Effect of Proximity to Abandoned Structures on Upland Game Bird Nest Survival

Abandoned structures are used by predatory species to perch, den, and pursue prey. In Wisconsin, predation is the major cause of mortality for upland game birds; removing these abandoned structures may decrease upland game bird mortality. This study will seek to determine if abandoned structures have an influence on upland game bird nest depredation. Artificial nests containing quail eggs will be placed at intervals around three abandoned structures. The nests will be monitored for predator activity using track stations and cameras. Our study will determine whether or not there is a correlation between nest depredation and the proximity of the nest to an abandoned structure. We hypothesize that nest depredation will be greater with closer proximity to abandoned structures. This study will also help identify ground and avian predators that potentially decrease upland game bird nesting success. Our results will help inform wildlife managers possible solutions to increase upland game bird survival on both private and public lands