KOS 2010 Fall Meeting Program

Friday Evening – Informal Gathering

Friday, October 8, 2010

7:00 p.m. Informal reception at JCCC in the Dining Down Under in College Commons Building. Mingle and eat a few hors d'oeuvres. Map of the campus – click here

KOS Paper Session

Saturday, October 9, 2010

7:45 a.m. Registration Opens – JCCC General Education Building (GEB 233)

10:00 Welcome and Announcements

Nancy Leo, President, Kansas Ornithological Society

Csilla Duneczky, Department Head, JCCC Biology Department

10:10 KOS Business Meeting & Presentation of Nominating Committee Report

10:30 Kin avoidance and multiple paternity in a recently translocated island population of Rock Ptarmigan. Andrew J. Gregory*, Robert Kaler, Thomas Prebyl, Brett Sandercock, and Samantha Wisely. Division of Biology, Kansas State University.

10:45 Effects of habitat management practices on breeding habitat use of Eastern Black Rails in Kansas. Stephanie A. Kane*, and Greg H. Farley, Fort Hays State University.

11:00 Adaptive Extended Phenotype: Structure and Shape of Nests Reflects Local Wind Conditions in the Black-billed Magpie, Pica pica. Eunbi Kwon*, Division of Biology, Kansas State University; Sang-im Lee, Institute of Advanced Machinery and Design, Biomimetic Engineering Laboratory, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea; and Jae Chun Choe, Division of Ecoscience, Ewha Women’s University, Seoul, Korea

11:15 Tern Reproductive Success and Breeding Habitat Requirements on Barrier Islands. Edward J. Raynor*, Aaron R. Pierce, Department of Biological Sciences, Nicholls State University; Cecilia Leumas and Frank C. Rohwer, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.

11:30 Birds of Kansas. Max Thompson and Chuck Otte will give an update and sneak preview of the new book, Birds of Kansas.

12:00-1:30 Lunch on your own. KOS Board will meet in location to be announced.

1:30-2:30 Birdwatchers Hour

2:30 Stopover dynamics of migratory songbirds: A twenty-two-year study in northern California. Gina Barton* and Brett K. Sandercock, Division of Biology, Kansas State University.

2:45 Investigation of song dialects in alpine-breeding birds. Anthony C. Dalisio*, Department of Biological Sciences, Emporia State University; William E. Jensen, Department of Biological Sciences, Emporia State University; and Timothy H. Parker, Department of Biology, Whitman College.

3:00 Patterns of Henslow’s Sparrow territories in restored grasslands of west-central Missouri. Levi Jaster*, William Jensen, Department of Biological Sciences, Emporia State University; and Andrew Forbes, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

3:15 Experimental harvest reveals thresholds of compensatory mortality in Willow Ptarmigan. Brett K. Sandercock*, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, and Erlend B. Nilsen, Henrik Brøseth, and Hans Chr. Pedersen, Terrestrial Division, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway.

3:30 KOS Business Meeting, election of officers - end of silent auction

6:00 Pre-banquet social at JCCC – Dining Down Under, College Commons Building

6:30-9:00 Banquet – Speaker, Timothy Barksdale – Tim is a cinematographer who has been filming birds and other wildlife since 1992. Tim has worked extensively with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and has amassed the largest collection of footage on North American Bird species in the world. He is now filming and producing a film on Greater Prairie-Chickens for PBS, due for release in 2011.

* - denotes paper presenter

Sunday, October 10, 2010

6:30 – 12:00 Field Trips – Meet in the Clock Tower East parking lot at Johnson County Community College (southeast corner of campus)

Baker Wetlands - Douglas County

Shawnee Mission Park / Mill Creek Streamway

Olathe Lake, Prairie Center, Ernie Miller Park

KCP&L Wetlands, Overland Park Arboretum

Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area - Miami/Linn County

12:00 Noon Lunch and Compilation –

Ernie Miller Nature Center, Shelter #2

909 North K7 Hwy, Olathe

Paper Abstracts

Kin avoidance and multiple paternity in a recently translocated island population of Rock Ptarmigan. Andrew J. Gregory*, Robert Kaler, Thomas Prebyl, Brett Sandercock, and Samantha Wisely, Division of Biology, Kansas State University.

Island populations are prone to extinction in part because insular species are vulnerable to the deterministic and stochastic phenomenon associated with small population size and isolation. A further problem faced by small and isolated populations is reduced genetic diversity and the potential for inbreeding depression. Thus, wildlife translocation project plans must account for geographic isolation. We assessed microsatellite variation of a newly established population of Evermann’s Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta evermanni) at Agattu Island, in the Aleutian Island Archipelago, Alaska. We found low levels of genetic diversity (HO = 0.39, and AR = 3.4) and small effective population size (Ne = 36). Despite low genetic diversity and a small effective population size, the Ne / N was high (0.61). Additionally, pairwise relatedness among reproductively successful adults was less than random male-female pairings (r = -0.01, P = 0.05) and multiple paternity was common (90% of the broods). Further, within two generations of re-introduction, genetic diversity tended to increase (chicks: HO = 0.41, parents: HO = 0.37, P = 0.10). We hypothesize that multiple paternity and kin avoidance has evolved in Rock Ptarmigan as a mechanism to cope with an insular existence characterized by prolonged geographic isolation and small population size. In the future, to facilitate successful management, conservation, and establishment of evolutionarily stable populations, we recommend that translocation and management efforts devise conservation strategies that include specific population genetic goals as part of their objectives.

