For nearly 50 years, electric fences have been used in wildlife management to restrict terrestrial predator movements (McAtee 1939). Such fences have been especially effective in deterring predators to increase nest success of upland nesting ducks (Sargeant et al. 1974, Lokemoen et al. 1982), sandwich terns (Sterna sandvicensis)(Forster 1975, Patterson 1977), and least terns (Sterna antillarum)(Minsky 1980).

The piping plover (Charadrius melodus) is listed as endangered in the Great Lakes region and threatened along the Atlantic Coast and throughout the northern Great Plains (US Fish and Wildl. Serv. 1985). Eggs and chicks of this species are susceptible to depredation by numerous species, especially mammals (Wiens and Cuthbert 1984, Whyte 1985, Wiens 1986, Haig and Oring 1988, Prindiville Gaines and Ryan 1988). Because piping plovers often nest semicolonially (SM Haig, Clemson Univ., Clemson, SC, pers. commun.), we hypothesized that electric fences could effectively protect several piping plover nests simultaneously. Our objective was to test the efficacy of using low-cost electric fences to protect piping plover eggs and chicks from terrestrial predators.