South Puget Sound Streaked Horned (Eremophila alpestris strigata) Genetic Rescue Study Report for Year 2

Spring/Summer 2012

Photo credit: Rod Gilbert

South Puget Sound Streaked Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata) Genetic Rescue Study

Draft Report for Year 2

September 2012

Prepared by

Adrian Wolf

THE CENTER FOR NATURAL LANDS MANAGEMENT The Center for Natural Lands Management 120 East Union Avenue, suite 215 Olympia, WA 98501 Tel. 360-742-8212 Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Hatchability of Streaked Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata) eggs in the Puget Lowlands of Washington State is extremely low relative to other grassland nesting at the same site and generally. Because genetic factors (inbreeding depression) appear to be a likely explanation, an effort to increase genetic diversity was initiated in 2011. 2012 was the second year of the genetic rescue effort initiated at the 13th Division Prairie on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. A total of eight breeding lark pairs and one unpaired male were detected within the study area. Nest building was first detected on 25 April; the first eggs were observed on 16 May; the first nestlings hatched on or around 27 May, the first fledgling was observed on 20 June. Twenty nests were located, which produced a total of 49 eggs (2.9 eggs/nest ± 0.9 SD). Mean number of eggs per completed clutch (n = 15) was 3.1 ± 0.6 (SD), an increase from 2.3 in 2011. A total of 14 local nestlings were color-banded, and at least four of the fourteen were observed foraging independently. Hatchability of the Puget Sound nests increased to 84% in 2012, from 61% in 2011. It is unknown what might account for the increase in vital rates in 2012. In 2012, no egg-clutches were translocated to Puget Sound nests from Corvallis, Oregon. This was due to significantly high nest failure at the Corvallis airport (floods and then mass predation) and the difficulty of matching egg-clutch incubation timing. Because of the low productivity of the Oregon airport population in the early- to mid-season, the egg swap effort was abandoned in mid-July. No banded birds that originated from Corvallis translocated clutches were observed at lark nesting sites outside of 13th Division Prairie (i.e., McChord Airfield, Gray Army Airfield, JBLM Range 76 of Artillery Impact Area, Olympia Airport, or Sanderson Airfield). In 2012, one Oregon translocated nestlings returned to 13th Division Prairie as an adult male, but this male did not breed successfully with a female in 2012. Assuming that the male survives its second winter, returns to 13th Division and successfully reproduces in 2013, the local population of Streaked Horned Lark could be rescued, which can lead to improved fitness and reduced extinction risk. Subsequent monitoring will determine whether the male or other translocated birds return to breed.

Table of Contents

Abstract ...... 2 Introduction ...... 1 Methods ...... 1 Clutch Age Determination ...... 1 Banding ...... 2 Focus Banded Lark Surveys...... 2 Results and Discussion ...... 4 Returning Birds ...... 5 Swapped Eggs ...... 5 Banded Surveys ...... 5 Comparison between 2011, local and Oregon Streaked Horned Lark nests ...... 6 Noteworthy Species ...... 9 Conclusion ...... 9 Management Recommendations ...... 9 Future Plans ...... 9 Further Information Available ...... 10 Bibliography ...... 11 Acknowledgments ...... 13

List of Figures

Figure 1: Location of Nest Monitoring Study Sites ...... 3 Figure 2: Location of 13th Division Prairie relative to Banded Bird Survey Sites ...... 4 Figure 3: Streaked Horned Lark nests detected at 13th Division Prairie, 2011 to 2012...... 7

List of Tables

Table 1: Comparing clutch size, hatch rate, fledglings per nest, and egg size between Puget Sound nests and translocated clutches from Corvallis Airport, 2011 and 2012. . 6 Table 2: Streaked Horned Lark Nestling Banding Details, 13th Division Prairie, 2012...... 8

