2002-03-06 P & R Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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HYPOTHESIS #6 Inadequate quantity antllor quality of nesting materiol ASSESSMENT -It appears likely that this could be a limiting resource for the colony. q nest material is in short supply, herons and egrets may be forced to select materials of lower quality. Nests built with low quality materials may be more prone to destruction. However, it is hardfor me to imagine circumstances under which this would lead to a mass abandonment of a colony. . ACTION PLAN - Augment the envirorunent with appropriate nest construction materials early in the season (April) and document whether, and to what extent, the herons and egrets make use of this resource. HYPO'IHESIS #7 Noise Distu.rbance - 15W construction ASSESSlVIENT -It remains possible that the noise associated with this construction project was partially or even completely responsible for the ahandonment of the colony in 2000. However, it clearly cannot be the primary cause of ahandonment in 2001. ACTION PLAN -Inform the Minnesota Department of Transportation and . qthfJr oificespfUze 10catioll.oj.J:oncentrations of sensitive wildlife (s;g., celonial-- waterbird breeding colonies) and provide advice regarding steps they could take to minimize disturbance to the colony (most notably avoiding construction during the time when birds have eggs and nestlings). HYPO'IHESIS #8 Noise Disturbance - motor boots close to the island ASSESSMENT -It appears likely that this could result in sufficient disturhance to cause a mass abandonment of this colony although we lack information on the timing and intensity of this activity. ACTION PLAN - Jv/aintain a no--wake zone north of the bog poles. Have a discussion with the community asking them to restrict their high speed activities to the area south of the bog poles. We should also post the community decision, to maintain a no wake zone north of the bog poles, on the poles themselves to ensure that visitors to the lake are aware of this goal HYPOTHESIS #9 Weather ASSESSl\'.IENT - A violent storm that destroys nests is often the cause of mass ahandonment in colonies. However, there is no evidence of such a storm and/or ofrnass nest destruction in this colony in 2000 and 2001. ACI'ION PLAN - lv/anitor nesting status at regular intervals during the breeding season and immediately following any storms that are accompanied by with significant wind speeds.