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Loggerhead Shrike
EFFECTS OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON GRASSLAND BIRDS: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE Grasslands Ecosystem Initiative Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center U.S. Geological Survey Jamestown, North Dakota 58401 This report is one in a series of literature syntheses on North American grassland birds. The need for these reports was identified by the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture (PPJV), a part of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. The PPJV recently adopted a new goal, to stabilize or increase populations of declining grassland- and wetland-associated wildlife species in the Prairie Pothole Region. To further that objective, it is essential to understand the habitat needs of birds other than waterfowl, and how management practices affect their habitats. The focus of these reports is on management of breeding habitat, particularly in the northern Great Plains. Suggested citation: Dechant, J. A., M. L. Sondreal, D. H. Johnson, L. D. Igl, C. M. Goldade, M. P. Nenneman, A. L. Zimmerman, and B. R. Euliss. 1998 (revised 2002). Effects of management practices on grassland birds: Loggerhead Shrike. Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND. 19 pages. Species for which syntheses are available or are in preparation: American Bittern Grasshopper Sparrow Mountain Plover Baird’s Sparrow Marbled Godwit Henslow’s Sparrow Long-billed Curlew Le Conte’s Sparrow Willet Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow Wilson’s Phalarope Vesper Sparrow Upland Sandpiper Savannah Sparrow Greater Prairie-Chicken Lark Sparrow Lesser Prairie-Chicken Field Sparrow Northern Harrier Clay-colored Sparrow Swainson’s Hawk Chestnut-collared Longspur Ferruginous Hawk McCown’s Longspur Short-eared Owl Dickcissel Burrowing Owl Lark Bunting Horned Lark Bobolink Sedge Wren Eastern Meadowlark Loggerhead Shrike Western Meadowlark Sprague’s Pipit Brown-headed Cowbird EFFECTS OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON GRASSLAND BIRDS: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE Jill A. -
Using Structured Decision Making to Prioritize Species Assemblages for Conservation T ⁎ Adam W
Journal for Nature Conservation 45 (2018) 48–57 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal for Nature Conservation journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jnc Using Structured Decision Making to prioritize species assemblages for conservation T ⁎ Adam W. Greena, , Maureen D. Corrella, T. Luke Georgea, Ian Davidsonb, Seth Gallagherc, Chris Westc, Annamarie Lopatab, Daniel Caseyd, Kevin Ellisone, David C. Pavlacky Jr.a, Laura Quattrinia, Allison E. Shawa, Erin H. Strassera, Tammy VerCauterena, Arvind O. Panjabia a Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, 230 Cherry St., Suite 150, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA b National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, 1133 15th St NW #1100, Washington, DC, 20005, USA c National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, 44 Cook St, Suite 100, Denver, CO, 80206, USA d Northern Great Plains Joint Venture, 3302 4th Ave. N, Billings, MT, 59101, USA e World Wildlife Fund, Northern Great Plains Program, 13 S. Willson Ave., Bozeman, MT, 59715, USA ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: Species prioritization efforts are a common strategy implemented to efficiently and effectively apply con- Conservation planning servation efforts and allocate resources to address global declines in biodiversity. These structured processes help Grasslands identify species that best represent the entire species community; however, these methods are often subjective Priority species and focus on a limited number of species characteristics. We developed an objective, transparent approach using Prioritization a Structured Decision Making (SDM) framework to identify a group of grassland bird species on which to focus Structured decision making conservation efforts that considers biological, social, and logistical criteria in the Northern Great Plains of North America. The process quantified these criteria to ensure representation of a variety of species and habitats and included the relative value of each criterion to the working group. -
Western Meadowlark B168 (Sturnella Neglecter)
Western Meadowlark B168 (Sturnella neglecter) STATUS: No official listed status. Common resident at low elevations; late summer and fall transient at higher elevations. DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Breeds in grasslands and pastureland from annual grass- land up to chaparral zone, with or without moderate shrub cover, and generally in drier sites. Some upslope movement in late summer and fall. SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Open terrain. BREEDING: Breeds from early February to late July, with peak from late April to late June. Nests in depression on ground, among grasses or other low vegetation. Clutch size from 3 to 7, with mode of 5. TERRITORY/HOME RANGE: Home range same as territory. In Wisconsin, breeding territories ranged from 3 to 15 acres (1.2 to 6.1 ha), with mean of about 7.5 acres (3 ha) (Lanyon 1956). FOOD HABITS: Insects and seeds, gleaned from grasses and live or dead annuals, or from the ground, make up the majority of the diet. Turns over clods and digs in soft earth. OTHER: REFERENCES: Bryant 1914, Grinnell and Miller 1944, Lanyon 1957. 260 Yellow-headed Blackbird B169 (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) STATUS: No official listed status. Rare spring and fall migrant. DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Prefers large, marshy areas with water of considerable depth and patches of open water. Forages in moist, open areas and in marshes; requires marshes only during breeding season. SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Marshes for nesting; open terrain. BREEDING: Possibly breeds in the western Sierran zone at low elevations from mid-April to late July, with peak from late May to mid-July. Nests in emergent vegetation, usually cattails or bulrush, from 0.5 to 3 ft (0.2 to 0.9 m) above water, usually near edge of vegetation farthest from shore. -
Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 Sponsored by Senators GIROD, STEINER HAYWARD
79th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2017 Regular Session Enrolled Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 Sponsored by Senators GIROD, STEINER HAYWARD Whereas many Oregonians feel that it is time to adopt the osprey as our state bird, valuing the raptor as a fitting symbol of Oregon’s rugged independence, strength and resilience; and Whereas other Oregonians favor the western meadowlark, already our unofficial state bird, considering the songbird’s peaceful, mellifluous song to be an emblem of gentle beauty and culture within this state; and Whereas the question of whether the state bird should be a raptor or a songbird presents a false dichotomy; and Whereas sometimes the best answer to an “either-or” question is “and”; and Whereas Oregon is not wholly represented by one climate or region of the state; and Whereas Oregonians, themselves, cannot be categorized as only one type of person; and Whereas a multifaceted Oregon calls for two types of state bird: the state raptor and the state songbird; and Whereas the western meadowlark brings to mind the open fields and meadows spread across the state; and Whereas the osprey evokes Oregon’s lakes, rivers, streams and ocean; and Whereas the western meadowlark’s song and bright colors have delighted generations of Oregonians; and Whereas the osprey in flight, with its striking markings against the sky, causes Oregonians to stop and stare in wonder; and Whereas embracing the excellent qualities of one bird does not derogate those of the other; and Whereas while most states are content to be limited to one state bird, Oregon recognizes the need for another, understanding that there is room in the hearts of Oregonians for two symbolic birds; now, therefore, Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon: That we, the members of the Seventy-ninth Legislative Assembly, designate the osprey (Pandion haliaetus) as the official state raptor of Oregon; and be it further Resolved, That we designate the western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) as the official state songbird of Oregon. -
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella Magna
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna Breeding Eastern Meadowlarks are normally associated with Unglaciated Plateau (94 blocks), and Glaciated Plateau (69 grasslands such as lightly grazed pastures, hayfields, and re- blocks) regions. Other confirmation included observations of claimed strip mines. These fields may be devoid of woody adults carrying food for young in 96 blocks, 49 reports of recently vegetation or support scattered bushes and small trees. They also fledged young, 41 active nests, and distraction displays by adults regularly occupy fallow fields composed of mixed grasses and in 9 blocks. Most other records pertained to probable breeders, weeds, grassy rights–of–way along highways and railroads, primarily territorial males and pairs occupying suitable habitats. clover–alfalfa hayfields, and grassy fields bordering airports. When their populations were larger, breeding pairs were found in cultivated grain fields, woodland clearings, and fairly open brushy thickets (Trautman 1940), but these habitats are rarely occupied today. These meadowlarks have been common and widely distrib- uted summer residents in Ohio since the 19th century (Wheaton 1882, Jones 1903). They retained this status into the 1930s when Hicks (1935) claimed they were common to abundant in every county. He assigned a similar status to this species along the entire unglaciated Allegheny Plateau (Hicks 1937). Beginning in the 1940s, Eastern Meadowlark populations experienced local declines. This trend continued during subsequent decades as intensive agricultural land use practices eliminated many suitable grasslands (Peterjohn 1989a). Unusually heavy mortality during the severe winters of the late 1970s accentuated this decline, although their numbers recovered somewhat with the return of normal winter weather conditions. -
NEWS and NOTES by Paul Hess
