These datasets and R-script relate to the analyses of a two year Tundra experiment that aimed to assess the effect of using trail-cameras on artificial nests to document predator identity and their predation rates. This study is published in The Journal of Wildlife Management.

ABSTRACT Photographic monitoring currently provides the most accurate means for identifying nest predators and eventually their role in bird population declines worldwide. However, previous studies have found that such monitoring with use of commercially -available trail cameras represent an artificial structure near nests that often tendd to negatively bias predation rates, likely through predator neophobia. Based on an experiment in Arctic tundra, involving 50 artificial nests and 30 cameras in each of 2 breeding seasons, we here demonstrated that trail cameras rather attractedattracted corvids (in particular ravens), which caused an extreme andly, positively biased predation rate that was consistent over a range of experimental and environmental conditions. We call for new technologies that allow for photographic monitoring of bird nests with minimal visual footprints, in the form of smaller cameras and more efficient internal batteries to minimize novel and conspicuous external features detectable by predators. However, even such improved devices need to be assessed with respect to potential effects on nest predation in each case. KEYWORDS Arctic tundra, bird population decline, climate change, corvids, monitoring, raven.

R, R version 4.1.3 -- "One Push-Up"