List of Appendices

Appendix A: Summary of Streaked Horned Lark nests at 13th Division Prairie ...... 14 Appendix B: Banded Streaked Horned Lark Adults ...... 15 Appendix C: Streaked Horned Lark Egg Measurements ...... 15 Appendix D: Birds detected at 13th Division Prairie, 2011 to 2012 ...... 16 Appendix E: Noteworthy birds detected at 13th Division Prairie ...... 18 Appendix F: Common Nighthawk nestlings...... 18

Introduction The native prairies of Washington’s south Puget Sound area occupy less than 10% of their historical distribution (Crawford and Hall 1997). Explanations for the disappearance of these native grasslands include conversion to forestlands, agriculture and urban development. In addition, degradation and fragmentation of the grassland vegetation community by exotic species have further reduced the quality and extent of prairie ecosystems. Many wildlife species associated with prairies have also declined significantly, and several species are threatened with extinction and are candidates for federal listing under the Federal Endangered Species Act. One species associated with prairie-oak and other grassland habitats is the Streaked Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata), a ground-nesting . The Streaked Horned Lark is a genetically distinct subspecies (one of 24 subspecies) of the Horned Lark that historically ranged from the Rogue and Willamette Valleys of Oregon, north to the Georgia Basin of British Columbia and coastal beaches in Washington (Drovetski et al.2005, Stinson 2005). The current distribution of breeding has been reduced to the Willamette Valley, dredged material islands of the Columbia River, coastal beaches of Washington, and South Puget Sound grasslands. For these reasons, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service determined that listing of the Streaked Horned Lark is warranted under the Federal Endangered Species Act (50 CFR part 17). The South Puget Sound population of Streaked Horned Lark is declining rapidly (Camfield et al. 2011, Camfield et al. 2010), and explanations for the recent decline include low adult and juvenile survival and low fecundity (Camfield et al. 2011, Camfield et al. 2010, Pearson and Hopey 2005). This study is the second year of a multiyear effort to reverse the decline of Puget Sound Streaked Horned Lark population by increasing genetic diversity. The rescue effort entailed translocating eggs to 13th Division Prairie from nests at a site in Corvallis, Oregon that was not exhibiting low egg hatchability. Surviving fledglings that breed at the new site should benefit the new population by increasing genetic diversity and improving hatchability.

Methods The genetic rescue project was accomplished by locating and monitoring nests at the 13th Division Prairie, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and at the Corvallis Municipal Airport in the Willamette Valley of Oregon (Fig. 1). Nest locating and monitoring methods were adapted from Martin and Geupel (1993). Female larks were located and then followed with spotting scope or binoculars for signs of nest building or nest tending activity. When conspicuous nest building activity was not observed, areas where female activity was concentrated were searched on foot.

Clutch Age Determination Clutch age was, in most cases (n = 10), determined by discovering nests during the nest building or egg laying stage (1 egg is laid per day and incubation starts upon laying of

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the penultimate egg in the clutch). When nests were discovered during the incubation stage (n = 5), clutch age was determined with egg flotation techniques (Hays and LeCroy 1971, Dunn et al. 1979, Rizzolo and Schmutz 2007). Prior to approaching all nests, the area was surveyed with binoculars for signs of possible predators, particularly corvids (crows and ravens), killdeer, and northern harrier. When predators were observed, nest site visits were delayed until predators were no longer detected.

Banding All lark nestlings were banded while 6-8 days old and still in the nest. Banded nestlings received an acetal color band (mauve) over a silver metal USFWS band on the right leg. Unique color band combinations were placed on the left leg to differentiate among individuals. One central retrice was taken from each banded nestling for future genetic analysis and stored at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. No adults were banded in 2012. Unhatched eggs were removed from 13th Division nests after nests were abandoned or nestlings had fledged, and were delivered to Scott Pearson (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife) for future genetic analyses.

