Accurately determining nest fate and the identity of nest predators can help scientists make better management recommendations. This study determined that although a visual inspection of nest remains was sufficient to determine the nest fate (e.g., hatched, abandoned, depredated) of precocial ground-nesting waterfowl, in most cases it failed to identify nest predators. We recommend the continued use of alternative methods, such as nest cameras, for scientists hoping to identify nest predators in the field. Photograph by Dr. Susan Ellis-Felege.

Invasive predators are major drivers of global biodiversity loss. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cats (Felis catus) have contributed to the decline and extinction of many native species in Australia. We aimed to understand what influences the association between fox baiting intensity, red fox activity and feral cat activity. Although the association between fox baiting and fox activity is unclear, our results indicate that fox baiting may be most effective at decoupling the positive association between fox activity and prey activity. Our results also suggest a positive association between fox baiting intensity and feral cat activity, meaning integrated fox and cat management is required in the Upper Warren. Image created by the authors.

The behaviours that dingoes use to capture and kill their prey are highly dynamic and can be challenging to observe directly without disturbance. This study reports a series of direct observations of wild hunting behaviour filmed using cameras attached to either a helicopter or drone. This project contributes to our knowledge of dingo ecology and also acts as a case study highlighting the utility of drones for directly observing dynamic behaviours in the wild. Images by Daniel Hunter and Edward Saltau.