Success of osprey nest structures at Martin National Wildlife Refuge
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Published source details
Rhodes L.I. (1972) Success of osprey nest structures at Martin National Wildlife Refuge. Journal of Wildlife Management, 36, 1296-1299.
Published source details Rhodes L.I. (1972) Success of osprey nest structures at Martin National Wildlife Refuge. Journal of Wildlife Management, 36, 1296-1299.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Provide artificial nesting sites for raptors Action Link |
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Provide artificial nesting sites for raptors
A before-and-after study at a marshland site in Maryland, USA (Rhodes 1972), found that the number of osprey Pandion haliaetus nests at the site increased from 4-6 before 1968 to 22 in 1971, and chick production tripled, following the erection of 24 artificial nesting platforms in 1968-72. Platforms had an 82% occupancy rate (59 nesting attempts out of 72 available nest-years) and more nests were found on platforms than at natural nest sites (59 nesting attempts on platforms vs. 12 at other sites). Nests on platforms produced an average of 1.3 chicks/nest, whilst natural nests produced 1.8 chicks/nest. Platforms consisted of a 122 x 122 cm platform of planks and wire on a 6.1 m wooden pole. The platform was braced, sunk 150 cm into the ground and designed to withstand hurricane-force winds.
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