A pilot study was performed for 2 weeks in March 2019 using 8 artificial nests to examine basic questions about the predator behaviour and whether the experiment was suitable for a larger study. Specifically, the pilot study aimed to answer whether predators in the forest would be able to locate the nests and whether the presence of artificial eggs would significantly affect predation rates.
would suggest you have a section before this one explaining the pilot study, what was the purpose of it and how you defined your approach later given your learnings from the pilot. A short section, but just to say that this is where you tested using plasticine, etc. Then, you come to the power analysis section.