Predation of birds in mist nets by callitrichids (primates): how to prevent similar events

We report predation of four birds while caught in mist nets and recommend some means of prevention. Two birds were attacked by Callitrhix jacchus and one by Saguinus midas. The predator in the fourth case was unidentified. These cases were relatively rare, affecting 0.4–4.4% of the captured birds. Two of the predated birds were caught more than 1 m above the ground and may have been accessed from branches. The other two were caught close to the ground. Reducing time intervals between net checks and cutting off branches close to nets may reduce bird predation in mist nets.     

Improving our understanding of demographic monitoring: avian breeding productivity in a tropical dry forest

The ratio of juvenile to adult birds in mist‐net samples is used to monitor avian productivity, but whether it is a “true” estimate of per capita productivity or an index proportional to productivity depends on whether capture probability is not age‐dependent (true estimate) or age difference in capture probability is consistent among years (index). Better understanding of the processes affecting age‐ and year‐specific capture probabilities is needed to advance the application of constant‐effort mist‐netting for monitoring and conservation, particularly in many tropical settings where capture rates are often low. We ranked members of the avian community by capture frequencies, determined if temporary emigration influenced the availability of birds to be captured, and assessed the distribution of birds relative to mist‐nets and the parity between capture‐based productivity estimates and number of fledglings in nest plots in a tropical dry forest in Puerto Rico in 2009 and 2010. Few captures characterized the community of 25 resident species and, when estimable, capture probabilities were low, particularly for juveniles (typically < 0.1). Negative trends in capture probability, temporary emigration, and the distribution of birds suggest that avoidance of mist‐nets influenced capture rates in our study. Increasing mist‐net coverage or moving mist‐nets between sampling periods could increase capture rates. The number of fledglings observed in nest plots (25 ha/plot) did not correlate well with capture‐derived estimates (20 ha/net stations), suggesting the presence of immigrants or failure to find all nests. Our results suggest that indices of breeding productivity from mist‐netting data may track temporal changes in productivity, but such data likely do not reflect “true” productivity in most cases unless age‐specific differences in capture probability are incorporated into estimates. Pilot studies should be conducted to evaluate capture rates and the spatial extent sampled by mist‐nets to improve sampling design and inferences before informing decisions.     

Crossbow‐netting: a new method for capturing shorebirds

Capturing shorebirds during the non‐breeding season can be challenging because they are usually scattered over wide‐open intertidal areas while foraging and are sensitive to human disturbance at roosts where they gather during high tide in large vigilant flocks. Several techniques are available for capturing shorebirds, but, for a study of stopover ecology, we needed a method that would allow us to capture Dunlins (Calidris alpina) on a regular basis at high‐tide roosts during the day (ruling out mist‐nets), did not require the use of gun‐powder (ruling out cannon‐nets), and that would deploy a net faster than clap nets, whoosh nets, and wilsternets. Therefore, we developed a new method to capture shorebirds where a crossbow is used to pull a mist‐net over flocks of roosting birds. We tested this technique in four habitats (saltpans, salt marshes, beaches, and mudflats) in the Tagus estuary, Portugal, and captured over 380 birds representing eight different species. Advantages of this technique compared to other methods (e.g., mist‐nets, clap‐ and whoosh nets, and cannon‐nets) include (1) portability, (2) ease of set up, (3) minimal disturbance of birds near the capture area, and (4) no explosive materials are needed. Our results suggest that crossbow‐netting is a safe and useful capture technique, especially for studies requiring the capture of small numbers of birds on a regular basis.     

Once bitten twice shy: long‐term behavioural changes caused by trapping experience in willow warblers Phylloscopus trochilus

In dangerous situations, animals learn from experience to anticipate risks during similar subsequent occasions. Mist netting may represent just such a dangerous occasion and may serve as a tool to get insight into whether and how memorizing and recognition of the circumstances that form the prelude to a recapture can alter the animal's behaviour after capture, as well as it may affect the subsequent recapture rates. We used a playback lure to study the capture latency in willow warblers Phylloscopus trochilus, both without any and with a previous capture experience (either in the same year or in a previous one). We found increased response latencies to the playback lure for experienced males, compared to naive males. Naive males responded faster in the presence of a mist net than without a mist net; while experienced males tended to increase their response latencies. Individuals with between‐year capture experience showed exactly the same response pattern as individuals with a capture experience within the same year. These findings suggest that the birds may recall the capture event even a year later. It is very likely that the playback lure, with or without the net's presence, contributed significantly to the apparent risk of detection. We believe our study reveals that long‐lasting modifications of behaviour induced by capture and handling deserve further attention, as they might have a serious impact on the value of behavioural and ecological data, which is either based upon observing captured individuals and/or upon the recapture rates.     

