Search

Search Results

• 1. [Article] Predator Exclosures, Predator Removal, and Habitat Improvement Increase Nest Success of Snowy Plovers in Oregon, USA

  Management to increase reproductive success is commonly used to aid recovery of threatened and endangered species. The Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) breeds from coastal Washington, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Predator Exclosures, Predator Removal, and Habitat Improvement Increase Nest Success of Snowy Plovers in Oregon, USA Author: Dinsmore, Stephen J., Lauten, David J., Castelein, Kathleen J., Gaines, Eleanor P., Stern, Mark A. Year: 2014 Management to increase reproductive success is commonly used to aid recovery of threatened and endangered species. The Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) breeds from coastal Washington, USA, to Baja California, Mexico, and in disjunct interior sites. The Pacific coast population is federally listed as Threatened; habitat loss and nest loss to a suite of terrestrial and avian predators are thought to be primary factors limiting population growth in this species. In coastal Oregon, USA, a consortium of state and federal management agencies deployed nest exclosures on active Snowy Plover nests, initiated a lethal predator management program, and conducted local-scale habitat management in an effort to boost local productivity. During 1990–2009, we monitored 1,951 Snowy Plover nests at 9 sites with varying treatments. We examined the effectiveness of 3 types of nest exclosures (large, small, and outfitted with electric wire), predator removal, and habitat management on nest survival. Habitat management to remove invasive grasses and provide more suitable nesting substrate more than doubled nest survival. Predator management or use of any of the 3 types of exclosures also affected nest survival. There appeared to be no additional benefit to using both approaches, but the biological relevance of these findings is unclear because of site differences in treatments applied. Importantly, these management techniques only affected nesting success; their effect on other contributions to population viability (e.g., fledging success) was not correlated with nesting success. This long-term study illustrates the short-term benefits and tradeoffs of using nest exclosures, predator management, and habitat restoration to improve nesting success. Although we gained broader insight into the relative efficacy of common management techniques to improve avian nesting success, we cannot yet determine how improved nest success contributes to population growth. Title: Predator Exclosures, Predator Removal, and Habitat Improvement Increase Nest Success of Snowy Plovers in Oregon, USA Author: Dinsmore, Stephen J., Lauten, David J., Castelein, Kathleen J., Gaines, Eleanor P., Stern, Mark A. Year: 2014 Management to increase reproductive success is commonly used to aid recovery of threatened and endangered species. The Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) breeds from coastal Washington, USA, to Baja California, Mexico, and in disjunct interior sites. The Pacific coast population is federally listed as Threatened; habitat loss and nest loss to a suite of terrestrial and avian predators are thought to be primary factors limiting population growth in this species. In coastal Oregon, USA, a consortium of state and federal management agencies deployed nest exclosures on active Snowy Plover nests, initiated a lethal predator management program, and conducted local-scale habitat management in an effort to boost local productivity. During 1990–2009, we monitored 1,951 Snowy Plover nests at 9 sites with varying treatments. We examined the effectiveness of 3 types of nest exclosures (large, small, and outfitted with electric wire), predator removal, and habitat management on nest survival. Habitat management to remove invasive grasses and provide more suitable nesting substrate more than doubled nest survival. Predator management or use of any of the 3 types of exclosures also affected nest survival. There appeared to be no additional benefit to using both approaches, but the biological relevance of these findings is unclear because of site differences in treatments applied. Importantly, these management techniques only affected nesting success; their effect on other contributions to population viability (e.g., fledging success) was not correlated with nesting success. This long-term study illustrates the short-term benefits and tradeoffs of using nest exclosures, predator management, and habitat restoration to improve nesting success. Although we gained broader insight into the relative efficacy of common management techniques to improve avian nesting success, we cannot yet determine how improved nest success contributes to population growth. Close

• 2. [Article] Report on Wintering Western Snowy Plovers at Coos Bay North Spit and Impacts to Plovers from The North Jetty Repair Project, Winter 2009

