[wisb] Re: Question about Smith's Longspurs (food habits)
- From: "Tom Wood" <tcwood729@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <jim_lutes@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2014 17:26:17 -0500
Per the Birds of North America account of food habits:
"In winter mainly seeds of grasses, waste grain, and weeds, including:
Aristida sp., Sporobolus sp., Silaria sp., Panicum sp., wheat, timothy,
clover, crabgrass, ragweed, bulrush, millet and sedge. Ground beetles,
caterpillars, and spiders main invertebrates eaten (Martin et al. in Kemsies
1968). On migration, cracked corn and seeds of Sporobolus vaginiflorous, and
Digitaria ischaemum (Kemsies and Randle 1964).
Kemsies, E. 1968. Smith's Longspur. Pages 1628-1635 in Life histories of
North American cardinals, grosbeaks, buntings, towhees, finches, sparrows
and allies. Vol. 237 (Bent, A. C., Ed.) U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. Washington,
D.C.
Kemsies, E. and W. Randle. 1964. A distributional summary and some
behavioral notes for Smith's Longspur, Calcarius pictus. Can. Field-Nat.
78:28-31."
The common name for Sporobolus vaginiflorus appears to be Poverty Dropseed,
Poverty Grass, or Sheathed Dropseed, and for Digitaria ischaemum, Smooth
Crabgrass or Small Crabgrass.
I know nothing about botany, so I don't know how common these are in
Wisconsin and if any of the grasses mentioned are common in the WPA. If you
know, Jim, perhaps this could shed some light on why they chose that
particular field and if they would have success at another location.
Also from BNA:
"Effects of human activities on migrating and wintering populations remain
unknown. Wintering longspurs frequent airport fields, grazed pastures, grain
stubble and other areas of intensive human use, but may be vulnerable to
land-use changes and contaminants in these habitats."
It doesn't sound like Smith's Longspurs are too particular, but maybe we
have more to learn.
Thomas Wood, Menomonee Falls, Waukesha County
-----Original Message-----
From: wisbirdn-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:wisbirdn-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Lutes, Jim
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2014 9:27 AM
To: tcwood729@xxxxxxxxx
Cc: Wisconsin Birding Network
Subject: [wisb] Re: Question about Smith's Longspurs
If I could I'd throw out a couple of not necessarily bird related comments.
First, dogs. Dogs on WPAs must be on a leash at all times except while
engaged in hunting during established open seasons. Do we have a problem
with dogs off leash? I could list off several WPAs where there can be found,
at about any time, dogs running off leash and I bet a few of you could give
several more examples. Second, habitat. I'd like to think that the Smith's
are/were there because that IS the only field around which they found
desirable because of it's condition. The thought that, if they felt
excessively disturbed, they could/would just go to a different field may not
be totally correct. We all know birds are species of habitat preference,
some broad, some narrow, and if that habitat is not available neither will
the birds that relate to it. If folks have comments on this y'all can send
me an e-mail and I'll gladly keep the conversation(s) going.
But now....back to tallking about birds!!
*"Anyone can love the mountains, **it takes soul to love the prairie."*
Jim Lutes
Wildlife Biologist
Horicon NWR/Leopold WMD Complex
W10040 Cascade Mountain Road
Portage, WI 53901
jim_lutes@xxxxxxx
608.742.7100 ext. 17 (Office)
920.948.4763 (Cell)
608.745.0866 (Fax)
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/horicon/
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/leopold/
On Fri, Apr 25, 2014 at 7:36 AM, Tom Wood <tcwood729@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> I did not go out to look for the Smith's Longspur's because of a
> troublesome foot, but if not for that, I certainly would have joined
> the others. I haven't seen one since 1989 when I saw them on the
> breeding grounds in Churchill, Manitoba.
> Definitions of harassment vary with the individual. Any interruption
> in the process of a bird's daily life could be considered harassment,
> so as Mike Wanger indicated, just walking down the sidewalk and
> causing a Robin to stop its hunt for worms could be considered
> harassment. I once was having a friendly conversation with a ranger at
> Horicon Marsh and he told me that a staff biologist had told him that
> birders cause a great deal of harm to birds by "pishing", because it
> stops them from feeding or attending to their young. That was the only
> thing I remember from that conversation because I always thought
> pishing was rather innocuous.
