Markov chain estimation of avian seasonal fecundity

Avian seasonal fecundity is of interest from evolutionary, ecological, and conservation perspectives. However, direct estimation of seasonal fecundity is difficult, especially with multi-brooded birds, and models representing the renesting and quitting processes are usually required. To explore the consequences of modeling decisions on inference about avian seasonal fecundity, we generalize previous Markov chain (MC) models of avian nest success to formulate two different MC models of avian seasonal fecundity that represent two different ways to model renesting decisions and breeding cessation. We parameterize both Markov chains (regular and absorbing) for two species (Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna, and Dickcissel, Spiza americana) and compare the results using mean-square error of the estimated number of successful broods per breeding female. We also provide formulae for estimating the expected variation in female breeding success. The absorbing MC performed better for both species, although the regular MC performed almost as well when the duration of the breeding season was estimated by taking the 95th percentile of a negative binomial distribution fit to the observed durations among all females. In their simplest form the models contain very few parameters (four or five) and should also prove useful as a foundation for more complex models of avian seasonal fecundity and demography

Renesting Decisions and Annual Fecundity of Female Dickcissels (Spiza Americana) in Illinois

T.-Renesting decisions and annual fecundity are crucial for interpreting other demographic information, yet are infrequently reported. We used radiotelemetry to monitor female Dickcissels (Spiza americana) throughout the 1999 and 2000 breeding seasons in south- eastern Illinois. Overall fecundity (regardless of whether females remained in the study area throughout the breeding season) was 0.61 ? 0.13 female fledglings per year. Of females that re- mained within the study area, 94% fledged young (1.25 ? 0.15 female fledglings per year). Most females (62%) that experienced nest failure emigrated from the study area (moved \u3e10 km) in 2.8 ? 0.6 days; others (36%) initiated subsequent nests in 8.5 ? 0.8 days. After fledging \u3e1 young, 95% of females ceased breeding for the season. Successful and failed nest sites were indistin- guishable on the basis of vegetative characteristics. Moreover, replacement nests had similar vegetative characteristics and were similar distances from habitat edges, compared with initial nests, which suggests that female Dickcissels do not or cannot improve nest-site characteris- tics in response to nest failure. We observed two behaviors unusual in female Dickcissels: one bird that fledged two broods in one season, and the return of five females banded in 1999 to the study site in 2000

Renesting Decisions and Annual Fecundity of Female Dickcissels (Spiza Americana) in Illinois

T.-Renesting decisions and annual fecundity are crucial for interpreting other demographic information, yet are infrequently reported. We used radiotelemetry to monitor female Dickcissels (Spiza americana) throughout the 1999 and 2000 breeding seasons in south- eastern Illinois. Overall fecundity (regardless of whether females remained in the study area throughout the breeding season) was 0.61 ? 0.13 female fledglings per year. Of females that re- mained within the study area, 94% fledged young (1.25 ? 0.15 female fledglings per year). Most females (62%) that experienced nest failure emigrated from the study area (moved \u3e10 km) in 2.8 ? 0.6 days; others (36%) initiated subsequent nests in 8.5 ? 0.8 days. After fledging \u3e1 young, 95% of females ceased breeding for the season. Successful and failed nest sites were indistin- guishable on the basis of vegetative characteristics. Moreover, replacement nests had similar vegetative characteristics and were similar distances from habitat edges, compared with initial nests, which suggests that female Dickcissels do not or cannot improve nest-site characteris- tics in response to nest failure. We observed two behaviors unusual in female Dickcissels: one bird that fledged two broods in one season, and the return of five females banded in 1999 to the study site in 2000

Data Stewardship Workshop Report, March 2016, Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon

The Nature Conservancy is a science-based organization that makes significant investments in research and monitoring of the ecological outcomes and effectiveness of our conservation work. The Illinois Chapter has large and rapidly increasing quantities of data that must be appropriately managed to make the data accessible and to prevent their loss. The purpose of the data stewardship workshop was to design and launch a TNC data stewardship initiative to organize and manage data internally in the near term, and scope future efforts for multi-organization collaboration and coordination. This initiative, focusing initially on the Emiquon project with data from many sources, including university and agency partners, will inform subsequent data and information stewardship initiatives for other TNC programs.The Nature Conservancy, IllinoisOpe

The 2007 survey of breeding birds at Prairie Ridge State Natural Area

INHS Technical Report Prepared for N

The 2006 Survey of Breeding Birds at Prairie Ridge State Natural Area

Report issued on: November 2006INHS Technical Report prepared for unspecified recipien

Development and Expansion of the Natural Resource Data and Information Systems in Support of the Illinois Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan. Annual Segment Report, 2005

issued April 1, 2005Report issued on: April 1, 2005INHS Technical Report prepared for unspecified recipien

Development and Expansion of the Natural Resource Data and Information Systems in Support of the Illinois Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan

Annual Segment Report, Project: T-02-P-001, Amendment #2Report issued on: March 2006INHS Technical Report submitted to Illinois Department of Natural Resource