Animal Sciences Commons^™

Least Tern And Piping Plover Surveys Of The Central And Upper Platte River 2001–2004, Mark Czaplewski, Jim Jenniges, Mark Peyton

Nebraska Bird Review

Central Platte Natural Resources District (Central Platte NRD), Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), and Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (Central) have been involved in monitoring and management of interior Least Tern (Sterna antillarum) and Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) nesting habitat along the Platte River and on the shores of Lake McConaughy in Nebraska since the late 1980s. Since 2001, Central Platte NRD, NPPD, and Central have also helped implement the Least Tern and Piping Plover monitoring protocol developed by the Technical Advisory Committee of the Platte River Endangered Species Partnership (PRESP) (PRESP 2002a, an …

2004 (16th) Report Of The Nou Records Committee, Mark A. Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

The functions and methods of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Records Committee are described in its bylaws (NOU Records Committee 1986). The committee's purpose is to provide a procedure for documenting unusual bird sightings and to establish a list of all documented birds for Nebraska. The "Official List of the Birds of Nebraska" was first published in 1988 (NOU Records Committee 1988) and has been updated two times (NOU Records Committee 1997, 2004).

The "Official List" has been appended fourteen times: (Mollhoff 1989, Grenon 1990, 1991, Gubanyi 1996a, 1996b, 1996c, Brogie 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, Jorgensen 2001, 2002, 2003). This …

Nebraska Bird Review (June 2005) 73(2), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Spring Field Report, March–May 2005 ... 46

Northern Saw-whet Owls: Rare or Overlooked? An Example from the Central Platte Valley ... 67

Least Tern and Piping Plover Surveys of the Central and Upper Platte River 2001–2004 ... 71

2004 (16th) Report of the NOU Records Committee ... 78

Correction to the 2002 NOURC Report ... 84

Correction to the “Official List of the Birds of Nebraska: 2003” ... 84

In Memory of Loren ‘Bub’ Blake ... 85

Annual Meeting at Calamus Reservoir ... 86

Subscription and Organization Information ... 91

In Memory Of Loren ‘Bub’ Blake, Sept. 17, 1944-Oct. 5, 2004, Neal Ratzlaff

Nebraska Bird Review

Loren Blake, known to all of his friends as 'Bub,' entered many of our lives on a fall evening in the late 1980s. The occasion was the traditional shared nature slide session at the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Fall Field Days. Rumors circulated about a Sandhills rancher interested in birds and photography who was going to show up with a few slides he had taken “around the ranch.” And show up he did, with a carousel of his best! The room was soon buzzing with Oohs, Aahs, and Wows as Bub dazzled us with his crisp, well-composed photos of everything from …

Annual Meeting At Calamus Reservoir

Nebraska Bird Review

The 106th Annual Meeting of the NOU was held on May 13–15, 2005, at the Calamus Lodge near Burwell. Sixty-four members and guests were in attendance.

The slate of candidates presented by the nominating committee was accepted by the members present. The officers elected were Dave Heidt, president (replacing Alice Kenitz), Urban Lehner, vice-president (replacing Dave Heidt), Betty Grenon, treasurer, Kevin Poague, secretary (replacing Mitzi Fox), Mary Lou Pritchard, librarian, Loren Padelford, director, and Janis Paseka, editor.

Friday evening's speaker was Scott Taylor, Upland Game Program Manager for Nebraska Game and Parks, who spoke about current upland game bird research …

Biological Responses To Porcine Respiratory And Reproductive Syndrome Virus In Pigs Of Two Genetic Populations, D. B. Petry, J. W. Holl, J. S. Weber, Alan R. Doster, Fernando A. Osorio, R. K. Johnson

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

One hundred pigs from the NE Index Line (NEI) and 100 Hampshire-Duroc cross pigs (HD) were inoculated intranasally with porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV 97-7895 strain) at 26 d of age to determine whether genetic variation in response to PRRSV exists. An uninfected littermate to each infected pig served as a control. Pigs were from 163 dams and 83 sires. Body weight and rectal temperature were recorded, and blood samples were drawn from each pig on d 0 before inoculation and on d 4, 7, and 14 after inoculation. Pigs were sacrificed on d 14. Lung and bronchial …

