Impacts of Bermudagrass on Northern Bobwhite Chicks: Mobility and Heat Exposure

Conservation programs to benefit northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) and other agriculturally-related wildlife species often target crop-field margins for management. The Bobwhite Quail Initiative in Georgia is a program where 3- to 18-m strips are disked and left fallow for 3-year cycles. However, several exotic grasses, such as bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), encroach in field margins, reducing their usefulness for avian species. We hypothesized that dense mats of bermudagrass would be a physical barrier to bobwhite chicks and also serve as a heat trap reducing habitat quality. We conducted two experiments to assess these factors. First, we used human-imprinted bobwhite chicks, 5 and 10 days of age, to assess mobility through vegetation with 3 levels (none, moderate, and high) of bermudagrass invasion. There was a significant impact of bermudagrass density on mobility of 5-day old chicks (P 1⁄4 0.002), but no effect on 10-day old chicks (P 1⁄4 0.38). Second, we placed temperature recorders at ground level in plots in field margins that had .75% cover of bermudagrass and those with .75% coverage of forbs. The mean temperature of bermudagrass plots was greater than in forb plots (P 1⁄4 0.03). The percentage of time above the 40 8C critical threshold temperature for bobwhites was greatest in bermudagrass plots (P 1⁄4 0.03) and ranged over 33–38% of daytime hours, but only 6-26% for forb plots. Our data suggests that bermudagrass degrades the quality of field margins and control of exotic invasive grasses is warranted to improve their efficacy

Development and Implementation of a Successful Northern Bobwhite Translocation Program in Georgia

Gamebird translocations have been used for many years to establish or re-establish populations in North America. A long-term severe decline of northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) over much of their range has brought this issue to the forefront for this species as well. Field studies in Georgia over the last decade have documented site fidelity, high survival, reproductive success, and population response from bobwhites translocated into large blocks of well-managed habitat. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources/ Wildlife Resources Division developed an official wild quail translocation policy in 2006. Five translocation projects have been permitted and conducted since the policy was established. Extensive large scale habitat modifications were required on the recipient sites while donor sites were required to have existing high density bobwhite populations. These projects have resulted in translocation of . 800 bobwhites and the establishment of 7,480 ha of new wild quail population centers thereby contributing to the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI) recovery goals. Average fall densities on completed projects have increased from , 0.5 birds/ha to . 1.25 birds/ha

Contributions of Translocation to Northern Bobwhite Population Recovery

The National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI 2.0) is a range-wide plan for recovering northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus; hereafter, bobwhite[s]). Using geospatial analysis informed by expertise from practitioners, the plan categorizes landscapes into restoration potential by weighing biological constraints and opportunities such that targeted habitat management will produce bobwhite population growth. A fundamental assumption of the NBCI 2.0 for achieving recovery goals is that bobwhite source populations currently exist on the landscape at densities necessary to (re)colonize newly established or improved habitat. However, we have found that these source populations can be very low or non-existent, especially in northern tiers of the bobwhite distribution. In 1997, we initiated research to evaluate bobwhite population response following translocation using birds from high density populations to newly developed habitats with low bobwhite numbers (ha). We worked collaboratively with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in 2006 to develop and implement a wild bobwhite translocation policy based on key findings from that research. Since that time 3,866 wild bobwhites have been trapped and translocated from properties in the Albany and Greater Red Hills region of Florida and Georgia to 13 recipient sites in 6 states (AL, GA, MD, NC, NJ, and SC) on 29,780 ha. A typical translocation was conducted for 2 – 3 years in March by capturing, tagging and transporting birds overnight for release at an average rate of 1 bird per 7 ha per property. Prior to translocation, each recipient property underwent extensive habitat restoration and agreed to conduct a monitoring program including spring whistle counts and fall covey counts before, during, and after translocation. Bobwhite populations increased on recipient sites from an average of 0.38 (CI: 0.13 – 0.63) birds per hectare to 2.2 (CI: 1.45 – 2.95) birds per hectare resulting in the establishment of huntable wild bobwhite populations adding approximately 42,714 bobwhites to the landscape. The value of these wild bobwhites was determined to average $736 per translocated bird bringing the total value of birds donated from the Albany and Greater Red Hills region for translocation to$2,844,564. The establishment of population hubs through translocation contributes to population recovery efforts outlined in the NBCI 2.0, especially where source populations are limited

