THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL PERCHES TO INCREASE PREDATION ON HOUSE MICE (MUS-DOMESTICUS) BY RAPTORS

Changes in raptor and mouse abundance over time in response to the int roduction of artificial perches for raptors were analysed using genera lised linear models. The placement of artificial perches around the pe rimeter of irrigated soybean crops significantly increased the number of diurnal raptors visiting and hunting over these crops compared with untreated crops. This increased hunting pressure reduced (a) the rate at which the mouse population increased in the crops and (b) the maxi mum mouse population density. These effects were greater when artifici al perches were placed at 100-m spacings rather than 200-m spacings. N o significant reductions in mouse damage were detected as mice failed to reach threshold densities for crop damage on the untreated plots. D espite this, the use of artificial perches to attract birds of prey ma y be a useful addition to rodent management strategies.