Detection model
Most red kite breeding pairs detected the decoy predator within the
first 20 to 40 minutes from the start of the trial (Fig. 1). In 31
trials the predator was not detected at all. The interaction between
rodent activity and supplementary feeding affected time-to-detection
(Table 2). The feeding treatment reduced time-to-detection during
periods of low rodent densities, but increased time-to-detection during
periods of high rodent densities (Fig. 1). We also found an interaction
between nestling age and number of nestlings. While brood size showed
only marginal effects on time-to-detection during large parts of the
nestling period, time-to-detection was shorter with increasing number of
nestlings towards fledging (Table 2). In addition, wind reduced, and
precipitation increased time-to-detection (Table 2).