Movements and home ranges of Mountain Plovers raising broods in three Colorado landscapes (original) (raw)
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NEST SUCCESS OF MOUNTAIN PLOVERS RELATIVE TO ANTHROPOGENIC EDGES IN EASTERN COLORADO
Southwestern Naturalist, 2006
We monitored nest success of mountain plovers (Charadrius montanus) relative to distance from the nearest anthropogenic edges, such as fence lines, roads, and perimeters of crop fields, in 2003 and 2004. We located and observed 163 mountain plover nests in eastern Colorado (USA). At least one egg hatched in 81 of 163 nests. Successful nests occurred at a mean distance of 93.94 m Ϯ 8.87 SE, whereas unsuccessful nests were located 84.39 m Ϯ 8.95 SE from the nearest edge. Based on our model selection criteria (AIC c ), nests farther from edges were not necessarily more successful than those closer to edges. The logistic regression coefficient for edge effects (0.13 Ϯ 0.12 SE) suggests that nests farther from edges are more successful. However, the standard error for the edge coefficient was large and the 95% confidence interval (Ϫ0.08, 0.35) encompassed zero, suggesting nest success was independent of distance from an anthropomorphic edge. We conclude that phenomena determining nest success of mountain plovers cannot be attributed to the single factor of anthropogenic edges in this fragmented landscape.
2020
Habitat loss and altered disturbance regimes have led to declines in many species of grassland and sagebrush birds, including the imperiled Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus). In certain parts of their range Mountain Plovers rely almost exclusively on black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies as nesting habitat. Previous studies have examined Mountain Plover nest and brood survival on prairie dog colonies, but little is known about how colony size and shape influence these vital rates or patterns of habitat selection. We examined how (1) adult habitat utilization, (2) nest-site selection, and (3) nest success responded to a suite of local- and site-level variables on large prairie dog colony complexes in northeastern Wyoming. Abundance of adult Mountain Plovers was highest on points within older, “medium”-sized (100–500 ha) colonies with high cover of annual forbs and bare ground (5.8 birds km–2), but lower on extremely large (>2,000 ha) colonies (2.1 birds km–2...
Occupancy of Mountain Plover and Burrowing Owl in Colorado
Journal of Wildlife Management, 2008
Concern over the decline of grassland birds has spurred efforts to increase understanding of grassland bird-habitat relationships. Previous studies have suggested that black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) provide important habitat for shortgrass prairie avifauna, such as mountain plover (Charadrius montanus) and western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea), although such studies are lacking in Colorado (USA). We used methods to estimate occupancy (w) of mountain plover and burrowing owl on prairie dog colonies and other shortgrass prairie habitats in eastern Colorado. Mountain plover occupancy was higher on prairie dog colonies (w ¼ 0.50, 95% CI ¼ 0.36-0.64) than on grassland (w ¼ 0.07, 95% CI ¼ 0.03-0.15) and dryland agriculture (w ¼ 0.13, 95% CI ¼ 0.07-0.23). Burrowing owl occupancy was higher on active prairie dog colonies (w ¼ 0.80, 95% CI ¼ 0.66-0.89) compared with inactive colonies (w ¼ 0.23, 95% CI ¼ 0.07-0.53), which in turn was much higher than on grassland (w ¼ 0.01, 95% CI ¼ 0.00-0.07) and dryland agriculture (w ¼ 0.00, 95% CI ¼ 0.00-0.00). Mountain plover occupancy also was positively correlated with increasing amounts of prairie dog colony in the landscape. Burrowing owl occupancy was negatively correlated with increasing amounts of prairie dog colony in the surrounding landscape. Our results suggest that actions to conserve mountain plovers and burrowing owls should incorporate land management to benefit prairie dogs. Because managing for specific colony attributes is difficult, alternative management that promotes heterogeneity may ensure that suitable habitat is available for the guild of grassland inhabitants.
Mountain Plover Population Responses to Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs in Montana
Journal of Wildlife Management, 2005
We studied a local population of mountain plovers (Charadrius montanus) in southern Phillips County, Montana, USA, from 1995 to 2000 to estimate annual rates of recruitment rate (f) and population change (X). We used Pradel models, and we modeled X as a constant across years, as a linear time trend, as year-specific, and with an additive effect of area occupied by prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). We modeled recruitment rate (f) as a function of area occupied by prairie dogs with the remaining model structure identical to the best model used to estimate X. Our results indicated a strong negative effect of area occupied by prairie dogs on both x (slope coefficient on a log scale was-0.11; 95% CI was-0.17,-0.05) andf (slope coefficient on a logit scale was-0.23; 95% CI was-0.36,-0.10). We also found good evidence for a negative time trend on X; this model had substantial weight (wi= 0.31), and the slope coefficient on the linear trend on a log scale was-0.10 (95% CI was-0.15,-0.05). Yearly estimates of X were >1 in all years except 1999, indicating that the population initially increased and then stabilized in the last year of the study. We found weak evidence for year-specific estimates of X; the best model with year-specific estimates had a low weight (wi = 0.02), although the pattern of yearly estimates of X closely matched those estimated with a linear time trend. In southern Phillips County, the population trend of mountain plovers closely matched the trend in the area occupied by black-tailed prairie dogs. Black-tailed prairie dogs declined sharply in the mid-1990s in response to an outbreak of sylvatic plague, but their numbers have steadily increased since 1996 in concert with increases in plovers. The results of this study (1) increase our understanding of the dynamics of this population and how they relate to the area occupied by prairie dogs, and (2) will be useful for planning plover conservation in a prairie dog ecosystem.
