Study

An evaluation of canes as a management technique to reduce predation by gulls of ground-nesting seabirds

  • Published source details Boothby C., Redfern C. & Schroeder J. (2019) An evaluation of canes as a management technique to reduce predation by gulls of ground-nesting seabirds. Ibis, 161, 453-458.

Summary

Physically protect nests with individual exclosures/barriers or provide shelters for chicks of ground nesting seabirds

A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 2016 on two islands in northeast England, UK (Boothby et al. 2019) found that placing canes amongst Arctic tern Sterna paradisaea nests reduced the number of predation attempts by gulls Larus spp., but had no significant effect on the success rate of those attempts. Fewer predation attempts were observed in plots with canes (high density: 30; low density: 27) than in plots without canes (59). All treatments were monitored for the same length of time. The proportion of successful attempts did not significantly differ between plots with canes (high density: 0–53%; low density: 25–100%) and without canes (28–100%). Twelve plots (four sets of three) were established in Arctic tern colonies, just after the first eggs were laid. Canes were erected in eight plots (two random plots/set): half at low density (1–2 m between canes) and half at high density (1 m between canes). Canes were inserted at a 70° angle. Plots were observed 3 h/day for 15 days, during peak gull activity.

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust