American Oystercatcher Research and Monitoring

1. American Oystercatcher Research and Monitoring 2004 Status Report North Carolina’s Outer Banks and Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, MA

2. Monomoy NWR Northernmost AMOY study site Monomoy is one of the highest density nesting site for AMOY in the Northeast Well protected site (from humans) – potential production site for the Northeast region Supports the largest fall staging flock of AMOY in the Northeast

3. Monomoy NWR The Refuge consists of two primary islands, North and South Monomoy, a small sandbar accreting to the west, “Minimoy” and a small portion of the mainland

4. Monomoy NWR Second year of research Collaborative effort between Monomoy NWR and NCSU Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Advisory support in 2004 from Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences

5. Monomoy NWR

6. Monomoy NWR Causes of Nest Failure 2003-2004 109 Nests monitored 69 Failed to Hatch Coyotes 17 24.6% Avian 12 17.4% Weather 10 14.5% Failed to Hatch 6 8.7% Unknown 24 18.7%

7. Monomoy NWR Expanded on banding efforts begun in 2003 Banded 21 adults and 9 chicks Monitored banded birds through the breeding season and into fall staging flocks

8. Monomoy Resightings

9. North Carolina

12. Productivity – continued

13. North Carolina

14. North Carolina Productivity spike in 2004 Exploring the use of habitat models to interpret pre and post Hurricane Isabel conditions in terms of their value to breeding AMOY Possible explanations Significantly improved nesting habitat Rejuvenated foraging areas Reduction in predators Larger buffer between humans and nests due to increased habitat (NCB primarily)

15. North Carolina Banding 95 Oystercatchers banded in NC this summer! 62 chicks and 33 adults Adults were trapped using the decoy and noose carpet method Chicks were captured between ages 21 and 37 days

16. North Carolina resightings