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Capturing Birds with Mist Nets: a Review

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Capturing Birds with Mist Nets: a Review Capturingbirds with mist nets: A review Brt•mE. Keyesand Chr/sflanE. Grue provementshave been made in their design.These in- heovermist 300netyears was agodeveloped as a techniquebyJapanese for capturing hunters clude a choiceof smallerand larger meshsizes and the birds for food (Austin1947, Spencer 1972). Today mist replacementof cotton,silk, and nylon webbing with netsare undoubtedlythe mostcommonly used method monofilamentnylon and terylenefor increasedstrength for capturingbirds for research(Spencer 1972). As a and durability.Mist netswith a varietyof specifications result, many improvementsand modificationsin mist are now available commercially.Consult recent issues nets and their use have been suggestedby nettersfor of thisand otherornithological iournals for suppliers. particularspecies and habitats.With a few exceptions, Black mist nets are used most often since this color thisinformation is widely scatteredthroughout the orni- absorbsrather than reflectslight. However, othercolors thologicalliterature. Low (1957)has describedbasic mist-netoperations. Methods for mist-nettingin adverse are available for specifichabitat conditions.For exam- weatherconditions or particularhabitats have been de- ple,fine sand-colored nets have been effective in cap- turing shorebirdsin open-beachareas (Bleitz 1961). scribedby Bleitz (1970)and Spencer(1972). The most Pale green-aqua,dark green, dark brown, and white comprehensivereviews of mist-nettingtechniques pres- netshave alsobeen usedsuccessfully in marshes,for- ently available to netters are those of Wilson et al. ests and fields, mud flats, and snow-covered areas, re- (1965]and Bub (1967].In this paper we provide a re- spectively(Bleitz 1962b, 1964). view suitablefor both novice and experiencednetters emphasizingNorth Americanbird speciesand habitats. Various net sizes are also available. The standard mist net measuresabout 2 x 9 m (7 x 30 ft). Capturesuccess GENERAL MIST-NETTING PROCEDURES can oftenbe improvedby increasingor decreasingnet size to suit particularhabitats and the behaviorof the The standardmist-net setup includes the net, supported bird speciesto be captured. The maximum size of the in sections(shelves) by crosslines (trammels),strung net should not exceed the dimensions of the back- betweentwo polesand attachedwith loops.Guy lines ground.For example,Van Gesseland Kendall(1974) to the polesaid in keepingthe net uprightand the shelf found that a backgroundof swampvegetation or man- stringstaut. Althoughmany modifications of this stand- groveswas essentialto preventnets from beingtoo ard setuphave been describedfor particularhabitats conspicuousin marsh habitat. Net height can be ad- and species(see subsequent sections of thispaper), the justed by the additionor removal of shelves.Axell basic method of capture is the same. Mist nets are (1958a)and Minton (1958)found that single-shelfmist constructedof very fine material similar to hair nets; nets were more effective than standard size nets for when used properly,they are nearly invisible.Birds capturingfinches in areaswith low coverand wading readily fly into the netsand when strikingthem from birds in open-shoreareas. Two-shelf nets were effec- eitherside, become entangled in a hammock-likepock- tive in capturingredwings in orchardsduring winter et formedby the loosenetting supported by the tighter (Waller 1972).Tall netswith as many as 12 shelveshave trammels.Low (1957),Bleitz (1957& 1970),McClure beenused successfully in matureforests (Austin 1947). (1964),and Wilson et al. (1965)have all detailed the Shorteningthe lengthof the trammels,thus increasing generaluse of mist nets. More generaldescriptions the amountof nettingper unit length,provides more have been written by Kuyava(1959) and Bridge(1963); pocketin the net.The MerseysideRinging Group (1971] thesesources should be consultedby the novicenetter. Permits to mist net birds must be obtained from both found that this type of net adjustmentimproved cap- ture ratesfor largebird species. Stateand Federal agencies. Mist nets are availablein a variety of mesh sizes.In Nets, poles,and attachments general,mesh size should correspond to the bodysizes of the speciesthat are to be captured.Heimerdinger Since the first Japanesemist nets were introducedin and Leberman[1966] studied the comparativeefficiency NorthAmerica by O.L. Austin,Jr. in 1947,several ira- of 30 and 36 mm meshmist nets. A greaterpercentage Page2 NorthAmerican Bird Bander Vol.7, No. 1 of largebirds were capturedin the36 mm mesh;many 1965,Adkisson 1975, Zicus 1975,Graul 1979},in a loop of thesebirds were seen"bouncing off" thesmaller size [Karr1979) or squarefArtmann 1971, Cink 1975) around mesh. However, many small birds