Progress 09/05/08 to 09/04/13
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This final report describes the findings of my project investigating the ecology of greater roadrunners. During the period 2006-2009, I studied the ecology of greater roadrunners on rangeland study sites in Wilbarger County, TX, USA. I captured and radio-tagged 34 roadrunners (14 M, 20 F) and tracked them 3-5 days a week. Locations were plotted on map of the study and imported as a layer in a GIS for computing the home range size, home range overlap, dispersal, habitat selection, and survival. Home range size did not differ between sexes and were non-normally distributed. Median home range size for males and females was 90.4 ha and 80.1 ha, respectively. Home range overlap occurred most frequently between male and females, but male-male overlap displayed the highest magnitude of overlap. Dispersal distances of young of the year exceeded 9 km from capture sites. Kaplan-Meier survival probabilities were high (≥ 50%) for both seasons and did not differ between males and females. Resource selection ratios indicated that roadrunners did not use the 7 cover types on the study equally. Male roadrunners selected mesquite woodland and mesquite savanna proportionately greater than what was available; female roadrunners selected mesquite savanna and riparian woodland in greater proportions than what was available. PARTICIPANTS: Smith-Walker Ranches, Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch, Local landowners of Wilbarger County. TARGET AUDIENCES: Scientific community, local landowners. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
My results indicate that roadrunners required areas of moderate to dense shrub cover, areas which are generally targeted by landowners for removal to improve forage production for livestock. Nest success appears to be low, and fledgling survival is low. Adult survival is high, but there are few data from other studies to compare with. This project has received national and international press. The results of this project have been presented at International conferences, local field days, newspaper articles and a You-tube video.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This report details an ongoing project investigating the ecology of greater roadrunners (Geococcyx californianus) and utilizes radio-telemetry to remotely monitor roadrunner movements, home range size, habitat use, nesting success and survival. This is the first full scale field study to utilize telemetry. Total home range size using the 95% and 50% fixed kernel contours averaged 103.8 ha and 22.2 ha, respectively (n=17); male and female 95 % home ranges were 124 (n=12) and 54.8 ha (n=5), respectively. Preliminary inspection of the data illustrate that home ranges are strongly associated with extensive brush cover (honey mesquite), but patch size is quite variable. Nest sites are usually located in dense blocks of mesquite, and are usually with 20 m of an edge that affords easy entrance and exit from the nest. Brush management practices directly caused one roadrunner to abandon its territory and leave the study site. Nest success appears to be low but variable between years. Five active nests from 3 radio-tagged female roadrunners were monitored in 2007 and all nests failed late in incubation. Five active nests were monitored in 2008 and 3 (60%) successfully hatched and fledged young. Dispersal distances of juvenile roadrunners were large ranging between 5-10 km from the point of capture or natal home range; an independent sample of road-killed roadrunners were all male (n=5), indicating a bias in survival favoring dispersing females. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Dean Ransom, Jr. Gerral Schulz Sam Kelley Brady Surber Jerrod Butler Partner Organizations: Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences Collaborators: William E. Pinchak James Ansley Training or Professional Development: Undergraduate training opportunity for Brady Surber (summer worker) TARGET AUDIENCES: Landowners Land Managers Avian Ecologists Efforts: Primarily through Extension presentations in local communities. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Our results must be interpreted in context to the fragmented nature of the study site, which is a result of ongoing brush management and small grain agriculture. Roadrunners appear to be dependent upon stands of mesquite, but the minimum patch size required by the bird is still not clear. Additional data needs to be collected from unfragmented sites with variable amounts of residual brush cover. Phase II of this project will address this question, but at present it appears that brush management is deleterious for roadrunners. This may be quite important from a conservation perspective given that greater roadrunners are thought to be indicators of the presence of other wildlife species.
Publications
- Ransom, D. Jr., R. R. Lopez, G. G. Schulz, and J. S. Wagner. 2008. Northern bobwhite habitat selection in the Rolling Plains of Texas. Western North American Naturalist 68:186-193.
