Effects of hunting on the behaviour and spatial distribution of farmland birds: importance of hunting-free refuges in agricultural areas
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Published source details
Casas F., Mougeot F., Vinuela J. & Bretagnolle V. (2009) Effects of hunting on the behaviour and spatial distribution of farmland birds: importance of hunting-free refuges in agricultural areas. Animal Conservation, 12, 346-354.
Published source details Casas F., Mougeot F., Vinuela J. & Bretagnolle V. (2009) Effects of hunting on the behaviour and spatial distribution of farmland birds: importance of hunting-free refuges in agricultural areas. Animal Conservation, 12, 346-354.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Use wildlife refuges to reduce hunting disturbance Action Link |
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Use wildlife refuges to reduce hunting disturbance
A controlled study from October-December in 2003 on one 10 km2 site within intensively cultivated farmland in Tauché and Sainte Blandine villages, France (Casas et al. 2009), found that northern lapwings Vanellus vanellus, golden plovers Pluvialis apricaria and little bustards Tetrax tetrax were affected by hunting activities and used hunting-free areas in response. Hunting activity increased flight probability and time spent vigilant (higher on hunting days than just before and after a hunting day), to the detriment of resting. Foraging was unaffected by hunting. The hunting-free reserve was used significantly more frequently during hunting days. Little bustards used the hunting-free reserve almost exclusively (96% of observations within hunting-free reserve). The authors suggest that reserves can mitigate the disturbance caused by hunting.
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