> I'm sure the longspurs have evolved to deal with harassment from
> predators and competitors. Birds of North America online states that
> they tolerate humans and breed in areas of moderate disturbance and
> even sing from telephone wires in Churchill. From the posts I've read,
> birders are flushing them and they disappear for long periods of time
> before being refound. If this level of disturbance was intolerable,
> they would move to another field.
> Slow-moving humans are certainly less of a threat than the hawks and
> ground predators they encounter on a daily basis.
> Jim Lutes has answered the question about the use of the WPA, and
> since the birds continue to use the field in spite of the birders, I
> don't think we have crossed any line causing danger to the birds.
> I believe there are such lines being crossed at times; attracting owls
> to the road where they are subject to being hit by vehicles and losing
> their fear of humans; disturbing roosting owls in the winter when food
> is local and scarce; repeatedly visiting nesting birds and providing a
> path for predators to follow; those are all levels of harassment that
> I would consider harmful.
> Those are just my personal thoughts and I respect the opinions of
> others. I have had the pleasure to be birding nearby when Joan was in
> the area, and her patience and helpfulness to new birders and
> non-birders alike is exemplary; she is a great ambassador for birding.
> Though I have different thoughts than she does on this subject, I
> thank her for bringing it up because it is useful to review one's personal
ethics from time to time.
> Thomas Wood, Menomonee Falls, Waukesha County -----Original
> Message-----
> From: wisbirdn-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:wisbirdn-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> On Behalf Of Steve Thiessen
> Sent: Friday, April 25, 2014 1:59 AM
> To: carol.jaksic@xxxxxxxxx
> Cc: Wisconsin Birding Network
> Subject: [wisb] Re: Question about Smith's Longspurs
>
>
>
> I've walked that field ever since I saw it became a WPA. It is very
> interesting to watch and I'm looking forward to see what it looks like
> this fall. And yes I will be walking it to see if I can find LeConte's
> and Nelson's Sparrows. They will be there a few days this fall, I'm sure.
> Even though many people have walked this field this week, I can't
> really see a change in it. A lot of the base is still just dirt, but
> the plants that came in seem strong. It was interesting that with the
> snow, last winter,a lot of the grass seeds seem to still be there.
> As far as the longspurs go, it was a interesting learning experience.
> They don't act like the Laplands. Even though they did get flushed a
> number of times, it wasn't a constant thing. It wasn't as bad as you
> are thinking or making it out to be. The field is about 1/4 by 1/3
> mile. When they didn't want to be seen they could really disappear.
> Now the Savannah Sparrows may have thought "Oh no, here they come again".
> Now to dogs. I've taken a dog for walks in many fields. The birds
> don't mind them near as much as they do people. And oddly enough ,
> when I first saw these birds (I knew what they were but needed and
> wanted a good look), I let the dog walk ahead in hopes it would flush
> them. The longspurs got up and flew, but not in a panic. I got great
> views of a bright male flying close by.
> There are many ways to bird. Some times I love to be alone and be
> slow and try to notice everything. Sometimes it's all out. We chase
> rare birds, but the journey with friends is the real plus. Wildlife is
> different every day, and I guess so are we.
> Enjoy the spring! Steve Thiessen Stoughton Dane co.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Carol Jaksic" <carol.jaksic@xxxxxxxxx>
> Cc: "Wisconsin Birding Network" <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2014 5:39 PM
> Subject: [wisb] Re: Question about Smith's Longspurs
>
>
> >I was thinking the same thing Joan. Sounded more like harassment to
> >the birds. For what, a look, a photograph, an add to a bird list?
> >Aren't they migrating and wouldn't they need to rest up and eat.
> >That didn't sound like appropriate birding to me either, but I
> >guess everyone does their birding differently. I'm wondering too if
> >that is what you do when you hunt birds, or just send dogs in to flush
them out?
> >
> > On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 10:35 AM, Lutes, Jim <jim_lutes@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> >
> >> Another GREAT question..Thanks Mike! I should have provided a
> >> source for finding other WPAs. Anyone can visit the WPA Mapper at
> >> http://gis.fws.gov/WPA_Mapper/ or just do a search for WPA Mapper.
> >> The District also has a website
> >> http://www.fws.gov/refuge/leopold_wmd/ where you can find maps.
> >> Just be aware that the maps are updated as time allows and may not
> >> be up to
> date.