- Stanford, R. L., R. J. Ansley, and D. Ransom, Jr. 2008. Common broomweed growth characteristics on cleared and woody landscapes. Rangeland Ecology and Management 61:561-565.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This report details three projects conducted during the reporting year. Two projects are conducted in context to patch disturbance using prescribed fire and mechanical roller chopping to on native rangelands. The first project is one that has been on-going since 2004 and addresses arthropod abundance and biomass response to patch disturbance. We collected pre-treatment data using sweep nets. Arthropods were placed in plastic freezer bags, frozen, and later sorted to remove the vegetation. Samples were then air dried to a constant mass. Total number of arthropods were determined for each taxonomic order. Dry weight biomass of orthopterans (grasshoppers) and total arthropods were then recorded by pasture treatment and time since treated. Data for this project was collected at study sites in Vernon and Uvalde, TX. This project is in its final stages of data collection. The second project is a field study of the ecology of greater roadrunners (Geococcyx californianus) and
utilizes radio-telemetry to remotely monitor roadrunner movements, home range size, habitat use, nesting success and survival. This is the first full scale field study to utilize telemetry. Total home range size using the 95% and 50% fixed kernal contours averaged 103.8 ha and 22.2 ha, respectively (n=17); male and female 95 % home ranges were 124 (n=12) and 54.8 ha (n=5), respectively. Habitat use is currently being analyzed, but preliminary inspection of the data illustrate that home ranges are associated with extensive brush cover (honey mesquite). Nest sites are usually located in dense blocks of mesquite, and are usually with 20 m of a hard edge that affords easy entrance and exit from the nest. Five active nests from 3 radio-tagged female roadrunners were monitored. All nests failed late in incubation. The third project addressed the existence of habitat patch size thresholds on reproductive success of the federally endangered golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia), the
black and white warbler (Mniotilta varia), and the white-eyed vireo (Vireo griseus). Observed patch size thresholds for Golden cheeked warblers and Black and white warblers were >20 ha and >4 ha for white-eyed vireo. These data are important in that they provide guidance for land managers altering woody cover to accommodate habitat needs for the endangered golden cheeked warbler.
PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Dean Ransom, Jr., Gerral Schulz, Sam Kelley, Brady Surber, Jerrod Butcher. Partner Organizations: Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Uvalde, TX. Collaborators: William E. Pinchak, James Ansley, Susan Cooper. Traning or Professional Development: undergraduate training opportunity for Brady Surber, summer worker.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences: Landowners, Landmanagers, Avian Ecologists. Efforts: primarily through extension presentations in local communities.
Impacts
Shrub cover is an important habitat component for many birds, and management techniques to remove woody cover for livestock production may be detrimental to many avian species, including some that are not well known (greater roadrunners) and some that are endangered (golden-cheeked warblers). The removal of woody cover may actually benefit arthropod abundance.
Publications
- Cathey, J. C., S. Locke, D. Ransom, Jr., S. J. DeMaso, T.W. Schwertner, and B. Collier. 2007. Habitat Appraisal Guide for Rio Grande Wild Turkey. Texas Cooperative Extension publication SP-317.
- Cathey, J. C., S. Cooper, D. L. Alford, and D. Ransom, Jr. 2007. Roost site selection and survival of pen reared northern bobwhites. Texas Cooperative Extension publication L-5477.
- Ransom, D., Jr., and C. D. Frentress. 2007. Monitoring Texas wood ducks with a cooperative nest box program. Journal of Wildlife Management: 2743−2748.
- Ransom, D., Jr. and G. G. Schulz. 2007. Northern bobwhites and post-fire succession. Journal of Wildlife Management: 71:565-570
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
This report details progress on 2 projects begun during the reporting year. Both projects are conducted in context to patch disturbance treatment on native mesquite rangelands. On one study site, patches of rangeland habitat are treated with mechanical roller chopping, and on the second study site, habitat is treated with summer prescribed burns. The first project involves the use of radio-telemetry to quantify northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) survival and habitat selection within the patch disturbance matrix, especially during the winter months. Progress on this project has been hampered by 2 years of drought which has depressed bobwhite populations on the study site, especially fall of 2006. The second study is similar to the first but focuses on ecology of greater roadrunners (Geococcyx californianus). This species appears to rely on very dense patches of brush during the hottest parts of the summer and coldest periods of winter. Roller-chopping
effects have appeared to result in one roadrunner abandoning its territory and leaving the study site. Also, preliminary data indicate roadrunners place nest sites along hard edges of dense brush patches adjacent to open grass-forb foraging areas. Brush management strategies to control unwanted shrub species such as mesquite may be deleterious to roadrunner populations.