Effects of habitat management practices on breeding habitat use of Eastern Black Rails in Kansas. Stephanie A. Kane* and Greg H. Farley, Fort Hays State University.

Two subspecies of Black Rail occur in the United States, and have rarely been studied on their breeding grounds; of the two, the Eastern Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis jamaicensis) is the least studied. Eastern Black Rail are known to breed at several locations in Kansas, and are most often observed at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (Quivira NWR). The refuge utilizes two techniques, prescribed burning and haying, to manage vegetation in the wet-meadow habitat that the rails typically occupy. Few studies have investigated the effect of prescribed burning on Black Rail populations, and little information is available on the habitat of inland populations. We conducted call playback surveys in accordance with the National Marsh Bird Survey Program’s protocol for four rail species at Quivira NWR in the summers of 2009 and 2010. Results were compared with historical prescribed burn data to assess if burning had an effect on Black Rail presence. Vegetation surveys were also conducted throughout areas where rails responded during playback surveys. Results indicate that birds will return to suitable habitat within one month of a burn, and will continue to inhabit areas burned two years prior to surveying; canopy cover analysis indicated the birds were most often detected in wet sedge meadows dominated by Eleocharis species. Open sedge-meadows with lower water levels appear to be preferred sites. A mixture of thatch and less densely vegetated areas may represent the mosaic of habitat necessary for successful reproduction.

Adaptive Extended Phenotype: Structure and Shape of Nests Reflects Local Wind Conditions in the Black-billed Magpie, Pica pica. Eunbi Kwon*, Division of Biology, Kansas State University; Sang-im Lee, Institute of Advanced Machinery and Design, Biomimetic Engineering Laboratory, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea; and Jae Chun Choe, Division of Ecoscience, Ewha Women’s University, Seoul, Korea

Black-billed magpies build their nests in tall trees and many pairs start nest building in January or February in Korea. The strength and direction of prevailing winds in late winter may affect the structural stability and microclimate of the nests. To minimize losses of nests and young, magpies may streamline and orient nests so that the direction of the longest horizontal axis matches wind direction at the locality. We measured morphological characteristics of 89 magpie nests at four localities with different wind conditions (maximum wind speed range: 61.2 - 167.4 km/hr). At all sites, nests were streamlined and oriented toward the direction of the strongest wind. The density and thickness of nest walls were greater at locations with stronger wind. In addition, we found that the body condition of nestling magpies was positively correlated with 1) the degree of streamlining and 2) the content of fabric material used for cup lining (N = 51 nestlings in 16 nests). Our results suggest that Black-billed Magpies optimize both the architecture and orientation of their nests to maintain structural stability and appropriate microclimate in the nest environment.

Tern Reproductive Success and Breeding Habitat Requirements on Barrier Islands. Edward J. Raynor*, Aaron R. Pierce, Department of Biological Sciences, Nicholls State University; Cecilia Leumas and Frank C. Rohwer, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.

Louisiana’s barrier islands rival all other breeding habitat types in colonial waterbird density. However, this habitat is subject to degradation from wave energy and reduced accretion from the human-altered Mississippi River system. In response to these effects, there has been considerable restoration efforts focused on barrier islands, but little evaluation of their success in regard to habitat functions. Specifically, the Isles Dernieres Barrier Islands Refuge (IDBIR) in Terrebonne Parish, which consists of Wine, Trinity, Whiskey, and Raccoon Islands, is a major waterbird rookery that has experienced substantial restoration through sediment applications, rock breakwater installations, vegetative planting, and sand fencing efforts under the CWPPRA program. The majority of restored areas on IDBIR are not used by nesting waterbirds, yet suitable nesting habitat appears to be available. To determine nesting habitat requirements of colonial waterbirds, we measured a suite of potentially important habitat characteristics for hatching success and colony formation of two abundant ground-nesting species, Royal Tern (Thalasseus maxima) and Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) in 2008 and 2009. Habitat characteristics were also measured at apparently suitable yet inactive sites to determine potential differences between active and inactive habitats through discriminant analysis. Discriminant analysis revealed suitable nesting habitat was available on some inactive sites. Understanding the use of restored barrier islands by waterbirds and their nesting habitat requirements will help improve implementation and planning of future coastal restoration projects.

