Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Enhancing productivity of American oystercatchers within the Cape Romain Region, SC Samantha Collins1, Patrick Jodice2, Felicia Sanders3 1Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and South Carolina Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States 2U.S. Geological Survey SC Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States 3South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Santee Coastal Reserve, McClellanville, SC, United States Abstract The Cape Romain Region (CRR) is located along the coast of South Carolina and supports over half of the breeding pairs (approximately 200 pairs) of American oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) in the state. Research has shown that oystercatcher productivity in this area is low due to increased predation and over-wash from high tides and boat wakes. The purpose of this study was to determine if reproductive failure due to nest loss could be reduced. We piloted a headstarting experiment to increase nest success during the 2010 and 2011 breeding season. We collected partial clutches randomly from nests found in two study areas within CRR and incubated the eggs in an incubator until they hatched and could be returned to their original nest. Wooden dummy eggs that were painted to resemble oystercatcher eggs were secured in the nest scrape to insure that adults continued to incubate. Results suggest that headstarting, combined with predator removal during the pre-laying period, improves oystercatcher productivity in the two study areas. Experimental Design & Methods Along the AICW and in Southwest Bulls Bay, shell rakes where pairs were observed were searched every three days until a nest was found. A numeric code was assigned to each nest based on the order it was discovered. For all odd numbered nests we then collected all but one egg from the clutch (with the exception of one egg clutches). The single egg that remained in the nest served as an indicator of potential nest fate, e.g. we were able to use that egg to determine if predation occurred at the nest. Eggs in the incubator were measured for length, width and weight and were monitored closely for signs of hatching such as pipping, starring, or cheeping. Once chicks began to hatch, they were placed into a hatching tray until hatched and then returned to the original nest as soon as possible. After chicks were placed in the nest scrape, we observed nests to verify that adults accepted and brooded the returned chick. When a transmitter fell off, we attempted to relocate the chick and reattach the transmitter. If a chick died, we attempted to locate its remains and searched the area to determine the cause of death. Chicks were considered “fledged” at 35 days or when observed in flight. Preliminary Results Reproductive success of American oystercatcher control nests in two study areas within the Cape Romain Region, South Carolina, April-July 2010 and 2011 Reproductive success of American oystercatcher headstarted nests in two study areas within the Cape Romain Region, South Carolina, April-July 2010 and 2011 Productivity estimates for American oystercatchers nesting in two study areas within the Cape Romain Region, South Carolina, April-July 2010 and 2011 1 No. young fledged/ No. pairs 2 Assumes all pairs remain with the same mate and on the same territory throughout the breeding season Predation was a major source of nest failure between the two sites. Transmitters from chicks taken by predators were recovered near mink scat, as well as in or near mink dens. Trapping efforts made in 2011 pre-laying period (9 mink removed) behind shell rake in SWBB resulted in fledging of two headstarted chicks.   No. pairs No. nests No. clutches that hatch ≥1 egg (%) fledged (%) 2010 AICW 17 31 5 (16) 2010 SWBB 8 18 1 (6) 2011 AICW 13 24 3 (13) 2 (8) 2011 SWBB 0 (0) We replaced natural eggs with wooden dummy eggs that were painted to resemble oystercatcher eggs. Dummy eggs were attached by string to a nail anchor which was secured into the scrape to ensure adults continued to incubate. We labeled each real egg with a nontoxic pen to identify its nest origin and then placed the eggs in a cabinet-style incubator (Brinsea Ova-Easy 190) located in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge (CRNWR). Settings at 37.4C and 60% relative humidity.   No. pairs No. nests No. clutches that hatch ≥1 egg (%) fledged (%) 2010 AICW 18 30 21 (70) 7 (23) 2010 SWBB 9 17 6 (35) 0 (0) 2011 AICW 14 23 17 (74) 4 (17) 2011 SWBB 11 (79) 1 (7) Background & Objectives Productivity of oystercatchers appears to be relatively low throughout much of the southeastern U.S. Therefore, developing management actions that may enhance oystercatcher productivity seems necessary. One suggested approach has been to “headstart” nests by collecting eggs soon after laying and incubating these in a controlled setting until hatch. If successful, this action could reduce the nest failure that occurs during incubation due to predation or overwash. The objectives for this study were to (1) determine whether or not headstarting nests improves hatch and fledge success and (2) refine techniques for head-starting, nest monitoring, and monitoring chick survival via radio-telemetry.   No. pairs No. nests Productivity using Productivity without headstarting1,2 headstarting 1,2 2010 AICW 35 61 0.4 0.2 2010 SWBB 17 0.06 2011 AICW 27 47 0.33 0.22 2011 SWBB 31 0.12 Study Sites Radiotelemetry was used to determine timing and causes of chick loss in Southwest Bulls Bay and along the AICW. We used surgical glue to attach 1.3g transmitters (ATS, Isanti, MN) to the scapular region of headstarted chicks. Chicks with transmitters were located and measured (weight, tarsus, culmen and wing chord) every three days. All headstarted nests were within the Cape Romain Region (CRR). Eggs were collected from two sites: the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) and Southwest Bulls Bay (SWBB). Shell rakes along the AICW, from marker 67 to 97, and all shell rakes in the southwest section of Bulls Bay (Venning Creek to Bulls Island Creek) were searched. Acknowledgements This research was funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a State Wildlife Grant from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Clemson University, and the USGS South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Research support was provided by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (particularly Mark Spinks), Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, and the South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Sarah Woodward (2010) and Adam DiNuovo (2011) assisted with all phases of the field research. Southwest Bulls Bay Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway