Rangeland Ecology & Management

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MEASURING NORTHERN BOBWHITE RESPONSE TO POST-GRAZING HABITAT RECOVERY.
Author
Smith, Rachel A.
Brennan, Leonard A.
Hernandez, Fidel
Perotto-Baldivieso, Humberto L.
Bruno, Andrea
Couvillon, Ross O.
Bryant, Fred C.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2016
Body

Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) require habitat structure with substantial grass cover for nesting, predator avoidance, and thermal refuge. During the past 2 decades, many land managers have reduced or completely eliminated livestock across South Texas rangelands with the goal of improving bobwhite habitat. How bobwhites respond to post-grazing habitat recovery is unknown. Our objective is to investigate how bobwhites respond to the vegetative changes following removal of grazing. Our study is being conducted on a private ranch in Jim Hogg County, Texas and involves 2 different categories of post-grazing recovery: 1 area at 15 years post-grazing at high intensity and habitat restoration, and 1 area of 2-3 years post-grazing at high intensity only. Bobwhites were trapped, radio-collared, and located from April to September 2015 on the 2 experimental units. In 2015, there were 66 birds (27 females, 39 males) trapped on the 15 years post-grazing and restored site and 53 birds (16 females, 36 males) on the recently grazed site. Apparent nest success on the 15 years post-grazing area was 62% compared to 58% on the recently grazed area. We are also studying the vegetation structure preferred by bobwhites around nesting sites. Our findings will inform managers about bobwhite preferences in post-grazing landscapes and potentially provide ideas for future restoration or strategies.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM Corpus Christi, TX