AN EVALUATION OF ROOST DISPERSAL FOR REDUCING CORMORANT ACTIVITY ON CATFISH PONDS

Donald F. Mott, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Denver Wildlife Research, Center, Mississippi Research Station
Keith J. Andrews, U.S. Department of Agriculture,Animal and Plant HealthInspection Service, Denver Wildlife Research, Center, Mississippi Research Station
Gary A. Littauer, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Animal Damage Control

Document Type Article

Abstract

Pyrotechnics and helicopter flyovers were used to harass double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) at 4 roost sites in the Delta region of Mississippi. Roosting cormorants were easily dispersed from 3 of the 4 sites. Average numbers of cormorants observed at selected catfish (Ictaluridae) ponds and day roosts near foraging areas also declined after harassment began.