Factors Related to Nest Survival and Over-winter Survival of a Northern Bobwhite (Colinus Virginianus) Population in Southwest Florida

Factors Related to Nest Survival and Over-winter Survival of a Northern Bobwhite (Colinus Virginianus) Population in Southwest Florida PDF Author: Steven Kenneth Brinkley
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bird populations
Languages : en
Pages : 129

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Book Description
The northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) is a gallinaceous upland game bird dependent on early successional grassland habitat for reproduction and survival. Bobwhite populations have been declining range-wide for nearly a half century. The habitat of Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area (BWWMA) in southwest Florida is mostly virgin, early successional grassland and pine flatwoods. Although BWWMA is located in the far southern end of the bobwhite range, the area is a popular public land for bobwhite hunting. The BWWMA bobwhite population has declined evidenced by a dramatic decrease in harvest over the last 20 years. The two objectives of my research were to (1) describe nest habitat selection and daily nest survival of the bobwhite population on BWWMA, and (2) evaluate factors related to over-winter (1 October - 30 March) survival of the BWWMA bobwhite population. Specifically, I evaluated nest-site habitat selection and modeled daily nest survival as a function of biologically meaningful spatial, temporal, climatic, and habitat related covariates (Part II). I tested the hypothesis that bobwhites selected nesting habitat at the landscape level. There was no evidence that bobwhites selected specific habitats for nesting, but basin marsh and wet flatwoods cover types were used for nesting slightly more than they were available. The incubation period nest survival rate was 0.477 (SE = 0.027). Daily nest survival rates did not differ among years, the hunting zone in which the nest was located, or between genders of the incubating bird. Nest survival was positively related to the percent of basin marsh habitat within a 1000-m radius of the nest. Daily nest survival declined over the nesting period. I modeled the over-winter survival rates of bobwhites as a function of hunting pressure and other spatial, temporal, climatic and habitat covariates (Part III). The average over-winter survival rate was 0.402 (SE = 0.023). Year, time, and hunting zone were important factors influencing over-winter survival. Hunting pressure was the factor most related to over-winter survival. I evaluated management oriented questions related to over-winter survival of bobwhites on BWWMA. Food strip management and prescribed fire did not appear to be related to over-winter survival. Harvest rates were greater than others reported from studies in the Southeast and results suggested that, to some extent, harvest was additive to natural mortality. If the goal of management is to increase the BWWMA bobwhite population, reduction in harvest rate is one likely effective management strategy for achieving that goal.

Factors Related to Nest Survival and Over-winter Survival of a Northern Bobwhite (Colinus Virginianus) Population in Southwest Florida

Factors Related to Nest Survival and Over-winter Survival of a Northern Bobwhite (Colinus Virginianus) Population in Southwest Florida PDF Author: Steven Kenneth Brinkley
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bird populations
Languages : en
Pages : 129

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Book Description
The northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) is a gallinaceous upland game bird dependent on early successional grassland habitat for reproduction and survival. Bobwhite populations have been declining range-wide for nearly a half century. The habitat of Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area (BWWMA) in southwest Florida is mostly virgin, early successional grassland and pine flatwoods. Although BWWMA is located in the far southern end of the bobwhite range, the area is a popular public land for bobwhite hunting. The BWWMA bobwhite population has declined evidenced by a dramatic decrease in harvest over the last 20 years. The two objectives of my research were to (1) describe nest habitat selection and daily nest survival of the bobwhite population on BWWMA, and (2) evaluate factors related to over-winter (1 October - 30 March) survival of the BWWMA bobwhite population. Specifically, I evaluated nest-site habitat selection and modeled daily nest survival as a function of biologically meaningful spatial, temporal, climatic, and habitat related covariates (Part II). I tested the hypothesis that bobwhites selected nesting habitat at the landscape level. There was no evidence that bobwhites selected specific habitats for nesting, but basin marsh and wet flatwoods cover types were used for nesting slightly more than they were available. The incubation period nest survival rate was 0.477 (SE = 0.027). Daily nest survival rates did not differ among years, the hunting zone in which the nest was located, or between genders of the incubating bird. Nest survival was positively related to the percent of basin marsh habitat within a 1000-m radius of the nest. Daily nest survival declined over the nesting period. I modeled the over-winter survival rates of bobwhites as a function of hunting pressure and other spatial, temporal, climatic and habitat covariates (Part III). The average over-winter survival rate was 0.402 (SE = 0.023). Year, time, and hunting zone were important factors influencing over-winter survival. Hunting pressure was the factor most related to over-winter survival. I evaluated management oriented questions related to over-winter survival of bobwhites on BWWMA. Food strip management and prescribed fire did not appear to be related to over-winter survival. Harvest rates were greater than others reported from studies in the Southeast and results suggested that, to some extent, harvest was additive to natural mortality. If the goal of management is to increase the BWWMA bobwhite population, reduction in harvest rate is one likely effective management strategy for achieving that goal.

Northern Bobwhite Breeding Season Ecology in Southern New Jersey

Northern Bobwhite Breeding Season Ecology in Southern New Jersey PDF Author: Bridget M. Collins
Publisher: ProQuest
ISBN: 9780549945598
Category : Northern bobwhite
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations have been declining over much of their range, but some of the steepest declines have been documented in New Jersey. Negative population trends in New Jersey and elsewhere have been attributed to a reduction in habitat quality and quantity. Managers in New Jersey are interested in how additional aspects of bobwhite ecology and demography may be mitigating or aggravating bobwhite declines. I conducted a two year (2006-2007) breeding season (1 May-30 September) telemetry study in southern New Jersey to collect baseline data on bobwhite movement, habitat selection, survival, reproductive rates, and nest and brood microhabitat. Pooling data between 2006 and 2007, I recorded 2,513 locations on 80 radiomarked bobwhites. Mean hourly movement rate (HMR) between consecutive day locations was 6.29 += 0.49 m/h (n = 21 bobwhites). I observed 11 extreme movements, the greatest of which was 12,372 m in 169.8 h. Breeding season 95% adaptive kernel home ranges averaged 38.7 += 6.1 ha (range 8.5 - 112.3 ha, n = 27 bobwhites). In order of greatest to least relative selection within the home range, bobwhites used scrub-shrub, followed by mixed grass, forest, agriculture, and other habitats. Breeding season survival was 0.343 += 0.064 (95% CI 0.238 - 0.493, n = 80 bobwhites), and mortality risk did not differ by age, sex, year, or HMR (P> 0.242). I located 23 bobwhite nests and 21 were usable for survival analyses. Incubation period nest survival rate was 0.454 += 0.010 (95% CI 0.280-0.727). Mean clutch size was 14.2 += 0.58 (range 10-19, n = 20) and hatchability in successful nests was 96.1 += 2.0% (range 86-100%, n = 10). The estimated probability an individual that entered the breeding season would initiate incubation on = 1 nest was 0.687 for females and 0.202 for males. Nest microhabitat selection was positively related to visual obstruction and percentage of litter. Brood microhabitat selection was positively related to visual obstruction, vegetation height, and percentage of forb but negatively related to percentage of cool season grass and litter. Ecological and demographic parameters for bobwhites in southern New Jersey appear to be similar to those reported elsewhere in the species' range. Management efforts to improve bobwhite in southern New Jersey should focus on increasing the quantity of available breeding and brood-rearing habitat.

Population Ecology of the Bobwhite

Population Ecology of the Bobwhite PDF Author: John L. Roseberry
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 312

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Book Description
This book presents the results and con­clusions of the longest continuous study ever undertaken for a local North Ameri­can game bird population. Since 1950 abundance has been deter­mined seasonally by direct count, nesting ecology by field searches and observation, and hunting pressure and harvest by field interviews. Land use and weather condi­tions also have been recorded. The period of the study saw considerable change in regional land use and included several of the most severe winters in recorded weather history. Continuing harvest of the study popu­lation did not have a progressively de­pressing effect on standing densities; rather it held breeding stock somewhat below K at a more productive point on the growth curve. Roseberry and Klimstra report that there was clear evidence of an 8 to 10-year cycle within the study population. They found after examining a number of cycle theories that a close temporal relationship existed between their bobwhite data and the nodal lunar cycle described by Archibald (1977). Sound field techniques, long-term data acquisition, and appropriate mathe­matical and statistical treatment of the data combine to provide a significant contribution to what is known of not only bobwhite but basic population ecology.

The Effects of Covey Size on Northern Bobwhite Winter Population Ecology

The Effects of Covey Size on Northern Bobwhite Winter Population Ecology PDF Author: Christopher Kelley Williams
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 162

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Survival and Covey Density of Northern Bobwhites in Relation to Habitat Characteristics and Usable Space in Ohio

Survival and Covey Density of Northern Bobwhites in Relation to Habitat Characteristics and Usable Space in Ohio PDF Author: Randall T. Knapik
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 110

