Drive-by Netting: a Technique for Capturing Grebes and Other Diving Waterfowl

We describe a new method (drive-by netting) for capturing grebes (Podiceps spp.) and other birds that dive under water to escape capture. We used a floating gill net to capture 203 eared grebes (Podiceps nigricollis) in 20 days in 1999 on the Great Salt Lake (GSL), 652 eared grebes in 41 days on the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Joe N. Caudell, Michael R. Conover
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Utah State University 2017
Subjects:
capture technique
diving duck
eared grebe
gill net
grebe
podiceps nigricollis
Environmental sciences
GE1-350
General. Including nature conservation
geographical distribution
QH1-199.5
Canada
Branta canadensis
Canada Goose
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.26077/gvwq-2794
https://doaj.org/article/983973a62d164b75a56975c60ba56680
Description
Summary:We describe a new method (drive-by netting) for capturing grebes (Podiceps spp.) and other birds that dive under water to escape capture. We used a floating gill net to capture 203 eared grebes (Podiceps nigricollis) in 20 days in 1999 on the Great Salt Lake (GSL), 652 eared grebes in 41 days on the GSL in 2000, and 409 grebes in 20 days in 2001. Other species captured during the 2000 and 2001 fi eld seasons included 1 western grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis), 9 ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis), and 1 Canada goose (Branta canadensis). Two people, a motorboat, and a gill net are required for drive-by netting. Our method was efficient, having a high capture rate per unit effort and a low mortality rate. Drive-by netting can be used to capture both individual grebes and large numbers of grebes on open water.

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