William Holimon
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 - 1:30-2:00
Smith’s Longspur (Calcarius pictus) is a small grassland bird species of conservation concern that winters in a restricted range in the central United States. Data for determining reliable population trends are lacking but it is thought that this species is declining due to significant loss of native grassland habitat. Though little is known of its winter ecology, it is considered to be closely associated with prairies or other grasslands containing short grass. A few studies and numerous anecdotal observations indicate that this species often occupies dense patches of three-awned grass (Aristida spp.). In Oklahoma, this species is known to occur in large grasslands dominated by native grasses that experience moderate to heavy grazing, which favors Aristida, but not in areas of light grazing. We know of no large areas in Arkansas containing significant amounts of native grasses that are subject to moderate to heavy grazing. However, some airports in Arkansas are known to contain similar habitat due to disturbance that favored the establishment of Aristida that is maintained by mowing or haying which has ecological effects similar to grazing. We investigated the number and distribution of airports across Arkansas that supports this species. We also report on habitat associations of Smith’s Longspurs at one airport in the Grand Prairie of eastern Arkansas that supports significant amounts of native vegetation. Results are discussed along with management recommendations for airports that currently support or recently supported wintering Smith’s Longspurs.
Keywords: ARISTIDA, AIRPORT, HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS, SMITH’S LONGSPUR, WINTER