Predator exclusion methods for managing endangered shorebirds: are two barriers better than one?

Published source details Murphy R.K., Greenwood R.J., Ivan J.S. & Smith K.A. (2003) Predator exclusion methods for managing endangered shorebirds: are two barriers better than one?. Waterbirds (formerly Colonial Waterbirds), 26, 156-159.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use multiple barriers to protect nests Action Link
	Physically protect nests with individual exclosures/barriers or provide shelters for chicks of waders Action Link

Use multiple barriers to protect nests

A replicated, controlled study in 1996 and 1997 at three alkali lakes in North Dakota and Montana, USA (Murphy et al. 2003) found that piping plover Charadrius melodus fledging rates were higher with mesh fences erected around individual nests (see ‘Physically protect nests with individual exclosures/barriers’). When an electric fence (1.1 m tall) was erected around study sites there was a non-significant increase in fledging success, compared with sites where only individual nest fences were used (2.1 chicks/pair with electric fence and nest fences, n = 50 vs. 1.7 chicks/pair with only nest fences, n = 46).
Physically protect nests with individual exclosures/barriers or provide shelters for chicks of waders

A replicated, controlled study from 1996-1997 at three alkali lakes in North Dakota and Montana, USA (Murphy et al. 2003) found that the average number of fledglings produced by piping plover Charadrius melodus pairs provided with fences (0.9 m tall and made from 5 cm poultry wire) around individual nests was significantly higher than for unprotected pairs (1.7 chicks/pair for 46 pairs with nest fences vs. 0.7 chicks/pair for 43 unprotected nests). This study is described further in ‘Use multiple barriers to protect nests’.