Pinyon Jay Monitoring Program for New Mexico Photo Nathan Petersen Nathan Petersen, Kristine Johnson, and Jacqueline Smith Natural Heritage New Mexico, UNM Biology Department Natural Heritage New Mexico Publication No. GTR-14-382 December 2014 Contents Table of Figures .............................................................................................................................. 3 Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Methods........................................................................................................................................... 6 Data Mining ................................................................................................................................ 6 Field Work ................................................................................................................................ 10 Results ........................................................................................................................................... 11 Data Mining .............................................................................................................................. 11 Colony Search ........................................................................................................................... 12 Protocol Assessment ................................................................................................................. 15 Discussion ..................................................................................................................................... 16 Protocol Assessment ................................................................................................................. 16 Survey Results ........................................................................................................................... 17 Protocol for Monitoring Pinyon Jays ............................................................................................ 19 Introduction to Pinyon Jay Biology .......................................................................................... 19 Procedures for Field Surveys .................................................................................................... 24 Appendix 1. Monitoring Sites Located in 2014 ............................................................................ 25 Bear Mountains ......................................................................................................................... 25 Cooney ...................................................................................................................................... 30 Crow Mesa ................................................................................................................................ 32 Driveway ................................................................................................................................... 34 El Calderon ............................................................................................................................... 36 Mesa Penistaja .......................................................................................................................... 38 Point of Rocks ........................................................................................................................... 40 Rawhide..................................................................................................................................... 42 Appendix 2. Pinyon Jay 2014 survey sites, site rank, and survey results. .................................... 44 Acknowledgments......................................................................................................................... 45 Literature Cited ............................................................................................................................. 45 2 Table of Figures Figure 1. Summary of eBird sightings of Pinyon Jays, 2004-2013. ............................................... 8 Figure 2. Pinyon Jay observations on BBS routes,1997-2013........................................................ 9 Figure 3. Pinyon Jay definite and probable colony sites. ............................................................. 13 Figure 4. Pinyon Jay potential colony areas and areas of interest for future survey. ................... 14 Figure 5. Pinyon Jay nest showing nest depth and substantial construction. ............................... 21 Figure 6. Pinyon Jay nest showing juniper bark lining. ................................................................ 21 Figure 7. Western Scrub-Jay nest showing shallow cup and grass/root lining. ............................ 22 Figure 8. Northern Mockingbird nest showing smaller size and less substantial structure. ......... 22 Figure 9. Northern Mockingbird nest showing less substantial structure and thin, rootlet lining. 23 Figure 10, American Robin nest showing incorporation of grasses, fur, paper, mud. ................. 23 Figure 11. Bear Mountains colony site. ........................................................................................ 27 Figure 12. Cerro Colorado colony site. ......................................................................................... 29 Figure 13. Cooney colony site. ..................................................................................................... 31 Figure 14. Crow Mesa colony site. ............................................................................................... 33 Figure 15. Driveway colony site. .................................................................................................. 35 Figure 16. El Calderon colony site. .............................................................................................. 37 Figure 17. Mesa Penistaja colony site. .......................................................................................... 39 Figure 18. Point of Rocks colony site. .......................................................................................... 41 Figure 19. Rawhide colony site. ................................................................................................... 43 3 Abstract To develop a monitoring program for Pinyon Jays in New Mexico, we gathered data on recent Pinyon Jay occurrences. Data sources included word of mouth from agency biologists, researchers, people with feeders, and birdwatchers; BBS data; eBird data; New Mexico Ornithological Society data; and specimen data from the Museum of Southwestern Biology. We assigned priority ranks to potential Pinyon Jay colony sites, based on multiple sightings during the breeding season, plentiful public land, ease of access, and location. During April and May 2014, we surveyed the highest-priority colony sites. In addition to locations that were identified for searching beforehand, we searched other areas opportunistically. When driving to or from a predetermined search area, or when time permitted, we also searched suitable habitat on public land. We found nine definite Pinyon Jay colonies, four probable colony sites, eight potential colony sites, and five areas of interest where Pinyon Jays likely nest. We tested our survey protocol using known colonies and concluded that three visits to each known colony site are usually sufficient to detect an active nesting colony. Based on these surveys and our experience studying Pinyon Jays in the field, we created a monitoring protocol for Pinyon Jays in New Mexico, included in this report. We recommend that experienced Pinyon Jay researchers conduct monitoring and any inexperienced surveyors receive thorough training in detecting breeding behavior, finding nests, and distinguishing Pinyon Jay nests from those of other species. 4 Introduction The USGS Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) reports that Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) populations survey-wide and in New Mexico have been declining steadily for over 40 years (Sauer et al. 2014). Due to concerns about the species’ status, the Pinyon Jay is currently classified as a New Mexico BLM Sensitive Species, DoD Partners in Flight (PIF) priority species (DoD PIF 2011), New Mexico PIF Level 1 Species of Concern (NMPIF 2007), and New Mexico Species of Greatest Conservation Need (New Mexico Department of Game and Fish 2006). Pinyon Jays are year-round residents in pinyon-juniper (Pinus edulis, P. monophylla, P. cembroides, Juniperus spp.) habitats across the southwestern US. They also occur in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and central Oregon, where they inhabit woodlands and scrublands containing ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), juniper, and chaparral vegetation (Balda 2002). They nest colonially and breed (sometimes cooperatively) on traditional nesting grounds. Pinyon jays are omnivorous, taking pine seeds, acorns, juniper berries, arthropods, and small vertebrates, but they especially depend on the seeds of pinyon pines. With their ability to carry up to 50 pinyon seeds at a time, Pinyon Jays are the main long-distance seed disperser for pinyon trees. In return for seed dispersal services, the trees provide mast crops of abundant, highly nutritional seeds. Cached seeds sustain Pinyon Jays over winter, support successful nesting, and strongly influence the