The ‘Narta’ foldable bird trap: An innovative tool for catching adult nesting waders

We describe a bird trap for capturing adult nesting waders. It features a flexible, adjustable box-style design that can be configured into various shapes, such as square or polygonal, to suit different field conditions. Its adaptability makes it suitable for use in diverse environments, including narrow spaces like saltpan ditches. The trap’s entrance can be customized to accommodate different wader species, ranging from small to large species (e.g., Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus and Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta). A key advantage of the trap is its portability: it is lightweight and foldable, and several traps can be easily transported in the trunk of a small car. Additionally, the trap operates autonomously, allowing researchers to set multiple units simultaneously. The trap is safe for both birds and their eggs. In summary, we consider that the trap is an affordable and effective solution for field research on nesting waders.