Digital Commons Network^™

Distribution And Magnitude Of Eagle/Livestock Conflicts In The Western United States, Robert L. Phillips, F. Sheridan Blom

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

ABSTRACT: Problems with golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and bald eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus) depredation on livestock in western United States were investigated by surveying Animal Damage Control field personnel. One hundred forty-three individuals from 14 states identified areas where they had observed eagle damage to livestock in the past 10 years. Most field personnel believed golden eagles (both residents and migrants) were the most important species causing livestock depredations. The highest livestock losses to eagles were associated with open range lambing operations. Eagle numbers were reported to be increasing throughout the West, but livestock losses to eagles were staying at about …

Solutions To Urban Bird Problems, William D. Fitzwater

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

A survey of municipalities across the country indicated that pigeons were the most widespread aerial nuisance in urban areas. These were followed in order by: blackbirds, starlings, house sparrows, woodpeckers, crows/ravens, swallows/swifts, waterfowl (Canadian geese, mallards, and coots), and gulls. With somewhat lesser frequency were robins, vultures, raptors, herons/egrets, mockingbirds, waxwings, and monk parakeets. Local bird problems were mostly handled by: USDA-APH1S-ADC, Health Department, City/County Animal Control, Landowner/householder, PCO, State Wildlife Agency, Police Department, and Mayor's office.

Observation Of Woodpecker Damage To Electrical Distribution Line Poles In Missouri, Lyle A. Stemmerman

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

Woodpecker damage to electrical distribution poles was monitored in Saline and Pcttis Counties. Damage increased over the four-year monitoring period. There was an increase in both the number of poles damaged and the amount of damage to individual poles. When woodpecker-damaged poles were replaced, the replacement poles proved highly vulnerable to attack. A pole repair and replacement program in Dekalb and Gentry Counties was monitored. The objective was to determine if plastic mesh would effectively protect poles from woodpecker attack and if efficacy could be reliably determined within one year of installation. Plastic mesh failed to provide an acceptable level …

Aerial Treatments Against Starling Roosts In France With Chloro-Para-Toluidin (Cpt): Results Of Eight Years Of Experiments, P. Douville De Franssu, P. Gramet, G. Grolleau, A. Such

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

The starling is one of the major pest birds in France. During the winter, starlings coming from other parts of Europe gather in the Northwest of France and cause extensive damage in the corn silage distributed to the cattle, by eating and spoiling the grains. As it is impossible to protect the cattle food by physical means in most of the situations, the persons in charge of resolving the problem have chosen to turn towards chemical roost treatments. Between 1980 and 1988, nearly 40 treatments have been carried out on 25 different roosts. The chemical used is CPT (chloro-para-toluidin) applied …

Flight Pen Evaluation Of Eyespot Balloons To Protect Citrus From Bird Depredations, Michael L. Avery, Dennis E. Daneke, David G. Decker, Paul W. Lefebvre, Raymond E. Matteson, Curtis O. Nelms

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

The effectiveness of eyespot balloons in discouraging boat-tailed grackle (Ouiscalus major) use of a simulated orange grove was investigated in a series of 4-day trials. The mean distance to the trees of 6-bird experimental flocks was the same with a plain white balloon present as with no balloon. A white balloon with red and black eyespots kept birds at a greater distance from the trees throughout the trial. The presence of a black balloon with orange and yellow eyespots did not repel the birds from the grove. Observations of birds using the area within 1 m of the trees revealed …

Bird Damage To Sprouting Rice In Louisiana: Dynamics Of The Millers Lake Blackbird Roost, Kristin E. Brugger

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

In spring 1986 and 1987 I examined the relationship between blackbird abundance and sequence of rice planting near a very large roost in southwestern Louisiana to identify factors that contributed to bird damage in newly planted rice fields. Millers Lake, an eutrophic man-made lake of approximately 2,500 ha, attracts a winter roosting population that peaks at 10 to 25 million blackbirds annually. By March and April the roost declines to several thousand birds. Female red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were responsible for most rice seed losses, predominating both the roost and feeding flocks in rice fields in spring. Number of flocking …

Prolonged Seed Handling Time Deters Red-Winged Blackbirds Feeding On Rice Seed, Dennis Daneke, David G. Decker

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

Theoretical concepts from foraging ecology were studied to identify elements of blackbird foraging strategies that may be manipulated to deter blackbirds feeding on rice. Seed-handling time was identified as one such vulnerable element. Consequently, we developed seed coatings for rice that increased handling time per seed, allowed a satisfactory germination rate, and persisted for several days postplanting. Test coats included hydrophilic binders with several starches, clays, plaster of paris and chemical grout in various combinations. Consistent repellency was achieved in feeding trials with captive red-winged blackbirds.

