Grassland Bird Response to Landscape-Level and Site-Specific Variables in the Little Missouri National Grassland

Abstract

Trend analysis from the North American Breeding Bird Survey indicates that the Sprague’s pipit (Anthus spragueii) and Baird’s sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii) populations have experienced severe annual declines of -3.5% and -3.0%, respectively, between 1966 and 2013. The Little Missouri National Grassland (LMNG) in western North Dakota is listed as an important breeding area for the Sprague’s pipit, Baird’s sparrow, and other grassland birds. Our objectives for this study were to provide a better understanding of the effects of landscape-level (e.g., oil development) and site-specific (e.g., vegetation structure) variables on sensitive grassland bird populations in the LMNG. We surveyed 60 study sites twice each year (2014 and 2015) using a modified transect survey to evaluate grassland bird abundance. The results from this study contributed to understanding grassland bird responses to landscape-level and site-specific variables and identified specific mechanisms by which conservation measures for declining grassland bird populations can be improved.