Vertical stratification of an avian community in New Guinean tropical rainforest

Vertical stratification of avian communities has been studied in both temperate and tropical forests; however, the majority of studies used ground-based methods. In this study we used ground-to-canopy mist nets to collect detailed data on vertical bird distribution in primary rain forest in Wanang Conservation Area in Papua New Guinea (Madang Province). In total 850 birds from 86 species were caught. Bird abundance was highest in the canopy followed by the understory and lowest in the midstory. Overall bird diversity increased towards the canopy zone. Insectivorous birds represented the most abundant and species-rich trophic guild and their abundances decreased from the ground to canopy. The highest diversity of frugivorous and omnivorous birds was confined to higher vertical strata. Insectivorous birds did not show any pattern of diversity along the vertical gradient. Further, insectivores preferred strata with thick vegetation, while abundance and diversity of frugivores increased with decreasing foliage density. Our ground-to-canopy (0–27 m) mist netting, when compared to standard ground mist netting (0–3 m), greatly improved bird diversity assessment and revealed interesting patterns of avian community stratification along vertical forest strata.     

Recapture Heterogeneity in Cliff Swallows: Increased Exposure to Mist Nets Leads to Net Avoidance

Ecologists often use mark-recapture to estimate demographic variables such as abundance, growth rate, or survival for samples of wild animal populations. A common assumption underlying mark-recapture is that all animals have an equal probability of detection, and failure to meet or correct for this assumption–as when certain members of the population are either easier or more difficult to capture than other animals–can lead to biased and inaccurate demographic estimates. We built within-year and among-years Cormack-Jolly-Seber recaptures-only models to identify causes of capture heterogeneity for a population of colonially nesting cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) caught using mist-netting as a part of a 20-year mark-recapture study in southwestern Nebraska, U.S.A. Daily detection of cliff swallows caught in stationary mist nets at their colony sites declined as the birds got older and as the frequency of netting at a site within a season increased. Experienced birds’ avoidance of the net could be countered by sudden disturbances that startled them into a net, such as when we dropped a net over the side of a bridge or flushed nesting cliff swallows into a stationary net positioned at a colony entrance. Our results support the widely held, but seldom tested, belief that birds learn to avoid stationary mist nets over time, but also show that modifications of traditional field methods can reduce this source of recapture heterogeneity.     

How to capture wild passerine species to study baseline corticosterone levels

Baseline corticosterone levels have been suggested to be an effective tool to assess and monitor the health status of individuals and populations of wild birds. However, measuring baseline corticosterone levels in the field is difficult because the capture protocol may affect rates of corticosterone secretion. In passerine birds, two methods of capture are widely used: (1) passive netting consisting of monitoring mist-nets frequently to check if a bird has been caught; and (2) target netting consisting of installing a conspecific decoy and/or playing a tape-recorded conspecific song in the vicinity of a mist-net until the territorial bird is captured. Our objective here was to determine whether these methods of capture are effective at achieving non-disturbed baseline corticosterone levels in American Redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla). We found that passive netting was associated with elevated corticosterone levels, suggesting that hanging in a net for several minutes activates the HPA axis and, thus, elicits an adreno-cortical stress response. In contrast, target netting was not associated with an increase in corticosterone levels, regardless of the length of time between when the target bird first approached the net and when it was captured. Therefore, we suggest that researchers interested in estimated baseline corticosterone in this species use target netting and not passive netting.     

Effects of helicopter net-gunning on survival of bighorn sheep

Wildlife capture, and the data collection associated with it, has led to major advancements in ecology that are integral to decision making pertaining to wildlife conservation. Capturing wildlife, however, can cause lethal and non-lethal risks to animals. Understanding the factors that contribute to the level of risk involved in wildlife capture is therefore important for the development and implementation of the safest and most effective methodologies. We used data from 736 animal captures of 389 individuals for 2 subspecies of female bighorn sheep (Rocky Mountain bighorn [Ovis canadensis canadensis], Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep [O. c. sierrae]) in Wyoming and California, USA, in 2002–2020 to evaluate the degree and extent of time that capture via helicopter net-gunning affects survival. We compared pre- and post-capture survival during a 10-week window centered on a capture event, and post-capture survival between captured animals and animals that were monitored but not captured during the 10-week window. Additionally, we evaluated the effects of handling techniques (number of times captured, season of capture event, handling time, chase time, and body temp) and biological factors (age and nutritional condition) on probability of capture mortality. Mean daily survival was 0.9992 during a 5-week pre-capture window, dropped to 0.9864 on the day of capture, and rebounded within 3 days of capture to pre-capture levels and that of sheep that were not captured. Overall, direct mortality resulting from capture was 1.36%, with 0.54% mortality occurring within the 3 days following a capture event for an overall 1.90% capture-related mortality. The only handling and biological metrics that influenced the probability of capture mortality were rectal temperature and nutritional condition; high initial rectal temperatures and poor body condition were associated with increased risk of mortality in the days following capture. Overall, helicopter net-gunning imposed low and short-term risk to survival of female bighorn sheep. To reduce bias in survival estimates, we recommend using a 3-day censorship window for post-capture mortalities as opposed to the common practice of a 2–5-week censor window. Helicopter net-gunning, including annual or seasonal recaptures, remains an effective and comparatively safe technique for capture and associated data collection of bighorn sheep.     