> >> *"Anyone can love the mountains, **it takes soul to love the
> >> prairie."*
> >>
> >> Jim Lutes
> >> Wildlife Biologist
> >> Horicon NWR/Leopold WMD Complex
> >> W10040 Cascade Mountain Road
> >> Portage, WI 53901
> >> jim_lutes@xxxxxxx
> >> 608.742.7100 ext. 17 (Office)
> >> 920.948.4763 (Cell)
> >> 608.745.0866 (Fax)
> >> http://www.fws.gov/midwest/horicon/
> >> http://www.fws.gov/midwest/leopold/
> >>
> >>
> >> On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 10:17 AM, Mike Wanger
> >> <misterwanger@xxxxxxxxx
> >> >wrote:
> >>
> >> > Thank you, Jim -- good comments.
> >> > I'm wondering if there is a website you could direct me to that
> >> > lists or maps the locations of these 55 properties? If you'd care
> >> > to share on the listserv, that might be good too...
> >> >
> >> > thanks
> >> > Mike Wanger
> >> > Milwaukee
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 10:10 AM, Lutes, Jim <jim_lutes@xxxxxxx>
> wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Hi Joan -
> >> >> Great question! So, from a purely regulatory standpoint, WPAs
> >> >> are open
> >> to
> >> >> public access for wildlife dependent activities such as hunting,
> >> fishing,
> >> >> wildlife observation and photography, environmental education
> >> >> and interpretation. I have been excited to read throughout the
> >> >> past couple
> >> of
> >> >> weeks the attention that this property has been receiving!
> >> >> Shameless
> >> plug
> >> >> alert.....there are 54 other such properties throughout
> >> >> Southeastern Wisconsin! Now, from an ethical and biological
> >> >> standpoint I have to
> >> admit
> >> >> I
> >> >> had concerns regarding enthusiasts repeatedly flushing birds so
> >> >> they
> >> could
> >> >> make positive identification. I guess in my mind I rationalized
> >> >> it in these ways, 1) It sounds as if, generally, there were
> >> >> groups pf people making the trek to see the birds. I would
> >> >> rather see several people going out once
> >> or
> >> >> twice in a day than individuals going out throughout the day and
> >> >> continuously disrupting the birds. 2) The habitat condition of
> >> >> this
> >> field
> >> >> in particular is in a transient stage being a relatively new
> >> >> grassland planting. In subsequent years the cover in this field
> >> >> will become more dense than currently exists until we burn it
> >> >> for the first time (which should be next spring if our schedule
> >> >> holds) so I guess I would say
> >> enjoy
> >> >> it while it lasts. Lastly, along those "enjoy it while it lasts"
> >> >> lines
> >> 3)
> >> >> this is a great opportunity for enthusiasts of all stripes to
> >> >> actually visualize the changes in community structure and
> >> >> diversity which is brought about through restoration and
> >> >> management. These early stages of restoration have been great
> >> >> for these longspurs...what will it be next year? Tune in and see!
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> *"Anyone can love the mountains, **it takes soul to love the
> >> >> prairie."*
> >> >>
> >> >> Jim Lutes
> >> >> Wildlife Biologist
> >> >> Horicon NWR/Leopold WMD Complex
> >> >> W10040 Cascade Mountain Road
> >> >> Portage, WI 53901
> >> >> jim_lutes@xxxxxxx
> >> >> 608.742.7100 ext. 17 (Office)
> >> >> 920.948.4763 (Cell)
> >> >> 608.745.0866 (Fax)
> >> >> http://www.fws.gov/midwest/horicon/
> >> >> http://www.fws.gov/midwest/leopold/
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 8:11 AM, <jsommer2@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Hello,
> >> >> >
> >> >> > I am not trying to stir the pot but I have a question.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Please don't backchannel me because I am not interested in
> >> >> > debating or discussing.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > I am just wondering why it is ok to have groups of people
> >> >> > walking out
> >> >> into
> >> >> > these fields (which may be questionable in itself) with the
> >> >> > sole and
> >> >> only
> >> >> > purpose to "flush" these birds just so we can see them.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Where is the line that says past this point behavior is
harassment.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > That's it.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Joan Sommer
> >> >> > Fredonia
> >> >> > Northern Ozaukee County
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> > ####################
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> >> >>
> >> >>
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