High Duck Nesting Success in a Predator-Reduced Environment

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Abstract
Duck nesting and production were studied during 1969-1974 on a 51-ha field of undisturbed grass-legume cover and a surrounding 8.13-km2 area in north-central South Dakota [USA]. The principal mammalian predators of ducks were reduced within a 259-km2 zone from May 1969-Aug. 1971. Dabbling duck nest densities, hatching success and breeding populations attained high levels. Seven duck species [Anas strepera, A. acuta, A. crecca, A. discors, A. clypeata, A. americana and A. platyrhynchos] produced 1062 nests on the 51-ha field during 6 yr; 864 (81%) hatched, 146 (14%) were destroyed and 52 (5%) had other fates. During 1970-1972, when predator reduction was most effective, the hatching success for 756 nests was 94%. The number of mallard (A. platyrhynchos) nests increased from 37 (0.7/ha) in 1969 to 181 (3.5/ha) in 1972. Mallard pairs increased from 2.8-16.8/km2 on the 8.13-km2 area during the same period. A minimum of 7250 ducklings hatched on the 51-ha field during the 6 yr, including 2342 ducklings in 1972. Exceptionally high duck nesting densities and hatching rates occurred when predators were controlled.

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