Focused Banded Lark Surveys Focused surveys were conducted for banded larks at nesting sites outside of 13th Division Prairie (i.e., McChord Airfield, Gray Army Airfield, Olympia Airport, and Sanderson Airfield) (Fig. 2). Prior to the focused surveys, we reviewed survey results from the first sweep of lark transect surveys which were administered by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (Mary Linders, pers. comm.). We reviewed the transect data to guide the banded bird surveys by focusing surveys in areas where larks were known to occur, and where larks were concentrated. Sites were visited two to three times during the breeding season, and surveyors used spotting scopes to determine banded status. If bands were present, surveyors spent as much time as possible to record color combinations. McChord Airfield was surveyed on 31 May and 16 July; Gray Army Airfield was surveyed on 24 May and 18 June; Olympia Airport was surveyed on 18 May and 19 June; Sanderson Airfield was surveyed on 6 June, 27 June and 8 August; and Range 76 in the Artillery Impact Area was surveyed on 29 May and 6 August 2012.

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Figure 1: Location of Nest Monitoring Study Sites

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Figure 2: Location of 13th Division Prairie relative to Banded Bird Survey Sites

Results and Discussion

A total of eight breeding lark pairs and one unpaired male were detected at 13th Division Prairie on Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Spring/Summer 2012. Seventeen nests were located which produced a total of 49 eggs (2.9 eggs/nest ± 0.9 SD) (Fig. 3). Nest building was first detected on 25 April; the first eggs were observed on 16 May; the first nestlings hatched on or around 27 May; and the first fledgling was observed on 20 June. Breeding phenology was later in 2012, relative to 2011, when nest building was first detected on 19 May, the first egg was observed on 26 May; the first nestlings hatched on 20 June; and the first fledgling was observed on 27 June. In 2012, twenty nests were located which produced a total of 49 eggs (2.9 eggs/nest ± 0.9 SD), relative to 2011 where fifteen nests were located and twelve of the fifteen nests successfully produced 30 eggs (2.5 eggs/nest ± 0.7 SD). Average clutch size in 2012 was 3.1 eggs/nest, and the increase, relative to 2011, was partially explained by the occurrence

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of four 4-egg clutches in 2012. In 2011, there were no nests found with a 4-egg clutch. In 2012, a total of 14 nestlings were color-banded, and at least four of the 14 fledged and were observed foraging independently (Table 2, Appendix A). There were at least two to three nests that went undiscovered as evidenced by monitors observing unbanded fledglings being tended by adults. Predation (n = 5) and nest abandonment (n = 3) were the primary reasons for nest failure in 2012. There was one incident when a 4-egg clutch (nest #14) was destroyed when a military vehicle drove over the nest. A total of 12 unhatched eggs and one dead lark were removed from 2012 nests (after nestlings fledged or nests were abandoned), and delivered to Scott Pearson (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife) for future genetic analyses.

Returning Birds Three adult larks that were banded as nestlings in 2011 returned to 13th Division Prairie in 2012 (indicating 18.75% juvenile survival) (Appendix B). One of these banded birds was a male that originated from an Oregon egg-clutch translocated to 13th Division Prairie on 29 July 2011. This male (hereafter referred to as “Oregon Male”) was first observed on 10 May, and then detected regularly through the 2012 breeding season (see front cover). We do not believe that he successfully bred with a female in 2012. One lark, banded as a local nestling in 2011, was a male who paired up with an unbanded female who built two nests: one egg was laid in the first and 3 eggs were detected in the second attempt, however, neither of these nests successfully produced young. The third lark that was banded in 2011 was a female, who did not successfully breed in 2012, although she was observed on numerous occasions with the “Oregon Male”.

Swapped Eggs In 2012, no egg-clutches were translocated to Puget Sound nests from Corvallis, Oregon. This was due to significantly high nest failure at the Corvallis airport (floods and then mass predation) and the difficulty of matching egg-clutch incubation timing. Because of the low productivity of the Oregon airport population in the early- to mid-season, the egg swap effort was abandoned in mid-July. Although the Corvallis population suffers high predation rates, and periodic flooding episodes, the elevated levels in 2012 were considered anomalous.

