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We surveyed a discrete population of Mountain Plovers (Charadrius montanus) in South Park, Park County, Colorado, to determine the size and relative contribution of this geographically isolated area to the global population of plovers. First, we mapped potential plover habitat within South Park based on landform and vegetation descriptors. Second, we identified occupied habitat using observations from a systematic inventory of potential habitat from 1995-1999 and from a study of breeding biology from 2000-2002. Third, we estimated breeding densities within a framework designed specifically for distance sampling. We mapped 82750 ha of potential habitat. We recorded 2516 plover locations from which we estimated 29...
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 (psi) 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 (psi = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.36-0.64) than on grassland (psi = 0.07,...
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We conducted population and habitat assessments for Mountain Plovers in Texas during winters of 2019 and 2020. We used roadside surveys and distance-sampling to estimate bird density and calculate population totals for the study area, which included parts of five ecoregions (Chihuahuan Deserts, High Plains, Central Great Plains, Southern Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairies, and Western Gulf Coastal Plain). In 2019, we surveyed 103 transects along 3,032 km (1,884 mi) and, in 2020, we surveyed 152 transects along 4,985 km (3,098 mi). When driving along transects, we stopped every 3.2 km (2 mi) to assess habitat conditions (vegetation height, vegetation density, etc.) and land cover (National Land Cover Database...
The known Mountain Plover population breeding on the Myton Bench, Duchesne County, Utah, is small, composed roughly of 30 adults and young after each breeding season. Currently, its location is peripheral to the species? main range. This shrub-steppe breeding habitat differs from the shortgrass prairie habitat with which this bird is historically associated. Between 1996 and 1998 we made observations at nesting sites located consistently in 2 concentrated areas surrounded by large tracts of similar habitat. Activity may be focused in these specific areas because of breeding-site fidelity; this behavior is common among most shorebirds and has been documented for the Mountain Plover in Colorado. Also, Mountain Plovers...
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Native grasslands have been altered to a greater extent than any other biome in North America. The habitats and resources needed to support breeding performance of grassland birds endemic to prairie ecosystems are currently threatened by land management practices and impending climate change. Climate models for the Great Plains prairie region predict a future of hotter and drier summers with strong multiyear droughts and more frequent and severe precipitation events. We examined how fluctuations in weather conditions in eastern Colorado influenced nest survival of an avian species that has experienced recent population declines, the Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus). Nest survival averaged 27.2% over a 7-yr...
    map background search result map search result map Drought and Cooler Temperatures Are Associated with Higher Nest Survival in Mountain Plovers Mountain Plover population and habitat assessments in Texas, 2019–2020 Mountain Plover population and habitat assessments in Texas, 2019–2020 Drought and Cooler Temperatures Are Associated with Higher Nest Survival in Mountain Plovers