Testing the effectiveness of artificial fences against mammalian nest predators for colonially breeding Black-faced Spoonbills (Platalea minor)

• Published in: The Korean Journal of Ornithology Vol. 31; no. 2; pp. 160 - 164
• Main Authors: Yang, Min-Seung, Kwon, In-Ki, Yoo, Sung-Yeon, Hwang, Jong-Kyeong, Lee, Seon-Ju, Yoon, Jongmin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 한국조류학회 31.12.2024; 한국조류학회II
• Subjects: 생물학; 서식지 관리; 수조류; CONSERVATION; 너구리; 보전; COMMON RACCOON DOG; PREDATIONIN RISK; WATERBIRDS; 둥지포식; HABITAT MANAGEMENT
• ISSN: 1225-9179; 2586-6893
• DOI: 10.30980/kjo.2024.12.31.2.160

Habitat protection is critical for the conservation of endangered species, particularly the Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor), which is classified as endangered in South Korea. This study examined the impact of artificial fences on reducing mammalian predator invasions and their effects on the breeding success of Black-faced Spoonbills, a colonial breeder. Nest predation by mammalian predators, especially the Common Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), is a significant threat to this species. Between February 2019 and October 2024, trail cameras monitored predator activity on two islets in Namdong Reservoir, Incheon, identifying seven intrusions by Common Raccoon Dogs. Breeding success was notably low, with approximately 97% of nests failing in 2019. Artificial fences were installed along the boundary of the two islets in February 2020 and reinforced in 2022 to address structural and functional issues. The results demonstrated a substantial reductionin nest predation, with nest failures decreasing from 223 in 2019 to 40 in 2022, and no failures recorded in the subsequent years. This case study highlights the effectiveness of artificial fences as a mitigation strategy to protect colonial breeding sites of Black-faced Spoonbills from mammalian predation. KCI Citation Count: 0