An Overview Of The 2nd National Invasive Rodent Summit, Gary Witmer, John D. Eisemann

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

On October 19-21, 2004, the USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) in Fort Collins, CO, hosted the 2nd National Invasive Rodent Summit. The conference was jointly sponsored by the NWRC, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and The Wildlife Society's Wildlife Damage Management Working Group. The conference was a follow-up to the 2001 "Rat Summit" held in San Francisco, CA. Like the "Rat Summit," this conference emphasized the management of rodents to conserve plants, other wildlife and habitats. The scope of the problem, concerns, species involved, and lands affected were all considered. The conference began with …

Predator Control For The Protection Of The Federally Endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover (Charadrius Melodus) At Dimmick's Point, North Manitou Island, Kimberly S. Struthers, Patrick J. Ryan

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The recovery plan for the federally endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) identifies the need for predator control/removal to increase Piping Plover chick fledging success. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services entered into an interagency agreement with the National Park Service to conduct predator management on North Manitou Island (NMI), Dimmick's Point, located in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, during the 2003-2005 field seasons. Six control methods were used to remove American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), Common Raven (Corvus corax), Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis), and …

Compressed Air, Wooden Clappers, And Other Non-Traditional Methods For Dispersing European Starlings From An Urban Roost, Randolph J. White, Richard A. Dolbeer, Craig R. Hicks

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

During autumn 2003, several thousand European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) began roosting on exposed I-beams in a newly constructed, decorative glass canopy that covered the passenger pick-up area at the terminal building for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Ohio. The use of lethal control or conventional dispersal techniques, such as pyrotechnics and fire hoses, were not feasible in the airport terminal area. The design and aesthetics of the structure precluded the use of netting and other exclusion materials. In January 2004, an attempt was made to disperse the birds using recorded predator and distress calls broadcast from speakers installed in …

Alien Birds In North America - Challenges For Wildlife Managers, Michael L. Avery, Eric A. Tillman

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

In Executive Order 13112 "Invasive Species", an alien species is defined as one "that is not native" to a particular ecosystem. In North America today, there are nearly 100 alien bird species with self-sustaining populations. These include numerous game birds (primarily gallinaceous birds) and escaped pet birds (primarily psittacine species). Others, such as house sparrows (Passer domesticus), European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), and mute swan (Cygnus olor), were originally introduced for aesthetic reasons or to control agricultural insect pests. The establishment of alien bird populations through purposeful or accidental introductions has resulted in numerous problems …

Overview Of Impacts Of Feral And Introduced Ungulates On The Environment In The Eastern United States And Caribbean, Martin S. Lowney, Paul Schoenfeld, William Haglan, Gary W. Witmer

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Non-native wild and feral ungulates have been introduced throughout the world for many centuries. Often the reasons for introductions were narrow in scope and benefits or the ungulates escaped or were released. Justifications for some introductions have included providing hunting opportunity, meeting cultural and dietary needs of people, fund raising, and aesthetics. Evaluations about the impacts to the environment, native wildlife, livestock, and people were most likely looked at in a narrow prism or not fully evaluated. Ungulates commonly introduced in the Eastern United States and Caribbean islands over the last 150 years included white-tailed deer, sika deer, hogs, horses, …

Feral And Introduced Carnivores: Issues And Challenges, Gary Witmer, Bernice U. Constantin, Frank Boyd

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Feral and invasive carnivores have been intentionally or unintentionally introduced to many parts of the world for a variety of reasons. Once established, they have often caused significant impacts to endemic species because of their predatory nature and, in numerous cases, have altered ecosystem structure and function in important conservation areas. They can also cause competition for native predators, hybridization with native species, losses to livestock and companion animals, and disease hazards. We provide examples of the extent of introductions, resulting impacts, and efforts to control or eradicate these populations. Working with introduced or feral carnivores presents many challenges to …

Thermal Imaging Applications In Urban Deer Control, Earl L. Hodnett

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Control of burgeoning populations of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is a challenging endeavor under the best of circumstances. The challenge is further complicated when control programs are attempted within an urban or suburban area. Wildlife managers often consider management techniques and equipment which have a proven track record. New challenges require new and innovative techniques. The deer management program in Fairfax County, Virginia has employed thermal imaging technology in a variety of ways to better address these unique challenges. In addition to the more commonly used aircraft-mounted FLIR (forward looking infrared), this program utilizes vehicle-mounted and hand-held thermal …

Initial Development Of A Web-Based Tool To Increase Hunter Harvest Of Female Ungulates, James E. Knight, Marc Kenyon, Linda Keddington

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Landowners and agencies have expressed difficulty finding hunters willing to harvest the female portion of the ungulate populations, and likewise, hunters have expressed difficulty achieving access to private lands. Since 2003, the Montana "DoeCowHunt" website (www.doecowhunt.montana.edu) has provided an avenue to improve hunter-landowner contact and wild ungulate population management. A product of Montana State University Extension Wildlife Program, this website provides a means for hunters and landowners in Montana to contact each other by listing contact information (email address, physical address, and telephone number) for the purpose of harvesting antlerless ungulates. In the first year over 10,000 users visited the …

Deer-Vehicle Crash Patterns Across Ecoregions In Michigan, Krishnan Sudharsan, Shawn J. Riley, Brent A. Rudolph, Brian A. Maurer

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Deer-vehicle collisions (DVCs) impact the economic and social well being of humans. We examined large-scale patterns behind DVCs across 3 ecoregions: Southern Lower Peninsula (SLP), Northern Lower Peninsula (NLP), and Upper Peninsula (UP) in Michigan. A 3 component conceptual model of DVCs with drivers, deer, and a landscape was the framework of analysis. The conceptual model was parameterized into a parsimonious mathematical model. The dependent variable was DVCs by county by ecoregion and the independent variables were percent forest cover, percent crop cover, mean annual vehicle miles traveled (VMT), and mean deer density index (DDI) by county. A discriminant function …

Elk In Nebraska: Opportunity Or Another Private-Public Land Conundrum, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Michael A. Cover, Bruce A. Stillings, R. Daniel Crank, Justin W. Fischer, James W. Merchant, Seth P. Korte

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

We conducted a comprehensive research project on elk in the Pine Ridge region of northwestern Nebraska from 1995 to 2002 to determine ecological factors that could be used to improve management and reduce damage. The population ranged from 120 to 150 animals, with an average calf:cow ratio of 0.5:1 and bull:cow ratio of 0.4:1. We located 21 radio-collared female elk 6,311 times during 1995 to 1997. Seasonal home ranges of 2 herds were 10 and 44 km², while average annual home ranges of the herds were much larger (483 and 440 km², respectively). All wintering areas …

Oral Rabies Vaccination - A Progress Report, Dennis Slate, Charles Rupprecht, Mike Dunbar, Robert Mclean

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Oral rabies vaccination (ORV) targeting specific wild Carnivora species has emerged as an integral adjunct to conventional rabies control strategies to protect humans and domestic animals. ORV has been applied with progress toward eliminating rabies in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in western Europe and southern Ontario, Canada. Beginning in the 1990's, coordinated ORV was implemented in Texas to contain and eliminate variants of rabies virus in the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) and coyote (Canis latrans) and in several eastern U.S. States with the goal of preventing spread of raccoon (Procyon lotor) rabies. …

Bovine Tb Eradication Project - Recognizing Hot Buttons Issues, Bridget Kavanagh-Patrick

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The Michigan Departments of Agriculture, Community Health, and Natural Resources, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Michigan State University work cooperatively together as the bovine TB eradication project partners. The interagency group combines expertise in epidemiology, veterinary and human medicine, pathology, wildlife biology, animal husbandry, regulatory law and policy and risk communications. The stakeholders, those impacted by the disease, include agriculture and tourism industry representatives, " Mom-and-Pop" businesses, hunters, wildlife enthusiasts, farmers, Local Health Departments and legislators. The regulatory agencies are the above mentioned project partners, excluding MSU and USDA Wildlife Services, both of which offer services to agencies and …

Taking An Endemically Infected Bovine Tb Area Through To Livestock Clearance. A Case Study Of West Taupo, New Zealand, Kevin Nicholas

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The Pest Management Strategy for Bovine Tuberculosis (Tb) in New Zealand aims to achieve efficient freedom from Tb by 2013 and to eradicate the disease from livestock and wildlife. The West Taupo area, in the central North Island of New Zealand, was chronically infected with Tb in both domestic livestock herds (cattle and deer) and within wildlife populations (brushtail possum, ferret, feral deer and pigs). Through the development and implementation of a technically innovative management plan, this area is now approaching Tb free status. The case study/management plan reported here discusses the operational techniques and strategies that were implemented to …

Observations On The Use Of The Gnrh Vaccine Gonacon™ In The Male White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus), G. Killian, D. Wagner, L. Miller

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Observations made over an 11 year period during the development and evaluation of the GnRH vaccine GonaCon^TM use in male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are summarized. Sexually mature bucks at the Penn State Deer Research Center were administered a single immunization of GonaCon^TM in July. Some males were also given a second boost immunization in September. Compared to similar aged controls, testicular size for treated males was considerably reduced in the first and subsequent years of study, as were testosterone concentrations and sexual libido. During the first year, antler development was relatively normal leading to antler …

Development Of Nicarbazin As A Reproductive Inhibitor For Resident Canada Geese, Kimberly S. Bynum, Christi A. Yonder, John D. Eisemann, John J. Johnston, Lowell A. Miller

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Expanding populations of resident Canada geese that remain in suburban and urban areas year-round often result in increased conflicts with humans. Non-lethal and humane means are needed for managing the size of Canada goose flocks residing near or on airports, golf courses, industrial parks, government sites, and city parks. A side effect of nicarbazin, a veterinary drug used to control coccidiosis in chickens, is decreased egg production and hatching. Exploiting this side effect, studies of nicarbazin for reducing the hatchability of eggs from Canada geese were conducted. An initial study in Cotumix quail verified reduction in hatchability in a species …

Challenges Of Invasive Reptiles And Amphibians, William C. Pitt, Daniel S. Vice, Mike E. Pitzler

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Although worldwide distributions of many amphibians and reptiles are declining, a handful of species are spreading rapidly throughout tropical regions of the world. The species that have the greatest effect tend to be generalist feeders, have high reproductive rates, attain large population sizes, and often due to their behavior and or small size, are easily transported or are difficult to detect. The most notable of these species include the coqui frog, cane toad, bullfrog, brown tree snake, and Burmese pythons. The effect of a few individuals typically is small but the combined effect of large populations can be devastating to …

Effectiveness Of A White-Tailed Deer Exclusion Fence Based On Traction Limitations Of The Hoof: The Slipper Fence, George R. Gallagher, Heidi A. Keen, Robert H. Prince

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

We hypothesized that an exclusion fence could be devised to capitalize on traction limitations of the hooves of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Hexagonal plots (9.8 m wide) enclosed by a 2.4 m field fence with two openings (4.9 m) were established. Data were collected daily on consumption of corn provided (2.27 kg) and events recorded by infrared monitors (IR) for treatment and control sites. Five-day treatment periods consisted of test panels (4.9 m x 2.4 m) placed in plot openings at 0°, 5° and 10° slopes, and lubricant applied at the 10° slope. Deer consumed all corn provided …

Dogs For Reducing Wildlife Damage To Organic Crops: A Case Study, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Nathan W. Seward, Daniel L. Hirchert, Michael L. Jones, Scott F. Beckerman

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Deer (Odocoileus spp.) damage millions of dollars in agricultural crops each year in the United States. A variety of frightening devices and repellants have been developed to reduce crop depredation, however most are effective temporarily (< 6 months). Several types of fences are available, but the most effective are expensive, time consuming to install, and may be considered aesthetically displeasing. Additional means to control wildlife damage to agriculture are needed. We evaluated the efficacy of dogs (Canis familiaris) over a several year period for preventing crop damage caused by white-tailed deer (O. virginianus) and other wildlife at an organic fruit and vegetable farm in south-central Wisconsin. Annual losses at the farm before the introduction of dogs were estimated at $3,177 in 1997 and $4,391 in 1999. One field was protected with 2 crop protection …

Wildlife Master Volunteers: A Multi-County Approach To Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflicts, Daniel L. Einarsen, Tom Mason, Deryl E. Waldren, Ray T. Sterner

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The Wildlife Master (WM) Program in Colorado was modeled after the highly successful Master Gardener volunteer program. In 10 highly populated suburban counties with large rural areas surrounding the Denver Metro Area, Colorado State University (CSU) Cooperative Extension Natural Resources agents train, supervise and manage these volunteers in the identification, referral, and resolution of wildlife damage issues. High quality, research-based training is provided by university faculty and other professionals in public health, animal damage control, wildlife management and animal behavior. Inquiries are responded to mainly via telephone. Calls by concerned residents are forwarded to WMs who provide general information about …

Situational And Driver Characteristics Associated With Deer-Vehicle Collisions In Southeastern Michigan, Alix Marcoux, Graham J. Hickling, Shawn J. Riley, Scott R. Winterstein

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Deer-vehicle collisions (DVCs) create societal impacts throughout the range of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginanus). In Michigan reported DVCs increased by nearly 60% between 1992-2003, with current estimates at more than 65,000 DVCs per year and a mean of $2,300 vehicle damage. To better understand where to direct education and information programs, we used Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) data, 2001-2003, to profile driver characteristics and accident situations of DVCs in Washtenaw, Oakland, and Monroe Counties in Michigan. Each county varies in intensity of land use, human and deer densities, and available deer habitat. Deer density in Washtenaw, …

In-Burrow Application Of Rozol To Manage Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs, Charles D. Lee, Philip S. Gipson, Jeff J. Wilson

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Our experiment demonstrated that black-tailed prairie dogs(Cynomys ludovicianus) will consume rodenticide underground in their burrows. We demonstrated the efficacy of Rozol Pocket Gopher Bait containing the active ingredient chlorophacione (0.005%) 21 days post treatment for managing black-tailed prairie dogs in their burrows in Kansas. Active prairie dog burrows were reduced 90% when 54 grams of Rozol was placed in the burrow without prebaiting. Results indicate use of this toxicant when placed in the burrow can be an effective means of managing prairie dogs. In-burrow application of rodenticides for black-tailed prairie dog management should markedly reduce exposure of birds …

Effects Of Decoy Gender And Wing Clipping On Capture Success Of Brown-Headed Cowbirds, Scott C. Barras, Thomas W. Seamans, Jonathan D. Cepek

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Due to the risks that nest parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) pose to breeding Kirtland's Warblers (Dendroica kirtlandii) and other songbirds, refinement of existing cowbird trapping techniques and development of new techniques are needed to improve the efficiency of cowbird removal. We conducted experiments during 1999-2002 to determine if the use of male and female decoys affected capture rates of cowbirds, and to determine if clipping primaries on one wing of female decoys to prevent escapes affected cowbird capture success. These experiments were conducted using 6 permanently placed modified Australian crow traps (decoy traps) measuring …

Decoy Cropping Methods For Luring Blackbirds Away From Commercial Sunflower: Usda Wildlife Conservation Sunflower Plots, Heath M. Hagy, Jonathan M. Raetzman, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

In an effort to reduce blackbird damage to commercial sunflower, which can range from $4-11 million annually in North Dakota and South Dakota, we evaluated Wildlife Conservation Sunflower Plots (WCSP) for efficacy and wildlife benefits. Blackbird depredation has caused some producers to reduce sunflower acreages and seek alternative crops in this optimal sunflower growing region. USDA 's Wildlife Services funded 8-ha units of oil sunflower (WCSP) to lure migrating blackbirds away from commercial sunflower fields. Vegetative data, habitat variables, GIS-analyzed land-use data, weekly blackbird surveys, sunflower damage surveys, and avian point counts will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of …

Economic Impacts Of Blackbird Damage To The Rice Industry, John L. Cummings, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Shelagh K. Tupper

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

In cooperation with the Louisiana Rice Research Board, the Louisiana State University Rice Research Station and the USA Rice Federation, we conducted a questionnaire survey in 2002 to estimate the economic impacts of blackbirds on the rice industry in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, California, and Missouri. Survey areas in rice producing states were identified based on the 2001 National Agricultural Statistic Service's rice harvest records. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices in each state provided a mailing list of farm operators growing rice and approximately one third of the rice farm operators were randomly selected to be surveyed. The questionnaire was …