Research Project

Meta-analysis of nest camera studies

Despite the fact that nest predation is a crucial part of understanding avian population fluctuations, very little is known about what habitats, bird species or nest types are most at risk and from which predators.

Many predation studies use dummy plasticine eggs in fake nests or infer predation from loss of chicks and eggs over time. Whilst these methods are useful, the use of dummy eggs means they are afforded no protection, as there are no parents to protect the nests. The results therefore cannot accurately reflect what happens in the wild.

Nest camera studies are the only unbiased method of gathering accurate information on the rate of nest predation. That is why we are conducting a meta-analysis, collating, and analysing many of these studies to understand how nest predation affects a variety of species across the UK.

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The Project

In winter 2023, SongBird Survival began working with the University of East Anglia and the British Trust for Ornithology on a meta-analysis of avian nest camera studies.

By focusing on nest camera studies that look at true natural nests across the UK, the aim is to provide an accurate snapshot of which different predator classes are contributing to nest predation events across the UK.

Current predator control strategies are often controversial, and may be poorly informed by scientific evidence, so we are examining both published and unpublished data to get the most complete picture possible.

This will enable us to determine whether there are gaps in the understanding of nest predation, or if there is a need to lobby for current management strategies to be revised.

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This meta-analysis aims to look at:

Contribution of different predators to nest predation events
Predation rate differences across habitat types, nest types and nest strata
Predation rate differences across bird species or families (including non-songbird species like waders, wildfowl etc.)
How the results could best be used to inform future policies on predator management, non-lethal nest protection strategies, or future research opportunities.

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Meet our scientists

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RELATED STUDIES

Broughton, R.K. (2020) Current and future impacts of nest predation and nest-site competition by invasive eastern grey squirrels Sciurus carolinensis on European birds. Mammal Review. 50,1: 38-51.

Gautschi, D., Čulina, A., Heinsohn, R., Stojanovic, D., Crates, R. (2024). Protecting wild bird nests against predators: A systematic review and meta-analysis of non-lethal methods. Journal of Applied Ecology, 00, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14619

Mallord, J.W., Orsman, C.J., Cristinacce, A., Butcher, N., Stowe, T.J., Charman, E.C. (2012) Mortality of Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix nests in Welsh Oakwoods: predation rates and the identification of nest predators using miniature nest cameras, Bird Study, 59:3, 286-295, DOI: 10.1080/00063657.2012.669359

See our publication library for more of our research.