Banded Bird Surveys No banded birds that originated from Corvallis translocated clutches or 13th Division Prairie were observed at lark nesting sites outside of 13th Division Prairie (i.e., McChord Airfield, Gray Army Airfield, Olympia Airport, or Sanderson Airfield). However, two banded birds were detected at Olympia Airport, and these two males (male one: dark blue/dark blue on the left, hot pink/USFWS on the right; male two: hot pink on the left, and yellow/USFWS on the right), were likely banded at Olympia Airport in 2009 (Scott Pearson, pers. comm.).

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Comparison between 2011, local and Oregon Streaked Horned Lark nests Vital rates for the Puget Sound larks increased in 2012, relative to metrics from local clutches in 2011 (Table 1). The mean number of eggs per completed clutch (clutch size) increased 35%, hatch rate increased 38%, and number fledglings per nest increased 67%. With the exception of number of fledglings per nest, the vital rates of the local larks in 2012 were similar to the rates of the Corvallis, Oregon clutches in 2011. For this comparison, I compared only confirmed completed clutches. This comparison is not critical to the study, but I thought it might be interesting to show some annual variation and differences between the local clutches and swapped clutches, despite the small sample size. A small sample of eggs were measured using the same calipers for all measurements, and the 2012 Puget Sound eggs were slightly larger than 2011 local measurements, but shorter than Oregon eggs and the egg size range reported for the species (23 mm x 16 mm) in Baicich and Harrison (2005) (Table 1, Appendix C). The eleven eggs measured in 2012 were slightly wider than the 2011 Oregon eggs, and similar to the width reported for the species. The low hatchability rates of this study of Puget Sound Streaked Horned Lark is considerably higher than the 44% hatch rate reported for the subspecies in 2010 (Anderson 2010), and more closely reflects the range upper range recorded for the species of 50-92% (Pickwells 1931, Camfield et al, 2010). It is unknown what variables and factors specifically account for the vital rates increase in 2012, relative to 2011. Average clutch size is closely related to resource productivity during the winter, or non-breeding season, but I have not reviewed data to assess winter productivity at the lark’s 2011 wintering site to determine whether this could be a contributing factor. However, temporal factors could provide a likely explanation: nest building and clutch initiation in 2012 occurred earlier than 2011, corresponding to a more typical reproductive year, and was similar to initiation dates reported for the species (Pearson and Hopey, 2005).

Table 1: Comparing clutch size, hatch rate, fledglings per nest, and egg size between Puget Sound nests and translocated clutches from Corvallis Airport, 2011 and 2012. Puget Sound Puget Sound Corvallis, OR Attribute 2012 2011 Clutches 2011 Vital Rates # Nests 15 6 4 Total # Eggs 47 14 12 Mean Clutch size 3.1 2.3 3 Hatch rate (%) 84% 61% 92% Fledgling per nest 1.25 0.75 2.75 Egg Dimensions (mm, mean ± SD) Length 21.2 ± 0.7 20.7 ± 0.4 21.8 ± 0.4 Width 16.0 ± 0.5 15.8 ± 0.6 15.4 ± 0.4 Sample size (#Eggs/#Nests) 12 / 9 10 / 4 3 / 1

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Figure 3: Streaked Horned Lark nests detected at 13th Division Prairie, 2011 to 2012.

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Table 2: Streaked Horned Lark Nestling Banding Details, 13th Division Prairie, 2012. Right Leg Chick # Nest # Use Area Date USFWS# Left Leg Color Date(s) observed as fledglings Color/USFWS 1 2 2 6/4 2241 47834 mauve dark blue/white 2 2 2 6/4 2541 54301 mauve white/dark blue 3 4 4 6/7 2541 54302 mauve green/white 4 4 4 6/7 2541 54303 mauve white/green 5 4 4 6/7 2541 54304 mauve white/purple 6 5 7 6/11 254154305 mauve yellow/dark blue 7+ 8 8 6/20 254154306 mauve dark blue/yellow 6/29, 7/6, 7/11 8+ ? 1 6/21 254154307 mauve red/white 9 10 4 7/3 254154309 mauve green/dark blue 10 15 2 7/5 254154310 mauve red/dark blue 7/31 11 15 2 7/5 254154311 mauve dark blue/red 7/31, 8/7, 8/9, 8/16 12 16 6 7/19 254154312 mauve dark blue/green 13 16 6 7/19 254154308 mauve purple/green 7/31, 8/6 14 18 4 7/21 254154313 mauve white/white + This individual was banded as a fledgling

