North Dakota Field Station
The North Dakota field station is primarily responsible for developing methods to manage blackbird and starling damage with lethal and nonlethal approaches and for developing knowledge of local and regional effects of management actions on the ecology and biology of these birds.
The National Blackbird Research Management Plan is directed by the field station's project leader who coordinates all research under the auspices of this approved plan. Research currently underway includes: testing of bird repellents and wildlife conservation plots to protect various agricultural crops including grain crops and fruit; developing population models to predict effects of specific population control techniques on blackbird numbers; studying blackbird movement and roosting behavior; and characterizing and managing wildlife damage at feedlots, dairies, and fruit orchards. To accomplish certain aspects of this research, the North Dakota field station collaborates with other NWRC field stations, several Wildlife Services' state operations programs, other federal agencies, universities, and private industries and organizations.
Facility
The field station was established in 1989 on the campus of North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND, relocated to Bismarck, ND, in May 1996, and co-located with the North Dakota Wildlife Services operations program in 1997. In addition to the office building, the field station had a research laboratory and outdoor aviary for testing wild birds.
In 2014 the Field Station was relocated back to the North Dakota State University campus in Fargo, ND.
The Field Station is currently staffed with the Supervisory Wildlife Biologist; one wildlife biologist and one wildlife technician are based at the NWRC headquarters in Fort Collins, CO. The field station relies heavily on temporary and seasonal employees and the work of graduate students supported through a cooperative agreement between the National Wildlife Research Center and North Dakota State University. Since the inception of the field station, 24 graduate students have completed either M.S. or Ph.D. degrees. Two have completed both their M.S. and Ph.D degrees at North Dakota State University. Most are currently working for various wildlife resource agencies and organizations. Three recent graduates have enrolled in Ph.D. programs at other universities.
Additional information about the research conducted at the North Dakota Field Station can be found on the Methods Development and Population Biology of Blackbirds and Starlings In Conflict with Agriculture, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, and Urban Environments Research Project page.
Contact Us
North Dakota Field Station
Dr. Page E. Klug, Field Station Leader
Phone: 701-231-5190
Department of Biological Sciences
1340 Bolley Drive, 201 Stevens Hall
Fargo, ND 58102