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Bird Group

Game Bird Management Plan. Bird Group. James Detraz, Amber Frye Kim Hippensteel and Nick Kafcas. Ruffed Grouse Management Plan. Neithercut Woodland. By Kim Hippensteel. Bonasa umbellus Weight: about 1.5 lb Wingspan: 20-25 in Mottled brown & grey with light belly

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Bird Group

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  1. Game Bird Management Plan Bird Group James Detraz, Amber Frye Kim Hippensteel and Nick Kafcas

  2. Ruffed Grouse Management Plan Neithercut Woodland By Kim Hippensteel

  3. Bonasa umbellus Weight: about 1.5 lb Wingspan: 20-25 in Mottled brown & grey with light belly Named for ruffs on sides of neck Long, square tail Males typically larger Ruffed Grouse Adult female

  4. Habitat Requirements Need a year-round supply of food, cover, drumming and nesting sites, and snowfall Drumming sites are needed about every acre For Neithercut Woodland property, approximately 80 ruffed grouse could be sustainable with total acreage

  5. What’s for dinner? Buds, twigs, catkins, leaves, ferns, soft fruits, acorns, some insects, oak galls Young mostly insectivorous Buds are especially important in winter

  6. Drumming How males attract mates Occurs in spring Logs, stumps, boulders, elevated roots, even snowdrifts Starts slow Gradually becomes a blur of sound http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Ruffed_Grouse_dtl.html#fig1

  7. Nest near base of tree or stump Made of leaves, looks like a bowl 7-16 eggs Male plays no role, female’s is tiny Young leave nest within 24 hours Completely leave family circle by four months Most die by first winter Baby Birdies

  8. No migration Live in same small area year-round Populations have ten-year cycles Diet changes More buds Grow snowshoes Good rabbit habitat = good grouse habitat Dig/fly straight into snowdrifts Overnight Warmer Winter Habits

  9. Management Cut down several trees near aspen stands to create small irregular edges Cut diseased oak to provide year-round habitat and food Plant bushy under-story cover (June berry, witch hazel, etc) Commercial timber harvest in irregular pattern of 10 acres every 10 years One drumming log per acre Diameter of at least 7.5 in Average length of 20 feet

  10. Current Status There is no evidence to show that ruffed grouse are or are not present at Neithercut at this time ?

  11. Wild Turkey Management Neithercut Woodland By: Nick Kafcas

  12. Wild Turkey Rangeand Sub-Species Type Wild turkeys are common in every state except Alaska Huntable populations in every state containing turkeys Four sub-species of turkeys in the U.S. Eastern Merriams Rio Grande Osceola (Florida) Two additional sub-species exist in Mexico and Central America Goulds Oscellated In Michigan: Eastern sub-species only

  13. History and Background • Prior to European settlement, wild turkeys were common in lower Michigan • Provided a food source for Native Americans and early settlers. • As settlement expanded throughout the 1800’s, lands were cleared and the wild turkey began to be exploited for food and commercial value. • By 1900 the wild turkey was eradicated from Michigan • 1920’s - MDNR was established, Game Division • 1954 – 1st successful reintroduction effort, Allegan County • 1965 – 1st wild turkey hunting season • 1980’s – Major expansion and reintroduction (exponential growth).

  14. 140,000 Wild Turkey Timeline 94,000 TURKEY POPULATION 1901-2000 THE CENTURY OF RESTORATION 1983 1900 1921 1927 1938 1800 1837 1897 1954 1965 TURKEY POPULATION Pittman-Robertson Act established 1st hunting season in modern times 2000 DNR established Turkeys extripated from Michigan Michigan became a state Wild turkeys restored Wild turkeys common Game Division established, first wildlife biologist hired 1st successful Wild Turkey restoration attempt Expanded wild turkey restoration efforts Last Turkey Recorded MDNR 2005

  15. Current Status • The wild turkey is once again a thriving species on the Michigan Landscape numbering > 140,00 birds state wide. • Within Clare County, including Neithercut Woodland wild turkeys are very common. • Spring and fall hunting seasons. • Fall seasons indicate large numbers of birds. • Harvesting hens to control population growth

  16. Woodcock Management Plan Neithercut Woodland By the JIMMER

  17. American Woodcock Scolopax minor http://www.fws.gov/northeast/moosehorn/images/Woodcock.jpg • Migratory game species • Breeding range includes all of Michigan • Male breeding territories • Nocturnal habits • Offspring development • Feeding habits

  18. Migration Patterns • Woodcock follow the Atlantic route for migration (Sheldon 1967) • In spring migration, the routes are followed North • In fall migration, the routes are followed South

  19. BreedingRange • The breeding range includes much of the eastern United States • All of Michigan is included in the breeding range Courtesy of Keppie and Whiting 1994

  20. BreedingRange • The U.P. contains the areas of greatest recorded woodcock abundance • CURRENT STATUS: The area of Clare County shows abundance of a mean between 4 and 10 singing males per route. Male woodcock abundance based on singing-ground survey routes (Keppie and Whiting 1994) http://www.gpnc.org/images/jpegs/animals/Woodcock.jpg

  21. Male Breeding Territories • Upon arrival in spring, males set up a territory for breeding. • The area is near potential nesting sites of females. • Intruding males are chased away and cackled at with a cac-cac-cac call. • Females willingly enter the breeding area. http://www.timberdoodlespinone.com/images/graphics/woodcock.jpg

  22. Nocturnal Habits • All migration occurs at night. • Males perform mating displays at dawn and dusk. • On nights with considerable light, mating displays will be performed all night. http://pages.cthome.net/rwinkler/woodcock_sideview_2.jpg

  23. Mating Displays • Mating displays begin with peent and tuko notes. • After a series of notes, the woodcock will fly into the air. • Once above tree level, he will begin flying in rings until nearly out of sight. • At this height, he will stop climbing and let out a series of chirps. • He will then fly downward in a zigzag pattern continuing to chirp for the duration of his flight. • He then lands in the same general spot that he took off from and repeats the process until a mate arrives. http://www.traderscreek.com/woodcock3%5B1%5D.jpg

  24. Offspring • Typically 4 eggs, though 3 or 5 are possible. • Incubation period 20 to 22 days. • Hatching success rate of 67% (Sheldon 1967). • Brood reared solely by female, due to polygynous nature of male. • Broods separate 6 to 8 weeks after hatching (Johnsgard 1975). http://thump01.pbase.com/u45/dataman/small/28870677.P5088573copy.jpg

  25. Feeding Habits • Diet consists mainly of earthworms. • Opportunistic feeder, will feed on many insects and even vegetation if needed. • Probes moist ground with beak for worms. http://urbanhawks.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/img_0268.gif

  26. Wood Duck Management Plan Neithercut Woodland http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~bsc7088/wood%2520duck.jpg By Amber Frye

  27. Wood Duck • Aix sponsa • Waterfowl game species • Distributed all across United States and in parts of Canada • Habitat includes forested woodlands near lakes, rivers, and vegetated wetlands • Minimum of 10 acres of continuous wetland or aquatic habitat • Migratory in the north and year-round resident in the south. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ejphoto.com/images_of_the_month/NM_WoodDuck06.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ejphoto.com/photos_of_the_month_page.htm&h=712&w=541&sz=199&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=ah6w5AIZWySCxM:&tbnh=140&tbnw=106&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwood%2Bduck%2B%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us%26sa%3DG

  28. Exploitation • 1800’s – Wood duck populations suffered heavy losses from unregulated hunting and decimation of habitat. Exploited for highly decorative feathers and tasty meat. • 1918 – Enactment of the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act helped wood duck begin a slow recovery (ending of unregulated hunting and the protection of remaining habitat) • 1930’s – Nesting boxes help to boost numbers • 1940’s – Wood duck numbers are sustainable enough for conservative hunting http://www.birdsofcentralpark.com/signed/images/wood_duck_07.jpg The wood duck is a true success story of proper game management www.gdphotography.com/images/1064.jpg

  29. Food & Foraging Young/Immature • Insects • Aquatic invertebrates • Small fish • Other high-protein animal material • After six-weeks diet switches to all plant foods • Algae, watermeal, duckweed Adults • Variety of nuts and fruits • Aquatic plants and seeds • Aquatic insects • Acorns and other forest material during the winter

  30. Habitat Requirements • Minimum habitat size for the wood duck as follows: • 10 acres of contiguous wetland or other aquatic habitat • Close proximity to nesting habitat • Generous amounts of hardwoods surrounding area around water • Other habitat requirements: • Water levels of approximately 8 inches are ideal for wood duck foraging. • Must have a balance between good nesting habitat and good brood rearing habitat • Forested wetland habitat is the optimal habitat type www.fws.gov/yazoo/images/Wood%20duck%20male%2...

