Vulnerability of Ground Nests to Predation on an Agricultural Habitat Island in East-Central Illinois

-Predation of artificial ground nests (n = 388) was studied in 1986 and 1987 in E-central Illinois. The 61-ha study area included small tracts of old field, native and introduced grasses and cropland. Thirty-five percent of all nests were destroyed during 10day trials; 51% within the 1st 2 days. Nest predation was influenced by heterogeneity of vegetation and nest concealment. The fate of a given nest was related to the fate of nearby nests although distance to the nearest nest and nest densities were not significant factors. Distances from nests to boundaries (changes in one cover type to another) did not affect nest outcome. Nest predation was relatively low along roadsides leading away from the study area.