NEWS AND NOTES by Paul Hess “Lilian’s” Meadowlark für Ornithologie 135:28), but no details about the findings have been published. Ornithologist Harry C. Oberholser was intrigued by mead - At last, a large-scale genetic report by F. Keith Barker, Ar - owlarks collected in 1929 near Arizona’s Huachuca Moun - ion J. Vandergon, and Scott M. Lanyon arrived in 2008 tains, because their size, structure, and plumage differed (Auk 125:869–879). They examined two mitochondrial from those of the Western Meadowlark and from known DNA (mtDNA) genes and one nuclear locus in 14 Eastern variations of Eastern Meadowlark. In 1930 he described the Meadowlark subspecies throughout the North American, specimens as a new Eastern Meadowlark subspecies and Central American, and South American range. named it lilianae to honor Lilian Baldwin, who had donat - The results indicate a long history of evolutionary diver - ed the collection ( Scientific Publications of the Cleveland Mu - gence between lilianae and all except one other Eastern seum of Natural History 1:83–124). Meadowlark subspecies, auropectoralis of central and We now know it as “Lilian’s” Meadowlark, of desert grasslands in the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico, where it is distinguishable from Western Meadowlark with careful study by eye and ear. In identification guides, lilianae re - ceived little attention and no illustration until the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America in 1983. Kevin J. Zimmer of - fered tips in Birding (August 1984, pp. 155–156) and in his books The Western Bird Watcher (Prentice-Hall 1985) and Birding in the American West (Cornell University Press 2000). -
Neotropical Birding 24 2 Neotropical Species ‘Uplisted’ to a Higher Category of Threat in the 2018 IUCN Red List Update
>> FEATURE RED LIST 2018 The 2018 IUCN Red List in the Neotropics James Lowen, Hannah Wheatley, Claudia Hermes, Ian Burfield and David Wege Neotropical Birding 21 featured a summary of the key implications for the Neotropics of the 2016 IUCN Red List for birds. This article briefs readers on the main changes from the 2018 update. s part of its role as the IUCN Red List BirdLife’s Red List team updated the Authority for birds, BirdLife International information available for roughly 2,300 species A is responsible for assessing the global worldwide. Globally, this resulted in changes to conservation status of each of the world’s 11,000 the categorisation of 89 species; 58 species were or so bird species, allocating each to a category ‘uplisted’ to a higher category of threat, whilst ranging from Least Concern to Extinct. The latest roughly half that number – 31 species – were update was published in November 2018 (BirdLife ‘downlisted’. In the Neotropics, 13 species were International 2018). Although much more modest uplisted (Fig. 2) and slightly more – 18 – were in reach than the comprehensive update carried downlisted (Fig. 5). Now let’s take a closer look at out in 2016, whose Neotropical dimension was the individual changes, largely using information discussed in Symes et al. (2017), the 2018 revamp made available on BirdLife’s ‘Globally Threatened contains a suite of interesting changes for species Bird Forums’ (8 globally-threatened-bird- occurring in the Neotropical Bird Club region that forums.birdlife.org). Is the picture quite as rosy as are worth drawing to readers’ collective attention. -
The Wintering Meadowlarks of Dane County, Wisconsin
1954J 87 GENERAL NOTES The Winterin• Meadowlarks of Dane County, Wisconsin.--The 1931 edition of the A.O.U. Check-List states that the Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) winters casually east to southern Wisconsin. Actually this species is a regular winter resident in considerablenumbers, especiallyin Green County most of which was originally prairie. On the basisof sight identification,the westernbird appeared to be the prevailing winter resident. My main interest was the winter status of the Western Meadowlark in comparisonwith the Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnellamagna). In order to obtain positive data, I collected 8 Meadowlarks between December 29 and February 26 during the four winters, 1949-50 through 1952-53. Seven of the specimenswere of the western bird and one the eastern. All were males. The sample is too small to generalizeon the sex ratio and the relative abundanceof the two species. It appears,however, from the specimensand sight identificationsthat the Eastern Meadowlark constitutesless than 10 per cent of the wintering population. Sight identification of the two speciescan only be positive within narrow limits. When the ground is completely covered with snow, Meadowlarks are forced to feed where manure has been piled or scattered in the fidds and especiallyalong the roads where the snow-plowslay bare the shoulders. The birds become so accustomedto traffic that it is usually easy, by slow driving, to passwithin 10 to 20 feet of the feeding birds. The spedescan then be determinedby the color of the back. At a distance the backs of both speciesappear dark, and the observeris inclined to assignthe birds to the more darkly colored eastern species. -
Western Meadowlark ( Sturnella Neglecta )
Western Meadowlark ( sturnella neglecta ). left: photo courtesy Gary Kramer, UsFWs Center: foraging in a restored perennial grassland (primarily s. pulchra ), in Zamora, Yolo County. photo courtesy Kristina Wolf right: photo courtesy Krista Lundgren, UsFWs SPECIES SPOTLIGHT: The Neglected Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) by Diana Jeffery 1, Administrative Director, CNGA Western Meadowlarks are perhaps the quintessential grassland Worldwide, all grassland birds are at risk because of degraded and bird. Easily recognized by their bright yellow breast crossed by a mismanaged grasslands. Western Meadowlark populations have black V-shaped band, they are most oen seen perched on a declined 42% since 1970 (North American Breeding Bird Survey fencepost or nearby shrub. ey forage on the ground in via Partners in Flight, 2017). Other birds have fared less well: the grasslands, prairies, fields and pastures, nesting in small Grasshopper Sparrow ( Ammodramus savannarum ) has lost 68% depressions in the soil, sometimes even a hoof print. ey oen of its population over the last 40 years (Partners in Flight, 2016). conceal their nest by weaving the surrounding grass stalks into a Programs offered by the USDA Farm Service Agency and the dome or tunnel-like structure; industrious birds construct an Conservation Reserve Program have previously offered incentives entrance tunnel reaching up to several feet long. continued next page Western Meadowlarks are year-round residents of California grasslands. Once thought to be the same species as the Eastern Meadowlark ( Sturnella magna ), the Western Meadowlark was Some Recommended Actions for Bird eventually recognized as a separate species and subsequently given Conservation (Adapted from Partners in flight, 2017) the name neglecta by John James Audubon. -
