Methods for controlling depredation on piping plovers in Alberta : a literature review and synthesis /

Abstract

The piping plover (Charadrius melodus) is listed as Endangered under Alberta's Wildlife Act, and in most otherjurisdictions in North America (Alberta Piping Plover Recovery Team 2002). Poor productivity as a result ofpredation of eggs and chicks has been identified as the greatest source ofreproductive failure for piping plovers in Alberta. The Alberta Piping Plover Recovery Plan 2002-2004 identified a need for increased predator management in order to boost reproductive success (Alberta Piping Plover Recovery Team 2002). This report was produced in order to research and compile information on the various tools, techniques and tactics used to control predators thought to be a threat to piping plover reproductive success. This information was compiled through searches of a variety ofbibliographic databases and Internet resources. A wide variety ofpredator control techniques with potential application to piping plover management was identified. The most useful techniques should have tangible benefits for plover productivity and pose no safety or disturbance concerns for humans. As a rule, they should also be inexpensive relative to the benefits ofemploying the technique, require little manpower to implement and should be non-lethal to the predator species. With these criteria in mind, predator deterrence activities to be considered are: 1) using predator exclosures on as many nests as possible; 2) continued removal of stick nests during the nonbreeding season around key plover breeding lakes; 3) using electrified predator fences to protect habitats with high nest densities that can be exclosed with relatively small amounts offence; 4) experimentation with the use of chick shelters in areas with little or no natural cover; 5) filling ofknown canid dens near plover nesting beaches during the non-breeding season; 6) initiation of discussions with affected parties (recovery team, provincial and federal regulatory agencies, local landowners) on the desirability of and approaches to gull control on piping plover lakes with significant gull colonies and; 7) Monitoring progress on research into the use of scent deterrents. It is likely that a combination ofthese techniques, tailored to individual lakes, would be the most effective. The best strategy will be an adaptive approach that takes into consideration many factors. Techniques that are implemented should be monitored to determine their effectiveness and periodically modified through consultation with the Alberta Piping Plover Recovery Team. 1.0 Table 1. Sample keywords used in database searches. Piping plovers Automatic scare devices Crow control Pest control methods Predator removal Frightening devices Common terns Bird deterrence Gull poisoning Piping plover predation Nest predation Monofilament lines Shorebird predation Bird control Bird control devices Duck predation Bird repellents Repellents Mammal control Coyote control Gull control Egg oiling 2.2 Identification of Potential Predators Research conducted within and outside of Alberta on piping plovers and other ...

Drone Nest Searching Applications Using a Thermal Camera

“…For example, we spaced upland waterfowl points 121 m apart at an agl 46 m (as described above) and spaced passerine point samples 30.5 m apart at an agl of 23 m (ground sampling distance of 2 cm/pixel and four times the resolution). Modifications were also made at piping plover nest sites to account for the presence of predator exclosure cages (Schemlzeisen et al 2004). At the piping plover study site search methodology focused on collecting detailed imagery at altitudes from 30 m to 15 m above the known nests while performing the search transect adjacent to the cages to look for other nests.…”

Alberta piping plover recovery plan 2010-2020 /

“…2. Employ and expand, where possible, the use of specific predator deterrence measures recommended by Schmelzeisen et al (2004) to increase plover productivity and survivorship.…”

Alberta piping plover recovery plan 2005-2010 /

“…However, mink, red fox, peregrine falcons, red-tailed hawks and great homed owls and merlins are known to be responsible for adult predation (Haig 1992, Michaud and Prescott 1999, Murphy et al 2003. Management tools available to decrease predation of nests and/or adults include predator removal, destruction of stick nests during the nonbreeding season, erection of electric fencing and the use of predator exclosures around nests (Schmelzeisen et al 2004). A predator exclosure project initiated in Alberta in 1996 showed that fledging success rates of exclosed nests were more than double those of unprotected nests (Richardson 1999).…”

“…2. Employ and expand, were possible, the use of specific predator deterrence measures recommended by Schmelzeisen et al (2004) to increase plover productivity and survivorship.…”