The purpose of this study was to determine if any of four grazing treatments had an effect on upland sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) nest density and nest success. Nest density was lower for treatments where cattle were present during the nesting season (spring, autumn-and-spring, and season-long) compared to when cattle were not present (autumn and control). Nest density did not differ between treatments with a high stocking density (spring grazing) and those with a low stocking density (season-long grazing). Although nest success was lower in the first year of grazing and higher at the end of the study period, Bowen and Kruse found that the grazing treatments had little impact on nest success. The main reason for nest failure was predation, with 93 out of 95 nests destroyed due to predation and 2 due to livestock trampling. However, grazing may have had an indirect effect on nest success, indicated by lower nest success in fields with May-June grazing and high stocking densities (spring and autumn-and-spring grazing) compared to control fields. Overall, this study suggests that late spring and early summer grazing is unfavorable for upland sandpiper reproduction, notably nesting density in the northern Great Plains. Bowen and Kruse advise delaying grazing until mid to late June when nesting is underway and avoiding season-long (June-October) grazing with low stocking density on grasslands with upland sandpipers.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.