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Locating, Constructing, and Managing Islands for Nesting Waterfowl

John T. Lokemoen and Terry A. Messmer

The Berryman Institute, Logan, Utah

1993

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The purpose of this extension bulletin is to assist public and private managers in locating, constructing, and managing islands to enhance nest success of waterfowl. The information is from studies by the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, North Dakota, and information collected by biologists working at sites throughout the northern hemisphere.

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This resource is based on the following source (Northern Prairie Publication 0886):

Lokemoen, John T. and Terry A. Messmer.  1994.  Locating, constructing, and 
     managing islands for nesting waterfowl.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
     Branch of Extension and Publications, Arlington, VA and The Berryman 
     Institute, Logan, UT.  20pp.

This resource should be cited as:

Lokemoen, John T. and Terry A. Messmer.  1994.  Locating, constructing, and 
     managing islands for nesting waterfowl.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
     Branch of Extension and Publications, Arlington, VA and The Berryman 
     Institute, Logan, UT.  Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research 
     Center Online.  http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/island/index.htm 
     (Version 12MAY03).

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Contents

• Introduction
  • Common Nesting Species
  • Management Options
• Location Factors for Earthen Islands
  • Distance to Shore and Emergent Vegetation
  • Wetland Type
  • Wetland Complexes
  • Size and Spacing
• Construction Guidelines for Earthen Islands
• Management of Earthen Islands
  • Seeding Grass-Legume Nesting Cover
  • Planting Low Shrubs
  • Removing Tall Shrubs and Trees
  • Livestock and Fencing
  • Managing Predators
• Rock Islands
  • Location Factors for Rock Islands
  • Construction Guidelines for Rock Islands
  • Management of Rock Islands
• Monitoring Islands
  • Maintaining Permanent Records
  • Monitoring Predators
  • Monitoring Nesting
• Colonial Birds and Shorebirds
• Required Permits
  • Federal Permits
  • State, Province, and Local Permits
• Suggested Reading

Appendices

• Appendix A -- List of Seed Sources
• Appendix B -- List of Nurseries
• Appendix C -- Island Survey Form
• Appendix D -- Agencies Providing Guidance or Grant Permits

Figures

• Figure 1 -- Island management in the Prairie Pothole Region of North America.
• Figure 2 -- Islands built in an oval shape with a rounded outline.
• Figure 3 -- Table specifying seeding rates for a mixture of grasses.
• Figure 4 -- Quick-kill body trap set in a wooden box.
• Figure 5 -- Example of Island Survey Form.

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This bulletin was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and was published by The Berryman Institute, Utah State University.

The authors are John T. Lokemoen, Wildlife Research Biologist, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jamestown, North Dakota, and Terry A. Messmer, Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Utah State University, Logan, Utah.

Technical review was provided by Alan B. Sargeant, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, and David C. Duncan, Saskatchewan Wetlands Conservation Corporation, and editorial guidance was contributed by Rolf R. Koford and Lawrence D. Igl, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center.

* Reference to trade names or specific companies within this bulletin does not imply government endorsement of commercial products.

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