Video monitoring of breeding platform “Sternacam”

Within the scope of a conservation project of the Laridae species on Lake Zurich, artificial breeding platforms are monitored by cameras to investigate the various causes of chick mortality. The video system is autonomous and camera images are accessible via internet connection and app. Images in 2019 revealed that an eagle owl caught chicks (and a few adults) of common terns and black-headed gulls.

Breeding platform with comon terns and black headed gulls.

Predation event of an eagle owl on black headed gull chicks.