Noteworthy Species Three bird species were detected in 2012 that were not detected in 2011, namely the Black-throated Sparrow, Western Kingbird, and Black-bellied Plover. The addition of these three rare spring migrants brings the total number of bird species detected at 13th Division Prairie in 2011 and 2012 to 37 (Appendix D). Two noteworthy species were confirmed breeding within the boundaries of the 13th Division Prairie project site, namely the Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) and Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) (Appendices E and F). Two nests of the Common Nighthawk were found: one of these nests successfully produced young; the other nest was depredated. Vesper Sparrows were observed in the vicinity of Pacemaker box on numerous occasions during the breeding season (Appendix E). No nests were found, however, a family group was observed west of the runway, confirming breeding for the species onsite. Both the nighthawk and Vesper Sparrow have been noted as regular breeders on the site (Wolf Biological Services 2010, Anderson 2010, Hopey 2009 unpublished). Conclusion

In summary, the second year of the nest swapping effort for the Streaked Horned Lark Genetic Rescue Project has met the projected success criteria. Although we never achieved the goal of translocating Oregon clutches to the Puget Sound population in 2012, we confirmed that at least one fledgling that originated from an Oregon translocated clutch in 2011 survived its first winter, and returned to 13th Division Prairie. This confirms our expectation that with translocating up to 5 clutches per year, we can expect that 1-2 nests survive per season. However, with the return of only this one banded bird that originated from a translocated nest, we might have overestimated the number of expected fledgling survivorship (7-10) over the two years. To account for temporal and seasonal aberrations that affect lark productivity and survivorship, several years of translocating perhaps a greater number of egg clutches per year might be necessary to rescue the population. Nonetheless, if the Oregon Male returns and breeds successfully at 13th Division Prairie in 2013, the local population of Streaked Horned Lark could be rescued by this single bird, which can lead to improved fitness and reduced extinction risk (e.g., Bryant et al., 1999, Vila et al., 2003, Wait et al. 2005).

Management Recommendations

Future Plans In 2013, we will again monitor reproductive success at 13th Division and adult return rates to 13th Division Prairie and to nearby nesting locations. We plan on moving additional eggs because none were moved in 2012. In the winter of 2013/2014, we will compare egg hatchability from nests located in 2002-2005 and 2009-2010 to years

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following egg translocation (2011-2013 and possibly beyond). In 2014, we will only monitor adult return rates to 13th Division Prairie and to nearby nesting locations. To assess the potential mechanism for any observed change or lack of change in egg hatchability, we proposed to compare genetic diversity (levels of heterozygosity, inbreeding coefficient) before and after the egg swapping experiment. The appropriate management response to a lack of effect on egg hatchability depends on the mechanism responsible for the observed outcome. If Oregon genes do not successfully enter the population, then it may be worth continuing the experiment or trying another approach to move genes into the population. However, if Oregon genes enter the population and we do not see an effect on egg hatchability, then we may not want to move eggs or birds with the goal of increasing genetic diversity. Finally, if this experiment is successful and we can document the mechanism responsible for the success, the method used here could have broader implications to the conservation of birds with small populations throughout the world.

Further Information Available  Hannah Anderson (Center for Natural Lands Management) o 360-701-8803, [email protected]  Adrian Wolf (Center for Natural Lands Management) o 360-742-8212, [email protected]  Randy Moore (Oregon State University), o [email protected]  Scott Pearson (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife) o [email protected].

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Bibliography

American Ornithologists' Union Checklist of North American Birds - 7th Edition. 2005. Electronic Resource:

Anderson, J. K. 2010. Comparing endangered Streaked Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata) fecundity to other grassland birds. Masters Thesis. The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA.

