EARLY SUCCESSIONAL: Proposed Actions

Actions (Objective 1)

Identify open lands >50 ha in area that have the potential to support Henslow's Sparrows.
Background and Progress: The primary factor that appears to be limiting the Henslow's Sparrow population within the region is the availability of suitable grassland patches. Henslow's Sparrows require grassland patches >50 ha in area. No comprehensive survey has been conducted within the planning unit to identify idle patches that are large enough to potentially support this species. A full assessment of patches currently contained on partnership lands, as well as, those contained on private lands needs to be conducted to identify potential management areas.

Where possible 1) acquire lands with potential to support Henslow's Sparrows or 2) develop agreements with landowners (PIF partners or others) to manage appropriate patches for Henslow's Sparrows.
Background and Progress: A large portion of patches remaining in the planning unit that have the potential to support Henslow's Sparrows appear to occur on lands presently controlled by PIF partners. However, these lands are not currently under management that is conducive to use by Henslow's Sparrows. No program is in place to convey to appropriate partners how changes in current land management may benefit Henslow's Sparrows. No agreements are in place to manage specific patches for Henslow's Sparrows.

Restore and manage grassland patches.
Background and Progress: Henslow's Sparrows require a dense litter layer that is built up as patches are managed as grasslands over a period of several years. Remaining patches that are large enough to support this species do not meet this requirement due to the way they are managed. Many of these patches contain sod-forming grasses or small grain crops (grain for small game or waterfowl management). Current management objectives need to be evaluated for compatibility with management for Henslow's Sparrows. Appropriate patches need to be converted to warm-season grasses and maintained via burning or mechanical methods to provide the conditions required by Henslow's Sparrows.

Actions (Objective 2)

Identify open lands 10-50 ha in area that have the potential to support Grasshopper Sparrows.
Background and Progress: Grasshopper Sparrows reach their highest densities in patches >10 ha in area. Management of idle patches >50 ha should conform to requirements of Henslow's Sparrows. Lands currently controlled by PIF partners are widely distributed throughout the planning unit and contain some of the most significant open lands remaining in the region. These lands appear to have the potential to support a widely distributed, stable population of Grasshopper Sparrows (if managed appropriately). No comprehensive survey has been conducted within the planning unit to identify specific open patches with the potential to support Grasshopper Sparrows.

Develop agreements with PIF partners to manage appropriate patches for Grasshopper Sparrows.
Background and Progress: As indicated above, many lands that have the potential to support Grasshopper Sparrows are currently controlled by PIF partners. However, many of these lands are not currently under management that is conducive to use by Grasshopper Sparrows. No program is in place to convey to appropriate partners how changes in current land management may benefit Grasshopper Sparrows. No agreements are in place to manage specific patches for Grasshopper Sparrows.

Restore and manage grassland patches.
Background and Progress: In terms of habitat use, Grasshopper Sparrows are less selective than Henslow's Sparrows. Grasshoppers will readily breed within cover crops, buffer strips, and pasturelands, as well as, traditional grasslands. However, management activities need to be timed so as not to reduce productivity. Within appropriate lands, current management objectives need to be evaluated for compatibility with management for Grasshopper Sparrows. Specific management guidelines have not been developed for the planning unit.

Actions (Objective 3)

Develop guidelines for the management of open patches <10 ha in area).
Background and Progress: The most abundant and widespread patches of open land within the planning unit are <10 ha in area. Collectively, these patches account for a significant amount of land area. Conversion of even a small portion of these patches to shrublands would have a significant positive impact on shrubland species within the region. A number of government programs currently promote conversion and maintenance of patches as small as 1 ha to warm-season grasses. This practice produces patches that are virtually unusable by the open-habitat bird community and should be discouraged. Recommendations and guidelines for the conversion of these patches to shrublands have not been developed for the region.