| Predation of nests and nestlings by native and non-native predators remains a major area of concern for the recovery of both the federally endangered California Least Tern (Sternula antillarum browni) and federally threatened Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) populations. Previous studies have shown that predator control programs initiated to protect beach nesting shorebirds from both avian and mammalian predators have been successful in increasing hatching and fledging success. We focused on using non-lethal techniques, such as translocation and conditioned taste aversion, for management of native predators, as well as lethal methods directed primarily at non-native predators found at Naval Base Coronado and Marine Base Camp Pendleton. We used a variety of trapping and hunting techniques to remove a total of 484 potential mammalian and 314 avian predators of terns and plovers at the two military installations during the 2012-2015 nesting seasons. We are exploring new non-lethal control methods that can be used to deter native predators occupying nesting grounds of sensitive shorebird species, which may reduce the amount of lethal control necessary to effectively manage predators for the recovery of listed shorebird species. |