Chick Fencing Project in the Treasure Coast

Large LETE colony last few years No edge or parapet Chicks falling off edge Chicks being washed down gutters Crows stealing chicks and eggs Helpful employees – tried to catch chicks and return to rooftop No customer complaints Friendly management – allowed us to go on roof to make modifications Background

Step 1: Permission First contact – store manager Second contact – plaza/building owner Step 2: Safety OSHA regulations Roof tie downs or rope off 6 feet from edge

Step 2: Safety

Step 3: Materials Landscape bricks (4-5 lbs. each) Hardware Cloth (1/2 inch mesh, 2 ft. tall rolls) Zip ties to connect hardware cloth Miter Saw w/steel cutting blade Tin Snips Leather Gloves, Face Shield Pea Gravel Wooden Pallets ……and Volunteers !!!!!! Total Cost: ~$650 Price of saving a chick: priceless

Step 3: Materials

Step 4: Get Materials to Roof

Step 5: Safety Talk Walk Slow and deliberately on the roof. Stay within roped off area. Install fencing 6-feet from the edge. Wear gloves when handling cut fencing.

Step 6: Spread Out Gravel

Step 7: Prepare Fencing

Step 8: Layout Fencing

Step 9: Zip-tie Bricks and Fencing

Step 10: Place Pallets

Success? DateNestsDownyFeatheredFCJAdultsNotes 4/16/15DNC 6 (FC) 4/27/15DNC 5 (FC) 5/1/15DNC 30 (FC) 5/8/15DNC 38 (FC) 5/14/ (D)Observed from Bealls rooftop with spotting scope 6/10/ (D)4 dead headless chicks along fence – possibly raptor predation, 5 abandoned nests along outskirts of colony 6/19/ (D)Several abandoned nests with eggs, 3 dead downy chicks not predated 7/2/ (D)~30 abandoned eggs outside of scrapes, 3 dead chicks, witnessed crows predating 7/8/ abandoned

Suggestions for next season? More pallets (along fence line)