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Book Description
Northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus; hereafter, bobwhites) are gallinaceous gamebirds that were once ubiquitous across the eastern United States, but have declined throughout the 20th century. This research was conducted to evaluate the impact of woodlot edge-feathering and land use change on density and survival of bobwhites in Midwestern agricultural landscapes. I examined covey density, survival, and habitat use on 4 private-land study sites in southwestern Ohio to further understanding of winter ecology of bobwhites in relation to habitat characteristics and targeted woodlot edge management. Non-breeding season survival rate was at levels capable of stabilizing the population during the moderate winter of 2012 - 2013 (Ŝ = 0.393, 95 % CI = 0.215 - 0.596), but was well below the stabilizing rate during the severe winter of 2013 - 2014 (Ŝ= 0.075, 95 % CI = 0.037 - 0.145). I did not find a relationship between macro- and microhabitat characteristics and weekly survival outcomes during weeks with snow cover, although bobwhites restricted habitat use to areas of high woody stem density with increasing snow depths. This and persistently low survival rates in severe winters suggest that habitat conditions are homogenously poor and are not capable of stabilizing bobwhite populations, even at currently low densities. I examined the predicted probability of use and usable space by examining the proximity of focal habitat types. Loss of early-successional habitat features on the Fee, Thurner, and Wildcat study sites reduced their predicted probability of use and resulted in a net decline in usable space. Targeted successional management of woodlot edges (i.e. edge-feathering) on the Peach Orchard study site increased the predicted probability of use and the proportion of usable space. A reduction in the extent and mean predicted probability of use for herbaceous habitats on Fee indicate that loss of herbaceous habitat resulted in a coarser-grained landscape with less usable herbaceous habitat. Conversely, extent of early-successional herbaceous habitat was reduced on the Wildcat study site, but mean predicted probability of use for the habitat type increased suggesting that sufficient herbaceous cover remained for use during the non-breeding season. Covey densities and usable space increased or decreased concurrently on all study sites; however, changes in covey density and usable space were not proportional. Mean covey density declined between 2009-11 and 2012-14 on Fee (2009-11, 0.59 coveys/ km2; 2012-14, 0.22 coveys/ km2) and Wildcat (2009-11, 1.47 coveys/ km2; 2012-14, 1.37 coveys/ km2), but increased on Peach Orchard (2009-11, 0.45 coveys/ km2; 2012-14, 0.88 coveys/ km2) and Thurner (2009-11, 0.73 coveys/ km2; 2012-14, 0.84 coveys/ km2). Ecological density was calculated as the number of coveys per ha of usable space. Mean ecological density in 2011 and 2014 was 0.031 coveys/ha of usable space (range = 0.017 - 0.044). Management efforts must be prioritized in regions currently occupied by bobwhites and should seek to increase the proportional amount of usable space. Successional management of woodlot edges through edge-feathering and establishment of herbaceous field border programs should be implemented in agricultural landscapes of the Midwest to increase usable space and provide protective cover capable of withstanding severe winters.

Factors Contributing to Reintroduction Success for Northern Bobwhites on Long Island, New York

Factors Contributing to Reintroduction Success for Northern Bobwhites on Long Island, New York PDF Author: William Macaluso
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780355260656
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 71

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Book Description
Pen-rearing young frequently fails as a reintroduction technique in game birds due to low post-release survival rates in the wild. This may be caused by a combination of poor genetics from domestication, unhealthy birds, birds that do not exhibit wild behavior, or birds that are unfamiliar with their surroundings after hard releases. Recent research suggests that parent-rearing, involving pre- and post-hatch imprinting of “wild-strain” northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) chicks by adults, may be a viable option for restoring populations. Imprinting potentially causes reintroduced birds to exhibit more natural behavior. I tested this method against a slightly modified traditional propagation tool (Surrogators) with “wild-strain” birds. I conducted my research on a 170 ha property containing a mixture of early successional and hardwood habitat on Long Island, New York during the summers of 2013 and 2014. I tested the effect of rearing methodology, mass at release (as a proxy for physical condition), release timing, and year on survival using Cox proportional hazard models. Hazard analysis revealed that only earlier release dates directly improved survival while treatment (parent-reared vs. Surrogator), body mass at release, and year did not affect survival. The methods tested on my study area did not result in 365 day survival rates high enough to re-establish quail in the area.

Effects of Short-term Predator Control on Nesting Success and Survival of Northern Bobwhites (Colinus Virginianus)

Effects of Short-term Predator Control on Nesting Success and Survival of Northern Bobwhites (Colinus Virginianus) PDF Author: Eddie Keith Lyons
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Northern bobwhite
Languages : en
Pages : 120

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The North American Quails, Partridges, and Pheasants

The North American Quails, Partridges, and Pheasants PDF Author: Paul Johnsgard
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 1609621174
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 134

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Book Description
This book documents the biology of six species of New World quails that are native to North America north of Mexico (mountain, scaled, Gambel's, California, and Montezuma quails, and the northern bobwhite), three introduced Old World partridges (chukar, Himalayan snowcock, and gray partridge), and the introduced common (ring-necked) pheasant. Collectively, quails, partridges, and pheasants range throughout all of the continental United States and the Canadian provinces. Two of the species, the northern bobwhite and ring-necked pheasant, are the most economically important of all North American upland game birds. All of the species are hunted extensively for sport and are highly popular with naturalists, birders, and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Effects of Landscape Composition and Structure on Northern Bobwhite Winter and Nest Survival

Effects of Landscape Composition and Structure on Northern Bobwhite Winter and Nest Survival PDF Author: Eric Matthew Seckinger
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bobwhites
Languages : en
Pages : 234

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Factors Influencing the Winter Survival of the Bobwhite on the Virginia Polytechnic Institute College Farms Montgomery County, Virginia

Factors Influencing the Winter Survival of the Bobwhite on the Virginia Polytechnic Institute College Farms Montgomery County, Virginia PDF Author: George Andrew Gehrken
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Northern bobwhite
Languages : en
Pages : 190

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