Adverse Effects of Capture and Handling Little Bustard

Abstract Capturing wild animals for research or conservation purposes may cause some adverse effects, which is only acceptable if these are outweighed by conservation benefits. We used information from 3 on-going telemetry studies on the endangered little bustard (Tetrax tetrax) in Western Europe to evaluate the risk factors associated with capture and handling. Of 151 telemetered birds, 23 (15.2%) exhibited impaired mobility and coordination after release, probably related to the occurrence of capture myopathy. Among the 23 impaired birds, 10 (43.5%) died before recovering normal mobility (6.6% of all birds captured). Logistic regression analyses identified longer handling time, longer restraint time, use of cannon nets, and capture of juveniles as inducing factors for these disorders. We conclude that little bustard is fairly susceptible to suffering ataxia and paresia after release as a result of restraint associated with capture and manipulation. Researchers can reduce this risk by keeping handling and restraint time below 10–20 minutes, particularly when using cannon nets or when capturing juveniles.     

Limited catching bias in a wild population of birds with near‐complete census information

Animal research often relies on catching wild animals; however, individuals may have different trappability, and this can generate bias. We studied bias in mist netting, the main method for catching wild birds. The unusually high resighting rate in our study population—house sparrows (Passer domesticus) on Lundy Island (England)—allowed us to obtain accurate estimates of the population size. This unique situation enabled us to test for catching bias in mist netting using deviations from the expected Poisson distribution. There was no evidence that a fraction of the birds in the population consistently remained uncaught. However, we detected a different bias: More birds than expected were captured only once within a year. This bias probably resulted from a mixture of fieldworkers sometimes ignoring rapid recaptures and birds becoming net shy after their first capture. We had sufficient statistical power with the available data to detect a substantial uncaught fraction. Therefore, our data are probably unbiased toward catching specific individuals from our population. Our analyses demonstrate that intensively monitored natural insular populations, in which population size can be estimated precisely, provide the potential to address important unanswered questions without concerns about a fraction of the population remaining uncaught. Our approach can help researchers to test for catching bias in closely monitored wild populations for which reliable estimates of population size and dispersal are available.     

Effectiveness of an acoustic lure for surveying bats in British woodlands

1. A field experiment was used to test the effectiveness of a synthesized bat call as an acoustic lure to attract bats into mist nets in woodlands in southeast England. The stimulus was modelled on a social call of the rare Bechstein's bat Myotis bechsteinii. 2. In the Test condition, when the synthesized call was played, 23 bats of four species were captured, including six Bechstein's bats. In the Control condition, when no calls were played, only one bat was caught. 3. The bat call synthesizer is an effective tool for increasing capture rates for bats. Used as part of a systematic survey programme, it has the potential to provide the first baseline data on the distribution of bats in British woodlands.     

Are mist nets a menace for threatened insects? A first attempt to gather quantitative data

We attempt to identify the threat to flying beetles imposed by mist nets deployed for bird studies in an area of Mediterranean mosaic of evergreen scrub and deciduous forest in Italy. The present paper is the first attempt to identify the non-target species which die in these artificial traps. A large number of large scarab beetles was entangled in mist nets during a complete ringing session. The seasonal trend of beetle populations and their daily flight activity were also recorded. The results lead us to suggest that the populations of some threatened dung beetles can be impoverished at local level and represent a bycatch of mist net techniques, especially in early spring and at sunrise, when their swarming and reproductive activity is high. When summed with other factors affecting these beetles, such as habitat loss and fragmentation, this tool may represent a threat for vulnerable insect populations. Trapping effects may also represent a depletion of food resource for some insectivorous birds. For these reasons we recommend cooperative research between ornithologists and entomologists to fully study the bycatch effects of mist netting on flying insects and their effects on food availability for insectivorous birds.     

