Project Summary

Predator management to maintain and improve bobwhite populations is not well understood. The objective of this study is to observe the effects of reducing meso-mammalian abundance during the breeding season on bobwhite populations located on large study areas with quality bobwhite habitat. Two pair study areas were chosen, one near Albany, GA and the other in between Tallahassee, FL and Thomasville, GA. The study is a six-year cross over design where one study area from each pair meso-mammalian predators were trapped for the first three years. In the next three years the other study area of each pair was trapped. All predator removal is being conducted by four fulltime USDA Wildlife Services personnel. Recent research has shown that identification of predators at the nest bowl after depredations is not conclusive enough to determine the responsible predator. Thus, twenty-four hour near infrared surveillance cameras have been set up at approximately 60% of the nests monitored throughout the nesting season to identify the nest predators responsible for depredations and to monitor any shifts in types of predators depredating nests.

Research shows that predators can be a limiting factor in game bird populations. The predators in this study are generalist predators (raccoons, armadillos, opossum, etc…) which have a variety of diet and habitat requirements. In addition to mammalian nest predators, there are several species of snakes that are also nest predators. In this study, we hope to not only understand what effect mammalian predators play in bobwhite nest productivity and abundance, but also understand if a reduction of one group of nest predators may be replaced by another suite such as snakes. The southeast has a very diverse, complex food web that is much more complicated than areas in Europe where predation management is an effective tool. As a result, it is important to understand the dynamics of the system to determine if predation management is an effective tool for managing bobwhite populations in the southeast.

Collaborators

Tall Timbers Research Station, Albany Quail Project, Auburn University, and Georgia USDA Wildlife Services

Information

• PhD Candidate

• Co-advised by Michael J. Conroy