Mountain Plovers in Oklahoma: distribution, abundance, and habitat use
Journal of Field Ornithology, 2009
Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus) populations are inefficiently sampled by Breeding Bird Surveys. As a result, targeted sampling of select populations of this species (with an estimated global population of 11,000-14,000 birds) can be valuable. Our objectives were to determine the breeding distribution and estimate the size of the Mountain Plover population in Oklahoma. We conducted a randomized point count survey in an area where Mountain Plovers were previously known to breed and conducted additional surveys over a larger area to better delimit the distribution. We used a removal model to estimate detection probability for raw counts obtained from 1104 point counts in 2004 and 2005, and derived a state-level population estimate using the detection-adjusted counts. Mountain Plovers used flat, bare, cultivated fields for nesting, and their distribution was closely tied to the presence of clay loam soils. We estimated that at least 68-91 Mountain Plovers bred in Oklahoma in [2004][2005]. The low breeding density we observed may be due to the location of our study area near the southeastern edge of the breeding range of these plovers, the low-quality habitat provided by cultivated landscapes, or a combination of factors. Because the number of birds is small, the status of the Oklahoma population is not likely to have a large effect on the global population. However, additional information is needed to help determine if cultivated landscapes represented population sources or sinks.
Micro-Habitat Characteristics of Mountain Plover Nest Sites
2012
This study was conducted on shortgrass prairie in northeast Colorado to determine micro-habitat characteristics of nest sites for mountain plover (Charadrius montanus Townsend). Vegetation and soil surface characteristics were sampled in the spring of 1996-97 at and near 16 nests to identify important micro-habitat characteristics for site selection. We collected data on plant structure and canopy cover near nests in the spring during 2 years. Mean bare ground within a 15 m radius of the nest was 24 percent and bare ground patch size was 29 cm 2 . Mountain plovers selected nest sites that had short plant structure and a mean visual obstruction reading (VOR) of 0.6 cm. Plant structure (VOR) from 4 m to 15 m was significantly greater than structure at 0 to 2 m from the nest.
2009
Because of continental-scale declines of grassland birds over the past century, conservation agendas are focused on increasing understanding of grassland bird ecology and habitat associations. Shortgrass prairie is a unique grassland ecosystem maintained, in part, by Black-tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). The Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus) and western Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) are species of conservation concern known to be associated with prairie dog colonies. We estimated abundance of Mountain Plovers and Burrowing Owls in three habitats within the Colorado shortgrass prairie ecosystem— prairie dog colonies, grassland not occupied by prairie dogs, and dryland agriculture. Further, we investigated habitat associations of Mountain Plovers and Burrowing Owls at multiple landscape scales. We estimated 8,577 Mountain Plovers (95% CI: 7,511–35,130) and 3,554 Burrowing Owls (95% CI: 3,298–8,445) in eastern Colorado. Mountain Plover density on prairie d...
2014
The Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus) is a declining migratory shorebird that nests on shortgrass prairies across the western Great Plains. This ground-nesting species exhibits an uncommon split-clutch mating system, in which each member of a pair simultaneously incubates a nest and uniparental care continues throughout brood-rearing. We report on an observation of within-season nest reuse in this species. To our knowledge, this report includes the first documented occurrence of 2 different Mountain Plovers using the same nest cup in the same breeding season. Nest reuse could represent a time- and energy-saving strategy for renesting individuals
Stopover ecology of American Golden-Plovers ( Pluvialis dominica ) in Midwestern agricultural fields
The Condor, 2014
Stopover locations represent critical habitat in the life cycle of migratory birds and the alteration of this habitat can profoundly influence a population. American Golden-Plovers (Pluvialis dominica) migrate though the Midwestern United States each spring, where most natural habitat has been converted to row crop agriculture. We investigated the stopover ecology of the golden-plover in the agricultural matrix of east-central Illinois and west-central Indiana between 2008 and 2012. We found that golden-plovers remained in the region for~45 days and individuals spent on average 24 days in the area before departing to the northwest. During a period of peak migration, golden-plovers preferred fields with standing water and, to a lesser extent, soybean fields. Over the 45-day stopover duration, goldenplovers moved extensively (shown by a dynamic occupancy model and area used estimation), with some evidence for tilled fields becoming unoccupied at greater rates than untilled fields. The tendency to use fields with standing water and the movement of individuals from tilled fields suggests that food accessibility, rather than food abundance, is likely a critical factor associated with the prolonged stay, movement, and field type selection of golden-plovers. Food accessibility is important to the golden-plover because they undergo molt into breeding plumage in the region and must refuel for the next leg of their migration. The Midwest is a key stopover location for American Golden-Plovers and promoting foraging conditions by manipulating the drainage of agricultural fields, via the temporary blockage of drain tiles, should be a management focus.