Seasonal variation of cat activity around the Cory's Shearwater colonies

"Does feral cat activity explain variation in nest survival of Cory’s Shearwaters on Corvo?" is the study provided by Cowen Honor student, as part of her master's thesis at the University of Cambridge, UK, coordinated by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

The data set of cat activity, using automatic cameras and transect to detect feces around the Cory's Shearwater colonies were analyzed during one reproductive cycle. Preliminary results indicate that the current methodology can not be used to explain variations in nest survival. In order to explain the observed variation in nesting success, probably, the cameras should be placed for a period longer than 2 weeks, at the same local. The study is available for download in PDF format on the official website of the project (life-corvo.spea.pt).

On behalf of the entire team, we'd like to sincerely thank to our volunteers who give their time day after day, processing thousands of photographs, without which this work would not have been possible.