Exclusion of ground predators improves Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus chick survival

摘要: Many farmland-breeding wader species have declined across Europe, probably due to reductions in reproductive output caused by high nest losses as a result of agriculture or predation, low chick survival between hatching and fledging. Most studies focused on failures, the factors affecting post-hatching chicks are poorly known. In an experimental approach, we fenced parts arable foraging areas Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus families quantify simultaneously presence absence ground predators. were radiotagged estimate probabilities daily locations, applying multistate capture–recapture models. During night, was considerably lower outside plots than within. day, higher at night did not differ protected unprotected plots. This suggests that nocturnal predators such Red Foxes Vulpes vulpes responsible for significant proportion mortality. Cumulative probability from hatching to fledging 0.24 within plots, but virtually zero farmland, temporary electric fences can be effective minimizing the impact offer promising short-term method increase success precocial birds.