Baicich, P. J, and C. J. O. Harrison. 2005. A guide to the nests, eggs, and nestlings of North American birds. Academic Press, San Diego, California.

Baker, R. J., L. C. Bradley, R. D. Bradley, J. W. Dragoo, M. D. Engstrom, R. S. Hoffmann, C. A. Jones, F. Reid, D. W. Rice, and C. Jones. 2003. Revised Checklist of North American Mammals North of Mexico. Museum of Texas Tech University. OP-229. http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/pubs/opapers.htm

Bryant, E. H., Vackus, V. L., Clark, M. E. & Reed, D.H. 1999. Experimental tests of captive breeding for endangered species. Conservation Biology 13: 1487–1496.

Camfield, A. F., S. F. Pearson, and K. Martin. 2010. Life history variation between high and low elevation subspecies of horned larks Eremophila spp. Journal of Avian Biology 41:273-281.

Camfield, A, F., S. F. Pearson, and K. Martin. 2011. A demographic model to evaluate population declines in the endangered Streaked Horned Lark. Avian Conservation and Ecology 6(2):4.

Crawford, R. C. and H. Hall. 1997. Changes in the south Puget Sound prairie landscape. Pp. 11-15 in Dunn, P. and K. Ewing (eds.). 1997. Ecology and Conservation of the South Puget Sound Prairie Landscape. The Nature Conservancy of Washington, Seattle. 289 pp.

Dunn, E. H., D. J. T. Hussell, and R. E. Ricklefs. 1979. The determination of incubation stage in starling eggs. Bird-Banding 50(2):114-120.

Drovetski, S. V., S. F. Pearson, and S. Rohwer. In press. Implications of mitochondrial DNA diversity on the conservation status of the streaked horned lark Eremophila alpestris strigata. Conservation Genetics.

Grenfell, W. E., M. D. Parisi, and D. McGriff. [online]. 2003. Complete List of Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals in California. California Department of Fish and Game & California Interagency Wildlife Task Group. <(http://www.dfg.ca.gov/whdab/pdfs/species_list.pdf)>.

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Hays, H. and M. LeCroy. 1971. Field criteria for determining Incubation stage in eggs of the Common Tern. The Wilson Bulletin 83(4):425-429.

Martin, T. E. and G. R. Geupel. 1993. Nest-monitoring plots - methods for locating nests and monitoring success. Journal of Field Ornithology 64:507-519.

Pearson, S.F., and M. Hopey. 2005. Streaked Horned Lark Nest Success, Habitat Selection, and Habitat Enhancement Experiments for the Puget Lowlands, Coastal Washington and Columbia River Islands. Natural Areas Program Report 2005-1. Washington Dept. of Natural Resources. Olympia, WA.

Rizzolo, D. J., and J. A. Schmutz. 2007. Egg flotation estimates nest age for Pacific Red- throated Loons. Waterbirds 30(2): 207-213.

Stinson, D. W. 2005. Washington State Status Report for the Mazama Pocket Gopher, Streaked Horned Lark, and Taylor’s Checkerspot. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia. 129+ xii pp.

Vila, C., Sundqvist, A. K., Flagstad, O., Seddon, J., Bjornerfeldt, S., Kojola, I., Casulli, A., Sand, H., Wabakken, P. & Ellegren, H. 2003. Rescue of a severely bottlenecked wolf (Canis lupus) population by a single immigrant. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 270: 91–97.

Waite, T. A., Vucetich, J., Saurer, T., Kroninger, M., Vaughn, E., Field, K. & Ibargüen, S. 2005. Minimizing extinction risk through genetic rescue. Biodiversity and Conservation 28.2: 121–130.

