Mt. Koenen et al., METHODS USED TO IMPROVE LEAST TERN AND SNOWY PLOVER NESTING SUCCESS ON ALKALINE FLATS, Journal of field ornithology, 67(2), 1996, pp. 281-291
We evaluated two management methods to increase nesting success of end
angered interior Least Terns (Sterna antillarum) and Snowy Plovers (Ch
aradrius alexandrinus) at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Oklaho
ma. Nest ridges were constructed from existing substrate and designed
to provide elevated habitat safe from sheet flooding. Solar-powered el
ectric fences were built to reduce predation by mammals. Least Tern an
d Snowy Plover nests on and off ridges were located inside and outside
fenced areas and revisited every 3-4 d to quantify nest success using
the Mayfield Method and determine causes of nest failure. Nest ridges
did not reduce nest losses to flooding and further design improvement
s are necessary. Electric fences did not significantly reduce annual e
gg predation except for Least Terns during one year of the study. Pool
ed data for 1991-1994, however, indicated significantly higher Least T
ern and slightly higher Snowy Plover nest success inside than outside
of electric fences.