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Restoration of Quail Habitat on Surface Mined Lands. Kale Horton Ramona Briggeman U.S. Dept. of the Interior Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources Office of Surface Mining Division of Reclamation Mid-Continent Region Jasonville, IN Alton, IL . Objectives.
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Restoration of Quail Habitat on Surface Mined Lands Kale Horton Ramona Briggeman U.S. Dept. of the Interior Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources Office of Surface Mining Division of Reclamation Mid-Continent Region Jasonville, IN Alton, IL
Objectives • Discuss basic habitat elements required by upland game birds • Explore some mine reclamation benefits • Texas revegetation guideline example • Show some examples of upland game bird reclamation in Indiana
Interspersion 40 acres per covey (10 to 30 birds)
Winter/Loafing Cover Covey Headquarters
Food Requirements • Primary seedeaters • Insects that grow around weeds and crops • Soft fruits and seeds such as blackberries, grass seeds, and legume seeds are vital • Tall fescue not only reduces cover, but serves as poor food source and repels insects the birds need
Reclamation • Coal mine reclamation presents a unique opportunity for upland game bird restoration • Quicker bond release – submit one year of ground cover • Produce recreational lands for hunting • Flexibility in regulations • Upland game birds require disturbed environments • Type of cover and plant species that do well for reclamation also benefit quail • Early successional habitats = more quail
Texas Revegetation Guidelines • Texas Parks and Wildlife Approached the Railroad Commission • Texas Quail Conservation Initiative • TXU and ALCOA came on board to promote the initiative on mined lands • Specific rule change for ground cover and woody plant stocking rates • Added a sub-category specific to upland game birds in the revegetation guidelines
Texas Quail Habitat • Texas Parks and Wildlife proposed to the RRC a rule change specific to upland game bird habitat: • Revegetation Success Standards • A. Grazingland and Pastureland • B. Cropland • C. Forestry • D. Fish and Wildlife Habitat • General Category • 1. Ground Cover • 2. Woody-Plant Stocking • Sub-Category: Bobwhite Quail and Other Grassland Bird Species • 1. Ground Cover • 2. Woody-Plant Stocking • E. Undeveloped Land • F. Industrial / Commercial • G. Residential • H. Recreation
Texas Success Standards • Ground cover range for is reflected by the lowest value of 57% [63% x 0.9] and the highest value of 77% [70% x 1.1] • Woody species stocking is based on permit specific and site specific considerations • Consultation with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department • Employ best management practices to assist in erosion control and husbandry