  The Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) breeds along the coast of the Pacific Ocean in California, Oregon, and Washington and at alkaline lakes in the interior of the western United ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Report on Wintering Western Snowy Plovers at Coos Bay North Spit and Impacts to Plovers from The North Jetty Repair Project, Winter 2009 Author: Lauten, David J., Castelein, Kathleen J., Gaines, Eleanor P. Year: 2009 The Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) breeds along the coast of the Pacific Ocean in California, Oregon, and Washington and at alkaline lakes in the interior of the western United States (Page et al. 1991). Loss of habitat, predation pressures, and disturbance have caused the decline of the coastal population of Snowy Plovers and led to the listing of the Pacific Coast Population of Western Snowy Plovers as Threatened on March 5, 1993 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1993). Oregon Western Snowy Plovers are known to winter along the coast of Oregon as well as migrate to other wintering locations, mainly in California (Lauten et al. 2001, ORNHIC unpublished data). Previous winter surveys along the Oregon coast (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, unpublished data, ORNHIC unpublished data) have documented the locations of wintering Snowy Plovers. Coos Bay North Spit (CBNS) is one location where plovers are known to winter. During the winter of 2008-2009, Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) contracted Kerr Contractors, Inc. to complete repairs on the North Jetty of the Coos River. ACOE consulted with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding impacts to sensitive species including Western Snowy Plover. ACOE contracted Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center (ORNHIC) to complete two Snowy Plover surveys prior to jetty repair work, two plover surveys per week during repair work, and two plover surveys post repair work to document any potential impacts to wintering plovers. In winter, plovers tend to spend much of their time roosting along the high tide wrack line, but also spend time foraging, often on the wet sand near the surf (ORHIC, unpublished data). At CBNS, winter Snowy Plover survey data has shown that plovers will roost and feed on the beach north of the North Jetty, but also spend time roosting on the South Spoil and Habitat Restoration Areas (HRAs) east of the foredune. Large 20-ton dump trucks and other large equipment were used to haul material to the North Jetty. Vehicles used the foredune road that bisects the HRAs. Our objectives were to survey and monitor Snowy Plovers on the beach, HRAs, and South Spoil, to document the number of plovers using the area and any impacts or disturbance to the plovers during the North Jetty repair project. Title: Report on Wintering Western Snowy Plovers at Coos Bay North Spit and Impacts to Plovers from The North Jetty Repair Project, Winter 2009 Author: Lauten, David J., Castelein, Kathleen J., Gaines, Eleanor P. Year: 2009 The Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) breeds along the coast of the Pacific Ocean in California, Oregon, and Washington and at alkaline lakes in the interior of the western United States (Page et al. 1991). Loss of habitat, predation pressures, and disturbance have caused the decline of the coastal population of Snowy Plovers and led to the listing of the Pacific Coast Population of Western Snowy Plovers as Threatened on March 5, 1993 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1993). Oregon Western Snowy Plovers are known to winter along the coast of Oregon as well as migrate to other wintering locations, mainly in California (Lauten et al. 2001, ORNHIC unpublished data). Previous winter surveys along the Oregon coast (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, unpublished data, ORNHIC unpublished data) have documented the locations of wintering Snowy Plovers. Coos Bay North Spit (CBNS) is one location where plovers are known to winter. During the winter of 2008-2009, Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) contracted Kerr Contractors, Inc. to complete repairs on the North Jetty of the Coos River. ACOE consulted with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding impacts to sensitive species including Western Snowy Plover. ACOE contracted Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center (ORNHIC) to complete two Snowy Plover surveys prior to jetty repair work, two plover surveys per week during repair work, and two plover surveys post repair work to document any potential impacts to wintering plovers. In winter, plovers tend to spend much of their time roosting along the high tide wrack line, but also spend time foraging, often on the wet sand near the surf (ORHIC, unpublished data). At CBNS, winter Snowy Plover survey data has shown that plovers will roost and feed on the beach north of the North Jetty, but also spend time roosting on the South Spoil and Habitat Restoration Areas (HRAs) east of the foredune. Large 20-ton dump trucks and other large equipment were used to haul material to the North Jetty. Vehicles used the foredune road that bisects the HRAs. Our objectives were to survey and monitor Snowy Plovers on the beach, HRAs, and South Spoil, to document the number of plovers using the area and any impacts or disturbance to the plovers during the North Jetty repair project. Close