Wolf Biological Services. 2011. South Puget Sound Streaked Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata) Genetic Rescue Study. Unpublished report prepared for The Center for Natural Lands Management, December.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Randy Moore monitored the Corvallis airport population despite the constant harassment of combine harvesters, Northern Harriers, and other wanting to consume his “kids”; Randy continued to teach me a great deal about lark biology. Two volunteers helped with surveys at 13th Division Prairie, and I thank Jerrmaine Treadwell and Jessica Sacks for their early commutes from Seattle, and diligent efforts in the early mornings to determine breeding status and track down band combinations. A special thanks to Hannah Anderson for her assistance on logistics, interpreting lark behavior, and moral support. Dr. Scott Pearson provided banding and monitoring materials, technical review of this document, as well as necessary guidance and direction. I marked the larks as a sub-permittee under Scott’s master band permit (22913).

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Appendix A: Summary of Streaked Horned Lark nests at 13th Division Prairie, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Spring/Summer 2011 UTM Coordinates Nest (Datum: WGS 84) #Eggs #Nestlings #Banded #Fledglings Nest Outcome # Easting Northing 1 541952 5208063 3 0 0 0 Failed at incubation stage 2 541910 5208215 2 2 2 ? Fledglings never observed 3 541989 5207918 3 3 0 0 Failed at nestling stage 4 542094 5208078 3 3 3 ? Fledglings never observed 5 541384 5207303 2 1 1 Fledgling never observed One egg less on 5 June, one egg pierced and nest abandoned 6 541919 5208056 4 0 on 15 June 7 541309 5207783 1 0 Abandoned at egg laying stage 8 541433 5207026 3 3 1 1+ Banded fledging DB/Y 9 541463 5207033 1 0 Abandoned at egg laying stage 10 541920 5207828 4 4 1 ? Fledglings never observed 11 541949 5208111 ? Probably same nest as #17 12 541231 5207823 3 0 Failed at incubation stage 13 541373 5207310 3 3 0 ? Nest empty at banding day 14 542090 5207982 4 0 Nest driven over by military vehicle 15 541922 5208225 3 2 2 2 Observed both fledglings on 31 July 16 542121 5207416 3 2 2 1 One nestling died in nest 17 541958 5208083 3 0 Abandoned at incubation stage 18 542021 5208050 4 3 1 Fledgling never observed 19 541917 5207821 ? Unknown nest status, within 5m of #12 20 542066 5207211 ? Excavation found at base of rock in ROTC area

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Appendix B: Banded Streaked Horned Lark Adults, 13th Division Prairie JBLM, 2012 Areas Band Adult # Sex Right Leg Left Leg Observed Date: 1 Male 3/4 hot pink/red dark blue/USFWS 6/13/2009 2 Male 1, 5 yellow mauve/USFWS 6/25/2011 3+ Male 5,4,6 green/yellow mauve/USFWS 8/10/2011 4 Female 5 red mauve/USFWS 6/25/2011 Adult birds were not banded during this study. Adult 1 was banded by Jeff Anderson during previous studies at 13th Division Prairie; .+ translocated from Corvallis Oregon.

Appendix C: Streaked Horned Lark Egg Measurements, 13th Division Prairie, JBLM, 2012

Nest # Egg# Dimensions (mm) 18 1 20.7 x 16 17 1 21.3 x 16.5 17 2 21.8 x 16.1 17 3 21.2 x 16.65 16 1 21.2 x 15.7 15 1 19.6 x 16.2 9 1 21.85 x 15.35 7 1 21.75 x 15.35 6 1 broken x 15.9 6 2 21.1 x 15.75 6 3 20.9 x broken Average 21.2 x 16.0

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Appendix D: Birds detected at 13th Division Prairie, JBLM, 2011 to 2012