escapedby going an area of bird activity,in a patternwithin an estab- straightthrough the 36 mm mesh.Ludwig 0969] has lishedgrid (Fluck1960, Savidge and Davis1971), or suggestednet and meshsizes useful for capturingspe- scatteredthroughout a studyarea in "good"locations cificbird species.Small-mesh nets (25 mm] havebeen [Karr 1979).When nets are arrangedparallel or at usedsuccessfully for hummingbirds(Bleitz 1970]. Karr anglesto oneanother, it becomesdifficult for birdsto (1979]suggested use of a combinationof 30 and 36 mm avoidone net withoutentangling themselves in another. meshnets to captureterrestrial birds weighing 5 to 100 grams. Bleitz[1964) has discussed the general construction and useof mist-netpoles. A varietyof materialshave been used for poles.Bamboo and wood broomstickshave Weather and time of day beenused (Evans 1965), but maysplit whenforced into the ground.To remedythis problem, Bubb (1960) and Weather (Stewart1971, Quinlan and Boyd 1976,Rob- Bleitz (1964)devised methods for usingaluminum tub- bins 1981a)and time of day [Stewart1971, Grue et al. ing, althoughits strengthis questionable.We have 1981,Karr 1981,Robbins 1981b, Skirvin 1981)can have a foundthat 4.8 m (16ft) aluminumextension poles used considerableeffect on avian activity and net visibility, by painters(Quik-Lok©, Wooster Brush Co., Wooster, and therefore,mist-netting success. Sunlight and high Ohio 44691q,although expensive, are easy to handle humidity [dew) may increasenet visibility and de- and effective. Most netters, however, prefer to use creasecapture success [Stewart 1971, Quinlan & Boyd jointedsections of thin-walledelectrical conduit, pref- 1976);cloud cover was associatedwith high capture erably1.3 cm (0.5inch] to 1.9cm (0.75inch] in diameter rates [Quinlanand Boyd1976). Quinlan and Boydalso (Peterson1960, Ludwig 1968), since conduit does not found that capturesuccess was negativelycorrelated haveto be guyedas strongly as either bamboo or alumi- with temperatureand positivelycorrelated with baro- num (McCamey1969). Howell (1969]recommended metric pressure.Temperature appears to be a signif- usingthe heaviermetal, 1.9 cm diameter,because of its icantfactor governing the beginningand end of a bird's decreasedtendency to bow. Constructionof inexpen- daily activityperiods [Eyster 1954). High temperatures sive mist-netpoles made of electricalconduit has been tend to shortenactivity periods, whereas very low tem- describedby Casttaleand Karr (1981). peraturesinhibit activity [Robbins1981a). Reasons for poor nettingsuccess during periods of low barometric Kale (1969)found that 1.3 cm diametersteel reinforcing pressureare not clear. Quinlan and Boyd suggested rodswork well as supportingstakes for portablenet that becauseperiods of high barometric pressureare poles.Harwood (1973) developed a guyingmethod that associated with unfavorable weather conditions for mi- holds even in fine sand or mud. gration,an increasein the number of capturesduring theseperiods may be due to birds "holdingover" in Site selectionand net placement study areas. The effects of weather on avian activity appearto vary amongspecies [Robbins 1981a) and hab- Generally,the sitechosen for trappingshould be within itats [Grue et al. 1981).However, harsh weather (e.g., the preferred habitat of the bird speciesdesired, as strongwinds, rain) usually results in a reduction in capture successis usually positivelycorrelated with capture rates, particularly in open habitats such as abundance.Nets are more productivewhen placedin grasslands. shadeor againsta dark background,and shelteredfrom the wind IMarshall in French 1963].The removal of The effectsof time of day on mist-nettingsuccess may vegetationand debrisfrom under the net helpsprevent also vary amongspecies, habitats, and seasons(Karr tanglingand allowsone to lower the net so that birds 1981, Robbins 1981b). Bird activity and net visibility cannotfly beneathit. may changethroughout the day. Generally,bird activity is greatestin the morningand late afternoonor early Wise placementof netscan significantlyincrease cap- evening[Grue et al. 1981,Robbins 1981b). Precise times ture success.Nets can be placed end to end ITerborgh of maximum activity may vary with day length and and Faaborg1973, Wright 1979), parallel to one another weatherconditions. For example,overcast skies tend to IBeckett1965c), in a "V" or "L" formation [Carruthers delay morning activity and cause early cessationof eveningactivity [Stewart 1971, Robbins 1981b). Consid- •Use of trade names or names of suppliersis for erationof the effectsof weatherand timeof day on the identificationpurposes only and does not constitute behaviorof the speciesto be nettedmay help maximize endorsementby the Federalgovernment. capture success. Jan.- Mar. 1982 NorthAmerican Bird Bander Page Settingthe net (1965)used spring clips and
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