Type of Document	Master's Thesis
Author	Wiens, Darren Kirk
Author's Email Address	dwiens1@lsu.edu
URN	etd-04122007-125608
Title	Nest Success and Nest Site Selection of Shorebirds in North Dakota
Degree	Master of Science (M.S.)
Department	Renewable Natural Resources
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Rohwer, Frank C. Committee Chair Chamberlain, Michael J. Committee Member Geaghan, James P. Committee Member
Keywords	habitat Upland Sandpiper Wilson's Phalarope predator management Common Snipe
Date of Defense	2007-03-19
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract I compared nest success estimates for both shorebirds and Sharp-tailed Grouse between controls and 36 square-mile blocks that were trapped for intermediate mammalian predators. I also investigated shorebird nest site selection by comparing vegetation visual obstruction and species composition between nest sites and the surrounding field. Nest success (Mayfield estimate ± SE) was not different between trapped and control blocks for shorebirds (trap: 50.8% ± 6.3%; control: 69.1% ± 17.5%) or Sharp-tailed Grouse (trap: 61.3% ± 8.3%; control: 48.7% ± 10.0%). This indicates that trapping intermediate mammalian predators is not an efficient method of increasing shorebird or Sharp-tailed Grouse nest success. Regardless of the surrounding habitat type, shorebird nest sites were located in characteristic vegetation depending on species. Common Snipe preferred nest sites to be covered by native vegetation that obstructed vision below 21cm. Wilson’s Phalarope also preferred native vegetation, however they nested in vegetation obstructing vision less than 16cm. Upland Sandpipers showed little preference for vegetation species composition, although nest sites were typically found in vegetation obstructing vision less than 21cm. These results indicate that useful shorebird habitat includes relatively sparse, native vegetation.
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