FAMILY/SPECIES NAME COMMON NAME PHASIANIDAE QUAIL, PHEASANTS & RELATIVES Bonasa umbellus Ruffed Grouse ODONTOPHORIDAE NEW WORLD QUAIL Callipepla californica California Quail ACCIPITRIDAE HAWKS, VULTURES & HARRIERS Buteo jamaicensis Red-Tailed Hawk Circus cyaneus Northern Harrier Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald Eagle FALCONIDAE CARACARAS & FALCONS Falco sparverius American Kestrel Falco mexicanus Prairie Falcon CHARADRIIDAE PLOVERS & RELATIVES Charadrius vociferus Killdeer Pluvialis squatarola Black-bellied Plover SCOLOPACIDAE SANDPIPERS & RELATIVES Numenius americanus Long-Billed Curlew COLUMBIDAE PIGEONS & DOVES Zenaida macroura Mourning Dove CAPRIMULGIDAE GOATSUCKERS Chordeiles minor Common Nighthawk APODIFORMES SWIFTS & HUMMINGBIRDS Selasphorus rufus Rufous Hummingbird PICIFORMES WOODPECKERS & RELATIVES Picoides villosus Hairy Woodpecker Colaptes auratus Northern Flicker TYRANNIDAE TYRANT FLYCATCHERS Contopus cooperi Olive-Sided Flycatcher Contopus sordidulus Western Wood-Pewee Empidonax traillii Willow Flycatcher Tyrannus verticalis Western Kingbird CORVIDAE JAYS, MAGPIES & CROWS Cyanocitta stelleri Steller’s Jay Corvus brachyrhynchos American Crow Corvus corax Common Raven ALAUDIDAE LARKS Eremophila alpestris strigata Streaked Horned Lark HIRUNDINIDAE SWALLOWS Progne subis Purple Martin Tachycineta bicolor Tree Swallow Tachycineta thalassina Violet-Green Swallow

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FAMILY/SPECIES NAME COMMON NAME Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Cliff Swallow Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow PARIDAE TRUE TITS Poecile atricapillus Black-Capped Chickadee Poecile rufescens Chestnut-Backed Chickadee TURDIDAE THRUSHES Sialia mexicana Western Bluebird Catharus ustulatus Swainson’s Thrush Catharus guttatus Hermit Thrush Turdus migratorius American Robin STURNIDAE STARLINGS & ALLIES Sturnus vulgaris European Starling MOTACILLIDAE & Anthus rubescens American PARULIDAE WOOD WARBLERS & RELATIVES Vermivora celata Orange-Crowned Warbler Dendroica petechia Yellow Warbler Geothlypis trichas Common Yellowthroat Wilsonia pusilla Wilson’s Warbler Icteria virens Yellow-Breasted Chat EMBERIZIDAE EMBERIZINES Pipilo maculatus Spotted Towhee Spizella passerina Chipping Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus Vesper Sparrow Amphispiza bilineata Black-Throated Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis Savannah Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys White-Crowned Sparrow ICTERIDAE BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES & ALLIES Agelaius phoeniceus Red-Winged Blackbird Sturnella neglecta Western Meadowlark Molothrus ater Brown-Headed Cowbird FRINGILLIDAE FRINGILLINE FINCHES Carduelis pinus Pine Siskin Carduelis tristis American Goldfinch Sources: Nomenclature - Birds: American Ornithologists' Union Checklist of North American Birds - 7th Edition (2005): http://www.aou.org/checklist/index.php3; Common Names: Perrins and Middleton (1983) & Grenfell et al. (2003)

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Appendix E: Noteworthy birds detected at 13th Division Prairie, JBLM, Spring/Summer 2012. UTM (Datum Species/Attribute Feature Comments WGS84) Common 542020 m E 6/21, 2-egg clutch NE of box, 6/28 egg Nest#1 Nighthawk 5208333 m N fragments, nest failed 6/22; flushed bird nearby, with broken Common 542112 m E Nest#2 wing display, hissing, and nesty Nighthawk 5207559 m N behavior, E of runway 7/6; 2-egg clutch, then nestlings 7/27 on Common 542044 m E Nest#3 sparsely vegetated, rocky substrate NE Nighthawk 5208260 m N of Pacemaker box (Appendix F) 541941 m E Vesper Sparrow Family 6/7; family group W of runway 5207756 m N 542026 m E Many occasions, adult male and others Vesper Sparrow Juvenile 5208208 m N in cottonwood trees, center box area

Appendix F: Common Nighthawk nestlings in nest #2, 27 September 2012, 13th Division Prairie, JBLM, Spring/Summer 2012.

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