City Nature Challenge 2019 DFW Results
Dallas-Fort Worth The City Nature Challenge is a global, city-scale BioBlitz event that frames an urban biodiversity survey as a friendly competition between cities. Data collection April 26-29 Identifications Apr 30-May 6 Harris’s Sparrow, Tommy Farquhar, Strecker’s chorus frog, corynorris, iNaturalist, CCBY-NC iNaturalist, CCBY-NC DFW by the numbers: • 10 counties • More than 36,000 observations • More than 2,600 species recorded Participating Johnson • More than 1,000 observers Counties: Kaufman • More than 830 identifiers Collin Parker Dallas Rockwall • Over 97% of observations were Denton Tarrant verifiable Ellis Wise DFW in the Global Rankings out of 159 Cities: Overall: Metros of Pop. >5mil: Metros of >20k sq. km: US & Canada: 7th: Num. Observations 3rd: Num. Observations 2nd: Num. Observations 3rd: Num. Observations 9th: Num. Species 5th: Num. Observers 3rd: Num. Species 5th: Num. Species 10th: Num. Observers 2nd: Num. Observers 3rd: Num. Research Grade Observations Warm Temperate Zone: 5th: Num. Observations The City Nature Challenge is organized by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences. More information at citynaturechallenge.org Dallas-Fort Worth Cumulative Impact 63% of the observations recorded during the City Nature Challenge in the DFW metro area were Research Grade - observations of wild organisms with photo 63% of all Observations or sound vouchers of a quality to merit a to Research species-level identification by the majority of Grade identifiers. During the 4 days of the event, the DFW project saw: • 50 Species of Greatest Conservation Need at Research Grade (see list) • 200 new species records in iNaturalist • 8% increase in iNaturalist observations for the DFW metro counties • Project page: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2019- dallas-fort-worth Spotlight: Engelmann’s Bladderpod The City Nature Challenge uncovered a previously unknown population of a rare Texas plant, the Engelmann’s bladderpod (Physaria engelmannii), in Dallas County. -
Backyards Birds of the Brazos Valley
BACKYARDS BIRDS OF THE BRAZOS VALLEY Western Diamondback Rattlesnake • Species in the world- about 10,000 • Species in the US- about 820 • Species in Texas- about 630 • Species in BV- about 300 • How many in your backyard? What birds need • Food – seeds, suet, sugar water (bush/tree nearby), fruit, ”protein” such as mealworms • Water – birdbath (shallow!), creek/running water, drip, mister, pond • (use mosquito control!) • Shelter – Box (2 kinds-nest and roost), roosting bush/tree, protection after bath Northern Mockingbird Loggerhead Shrike Loggerhead Shrike Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Western Kingbird Eastern Phoebe Northern Cardinal Northern Cardinal Red-capped Cardinal Eastern Bluebird male Eastern Bluebird female Carolina Wren American Goldfinch American Goldfinch Ruby-throated Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Anna’s Hummingbird Buff-bellied Hummingbird Mourning Dovee Inca Dove White-winged Dove Eurasian collared Dove Rock Pigeon / Rock Dove American Crow Chimney Swift Chimney swift tower Chimney swift nest-eggs Purple Martin Purple Bartin box + gourds Ooooooops Barn Swallow Barn Swallow nest Barn Swallow nest Barn Swallow nest base Red-bellied Woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpecker Red-headed Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Pileated Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Black-and-white Warbler Yellow Warbler Wilson’s Warbler Cerulean Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Painted Bunting Indigo Bunting Great Egret Great-blue Heron Green Heron Killdeer -
Eastern Meadowlark Minnesota Conservation Plan
http://www.mikelentzphotography.com/ Mike Lentz | Lentz Mike Credit Eastern Meadowlark Minnesota Conservation Plan Audubon Minnesota Spring 2014 The Blueprint for Minnesota Bird Conservation is a project of Audubon Minnesota written by Lee A. Pfannmuller ([email protected]) and funded by the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. For further information please contact Mark Martell at [email protected] (651-739-9332). Table of Contents Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 5 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 6 Background ................................................................................................................................................... 6 Status ......................................................................................................................................................... 6 Legal Status ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Other Status Classifications .................................................................................................................. 6 Range ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 Historical