Research about Cape Fear River, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Cape Lookout National Seashore

A method for trapping breeding adult American Oystercatchers

We present an efficient and effective method for trapping adult, breeding American Oystercatchers ( Haematopus palliatus ) that minimizes disturbance to nesting birds and the risk of trapping injuries. We used a remote controlled mechanical decoy to lure territorial adults to a leg-hold noose-mat trap. We trapped 25 birds over two seasons and were successful on 54% of our trapping attempts in 2003. We only trapped birds before the breeding season or between nesting attempts to reduce nest-site disturbance.