Nest sites and conservation of endangered Interior Least Terns Sterna antillarum athalassos on an alkaline flat in the South-Central Great Plains [USA]

• Autorzy: Winton B R , Leslie D.M.,Jr.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

We monitored nest sites of endangered Interior Least Terns on a 5 095 ha alkaline flat in north-central Oklahoma, USA. After nest loss, Least Terns commonly renested and experienced 30% apparent nest success in 1995-1996 (n = 233 nests). Nest success and predation differed by location on the alkaline flat in 1995 and overall, but nest success and flooding did not differ by microhabitat type. Predation was highest at nests ≤ 5 cm from debris (driftwood/hay) in 1995. No differences in nesting success, flooding, or predation were observed on comparing nests inside and outside electrified enclosures. Coyotes and Striped Skunks were confirmed nest predators, and Ring-billed Gulls were suspected nest predators. We identified one location on the alkaline flat of about 1 000 ha with consistently lower nest losses attributable to flooding and predation and the highest hatching success compared with other parts of the alkaline flat; it was typified by open ground and bisected by several creeks. Management activities that minimize flooding and predation in this area could further enhance nest success and theoretically increase overall productivity of this population of Least Terns. However, the efficacy of electrified enclosures and nest-site enhancements, as currently undertaken, is questionable because of considerable annual variation in use by and protection of Least Terns.

PL

Podgatunek ten został zaliczony do zagrożonych na centralnym obszarze USA. Dane o preferencjach w stosunku do miejsc lęgowych potrzebne są dla działań ochronnych. Praca zajmuje się mikrosieliskami gniazdowania oraz porównuje sukces gniazdowy w miejscach chronionych elektrycznym ogrodzeniem w porównaniu do nie ogrodzonych. Badania wykonano na obszarze 5.1 tys. ha alkalicznej równiny w rezerwacie Salt Plains (Fig. 1). Jest to jedno z największych skupisk lęgowych śródlądowej populacji rybitwy małej. W okresie lęgowym lat 1995 i 1996 badano sukces gniazdowy (% gniazd z których wyszło potomstwo) 233 gniazd, w których znaczną część stanowiły lęgi powtarzane. Głównymi przyczynami start były zalania powodziowe i drapieżnictwo (kojoty, skunksy, prawdopodobnie mewy). Sukces gniazdowy w miejscach chronionych elektrycznym ogrodzeniem był w pierwszym roku niższy o 20%, a następnym wyższy o 8% w stosunku do wyników z miejsc nieogrodzonych (Tab. 1). Straty gniazd z powodu drapieżnictwa były zróżnicowane w pięciu wyróżnionych typach mikrosiedlisk (Tab. 2). Najbardziej preferowane były (75% gniazd) miejsca wśród naniesionych przez wodę szczątków drzewnych i roślinnych (Tab. 2), ale sukces gniazdowy był tam niski (24%). Natomiast mniej liczne gniazda (17%), które znajdowały się w miejscach odkrytych miały sukces znacznie wyższy (43%). Wyniki pracy sugerują ostrożność w stwarzaniu rybitwom małym sztucznych siedlisk gniazdowych z preferowanymi przez te ptaki szczątkami powodziowymi. Nasuwają też zastrzeżenia co do stosowania sztucznych ogrodzeń. Istotne znaczenie ma kontrolowanie czynnika powodziowego i drapieżnictwa.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

Oklahoma; flooding; nest loss; conservation; nesting success; Sterna antillarum anthalassos; Interior Least Tern; predator exclosure; alkaline flat; nest site

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Acta Ornithologica
• Rocznik: 2003
• Tom: 38
• Numer: 2
• Opis fizyczny: p.135-141,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Winton B R

• Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge, 209 Nature Drive, Lake Arthur, LA 70549, USA

autor

Leslie D.M.,Jr.

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