Breeding Bird Census Project: South Laidlaw Park Region

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Breeding bird surveys for the Shoshone Field Office within South Laidlaw Park and adjacent habitat in 2005 and 2006. Major objectives were: 1) obtain baseline breeding bird data within habitats targeted for potential restoration efforts; and 2) obtain baseline control and comparative data for breeding birds in habitats adjacent to project areas to assist in analyzing effects of future restoration efforts. Repeatable point count routes, area searches, and spot mapping detected 50 species using the general project region. 2005 efforts resulted in the detection of 974 birds from 44 project count stations, and in the detection of 543 birds from 30 control count stations. 2006 efforts resulted in the detection of 1083 birds from 100 project count stations, and in the detection of 1330 birds from 100 control count stations. Changes in species detection rates between 2005 and 2006 occurred for 27 species on control routes, and for 35 species on project routes. The most substantial change in control detection rates was for Horned Lark, exhibiting a detection rate of 10 birds per control count station in 2005, and a detection rate of 4.2 birds per control count station in 2006. The most substantial change in project detection rates was for Western Meadowlark, exhibiting a detection rate of 12 birds per project count station in 2005, and a detection rate of 5.4 birds per project count station in 2006. Short-term declines in detection rates were recorded for Brewer’s Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike, and Sage Thrasher for project and/or control routes, but must be interpreted with caution due to limited data at this stage of the project. Survey results to date indicate that the South Laidlaw Park project area and adjacent habitats support a relatively diverse cadre of shrub steppe breeding birds, including Sage Grouse.

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Shelf Note: Electronic Files - Zoology: AVES