Is camera trapping an effective method to detect grassland birds?

TROFINO-FALASCO, CLARA; CORTELEZZI, AGUSTINA; CEPEDA, ROSANA E; DI GIACOMO, ADRIÁN S; DOPAZO, J; MARINELLI, CLAUDIA B; SIMOY, MARIO IGNACIO; SIMOY, MARÍA VERÓNICA; BERKUNSKY, IGOR

Puerto Iguazú

Congreso; Ornithological Congress of the Americas; 2017

Association of Field Ornithologists, Aves Argentinas, and Sociedade Brasileira de Ornitologia

Remnants of highland grasslands in Tandilia Mountains are a key habitat for grassland birds, but also provide refuge for many medium to large sized mammals and reptiles, which are nest predators of grassland birds. How these highland grasslands are used by grassland birds and predators is essential information to design a sound conservation strategy. In this work we assess the usage of two low-cost trap cameras as a monitoring tool for grassland birds and medium to large-sized predators. Between September 2016 and May 2017 we placed between 9 and 15 trap cameras in one or more highland grassland remnant in three regions of Tandilia. We completed 544 trap-days in 39 stations. We detected 37 species, including 10 medium and large-sized predators, 10 nesting grassland bird species, and another 17 bird species which usually nest in trees associated to highland grasslands. A 10 trap-days survey would be enough to detect all the species. The average time to the first detection was 4.7 d (range: 2.8-8.0 d) for predators and nesting grassland birds. The effectiveness of P8B20 Nano 8 was three times higher than the 5210A LTL-Acorn (22.4% vs 7.5%). To cancel side sensors and/or use low-sensitivity dramatically reduced the number of false detections. Camera trapping allowed us detecting a wide range of grassland birds and predators, including rare or secretive species. Low-cost cameras were effective monitoring tools for grassland birds, and they will be a good option to monitor both game birds (i.e. tinamous) and threatened species in the Pampean region.