Using Aircraft For Controlling Blackbird/Sunflower Depredations, Larry L. Handegard

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

Although not a new idea, using aircraft to control blackbird damage to sunflowers has provided some relief for sunflower growers in North Dakota. The numerous scaring devices and limited frightening agents have not proven effective in controlling blackbird damage to sunflowers. In response to a congressional directive to provide assistance in controlling blackbird/sunflower depredations in North Dakota, a blackbird hazing program was developed. The program utilized fixed-wing aircraft and shooting to expedite the migration of blackbirds through North Dakota.

Controlling Shiny Cowbirds In Puerto Rico, Jon F. Heisterberg, Fernando Nunez-Garcia

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

A program to trap and remove shiny cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis) was conducted during two successive passerine nesting seasons at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in eastern Puerto Rico. It sought to improve existing trapping techniques and to determine the effect cowbird removal has on the reproductive success of the endangered yellow-shouldered blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus). Decoy traps of two basic designs were used to capture 2449 cowbirds in 1162 trap-days (average 2.l/trap-day) in June-September 1985 and 850 cowbirds in 1571 trap-days (average 0.5/trap-day) in March-August 1986. The lower capture rate in 1986 suggests that cowbirds removed in 1985 were not being replaced …

Alleviating Nuisance Canada Goose Problems With Acoustical Stimuli, Donald F. Mott, Shirley K. Timbrook

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

Alarm/distress calls of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) were evaluated by themselves and in combination with racket bombs to determine their effectiveness in frightening Canada geese from nuisance situations at 2 Corps of Engineers campgrounds in Tennessee. Results based on goose censuses showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in goose numbers from nontreatment to treatment periods at both sites. Goose numbers were reduced an average of 71% when the calls alone were used. The combination of the calls and the racket bombs produced a 96% reduction in goose observations. Although a reduction in geese was observed during the treatment periods, continual harassment would appear to be necessary as reinvasion was noted after treatment was stopped. The scarcity of alternate feeding and loafing sites may have contributed to this lack of long-term control.

Characteristics Of Bird-Resistance In Agricultural Crops , Roger W. Bullard

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

The use of biochemical or morphological genetic traits in a crop to protect ripening seeds or grain from bird damage remains a promising tool under certain situations. Research on bird-resistance in crops has focused on grain sorghum, corn, sunflower and rice. This crop protection method involves feeding behavior of granivorous birds and its effectiveness depends on the availability of preferred alternate foods. That is, bird-resistant traits provide protection to the crop when other food choices are readily available; however, when alternate food is scarce or high bird populations create serious feeding competition, they are less effective. Several practical factors (i.e., …

Management Of Fruit Bat And Rat Populations In The Maldive Islands, Indian Ocean, Richard R. Dolbeer, Lynwood R. Fiedler, Hussain Rasheed

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

The introduced black rat (Rattus rattus) and the endemic giant fruit bat (Pteropus giganteus ariel) are serious depredators of coconuts and fruits, respectively, in the Maldives. Differences in reproductive rate between rats (high) and bats (low) must be considered in implementing control programs. We estimate a rat population can fully recover from an island-wide reduction of 90% in less than 6 months. In contrast, a bat population may require 6 years to recover from a 90% reduction. Crown-baiting of coconut palms with anticoagulant rodenticides is effective in reducing rat damage, but villagers have been reluctant to adopt recommended baiting programs, …

The State Of The Bay - 1987, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (Tbrpc), Agency On Bay Management

Reports

Council's Agency on Bay Management has continued to lead and support major Bay related activities through legislation, development review, intergovernmental coordination, impact assessment and public education in 1987. Management and research efforts expand for the Bay as awareness grows of its significance. The State of the Bay - 1987 document represents the compilation of regional activities and these expanding effort to promote the Tampa Bay estuary.

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 20, No. 1 March 1988

The Prairie Naturalist

Paul B. Kannowski, Editor

Nikki R. Seabloom, Assistant Editor

Douglas H. Johnson, Book Review Editor

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WINTER FOOD HABITS OF PRAIRIE PORCUPINES IN MONTANA ▪ P. Hendricks and H. F. Allard

RABIES CONTROL BY SKUNK DEPOPULATION IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA, 1983 TO 1986 ▪ M. J. Pybus

USE OF SHELTER BY MULE DEER DURING WINTER ▪ A. K. Wood

FORAGING BEHAVIOR AND FOOD HABITS OF BURROWING OWLS IN WYOMING ▪ C. D. Thompson and S. H. Anderson

WILD TURKEY NESTING ECOLOGY IN SOUTH CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA ▪ T. L. Wertz and L. D. Flake

DOES THE DOWNY AMERICAN AVOCET …

The Impact Of Wildlife Damage On Wildlife Management Programs In Wisconsin, Scott R. Craven

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

ABSTRACT: Wildlife damage caused by species normally managed as game animals or furbearers should be of major concern to wildlife managers and various user groups: hunters, trappers, and other outdoor recreationists. Real or potential damage may be used as an important factor in determining population levels, harvest goals, and distribution of white-tailed deer and Canada geese in Wisconsin. In any state where private land and agriculture are important, such a strategy could reduce wildlife populations and associated recreational opportunities. Recent surveys in Wisconsin have quantified the amount and distribution of deer, goose, and turkey damage in Wisconsin. These data allow …

A Decade Of Use Of Livestock Guarding Dogs, Raymond Coppinger, Lorna Coppinger, Gail Langeloh, Lori Gettler, Jay Lorenz

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

Results from a ten-year study of livestock guarding dogs show that the dogs are an effective tool for reducing predation. Average reduction attained by five strains of dogs (Anatolian Shepherds, Maremmas, Shar Planinetz, Anatolian/ Shars, Maremma/Shars) was 64%, with predation reduced to zero for 53% of reporting producers in 1986. Variations in trustworthy, attentive and protective behavior of the dogs were breed-specific, and offer mechanisms for improving the system.

Photographic Records — Their Importance In Today's Environmentally Sensitive Bird Management Programs, Charles W. Areson

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

We are living in a day of change. Environmental awareness is a part of our everyday life in a way unprecedented in history. The courts, in their infinite wisdom, have initiated the joint and several liability (deep pocket) rules that make everyone at risk in almost all situations. Bird management programs, by their very nature, are extremely sensitive. Any project, if not evaluated, planned, carried out, and documented properly can result in adverse regulatory agency action, bad publicity, and even fines or lawsuits. Proper photographic documentation can play a vital part in helping to provide the necessary records to help …

On A Class Of Stochastic Approximation -Type Parameter-Learning Algorithms For Pattern Recognition., Amita Pal Dr.

Doctoral Theses

The first tank can involve one or more subtasks. For instance, it may require the design of a classifier on the basis of whatever prior knowledge there is of the feature space, or given the design, to estimate efficiently the parameters of the classifier. The latter might involve the estimation of the density function itself if very little is known about the class-conditional fenture distribution, or it may necessitate the entimation of the parameters of the fenture distribution, if one can assume it to have some known form. It may also involve estimating the boundaries of the classes, if even …

Evaluating Hay Quality, William C. Templeton Jr.

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

One of the frustrations to nutritionists interested in the feeding value of roughage has been that with all their book knowledge and technical aids no dependable scheme they could devise would consistently rank forages in feeding value, while the dumb ruminant animal could unerringly detect differences in their nutritive values.
-E. W. Crampton, 1965

Blister Beetles In Alfalfa, C. M. Christensen, Lee H. Townsend

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Blister beetles are Iong cylindrical beetles that may be black, gray, yellow and brown striped, black with gray margins on the wing covers or black with a red head. These insects are usually found feeding in clusters on alfalfa. They can cause severe sickness and sometimes death when livestock especially horses eat the live or dead beetles. They are usually not found in alfalfa in mid-July and early August which translates to the third or fourth cutting. Blister beetles (black ones, gray margined ones, and yellow striped ones) were collected in very noticeable numbers in several central Kentucky alfalfa fields …

Alfalfa Establishment, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa "Queen of the Forage Crops" is the most important forage legume grown in the United States. It is grown over a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. Alfalfa has the highest yield potential and the highest feeding value of all adapted perennial forage legumes. It is a versatile crop which can be used for pasture, hay, silage, green-chop, soil improvements and soil conservation. As a result. of this crops many merits; especially yield, quality and versatile use, it can be used successfully in many animal feeding programs.

Soil And Fertility Considerations For Growing Alfalfa, Monroe Rasnake

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is a widely adapted crop which is grown across the United states and in many other counties. However, it is very sensitive to many soil and fertility factors which can limit its productivity. It is important to understand these factors in order to be a successful alfalfa producer.

