Island Symphony

Known to the Mi’kmaq people as Qame’k, meaning “far off island”, Seal Island sits off Nova Scotia’s southern tip, a vital stopover site for migrating birds. This image depicts a collection of spectrograms capturing vocal signatures of bird species on the island. Each species carries its own unique tune, from the loud cackle of a Herring Gull to the calming whistle of a White-throated Sparrow. Sound is an important tool for ornithologists, allowing us to identify species without ever laying eyes on them. But this symphony has missing movements. Predation by invasive rats removed nesting seabirds, and overgrazing by introduced herbivores is destroying the forest habitat. What remains is a soundscape now shaped by these invasive species, but hope is not lost. For my MSc thesis, I am helping to develop a feasibility assessment to eradicate these invasive species and restore the island's habitat. Using acoustic recording data, I identify the bird species present and map interactions among vertebrates, both native and invasive. This information will then be used to model different eradication scenarios and predict ecological outcomes if certain species were removed. The goal is that one day, the island will be restored to its natural symphony.