Hunter Harvest of Pen-Reared Northern Bobwhites Released From the Surrogator

There has been increased interest in releasing pen-reared northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) to meet quail hunting and shooting objectives as populations have declined. The Surrogatort is a commercially available product for rearing and releasing gamebirds into the wild and is promoted as a method to enhance bobwhite survival, improve hunting, and increase recruitment from natural reproduction. We used return-to-hunter bag data from 3 properties in Alabama, Georgia, and Kentucky to evaluate the Surrogatort as a pre-hunting season release technique for pen-reared bobwhites. Across all sites, 3,859 5-week old banded bobwhite chicks were released at varying times during June through October, 2005–2010. Ninety-three quail hunts were conducted during November through January 2005–2011 comprising 431 hunt party hours which resulted in 19 banded bobwhites being harvested. The return-to-hunter bag for all sites combined was 0.005 (range 1⁄4 0.000 to 0.008). This was considered unsatisfactory at each site and across all sites combined for a quality hunting/shooting experience. The mean cost per chick released was $3.41 (range 1⁄4$2.74 to $3.88) including the costs of quail chicks, Surrogatort units, propane, and feed across all sites. The mean cost per bird returned-to-hunter bag (Alabama and Georgia) was$655.80 (range 1⁄4 $489.91 to$821.68). These costs did not include economic depreciation of Surrogatort units

Using the Conservation Planning Tool to Effectively Recover Northern Bobwhites: An Example for States to Effectively Step-Down the NBCI Plan

The National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI) 2.0 provides a sound foundation for recovering northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) range-wide, regionally and, to some extent, even locally. However, the NBCI does not provide detailed guidance to states on how to step-down the plan for efficacious delivery of on-the-ground management actions prescribed via biologists within the plan itself. States often must incorporate multiple planning efforts (e.g., state wildlife action plans) and geospatial layers not directly included in the NBCI plan (see NBCI Appendix in these Proceedings) to make tenable decisions which best guide allocation of resources and benefit multiple species of greatest conservation concern. The Conservation Planning Tool (CPT), developed as part of NBCI 2.0, provides the infrastructure for states and conservation organizations to capture biologist information coalesced in the plan while incorporating other data (e.g., species emphasis areas, current CRP implementation, etc.) germane to conservation planning. We use 3 states (Kansas, Florida, and Virginia) to demonstrate the utility of the CPT and to develop a step-down implementation plan, via creation of a habitat prioritization model, for recovery of bobwhites in each state. We explore the implications associated with creation of focal areas with respect to high versus medium ranked areas and underscore the importance of inclusion of major land-use opportunities and constraints prescribed within the plan to garner successful bobwhite recovery. We propose a framework for the integration of monitoring efforts into the step-down model to assess bird response and evaluate NBCI success through estimating bobwhite population density

Summary of Georgia\u27s Bobwhite Quail Initiative 2000-2005.

Georgia’s Bobwhite Quail Initiative (BQI) has been a proactive effort to restore and improve habitat for northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; hereafter bobwhite) on private lands across a 15 county area of Georgia’s Upper Coastal Plain. Secondary objectives included improving habitat for certain songbirds, quail hunting and wildlife viewing. The BQI provided landowners/managers (Cooperators) with technical assistance, and through a competitive process, financial incentives for bobwhite habitat management. The Georgia General Assembly and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Board initiated BQI in 1998 in response to hunter/constituent concern over declining bobwhite populations; and the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division began implementation in 1999. Funding for BQI was provided through state appropriations, including funds generated through the sale of BQI vehicle license plates. Habitat incentive payments and practice options were modified gradually to increase Cooperator participation and to better integrate bobwhite management with commercial agriculture and forestry. Research and monitoring indicated positive impacts of habitat practices on bobwhites and certain songbirds. The BQI generated many additional benefits including leveraged funding for management and research; youth quota quail hunts; and increased educational outreach regarding the bobwhite decline and effective restoration techniques. A Cooperator survey indicated high customer satisfaction and a strong perception that BQI practices have improved bobwhite and songbird populations, as well as the environmental condition on Cooperator farms. The BQI showed that: 1) bobwhite numbers can be increased on working farm and forestlands, and 2) adequate levels of economic incentives and qualified technical staff are essential for success