Study

Relocation of a large black-crowned night heron colony in southern California

  • Published source details Crouch S., Paquette C. & Vilas D. (2002) Relocation of a large black-crowned night heron colony in southern California. Waterbirds, 25, 474-478.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Translocate herons, storks and ibises

Action Link
Bird Conservation

Use signs and access restrictions to reduce disturbance at nest sites

Action Link
Bird Conservation

Use vocalisations to attract birds to safe areas

Action Link
Bird Conservation

Use decoys to attract birds to safe areas

Action Link
Bird Conservation
  1. Translocate herons, storks and ibises

    A before-and-after trial at a coastal site in Long Beach, California, USA (Crouch et al. 2002), found that 423 pairs of black-crowned night herons Nycticorax nycticorax successfully fledged 1,128 chicks in 2000, following the translocation of the colony beginning in 1999. The former colony was threatened by port development, so 50 mature trees were relocated 2 km away near approximately 70 existing trees. In addition, vocalisations of the original colony were played, decoys placed in the trees and public access stopped. Before the translocation, the old colony held up to 500 pairs of herons.

     

  2. Use signs and access restrictions to reduce disturbance at nest sites

    A before-and-after trial at a coastal site in Long Beach, California, USA (Crouch et al. 2002), reported the successful translocation of a black-crowned night heron Nycticorax nycticorax colony to a site where public access was stopped. This study is discussed in ‘Translocate individuals’.

     

  3. Use vocalisations to attract birds to safe areas

    A before-and-after trial at a coastal site in Long Beach, California, USA (Crouch et al. 2002), reported the successful translocation of a black-crowned night heron Nycticorax nycticorax colony using (amongst other interventions) vocalisations of the original colony. This study is discussed in ‘Translocate individuals’.

     

  4. Use decoys to attract birds to safe areas

    A before-and-after trial at a coastal site in Long Beach, California, USA (Crouch et al. 2002), reported the successful translocation of a black-crowned night heron Nycticorax nycticorax colony using (amongst other interventions) decoys to attract birds. This study is discussed in ‘Translocate individuals’.

     

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust