DOCSLIB.ORG

A Multiscale Analysis of Gray Vireo (Vireo Vicinior) Nest-Site Selection in Central New Mexico

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Multiscale Analysis of Gray Vireo (Vireo Vicinior) Nest-Site Selection in Central New Mexico VOLUME 15, ISSUE 1, ARTICLE 12 Harris, J. P., L. M. Smith, and S. T. McMurry. 2020. A multiscale analysis of Gray Vireo (Vireo vicinior) nest-site selection in central New Mexico. Avian Conservation and Ecology 15(1):12. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-01540-150112 Copyright © 2020 by the author(s). Published here under license by the Resilience Alliance. Research Paper A multiscale analysis of Gray Vireo (Vireo vicinior) nest-site selection in central New Mexico Jonathan P. Harris 1, Loren M. Smith 1 and Scott T. McMurry 1 1Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University ABSTRACT. There are many gaps in our understanding of Gray Vireo (Vireo vicinior) life history especially as it relates to nesting ecology. Our objective was to determine habitat features selected by Gray Vireos for nesting to improve management strategies for breeding populations. We searched for Gray Vireo nests on Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico from 2016 to 2017. We estimated Gray Vireo nest-site selection at the tree level, the surrounding vegetation, and at two broader scales corresponding to selection within territories. Nest-site selection was estimated for 99 Gray Vireo nests. For tree-level selection, we compared characteristics of nesting trees with mean characteristics from groups of six randomly selected one-seed junipers (Juniperus monosperma) within a 25- m radius. We also compared overall vegetation characteristics at the 25-m scale for nesting plots and 66 randomly selected plots. Broad- scale cover proportions of nest sites and random points were estimated at 50- and 100-m radius spatial scales using a geographic information system. Gray Vireos selected nesting trees that were taller and wider than other adjacent junipers. Selection of vegetation characteristics surrounding nests showed a similar pattern, where Gray Vireos nested in areas where junipers were taller, wider, and had greater foliage density than was randomly available. Broad-scale analyses suggested that Gray Vireos selected nest sites in areas with higher proportions of junipers at low elevations (< 1954 m), and lower proportions of junipers in higher elevations (> 1954 m); however, juniper proportions at nest sites consistently ranged from 15 to 30% of available cover. Gray Vireos also tended to select areas with less pinyon pine than what was randomly available at the 100-m radius scale. Future management strategies should provide large patches of old-growth juniper to optimize Gray Vireo nesting habitat. Analyse multiéchelle de la sélection du site de nidification du Viréo gris (Vireo vicinior) dans le centre du Nouveau-Mexique RÉSUMÉ. Notre compréhension du cycle biologique du Viréo gris (Vireo vicinior) est incomplète, particulièrement en ce qui a trait à l'écologie de nidification. Notre objectif était de déterminer les caractéristiques d'habitat recherchées par les Viréos gris durant la nidification afin d'améliorer les stratégies d'aménagement destinées aux populations nicheuses. Nous avons cherché des nids de viréos sur la base des forces aériennes de Kirtland à Albuquerque, au Nouveau-Mexique, en 2016 et 2017. Nous avons évalué la sélection des sites de nidification des viréos à l'échelle de l'arbre, de la végétation environnante et à deux autres échelles plus grandes à l'intérieur des territoires des oiseaux. Nous avons analysé la sélection du site de 99 nids de Viréos gris. En matière de sélection à l'échelle de l'arbre, nous avons comparé les caractéristiques des arbres abritant un nid avec les caractéristiques moyennes de groupes de six genévriers monospermes (Juniperus monosperma) tirés aléatoirement dans un rayon de 25 m. Nous avons aussi comparé les caractéristiques de la végétation à l'échelle du 25 m des parcelles de nidification et de 66 parcelles tirées aléatoirement. La proportion de couvert à grande échelle aux sites de nidification et aux sites aléatoires a été calculée dans des rayons de 50 et 100 m, à l'aide d'un système d'information géographique. Les Viréos gris ont choisi des arbres de nidification qui étaient plus grands et plus gros que les genévriers adjacents. Les caractéristiques de la végétation voisinant le nid montraient une tendance similaire : les viréos ont niché dans des lieux où les genévriers étaient plus grands, plus gros et avaient une densité foliaire supérieure que ce qui était aléatoirement disponible. Les analyses à grandes échelles ont révélé que les viréos ont niché dans des endroits aux proportions plus élevées de genévriers à basse altitude (< 1954 m) et aux proportions plus faibles de genévriers à des altitudes plus élevées (> 1954 m); toutefois, la proportion de genévriers aux sites de nidification a toujours oscillé entre 15 et 30 % du couvert disponible. Les viréos avaient aussi tendance à choisir des endroits avec moins de pins pignons que ce qui était disponible aléatoirement à l'échelle du rayon de 100 m. Pour optimiser l'habitat de nidification du Viréo gris, nous recommandons que les futures stratégies d'aménagement visent à fournir de grands îlots de vieux genévriers. Key Words: Gray Vireo; nest-site selection; pinyon-juniper; Vireo vicinior Address of Correspondent: Jonathan P. Harris, 501 Life Sciences West, Stillwater, OK , USA 74078, [email protected] Avian Conservation and Ecology 15(1): 12 http://www.ace-eco.org/vol15/iss1/art12/ INTRODUCTION Utah, where populations were completely extirpated following An understanding of the habitat preferences for species of juniper thinning (Crow and van Riper 2010). However, small conservation concern is one of the most fundamental goals of populations in California can be found in arid chapparal without ecological research (Southwood 1977). For migratory birds, nest- junipers (Hargrove and Unitt 2017). Nests in this part of their site selection patterns are arguably the most important life-history range were located in chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), desert consideration for habitat management, as nest sites can influence ceanothus (Ceanothus greggii), and mountain mahogany reproductive success and population growth for migratory (Cercocarpus betuloides) (Hargrove and Unitt 2017). Nest success breeding birds (Schmidt 2004, Kus and Whitfield 2005). Nest-site in this region was low, with an average probability of nest survival selection studies can be used to create and enhance management of 0.08 (Hargrove and Unitt 2017). Additional work on the prescriptions for breeding birds (Manly et al. 2002). nesting ecology of Gray Vireos has been limited to federal and state reports. In New Mexico, Gray Vireos have been studied Nest-site selection is continuously influenced by evolutionary extensively on military lands over the last 10 years. These reports forces, such as predation (Martin 1993), brood parasitism suggest that Gray Vireos in central New Mexico nest almost (Forsman and Martin 2009), and microclimate (DuRant et al. exclusively in junipers and nested in taller trees than what was 2013). These selection pressures can interact, resulting in randomly availably (Johnson et al. 2012, Wickersham and perceived trade-offs to maximize reproductive output and Wickersham 2016). Additionally, selection for nest sites at fine offspring survival (Rauter et al. 2002, Tieleman et al. 2008). These scales (0.04 ha) was predominately driven by the presence of more trade-offs in nest placement have been demonstrated in Water trees than what was randomly available (Johnson et al. 2012). Pipits (Anthus spinoletta; Rauter et al. 2002) and Hoopoe Larks (Alaemon alaudipes; Tieleman et al. 2008), where predation risk Gray Vireos are considered a species of conservation concern by is higher in locations with optimal microclimate, resulting in nest the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New Mexico Partners in Flight, locations that minimize the negative effects of both conditions. and a threatened species by the New Mexico Department of Game These interactions can be difficult to quantify in nest-site selection and Fish (NMDGF). The conservation concerns largely stem studies but they are important to consider when managing nesting from a limited breeding range (Barlow et al. 1999), low population habitat for species of conservation concern. densities (Schlossberg 2006), and susceptibility to habitat loss (Pierce 2007). Pinyon-juniper woodlands are anticipated to The nesting ecology of many species within the Vireonidae family decline because of climate change-induced drought in the future is not well understood. Specifically, several species with breeding (Clifford et al. 2011). Consequently, various populations have ranges in the Southwestern United States are of conservation been considered vulnerable under future climate change concern, yet we lack detailed data on their nesting requirements projections (Gardali et al. 2012). (Bent 1965). Information about vireo nest-site selection is generally vague site characteristics and varies greatly by species Given the conservation concerns and our minimal understanding and region. For example, the federally endangered Black-capped of their life-history, our goal was to identify Gray Vireo habitat Vireo (Vireo atricapilla), favors higher proportions of woody requirements for breeding populations in central New Mexico. cover at multiple spatial scales and greater proportions of edge Specifically, our objective was to analyze Gray Vireo nest-site habitat (Bailey and Thompson 2007). Similarly, Bell’s Vireo (Vireo selection at multiple spatial scales to describe second and third- belli) in Nevada, Arizona, and
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Coastal Scrub and Chaparral Bird Conservation Plan
    The Coastal Scrub and Chaparral Bird Conservation Plan A Strategy for Protecting and Managing Coastal Scrub and Chaparral Habitats and Associated Birds in California A Project of California Partners in Flight and PRBO Conservation Science The Coastal Scrub and Chaparral Bird Conservation Plan A Strategy for Protecting and Managing Coastal Scrub and Chaparral Habitats and Associated Birds in California Version 2.0 2004 Conservation Plan Authors Grant Ballard, PRBO Conservation Science Mary K. Chase, PRBO Conservation Science Tom Gardali, PRBO Conservation Science Geoffrey R. Geupel, PRBO Conservation Science Tonya Haff, PRBO Conservation Science (Currently at Museum of Natural History Collections, Environmental Studies Dept., University of CA) Aaron Holmes, PRBO Conservation Science Diana Humple, PRBO Conservation Science John C. Lovio, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, U.S. Navy (Currently at TAIC, San Diego) Mike Lynes, PRBO Conservation Science (Currently at Hastings University) Sandy Scoggin, PRBO Conservation Science (Currently at San Francisco Bay Joint Venture) Christopher Solek, Cal Poly Ponoma (Currently at UC Berkeley) Diana Stralberg, PRBO Conservation Science Species Account Authors Completed Accounts Mountain Quail - Kirsten Winter, Cleveland National Forest. Greater Roadrunner - Pete Famolaro, Sweetwater Authority Water District. Coastal Cactus Wren - Laszlo Szijj and Chris Solek, Cal Poly Pomona. Wrentit - Geoff Geupel, Grant Ballard, and Mary K. Chase, PRBO Conservation Science. Gray Vireo - Kirsten Winter, Cleveland National Forest. Black-chinned Sparrow - Kirsten Winter, Cleveland National Forest. Costa's Hummingbird (coastal) - Kirsten Winter, Cleveland National Forest. Sage Sparrow - Barbara A. Carlson, UC-Riverside Reserve System, and Mary K. Chase. California Gnatcatcher - Patrick Mock, URS Consultants (San Diego). Accounts in Progress Rufous-crowned Sparrow - Scott Morrison, The Nature Conservancy (San Diego).
    [Show full text]
  • Birds of Eagle Mountain, Joshua Tree National Monument, California
    BIRDS OF EAGLE MOUNTAIN, JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL MONUMENT, CALIFORNIA A. TOWNSEND PETERSON, Committeeon EvolutionaryBiology, The Universityof Chicago, Chicago, Illinois60637 The Little San Bernardino Mountains of Riverside and San Bernardino Countiesin southernCalifornia support a peninsulaof oak-pine woodland runningsoutheast from the higherSan BernardinoMountains (Figure 1). In spiteof the continuityof the woodland connectingthe two ranges,the birds of the Little San BernardinoMountains are remarkablydifferentiated from populationsto the west. Three subspeciesrequiring woodland are endemic to the range: a Mountain Quail, Oreortyxpictus russel!i, a Plain Titmouse, Parus inornatusmohavensis, and a Bushtit,Psaltriparus minimus sociabilis (Miller 1946), and another, a ScrubJay, Aphelocomacoerulescens cana, is endemic to the nearby Eagle Mountains (Miller 1946, Pitelka 1951). Miller (1946), Pitelka (1951), and Miller and Stebbins (1964) discussed three alternativehypotheses for the originof thesedifferentiated populations. (1) The peninsularestricts gene flow from populationsto the west. (2) The differentiatedpopulations represent intergrades or hybridsbetween popula- tions in the San Bernardino Mountains to the west and the Providence Mountainsto the northeast.(3) A thirdhypothesis is one of faunalrelaxation. Becauseas recently as 8000 years ago the Mojave Desert contained pin- yon-juniper woodland (Wells and Berger 1967, Van Devender 1977), dif- ferentiatedpopulations in the Little San Bernardino Mountains and other mountainranges farther east may representremnants of what was once a continuous distribution (Grinnell and Swarth 1913, Miller and Stebbins 1964). Hence, they may showtraits that are eitherancestral or intermediate owing to historicalgenetic interchange. Information on populationsof these speciesin the bits of woodland be- tween the Little San Bernardino Mountains and the Providence Mountains is criticalto assessingthe latter two hypotheses.The Eagle Mountains,the BullionMountains, the Old Woman Mountains,and othersprovide elevated landscapes(Figure 1).
    [Show full text]
  • Molt of the Gray Vireo ’
    The Condor 102:610-618 0 The Cooper Ornithological Society 2000 MOLT OF THE GRAY VIREO ’ GARY VOELKER Barrick Museum of Natural History, Box 454012, Universityof Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas,NV 891.54, e-mail: [email protected] Abstract. Using museum specimens, I document the molt cycles and molting grounds of the Gray Vireo (Vireo vicinior). During prebasic molts, adult female Gray Vireos replace their primaries in 57 days, whereas adult males take 70 days; all body plumage is replaced during this molt. Prebasic molts occur almost exclusively on the breeding grounds;just 3 of 41 specimensreplacing primaries were collected away from breeding grounds.No molting specimens were collected from wintering areas. Prealternatemolt occurs on the wintering grounds,and appearslimited to the replacementof innermost secondariesand a limited molt of body plumage. By performing prebasicmolt on breeding grounds,the Gray Vireo differs from several other western breeding passerinespecies that use desert regions of the south- western United States and northwesternMexico to exploit late summer food resources.The areasof these southwesterndesert regions used by other speciesform a small portion of the breeding grounds, and encompassthe entire wintering grounds,of Gray Vireos. I hypothe- size that this contrast in molting regions is not due to differences in the general timing of prebasic molts among these species;rather, the contrastmay be due to constraintsimposed on Gray Vireos by a dietary shift to fruit during winter and the need to defend winter territories. Key words: Gray Vireo, molt, plumage, Vireo vicinior. INTRODUCTION era1 species, these desert regions do not form Molt is an integral part of the avian annual cy- part of either the breeding or wintering range.
    [Show full text]
  • Baja Bird Checklist
    Field Checklist of the Birds of Field Checklist of Baja California Mexico The Birds of Baja California compiled by Kurt and Cindy Radamaker Checklists available at Mexico Birding Website August 2008 http://MexicoBirding.com Kurt Radamaker Checklist for the Birds of Baja California Locality __________________________________ This list conforms to the A.O.U. checklist order and nomenclature, Observer(s) _______________________________ as of April 2007. 1 Date __________Time ______ Total Species ____ Weather __________________________________ * and in bold = Species sighted 10+- times in the last 25 years. Remarks __________________________________ e = Exirpated or Extinct † = Exotic or introduced species Documentation of unusual species should be sent to North Ameri- Locality __________________________________ can Birds regional editor, Baja Peninsula : Observer(s) _______________________________ 2 Date __________Time ______ Total Species ____ Richard A. Erickson Weather __________________________________ LSA Associates Remarks __________________________________ 20 Executive Park Suite 200 Irvine, CA 92614 Locality __________________________________ [email protected] Observer(s) _______________________________ 3 Date __________Time ______ Total Species ____ Weather __________________________________ Remarks __________________________________ Locality __________________________________ Observer(s) _______________________________ 4 Date __________Time ______ Total Species ____ Weather __________________________________ Remarks
    [Show full text]
  • Learn About Texas Birds Activity Book
    Learn about . A Learning and Activity Book Color your own guide to the birds that wing their way across the plains, hills, forests, deserts and mountains of Texas. Text Mark W. Lockwood Conservation Biologist, Natural Resource Program Editorial Direction Georg Zappler Art Director Elena T. Ivy Educational Consultants Juliann Pool Beverly Morrell © 1997 Texas Parks and Wildlife 4200 Smith School Road Austin, Texas 78744 PWD BK P4000-038 10/97 All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the publisher. Another "Learn about Texas" publication from TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE PRESS ISBN- 1-885696-17-5 Key to the Cover 4 8 1 2 5 9 3 6 7 14 16 10 13 20 19 15 11 12 17 18 19 21 24 23 20 22 26 28 31 25 29 27 30 ©TPWPress 1997 1 Great Kiskadee 16 Blue Jay 2 Carolina Wren 17 Pyrrhuloxia 3 Carolina Chickadee 18 Pyrrhuloxia 4 Altamira Oriole 19 Northern Cardinal 5 Black-capped Vireo 20 Ovenbird 6 Black-capped Vireo 21 Brown Thrasher 7Tufted Titmouse 22 Belted Kingfisher 8 Painted Bunting 23 Belted Kingfisher 9 Indigo Bunting 24 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 10 Green Jay 25 Wood Thrush 11 Green Kingfisher 26 Ruddy Turnstone 12 Green Kingfisher 27 Long-billed Thrasher 13 Vermillion Flycatcher 28 Killdeer 14 Vermillion Flycatcher 29 Olive Sparrow 15 Blue Jay 30 Olive Sparrow 31 Great Horned Owl =female =male Texas Birds More kinds of birds have been found in Texas than any other state in the United States: just over 600 species.
    [Show full text]
  • Species Risk Assessment
    Ecological Sustainability Analysis of the Kaibab National Forest: Species Diversity Report Ver. 1.2 Prepared by: Mikele Painter and Valerie Stein Foster Kaibab National Forest For: Kaibab National Forest Plan Revision Analysis 22 December 2008 SpeciesDiversity-Report-ver-1.2.doc 22 December 2008 Table of Contents Table of Contents............................................................................................................................. i Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 1 PART I: Species Diversity.............................................................................................................. 1 Species List ................................................................................................................................. 1 Criteria .................................................................................................................................... 2 Assessment Sources................................................................................................................ 3 Screening Results.................................................................................................................... 4 Habitat Associations and Initial Species Groups........................................................................ 8 Species associated with ecosystem diversity characteristics of terrestrial vegetation or aquatic systems ......................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Desert Birding in Arizona with a Focus on Urban Birds
    Desert Birding in Arizona With a Focus on Urban Birds By Doris Evans Illustrations by Doris Evans and Kim Duffek A Curriculum Guide for Elementary Grades Tucson Audubon Society Urban Biology Program Funded by: Arizona Game & Fish Department Heritage Fund Grant Tucson Water Tucson Audubon Society Desert Birding in Arizona With a Focus on Urban Birds By Doris Evans Illustrations by Doris Evans and Kim Duffek A Curriculum Guide for Elementary Grades Tucson Audubon Society Urban Biology Program Funded by: Arizona Game & Fish Department Heritage Fund Grant Tucson Water Tucson Audubon Society Tucson Audubon Society Urban Biology Education Program Urban Birding is the third of several projected curriculum guides in Tucson Audubon Society’s Urban Biology Education Program. The goal of the program is to provide educators with information and curriculum tools for teaching biological and ecological concepts to their students through the studies of the wildlife that share their urban neighborhoods and schoolyards. This project was funded by an Arizona Game and Fish Department Heritage Fund Grant, Tucson Water, and Tucson Audubon Society. Copyright 2001 All rights reserved Tucson Audubon Society Arizona Game and Fish Department 300 East University Boulevard, Suite 120 2221 West Greenway Road Tucson, Arizona 85705-7849 Phoenix, Arizona 85023 Urban Birding Curriculum Guide Page Table of Contents Acknowledgements i Preface ii Section An Introduction to the Lessons One Why study birds? 1 Overview of the lessons and sections Lesson What’s That Bird? 3 One
    [Show full text]
  • Species Accounts -- Animals
    SoCal Biodiversity - Animals Arboreal Salamander Amphibian SoCal Biodiversity - Animals Arboreal Salamander Amphibian Arroyo Toad Arboreal Salamander Arboreal Salamander (Aneides lugubris) Management Status Heritage Status Rank: G5N5S4 Federal: None State: None Other: Species identified as a local viability concern (Stephenson and Calcarone 1999) General Distribution Arboreal salamander occurs in yellow pine and black oak forests in the Sierra Nevada, and in coastal live oak woodlands from northern California to Baja California. The species also occurs in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada from El Dorado County to Madera County and on South Farallon, Santa Catalina, Los Coronados, and Ano Nuevo islands off the coast of California (Petranka 1998, Stebbins 1951, Stebbins 1985). Arboreal salamander occurs from sea level to an elevation of about 5,000 feet (1,520 meters) (Stebbins 1985). Distribution in the Planning Area Arboreal salamander reportedly occurs in the foothills and lower elevations of every mountain range on National Forest System lands, although it is seldom seen (Stephenson and Calcarone 1999). There are records of occurrence for this species on the Los Padres National Forest near upper San Juan Creek and on the Cleveland National Forest near Soldier Creek (USDA Forest Service file information), San Gabriel foothills east to Day Canyon, and in the San Jacinto Mountains (Goodward pers. comm.). Systematics There are four species in the genus Aneides in the western United States, three of which occur in California (Stebbins 1985). Of these three, only arboreal salamander ranges into southern California. Most of the Aneides salamanders climb (Stebbins 1985). Arboreal salamander consists of two chromosomally differentiated groups that intergrade in south and east-central Mendocino County, about 56 miles (90 kilometers) north of the San Francisco Bay region (Sessions and Kezer 1987).
    [Show full text]
  • A Thesis Entitled Post-Fledging and Migration Ecology of Gray Vireos
    A Thesis entitled Post-fledging and Migration Ecology of Gray Vireos (Vireo vicinior) and Using ArtScience to Explore Gender and Identity by Silas E. Fischer Submitted to the Graduate Faculty as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Biology ___________________________________________ Dr. Henry Streby, Committee Chair ___________________________________________ Dr. Jeanine Refsnider-Streby, Committee Member ___________________________________________ Kathy Granillo, Committee Member ___________________________________________ Brian Carpenter, Committee Member ___________________________________________ Eric Zeigler, Committee Member ___________________________________________ Dr. Amanda C. Bryant-Friedrich, Dean College of Graduate Studies The University of Toledo May 2020 © 2020 Silas E. Fischer This document is copyrighted material. Under copyright law, no parts of this document may be reproduced without the expressed permission of the author. An Abstract of Post-fledging and Migration Ecology of Gray Vireos (Vireo vicinior) and Using ArtScience to Explore Gender and Identity by Silas E. Fischer Submitted to the Graduate Faculty as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Biology The University of Toledo May 2020 Many Neotropical migratory songbirds are experiencing significant population declines (Wilcove and Terborgh 1984, Robbins et al. 1989, Rosenberg et al. 2019), the majority of which remain critically under-studied, impeding informed, science-based conservation
    [Show full text]
  • Gray Vireo Vireo Vicinior the Gray Vireo Is the Rarest Breeding Bird of San Diego County’S Chaparral
    Vireos — Family Vireonidae 367 Gray Vireo Vireo vicinior The Gray Vireo is the rarest breeding bird of San Diego County’s chaparral. Its preferred habitat is on south-facing slopes, where the chaparral is dry but dense, mainly between 3000 and 5000 feet elevation. The reason for the Gray Vireo’s rarity is unclear, but susceptibility to cowbird parasitism may confine it to large tracts of chaparral remote from open areas where cowbirds forage. The California Department of Fish and Game has recognized the Gray Vireo as a highest-priority species of special concern. Field work for this atlas led to the discovery of Gray Photo by Anthony Mercieca Vireos wintering in the Anza–Borrego Desert, in California’s single largest stand of the elephant tree. The southern population is centered in chaparral dominated by chamise and cupleaf ceanothus south of Breeding distribution: The Gray Vireo is concentrated the Laguna Mountains and north of Interstate 8. Here in two regions of San Diego County. The more northern maximum counts from 1997 to 2001 were near Buckman lies in a region of chaparral dominated by chamise and Springs, on slopes both east and west of Cottonwood redshank north of Warner Springs and largely east of Valley (R22; 12, including 11 singing males, 15 May 1999, Highway 79. The largest numbers have been seen along L. J. Hargrove), along the Pacific Crest Trail just south Lost Valley Road south of Indian Flats Campground and and east of Yellow Rose Spring (R23; 10 on 17 May 1998, along the Pacific Crest Trail east of this road (E19; up to L.
