were highest in the northeastern region of the island, where forest regeneration and low human visitation occur. The southern and western regions had low call detections likely due to human activity and predator presence. The northern section, bordering the location of the highest call detections, was deemed inaccessible. These findings are a first step to investigating a nesting population of Leach’s Storm-petrel on Bonaventure Island. The next steps include the identification of active burrows, predator management considerations, and additional monitoring. Further research is required to assess population viability and determine whether observed habitat use reflects a response to predation pressure or an undocumented breeding site.