Predator exclusion methods for managing endangered shorebirds: Are two barriers better than one?

Waterbirds
By: , and 

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Abstract

Reproductive success of shorebirds can be improved by placement of predator exclosure fences along beaches or wire-mesh exclosure “cages” over nests. We predicted that these two types of exclosures used simultaneously might further improve reproductive success over that when cages alone are used. Field experiments were carried out on Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) on prairie alkali lakes in North Dakota and Montana. During 1996 and 1997, we compared success of nesting plover pairs provided with: (1) no protection, (2) cages that protected eggs in individual nests from both mammalian and avian predators, and (3) a combination of cages plus a temporary electric fence that excluded mammalian predators from the entire nesting beach where chicks were being reared. In 20 replicated trials, fledgling production rates were: no protection, 0.72 chicks/pair (95% CI: 0.29-1.15, N = 43 pairs); cage only, 1.73 (1.30-2.16, N = 46); fence plus cage, 2.06 (1.63-2.49, N = 50). Production by protected pairs was significantly greater than for unprotected pairs. However, no significant difference in production was detected between the two protection types. Temporary electric fences were relatively expensive to apply and added little to the effectiveness of cages, but may be appropriate in situations where cages cannot be used or where mammalian predation on chicks is a greater threat.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Predator exclusion methods for managing endangered shorebirds: Are two barriers better than one?
Series title Waterbirds
DOI 10.1675/1524-4695(2003)026[0156:PEMFME]2.0.CO;2
Volume 26
Issue 2
Year Published 2003
Language English
Publisher The Waterbird Society
Contributing office(s) Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Description 4 p.
First page 156
Last page 159
Country United States
State Montana, North Dakota
County Divide County, McLean County, Mountrail County, Sheridan County, Ward County, Williams County
City Lostwood
Other Geospatial Williams Preserve
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