Impacts
Shrub cover is an important component of both northern bobwhite and greater roadrunner habitat. The actual requirements for both species are not well known, nor is the species response to brush management activities well described. The scientific data base for roadrunners is not well established. Consequently, these studies should contribute to a better understanding of brush management impacts on these two rangeland bird species.
Publications
- Whiting, R.M., Ransom, D. Jr., Comer, C. E., Connell, K. A., and Honeycutt, R. A.. 2006. Genetic variation among female woodcock in eastern Texas during winter. Proceedings of the 10th American Woodcock Symposium: IN PRESS.
- Ransom, D. Jr., Saunders, D., J., and Lyda, Sara B. 2006. Editors. Red River Quail Symposium. October 11-13, Wichita Falls, TX.
- Lee, S. L. 2006. Post-fire successional effects on breeding grassland in mesquite savanna habitats of the Texas rolling plains. MS Thesis, Texas A&M University, College Station.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Study 1. Micro- and macro habitat selection by northern bobwhites in context to prescribed fire and herbicide. Northern bobwhites selected micro-sites that reduced their exposure to avian predators (cone of vulnerability). Selection for such sites continued well into the summer, suggesting that micro-sites that reduced exposure to raptors also played a role in temperature mitigation. At the macro-habitat scale, bobwhites selected sites that had been burned 3 years previous and were close to ranch roads. Study 2. This study evaluated the effects of prescribed fire to control mesquite invasion on grassland bird populations. This study currently is in the data analysis phase with manuscripts and an MS thesis to be completed by early summer 2006. Sites with 9 year post-fire mesquite regrowth still contained breeding populations of meadowlarks, grasshopper sparrows, Cassin's sparrows, and dickcissels. Cowbird nest parasitism appears to be minimal. Study 3. This study
evaluated the effects of patch disturbance using fire and mechanical rollerchopping on arthropod, rodent, and northern bobwhite relative abundance. Prescribed fire was applied to a pasture with greater than 25 percent woody cover in three patches totaling 10 percent of the pasture area. Each year another 10 percent of the pasture area is manipulated. Smiliarly, mechanical roller chopping will be used to create patch disturbances in an adjacent pasture. To date, pre- and post-treatment data have been collected for sites manipulated in 2004, and pre-treatment data has been collected for sites treated in 2005. Study 4. This study evaluates survival and habitat selection of northern bobwhites to increasing patch disturbances by fire and roller chopping, as described in Study 3. Radio-telemetry is used to quantify overwinter survival, habitat use and movements with respect to disturbance. Study 5. This study evaluates the impact of land use alteration on endangered golden cheeked warblers
within the Coryell Creek watershed adjacent to Fort Hood, Texas. Habitat characteristics are collected at survey sites known to contain breeding warblers and will be evaluated at multiple scales to correlate with bird productivity, presence/absence, and relative abundance.
Impacts
Prescribed fire and herbicide applied at large spatial scales appear to reduce useable space by bobwhites. Brush encroachment into grasslands is not an all or nothing event for grassland birds; grassland bird communities persist even with extensive mesquite encroachment; prescribed fire may facilitate this persistance.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Study 1. This study evaluated the effects of prescribed fire on fall northern bobwhite populations on mesquite dominated rangelands in the upper Rolling Plains of Texas. Bobwhite populations were surveyed in the fall of 2002 and 2003 on replicate pastures that: 1) were burned in 1996, 1998, and 2000 (treatments), and 2) had no recent history of manipulation (controls). Although there were significant year differences in bobwhite density, there were no significant fire treatment differences. Bobwhite densities among treatment and control pastures were negatively associated with increasing visual obstruction and positively correlated with increasing heterogeneity of grass canopy cover. Study 2. This study evaluated northern bobwhite micro-habitat selection in context to prescribed fire and herbicide treatment for mesquite control. Northern bobwhites were fitted with radio-transmitters and re-located at least 3 days a week. Vegetative characteristics were measured within
a 4 m radius around each bobwhite location and compared to random locations. Bobwhites selected sites that had twice as much brush canopy cover and twice as narrow exposure to avian predators than did random sites. Study 3. This study evaluated the effects of prescribed fire on breeding densities of grassland birds using mesquite dominated rangelands in the upper Rolling Plains of Texas. Grassland bird populations were surveyed during the breeding season (May-Aug 2002-2004) using distance sampling in replicate pastures that: 1) were burned in 1996, 1998, and 2000 (treatments), and 2) had no recent history of manipulation (controls). In 2004, pastures were searched for nests to monitor reproductive success; a total of 81 nests were located and monitored. This study will continue into 2005. Preliminary results suggest that sparrow density is negatively associated with mesquite density (plants/ha), suggesting that prescribed fire to manage woody plant encroachment may have a positive
effects in restoring grassland bird habitat. Study 4. This study evaluated the effects of patch disturbances on arthropod, rodent, and northern bobwhite abundance. Prescribed fire was applied to a pasture with >25% woody cover in three patches totaling 10% of the pasture area. Each year another three patches will be added to the pasture. Similarly, mechanical roller chopping will be used to create patch disturbances in an adjacent pasture. To date, pretreatment baseline data have been collected and the treatments have been implemented. This study will continue at least into 2006.