红外相机技术与其他几种森林鸟类多样性调查方法的比较

为了探讨红外相机技术、网捕法、固定距离样线法和固定半径样点法对森林鸟类多样性调查的有效性和实用性, 我们于2011-2016年, 用这几种方法调查了广东南岭国家级自然保护区和车八岭国家级自然保护区的鸟类多样性。在南岭, 固定距离样线法和固定半径样点法记录鸟类222种, 网捕鸟类43种, 红外相机拍到鸟类47种; 其中1种鸟仅网捕到, 6种鸟仅被红外相机拍到, 164种鸟仅被固定距离样线法和固定半径样点法记录到。在车八岭, 固定距离样线法和固定半径样点法记录鸟类109种, 网捕鸟类42种, 红外相机拍到鸟类27种, 其中9种鸟仅网捕到, 3种鸟仅被红外相机拍到, 97种鸟仅被固定距离样线法和固定半径样点法记录到。随着鸟类的体重、体长、翅长和跗蹠增加, 网捕到的鸟类个体数量减少, 鸟类身体大小与网捕到的鸟类数量呈显著负相关; 而红外相机拍到的鸟类数量随鸟类的身体大小增大而增加, 并且呈显著的正相关。本文的结果显示, 网捕法和红外相机技术针对不同类群的鸟类调查效力不同, 但都是固定距离样线法和固定半径样点法的有效补充。建议今后开展森林鸟类多样性调查与监测时, 尽量采用多种研究方法相结合, 以求达到最优的效果。     

Modified netting technique for capturing gazelles in Serengeti,Ngorongoro and Loliondo,Tanzania

During serological surveillance of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) disease, it required capture of randomly selected herds of gazelles as part of a study to determine the epidemiological role of these species in the circulation of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV). The study targeted capturing 135 Grant's gazelles (Gazella granti) from the Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania. A modified netting technique was used aiming at providing safe, efficient and cost‐effective method for capture of gazelles. Locally available materials were used, and wildlife professionals guided the process of manufacturing supporting frame for the nets. Twenty (20) black metal pipes, 20 metal bars, four nets and three vehicles were used in the procedure. A total of 136 Grant's gazelles and nine Thomson's gazelles were captured in three missions. The Grant's gazelles were captured as per sample size calculated in all locations: Loliondo (n = 25), Serengeti National Park (n = 44) and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) (n = 67) using less time and minimum cost than estimated. Injuries of three fawns (2%) inadvertently captured with the groups of adults and sub‐adult animals were recorded. Comparing with 2014 and other studies, modified netting technique showed high animal and operator safety levels with minimal injuries. With this technique, it was possible to capture even flighty animals that behave nervously because of hunting and other human activities, including Thomson's gazelles, a species previously found to be difficult to capture by netting.     

Opportunistic predation on birds trapped in mist nets in two areas in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil

Mist netting is the most popular method for capturing birds, but it can increase the predation rates of individuals trapped in the nets. From 2008 to 2017, we recorded eight instances of opportunistic bird predation from mist nets (MNs) in a matrix mixing restored forest and fragments of semideciduous seasonal forest in southeastern Brazil, three times (37.5%) by exotic primates and five times (62.5%) by birds of prey. Overall predation rates (1.17–1.20%) at these two sites were considered high but were lower than in other Brazilian studies. Placing MNs near the edges of forest fragments may have allowed attacks by either forest predators or marmosets, which are exotic edge species. Some previously described precautions may decrease the predation rates of birds in MNs, such as shorter observation intervals, greater attention to given site selection and maintaining a safe distance between the MNs and the ground.     

New taxa described in Zoology in the Middle East

Abstract

The region between Mersin and ?skenderun was selected for studying marine turtles in the Turkish waters of the Mediterranean sea, as the most important nesting grounds of Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Mediterranean are situated there. In the 1995–96 fishing season, the 5 trawl boats taking part in the project reported that nets in the Eastern Mediterranean trapped 160 Green Turtles and 26 Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta). In the following trawling season (1996/97), 306 Green Turtles, 116 Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta) and 437 Nile Soft-shelled Turtles (Trionyx triunguis) were found to be trapped as a by-catch in the trawling nets. 87% of these turtles were captured by mid-trawling nets, the rest by bottom-trawling nets, mostly at depths of 11–30 m. 95% of all turtles were caught alive and healthy, and were usually released back into the sea immediately after capture by the fishermen. Training measures were given to local fishermen in order to raise their awareness of the threats to marine turtles.     

