Update on Breeding Season Monitoring and Management Efforts in North CarolinaSue CameronNC Wildlife Resources Commission

OverviewState listed as significantly rare and proposed for upgrade to species of special concern Only just beginning to collect coast-wide population and distribution data (first coast-wide survey conducted in 2004)Biologists with NC State University, Cape Lookout NS and Cape Hatteras NS have been monitoring oystercatchers on barrier island beaches since late 1990sAdditional data needed on oystercatchers nesting at non-traditional sites

Breeding Population and Distribution2004 was the first year NC conducted a coast-wide survey for breeding oystercatchers701 individuals (337 pairs) counted Many found on remaining undeveloped barrier islands (e.g. Masonboro, Core Banks, Hatteras)About half the population found on barrier island beaches and half on estuarine islands

Breeding Distribution of American Oystercatchers American Oystercatcher Pair

2004 Distribution of American Oystercatchers by Nesting Habitat in NC Counties

Upcoming 2007 Coast-wide SurveySurveys for oystercatchers conducted in conjunction with colonial waterbird and piping plover surveys State Wildlife Grant funding will be used to conduct another complete survey this coming breeding seasonNeed to cover approximately 311 linear miles of coastline plus estuariesConducted with help from partnering agencies

Productivity Monitoring on Estuarine IslandsOnly one study looking at success on estuarine islands in NC (McGowan et al. 2005)Important to look at non-traditional sites -- 50% of NCs oystercatchers nesting on estuarine islandsTwo projects recently afforded us the opportunity to try to collect additional data on natural and man-made islands in the soundsBogue Inlet channel relocation projectParnell Island social attraction study near Oregon Inlet

NC Survey AreasMorehead City

Bogue Inlet Channel Relocation Project

Bogue InletCondition of HabitatsPrimarily using shell rakes along AIWW and side channelsLoss of nesting sites near inletMammalian predators probably present on shell rakesHuman disturbance, overwash and great horned owls also a problemAIWW

2006 Nesting Distribution Near Bogue Inlet

Success of American Oystercatchers on estuarine islands near Bogue Inlet, NC during the 2005/2006 breeding seasons

# Pairs# NestsMayfield NestSuccess# ChicksFledgedFledging Success(fledglings/pair)200520062005200620052006200520062005200681110140.200.36010.000.10

Summary of Bogue Inlet NestingBirds did poorly in both 2005 and 2006 -- nests likely being lost to overwash, predation and human disturbanceInteresting to note that in 2006 many of the lost chicks were fairly old (out of 4 pairs that hatched and lost broods, three had chicks that were into their 2nd and 3rd weeks when they disappeared)Plan on monitoring nests near Bogue Inlet at least through 2008

Social Attraction Study at Parnell Island Near Oregon Inlet

Sidney MaddockSidney MaddockSidney Maddock

www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/inlets-airphotos.htmParnell Is.Wells Is.Island MNIsland LOregon InletIsland DIsland EIsland FMonitored success of American Oystercatchers at Oregon Inlet in conjunction with social attraction work

Condition of HabitatsBirds using dredged material islands and marsh islands with fringing beachMost dredge islands state-owned and postedIslands far from mainland so few mammalian predatorsEvidence of mink and possibly rats on some islandsHuman disturbance and gulls can also be a problemIn general, little forage on dredged material islands

2006 Nesting Distribution at Oregon Inlet Islands

Success of American Oystercatchers on estuarine islands near Oregon Inlet, NC during the 2005/2006 breeding seasons

In 2005, fledging success was 1.67 chicks/pair on natural sites and 0.22 chicks/pair on dredge sitesIn 2006, fledging success was 0.50 chicks/pairs on natural sites and 0.90 chicks/pairs on dredge sites

Summary of Oregon Inlet NestingIn general, birds on Oregon Inlet islands appear to be doing fairly well when compared with birds in other areasDredge island nesters may be impacted by proximity of food to nest sitesNeed to try to increase protection of state-owned sites (better signage, increased enforcement, someone stationed in northern part of state in future)Continue to work with the Corps to direct timing and placement of material and create new islands in area

Dredging Near Oregon Inlet

Comparison of 2005 Nesting Season on Barrier Islands and Estuarine Islands* data from Simons et al., 2005 annual report

Other Actions Across the StateWorking with Fort Fisher State Recreation Area to get extra protectionPredator controlBetter human controlBetter protection at Masonboro IslandContinue to be involved in review of beach stabilization projects and require environmental commitments to benefit oystercatcher and other waterbirdsCompletion of beach-nesting bird brochure

Questions?