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

• 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

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.