Impacts
Prescribed fire applied uniformly at large spatial scales does not seem to benefit northern bobwhites. Data suggest that such an approach with fire adversely affects escape and thermal cover. In contrast, prescribed fire at large scales may actually be beneficial in restoring grassland bird populations. Fire is important to grassland bird habitat in existing native grasslands, but there is little experimental results from degraded grasslands dominated by woody plants.
Publications
- Ransom, Jr., D., and Slack, R. D. 2004. Observations of bird communities in relation to reservoir impoundment. Texas Journal of Science: IN PRESS.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
This report summarizes the second year of research regarding northern bobwhite quail response to prescribed burning of mesquite dominated rangelands in the upper Rolling Plains of Texas. Bobwhite populations were surveyed in the fall of 2003 using line transects in replicate pastures that were 1) burned in 1996, 1998, and 2000; 2) pastures with no recent history of manipulation; and 3) two pastures that had been treated in 2000 with the herbicide clopyralid to control mesquite. A minimum of 20 km of transects were surveyed per pasture. Bobwhite densities were approximately twice as high as in 2002, averaging one bird per 1.5 ha across all pastures surveyed (71 total coveys). Bobwhite densities were highest in the 2000 burn followed by the 1998 burn, 2000 herbicide treatment, and the 1996 burn. Quail densities in the control were higher than all treatments. Preliminary statistical analyses have revealed no relationship between quail densities and vegetation attributes.
Subsequent analyses will focus on multi-variate relationships between quail density and both pasture level and landscape level attributes.
Impacts
The suitability of prescribed fire applied solely for mesquite control appears to be mixed. Younger burns (2-3 years post fire) have consistently supported more bobwhites than older burn, but had lower densities than herbicide treatment. The high densities in the control are difficult to interpret, but may be related to site specific differences not accounted for in vegetation measurements.
Publications
- Ransom, Jr., D. and Pinchak, W.E. 2003. Assessing accuracy of a laser rangefinder in estimating grassland bird density. Wildlife Society, Bulletin 31:460-463.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
This report summarizes the progress to date on research regarding northern bobwhite response to prescribed burning of mesquite dominated rangelands in the upper Rolling Plains of Texas. Bobwhite populations were surveyed in the fall of 2002 with line transects in replicate pastures that were 1) burned in 1996, 1998, and 2000; 2) pastures with no recent history of manipulation; and 3) one pasture that had been aerially treated with the herbicide clopyralid in 2000. Twenty kilometers of line transects were surveyed in each of the burned and unburned pastures, while 35 km were surveyed in the herbicide treated plot. A total of 10 bobwhite coveys were detected in the pastures burned in 2000. Four and two bobwhite coveys were flushed in the pastures burned in 1998 and 1996, respectively. Nine coveys were detected in the two control pastures. Four coveys of bobwhites were flushed in the herbicide treated plot. Overall, 29 coveys were flushed during 194 km of surveyed
transect lines. These results reflect bobwhite productivity following several years of drought. Bobwhite abundance, especially in the control, may reflect improved range conditions due to rains in early 2002, as well as effects due to fire and herbicide treatments
Impacts
A better understanding of prescribed fire effects on northern bobwhite populations and the suitability of prescribed fire in enhancing bobwhite habitat and managing forage for domestic livestock.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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