The use of camera traps and night vision equipment to record the presence of mammalian predators in a meadow bird landscape

Dijk, J.N. (2020) The use of camera traps and night vision equipment to record the presence of mammalian predators in a meadow bird landscape. Master's Research Project 1, Ecology and Evolution.

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Abstract

Mammalian predators currently limit the recovery of meadow bird populations, but are difficult to study due to their nocturnal lifestyle. In this study, I compared the effectiveness of camera traps and night-vision equipment to detect mammalian predators in a meadow bird landscape. Camera traps and night-time surveys using a thermal imaging devices were conducted in three main study areas. Here, the distribution of red foxes and beech marten was established by experiences field workers, based on tracks and signs, complemented with observations. In order to get an idea about the presence of domestic cats, I asked all households in the study area how many free-roaming cats they owned. Red fox was not present in the study area in 2019 because of effective lethal control in early spring. Beech marten were found at 14 locations. Camera traps placed at 7 such locations could confirm the presence of beech marten at 3 of them (43%). At 18 other locations, only 4 beech martens were captured on camera. During night-time surveys, beech marten were found at 3 locations. Density of domestic cats was really high (on average 15.5 individuals per square kilometer). The effectiveness of camera traps and night-time observations to detect domestic cats within expected cat hotspots was comparable. I conclude that night-time surveys using thermal imaging devices could be an effective way to monitor the presence/absence of mammalian predators. Camera traps appear to be slightly more effective but

Item Type:	Thesis (Master's Research Project 1)
Supervisor name:	Klaassen, R.H.G.
Degree programme:	Ecology and Evolution
Thesis type:	Master's Research Project 1
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	14 Oct 2020 11:32
Last Modified:	14 Oct 2020 11:32
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/23495

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