Date of Award
2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Biological and Environmental Sciences (MSBES)
Specialization
Ecology and Ecosystem Sciences
Department
Natural Resources Science
First Advisor
Peter Paton
Abstract
Managing for populations of nesting piping plovers (Charadruis melodus) along the Atlantic coast has always been a challenge for state, federal, and conservation organizations. Though piping plovers face numerous threats, such as human disturbance and habitat degradation, controlling nest predators remain a challenge. In this study, we evaluated a non-lethal technique to deter mammalian predators from disturbing and predating shorebird nests by deploying chemically-extracted bird odors in areas where piping plovers historically nest, with the idea that predators will key in on the scents, realize there is no “food reward” associated with the scent, and then lose interest in the bird scent over time. We focused on two study sites along the southern coast of Rhode Is-land, Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge and Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area, where the main mammalian nest predators are coyote (Canis latrans), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginianus). From the end of March through the beginning of June (one month pre- and two months post egg-laying), we deployed bird scent every three days on a rock in view of a trail camera. Trail cameras recorded the frequency of predator visits and length of time predators spent at the scent stations over time. We found bird odors did attract mammal interest. There was interspecific and annual variation in the number of visits, and the length of time each species spent at the scents. In 2022, coyote and fox detections reduced to zero by the end of the odor deployment season, with time spent by predators at scent stations also reduced. In 2023, coyotes, opossum, and skunks spent more time investigating scents and continued to visit scents more frequently as time progressed. We found certain bird scent types were more effective in attracting predators, particularly a mixture of waterfowl species. In addition, the scent we derived directly from waterfowl uropygial glands was the most effective in attracting predators. This study found that coyotes and red fox, the two key plover nest predators, appeared to habituate to the scents. Further investigations should be conducted on beaches throughout New England to confirm the utility of using this non-lethal technique to deter nest predators at beaches in North America.
Recommended Citation
DeFelice, Nicole D., "USING BIRD ODOR TO DETER MAMMALIAN PREDATORS FROM DEPREDATING SHOREBIRD NESTS" (2024). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 2486.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/2486