The effect of colour on the numbers, age and nutritional status of Glossina tachinoides (Diptera: Glossinidae) attracted to targets

Abstract The effect of colour on the attractiveness of cloth targets for G.tachinoides Westwood was investigated, using electrified nets. The ages and nutritional states of tsetse caught by different targets were also studied. With targets of cloth and mosquito netting panels, phthalogen blue was the most attractive colour, and yellow the least, with black, red, violet and white intermediate. The strongest landing responses in females occurred on UV-reflecting white cloth. In males, landing was high with all colours except yellow. Colour combination targets were no better than all-blue targets when mosquito netting side-panels were present; in their absence, blue-and-white targets were over twice as good as all-blue targets. No consistent differences in ages or nutritional states were found between tsetse caught by differently coloured targets, but those landing directly on the cloth portion of a target had lower fat reserves than those intercepted on an adjacent netting panel.     

Catch composition of drift gillnets in a multi-species fishery with an emphasis on kingfish (Scomberomorus commerson) in Northern Persian Gulf

Gillnets are the primary fishing gear used in tropical multi-species fisheries along the Iranian southern coastal waters. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the catch composition and performance of fishing gear for the possible negative effects on the stocks. Catch data and length frequency distribution (just for Kingfish, S. commerson) were examined for three kinds of drift gillnets: 1) small-meshed nets, 2) medium-meshed nets, and 3) nets with a single mesh size of 165 mm. This study was conducted in the northern part of the Persian Gulf from 2014 to 2015. Overall, 60 species of 32 families from four fish groups (i.e., Pelagic, Demersal, Benthopelagic, and Reef-associated) were recorded. Each net-type was used to target more than one species, with most species being considered as bycatch. Commercial fish species were caught the most, accounting for around 83% of the total catches. S. commerson is targeted by all kinds of nets, with medium-meshed nets being most efficient. The majority of S. commerson caught by the nets were immature. Overall, the total ban of gillnets with small mesh sizes is recommended to protect young S. commerson and prevent the possible risk of growth overfishing. Studies on gillnet selectivity are needed to set minimum mesh regulations for S. commerson and other commercial species if the potential impacts of gillnet are known.     

Effect of Net-Gun Capture on Survival of Mule Deer

Capture techniques to deploy radio-collars often risk mortality and injury to the animal. Capture-induced mortality can affect population sizes but also introduces bias in survival estimates based on data from captured animals. In recent years, a large-scale research and monitoring project in Utah, USA, has involved capturing and radio-collaring hundreds of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), a species of great interest in large parts of North America. Our objective was to investigate how the survival rates of these mule deer were affected by capture and handling. During winters of 2014–2018, an experienced capture crew net-gunned and fitted 1,805 animals with global positioning system (GPS)-collars. We estimated survival rates during the first 6 weeks after capture using Cox proportional hazard regression, and compared the survival rates of animals that were captured in a particular year to those of animals that were not captured but fitted with a GPS-collar in a previous year. We used a model selection framework to evaluate how long survival rates of captured animals were different from those of animals that were not captured. Our results indicated that weekly survival rates of captured animals were 0.985 ± 0.003 (SE), 0.988 ± 0.002, and 0.990 ± 0.001 in weeks 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Weekly survival rates of captured deer during weeks 4–6 were 0.993 ± 0.001, the same as those of deer that were not captured at the same time. Furthermore, post-capture survival rates were positively influenced by body size and negatively influenced by age. We conclude that the mortality resulting from helicopter capture was low but recommend comparing newly captured and previously captured individuals to examine what proportion of observed mortality is likely capture-related. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.     

Spring migratory routes of eight trans-Saharan passerines through the central and western Mediterranean; results from a network of insular and coastal ringing sites

Detailed information on spring migration routes of songbirds across the Mediterranean is still scanty. Results are presented here from a study on the occurrence of eight Palaearctic-African migrants across the western and central Mediterranean based on ringing data collected during the Progetto Piccole Isole, a co-ordinated project based on standardized mist netting at 21 islands and coastal stations. The species were Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta , Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina, Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli , Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix , Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca , Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis , Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio and Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator . Their capture frequencies were expressed as the frequency of each species relative to the total number of migrants ringed at each station in order to correct for differences in capture effort between stations. For most species, the detailed, quantitative results confirmed the scanty information available so far, whereas in the case of Melodious Warbler and Bonelli's Warbler, evidence of undescribed and unexpected migration routes was found. These results suggest that standardized mist netting provides an important method for studying the migratory routes of small birds, in particular for those species which are not frequently ringed in their breeding and wintering grounds.