@article{felton_pollock_simons_2018, title={Response of beach-nesting American Oystercatchers to off-road vehicles: An experimental approach reveals physiological nuances and decreased nest attendance}, volume={120}, ISSN={0010-5422 1938-5129}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1650/CONDOR-17-84.1}, DOI={10.1650/condor-17-84.1}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Shorebird populations face increasing challenges as rising sea levels and growing human populations constrain their breeding habitats. On recreational beaches, the nesting season often coincides with a season of high visitor use, increasing the potential for conflict, which may negatively influence beach-nesting shorebird species. We designed a field experiment to study the responses of nesting American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) to off-road passenger vehicles (ORVs) at Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout National Seashores in North Carolina, USA. We used continuous video and heart rate recordings to assess changes in the behavior and physiology of incubating oystercatchers. We conducted driving experiments affecting 7 nesting pairs in 2014 and 19 nesting pairs in 2015, between April and July of each year. Experimental treatments were repeated throughout the incubation period for each nest. Although responses were highly variable within and among pairs, paired randomized permutation tests indicated that, overall, oystercatcher pairs spent a greater proportion of time with their heads up and exhibited slower heart rates during driving treatments. Pairs also left their nests more frequently and attended their nests for a lower proportion of time during driving treatments, although these responses diminished over time. Higher nest attendance and lower departure rates late in incubation may have reflected a stronger attachment to nests closer to hatching or habituation to the driving treatment, although individuals continued to exhibit physiological responses to passing vehicles throughout incubation. Beach-nesting birds may benefit from reduced vehicle traffic at their nesting sites, allowing parents to spend more time attending the nest and less time on defensive behaviors.}, number={1}, journal={The Condor}, publisher={Oxford University Press (OUP)}, author={Felton, Shilo K. and Pollock, Kenneth H. and Simons, Theodore R.}, year={2018}, month={Feb}, pages={47–62} }
 @article{felton_hostetter_pollock_simons_2017, title={Managing American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) Population Growth by Targeting Nesting Season Vital Rates}, volume={40}, ISSN={1524-4695 1938-5390}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1675/063.040.sp106}, DOI={10.1675/063.040.sp106}, abstractNote={Abstract. In populations of long-lived species, adult survival typically has a relatively high influence on population growth. From a management perspective, however, adult survival can be difficult to increase in some instances, so other component rates must be considered to reverse population declines. In North Carolina, USA, management to conserve the American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) targets component vital rates related to fecundity, specifically nest and chick survival. The effectiveness of such a management approach in North Carolina was assessed by creating a three-stage female-based deterministic matrix model. Isoclines were produced from the matrix model to evaluate minimum nest and chick survival rates necessary to reverse population decline, assuming all other vital rates remained stable at mean values. Assuming accurate vital rates, breeding populations within North Carolina appear to be declining. To reverse this decline, combined nest and chick survival would need to increase from 0.14 to ≤ 0.27, a rate that appears to be attainable based on historical estimates. Results are heavily dependent on assumptions of other vital rates, most notably adult survival, revealing the need for accurate estimates of all vital rates to inform management actions. This approach provides valuable insights for evaluating conservation goals for species of concern.}, number={sp1}, journal={Waterbirds}, publisher={Waterbird Society}, author={Felton, Shilo K. and Hostetter, Nathan J. and Pollock, Kenneth H. and Simons, Theodore R.}, year={2017}, month={Feb}, pages={44–54} }