Final Report Of The Pearling Industry Review Committee To The Hon. Julian Grill, Western Australian Minister For Fisheries And Hon. John Kerin, M.P. Federal Minister For Primary Industries And Energy., F. J. Malone, D. A. Hancock, B. Jeffries

Fisheries Management Papers

In October 1987 an Interim Report was issued to enable the present licence holders, the Licensed Pearl Producers' Association and other who had expressed an interest to the Committee, to consider the interim recommendations and , if necessary, make written comment to the Committee.

The Committee considered the comments it received. It now presents its Final Report to the Western Australian Minister for Fisheries, the Hon. Julian Grill and the Federal Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, the Hon. John Kerin.

The Committee is recommending that the industry be quota controlled with entry by transfer only. The present licence holders …

Flocoumafen -- A New Anticoagulant Rodenticide , M. Lund

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

ABSTRACT: Flocoumafen is a new anticoagulant rodenticide with an acute toxicity between that of bromadiolone and brodifacoum. It has performed well in field tests against house mice and susceptible as well as resistant brown rat populations. Danish lab tests reveal a considerable variation in susceptibility between rodent species and indicate that practical problems in the control of certain Scandinavian bromadiolone-resistant house mouse populations may arise shortly after introduction.

Comparative Evaluation Of Tamper-Proof Mouse Bait Stations, Karl D. Morris, Dale E. Kaukeinen

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

A method for the evaluation of mouse control using tamper-proof mouse bait stations was developed and efficacy trials conducted to determine if house mice (Mus musculus) would visit and consume rodenticidal baits located within these stations. All stations were rapidly investigated by mice. Variation seen between the individual stations related to animal variation and did not appear to be related to differences in the stations themselves. Station placement was more critical to mouse investigation and subsequent bait consumption from the station than were the various features used to prohibit non-target access.

An Evaluation Of Modified 4-Aminopyridine Baits For Protecting Sunflower From Blackbird Damage, C. Edward Knittle, John L. Cummings, George M. Linz, Jerome F. Besser

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

Bait preference studies with red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) in North Dakota sunflower fields indicated that sunflower seeds and a combination of sunflower seeds and chopped corn (MIX) were more successful in producing affected blackbirds, primarily red-winged blackbirds, than pearl barley or chopped corn used separately. A subsequent study compared the effectiveness of commercial Avitrol FC Corn Chops-99S to 4-aminopyridine-treated MIX-99S baits for reducing blackbird damage to ripening sunflower. Both baits significantly reduced damage in fields nearest a blackbird roost (within two miles), but were largely ineffective in fields farther than two miles from a roost. The ramifications of these results …

The Probe, Issue 80 - February 1988

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

THE PROBE
National Animal Damage Control Association
FEBRUARY 1988
The Evolution of Anti-trapping.
Pesticides
Animal Rights vs. Wildlife Management-hunting System
APHIS Activity Report
ASTM Meeting – Monterey, CA
Nixalite
Pesticide Labeling
Letters to Ye Ed
Rabies
Farm Laborers

Environmental Assessment Of Las Vegas Wash And Lake Mead Artificial Wetlands Demonstration Project, John R. Baker, R. M. Gersberg, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Publications (WR)

The effective use of artificial wetlands for treatment of municipal wastewater is well documented; however, design and economic data for artificial wetlands development are limited (Gersberg et al., 1984a). This is due partly to regional differences in climate, soils, and vegetation and partly to the desired waste treatment. As a result, specific treatment levels and cost benefits relative to the use of an artificial wetlands for a particular site cannot be evaluated adequately without a pilot demonstration project. Las Vegas Wash receives sewage effluent from the Las Vegas metropolitan area and has been designated as a wetlands community park. Las …

Multiple-Screen Panning System, Abdo Fathy Youssef

Theses

There is a need to provide graphics capabilities for the objective of "Group Graphics". This is the ability of a group of humans to work collaboratively on the same diagram. It is the intent of this project to provide some of the fundamental software tools to allow a group of individuals to deal with a "mosaic" form of graphics made up of many separate screens that can be panned and conceptually edited by each individual who is working on portions of the overall document.

Simple tools are provided for the creation of graphics screens as well as saveing and retrieving …

Evaluation Of New Pasture Legume Species In Terms Of Summer Feeding Value And Effects On Wool Production., Tess Casson

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 86KA71

Location: Private farm 'Monalta' - south-east of Katanning.

As outlined by S. Flecker in the 1987 summary for this trial, the expected result of the research is that the feeding value of burr medic pastures will be greater than the feeding value of sub. clover and barrel medic pasture, particularly over the dry summer/autumn period.