No detectable effect of light-level geolocators on the behaviour and fitness of a long-distance migratory seabird

Abstract

Light-level geolocators are increasingly popular devices for tracking migratory birds. However, to ensure that data on migratory behaviour represent natural behaviour that is not affected by potentially harmful effects of carrying such a device, their effects on behaviour and fitness should be assessed. A review of studies that tested for effects of tarsus-mounted light-level geolocators on seabirds showed that results are equivocal and often difficult to interpret due to the inclusion of only few traits and/or the lack of a proper experimental design. We therefore experimentally tested whether tarsus-mounted light-level geolocators affected a long-distance migratory seabird, the Common Tern Sterna hirundo. Using a well-matched treatment and control group, including both males and females, we tested whether light-level geolocators, deployed in the second half of incubation, affected the subsequent share of incubation, provisioning rate, reproductive performance, phenology or survival of tagged birds or their partners. In the year of deployment, we found no evidence for the behaviour of tagged birds or their partners to be affected by the geolocators. Moreover, we found no effect on their reproductive performance and departure date from the breeding colony. Finally, neither local survival to the next season, nor arrival date to the breeding colony in that season differed between tagged birds or their partners and control birds. These results suggest that a year of carrying a light-level geolocator attached to the tarsus has negligible effects on Common Terns and that such a device can be used to study their migratory behaviour without causing problems or introducing bias.