    [Show full text]
  • Gray Vireo Population Sites, Years Surveyed, and Reporting Sour
    STATUS REPORT AND BIOLOGICAL REVIEW OF THE GRAY VIREO IN NEW MEXICO John P. DeLong1 and Sartor O. Williams III2,3 1Eagle Environmental, Inc., 2314 Hollywood Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, [email protected] 2New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504 3Curent address: 1819 Meadowview Dr. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, [email protected] 1 December 2006 New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Executive Summary We compiled available published and unpublished records of Gray Vireos in the state of New Mexico and produced an overview of the distribution, status, and biology of the species in the state. We identified 49 population sites in 20 of New Mexico's 33 counties and estimated a maximum number of documented territories at 418. The largest known concentrations in the state are located in the Guadalupe Mountains (92 territories), Manzanita Mountains (60), Navajo Dam area (44), Caja del Rio area (25), and the Quebradas area (25); smaller but significant concentrations (10 to 17 territories) are in the Organ Mountains, San Andres NWR, the La Plata area, the Ladron Mountains, the Counselor area, near Glenwood, and in the vicinity of Zuni. There is little evidence of increasing or decreasing trends for the Gray Vireo in New Mexico, although BBS data suggest that declines may be occurring in the northern part of the state. Gray Vireos breed in pinyon pine-Utah juniper woodlands, oneseed juniper savannas, mixed juniper- oak woodlands, and desert riparian communities. Gray Vireos typically nest in juniper trees, although other tree and shrub species are used.
    [Show full text]
  • Gray Vireos Wintering in California Elephant Trees
    NOTES GRAY VIREOS WINTERING IN CAUFORNIA F-FPHANT TREES PHILIP UNITT, San DiegoNatural History Museum, P. O. Box 121390, San Diego, California 92112-1390 The GrayVireo (Vireo vicinior)winters primarily in Sonoraand Baja California Sur (e.g., Barlowet al. 1999). There are scatteredwinter records from the Mexicanstates of Durango(Leukering and Bradley1997), Coahuila(Howell and Webb 1995), and San LuisPotosf (Fry et al. 1996). North of the Mexicanborder the onlywinter records are from the Big Bend area of Texas (Barlowand Wauer 1971) and southern, primarilysouthwestern, Arizona, north to the Kofa Mountains(Phillips et al. 1964). There are no publishedwinter records for Upper California. On 4 May 1999, aspart of a fieldsurvey for the San Diego Countybird atlas, Lori Hargrovevisited the canyonof Alma Wash, 6 milessouth of OcotilloWells and 3 to 5 mileswest of Split MountainRoad. She reportedto me largenumbers, perhaps a few thousand,of the Elephant Tree (Bursera microphylla), a concentrationfar greaterthan any reportedby Dice et al. (1992). The five standsof the ElephantTree enumeratedby Dice et al. in the Anza-BorregoDesert of easternSan DiegoCounty exhaustthe tree'sknown distribution in Upper California.A surveyby helicopteron 21 January2000 confirmedthe Alma Wash populationas by far the largestin the state(J. C. Dice pers. corem.) Bursera microphyllais locallycommon in Baja Californiaand Sonora(Turner et al. 1995). Bates(1992a) foundGray Vireos wintering in Sonorato be closelylinked to it, feeding primarily on its fruit and being, with the Ash-throatedFlycatcher (Myiarchuscinerascens), the primary disperserof its seeds,via regurgitation.He notedthat the winterrange of the vireoclosely matches the distributionof the tree, except in the Anza-BorregoDesert and a few canyonsin Arizona.
    [Show full text]