Stopover dynamics of migratory songbirds: A twenty-two-year study in northern California. Gina Barton* and Brett K. Sandercock, Division of Biology, Kansas State University

Climate change has impacted seasonal phenology and geographic distributions of plants and animals. For migratory birds, ecological mismatches between movements and environmental conditions may negatively affect population viability. Climate conditions have sometimes been found to be associated with shifts in migration timing, but, few studies have assessed whether stopover duration is shifting or associated with climate conditions. To assess spring and fall migration timing of five migratory songbirds, we used a 22-year mark-recapture dataset of songbirds in northern California. Preliminary results showed that autumn median arrival dates of Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) and Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) are delayed by about one day per two years (p < 0.05). No species show significant shifts in spring median arrival dates. Future analyses will look at changes in stopover duration over time and if weather covariates (i.e., hemispheric and local) are associated with annual variations in arrival dates and stopover duration.

Investigation of song dialects in alpine-breeding birds. Anthony C. Dalisio*, Department of Biological Sciences, Emporia State University; William E. Jensen, Department of Biological Sciences, Emporia State University; and Timothy H. Parker, Department of Biology, Whitman College

Song dialects have been well documented among isolated bird populations. Natural fragmentation of bird populations among elevationally-restricted life zones could promote dialect formation. We are investigating dialect patterns among populations of songbird species isolated across alpine life zones in the Rocky Mountains of North America. In 2010 we recorded songs of American Pipits (Anthus rubescens alticola), Wilson’s Warblers (Wilsonia pusilla pileolata) and White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha) across 6 mountain ranges in Colorado. We digitally recorded songs and used spectrographic cross-correlation (SPCC) to calculate time-frequency similarity coefficients from pair-wise comparisons of song phrases among birds. Dialects per species were considered evident if mean, within-site song similarity was greater than pair-wise similarity between birds across all sites. We also used Pearson correlation to determine if song similarity among paired sites was related to distance between sites (range: 34–189 km). Within-site song similarity was greater than mean, across-site similarity for 4 of 6 populations in the American Pipit, 2 of 4 populations in the Wilson’s Warbler and, 4 of 5 populations in the White-crowned Sparrow. Song similarity between sites was not related to between-site distance in the American Pipit or the White-crowned Sparrow, but increased with distance between sites in the Wilson’s Warbler, contrary to prediction. Further sampling will determine if dialect divergence among sites is a function of decay in song similarity with distance or isolation of cultural units.

Patterns of Henslow’s Sparrow territories in restored grasslands of west-central Missouri.

Levi Jaster*, William Jensen, Department of Biological Sciences, Emporia State University; and Andrew Forbes, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Grasslands in the Midwest are being restored with native warm-season grasses and exotic cool-season grasses. In Missouri, these restorations are, in part, targeted for improving habitat for the state-endangered Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido). Other grassland species, such as Henslow’s Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii), also use these plantings but to an unknown extent. Here we report on patterns in the distribution and size of breeding Henslow’s Sparrow territories between warm and cool season grasslands in west-central Missouri. We mist-netted and color-banded Henslow’s Sparrows from May to August 2010 across three conservation areas that had similar proportions of warm- (50.1%) and cool-season (49.9%) grass fields. We captured and banded 42 Henslow’s Sparrows, including 37 adults and 5 juveniles. Re-sighting of color-banded males allowed us to estimate boundaries of 19 territories. Five territories occurred in warm-season grass fields and 14 in cool-season grass fields, demonstrating that habitat use was disproportionate to habitat availability. There was a significant (P<0.05) difference in territory size between habitats, where territories in warm-season grass fields (mean = 0.53 ha ± 0.09 SE) were larger than territories in cool-season grass fields (mean = 0.30 ha ± 0.06 SE). This observation is consistent with the prediction of the elastic disc hypothesis, where territory size is predicted to decrease as territory density increases. Henslow’s Sparrows appeared to prefer cool-season grasslands over warm-season grasslands, although other habitat characteristics may have influenced habitat use.

Experimental harvest reveals thresholds of compensatory mortality in Willow Ptarmigan.

Brett K. Sandercock*, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, and Erlend B. Nilsen, Henrik Brøseth, and Hans Chr. Pedersen, Terrestrial Division, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway

A central question in wildlife management is whether harvest is additive to natural losses or offset by compensatory survival. We tested the effects of experimental harvest on survival of Willow Ptarmigan in a 3-year experiment on a 122 km2 study area in central Norway. Five hunting estates were randomly assigned to harvest treatments of 0%, 15% or 30%, and survival rates of 193 radio-marked birds were monitored for 269 bird-years. Annual survival of ptarmigan was highest under 0% harvest (0.54), intermediate at 15% harvest (0.47), and lowest at 30% harvest (0.30). Cause-specific mortality rates showed that hunting mortality increased linearly across the harvest treatments (0%: 0.08, 15%: 0.27, 30%: 0.42). In contrast, natural mortality rates were highest without hunting (0%: 0.38) and lower under harvest (15-30%: 0.25-0.28). Cause-specific hazard functions indicated that risk of natural mortality was greatest during early fall and late spring, which coincided with periods of juvenile dispersal, territorial activity, and raptor migration. Partial compensation for harvest mortality was 30% across all treatments, with evidence of thresholds in compensatory survival. The implications for ptarmigan management are that hunting mortality is more likely to be additive during late autumn or if proportional harvest rates are >15%.