  31. Nesting • Nests in hollow cavities of trees or in nesting boxes • Nesting boxes have been used since the 1930’s in an effort to boost wood duck populations • Designed to allow wood ducks in and predators out • Mesh screen attached to the inside of the front wall to help young climb out • Anti-predator cone guard may be used underneath box as well http://www.birddigiscoping.com/blog042306a2.jpg • Additional nesting boxes may be needed if dump nesting occurs. www.jjcardinal.com/coveside-lg-wood-duck.jpg

  32. Wood Duck Box Construction www.jjcardinal.com/coveside-lg-wood-duck.jpg http://www.carolinawaterfowlrescue.com/images/woodiejumps.jpg

  33. CORRECT! WRONG! http://miriameaglemon.com/photogallery/Photos/P4252749%20Wood%20Duck%20babies%20Santee.jpg

  34. Brood Rearing Cover • Shallow water is a necessity for young to forage in • Heavily vegetated areas are best. • Aquatic plants serve as cover from predators www.alabamawaterfowl.org/woodduck/woodduck26.jpg http://miriameaglemon.com/photogallery/Photos/P4252749%20Wood%20Duck%20babies%20Santee.jpg

  35. Current Status Believed that wood ducks do not currently utilize Neithercut Woodland as nesting/brooding site http://www.hiltonpond.org/images/DucklingWood01.jpg

  36. Current Status of NeithercutRuffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Woodcock and Wood Duck • Provides adequate habitat for game species. • Food (mast crops) • Water (Elm creek) • Cover/trees (roosting) • Lacking: • Nesting cover • Winter food sources • Forest clearings

  37. Current Status: All Game Species

  38. Management Goals • Increase nesting cover for Wild Turkey, American Woodcock, and Ruffed Grouse • Install and maintain Wood Duck nesting boxes • Provide winter food sources for turkeys through implementation of small food plots • Establish/increase Native grasslands • Provide food and cover for young turkeys and edge habitat for nesting woodcock • Create small forest openings • Increase woodcock breeding grounds • Increase foraging habitat for fledgling turkeys • Winter turkey census • Population estimate • Spring census for singing male woodcock and drumming grouse • Population estimate • Create and maintain drumming sites and optimal food sources for ruffed grouse

  39. Management Objectives • Implement three small food plots • One 1 ha plot • One 0.8 ha plot • One 2h plot • Even mixture of buck wheat, millet, soy beans and sunflowers • Establish 2 ha of a mix of cool season grasses: • Orchard grass • Timothy grass • White clover • Increase nesting habitat and browse opportunities • Establish 2 ha of Native Grasslands • Big bluestem • Little bluestem • Indian grass • Switch grass • Provide food and cover for young turkeys and edge habitat for nesting woodcock • Create small forest opening/clearcuts • Increase woodcock breeding habitat • Create foraging habitat for fledgling turkeys Big Bluestem

  40. Objectives Continued • Expansion of open water area • Continuous 10 acres open water minimum • Wood duck nest box installation • Anti predator cones • Annual clean out • Establish 1 aspen stand of diverse age for every 20 acres • Saplings should be dense • Small amounts of clear-cutting near aspen stands • Five or six closely spaced trees • Irregular pattern • Cut diseased oaks for year round food and cover • Plant bushy understory cover • June berry • Witch hazel • Wild raspberry/blackberry • Commercial timber harvest • Ten hectares every ten years • Insure one drumming log per acre • Diameter of at least 7.5 inches • Minimum length of 5.5 feet

  41. Long Term Objectives • Prescribed burning • Maintenance of wood duck boxes • Replace if needed • Annual censuses • Mowing of fields lh3.google.com/.../TCI6wbb_0PM/s800/DSC01465.JPG

  42. Monitoring Techniques - Ruffed Grouse • Spring census of singing male ruffed grouse will need to be done to estimate breeding population. • Cutting down of one tree per acre of suitable habitat • May require the expertise of Forester to determine best places in aspen stands to do so • A commercial timber harvest would need to be coordinated through the forester to allow for understory growth and the healthiest blend of tree ages • Reintroductions aren’t necessary as, if the habitat is desirable, the grouse already present in the area will spread. http://visitcranelake.com/images/blog/Ruffed%20Grouse%20close%20up%20(2).jpg

  43. Monitoring Techniques - Wild Turkeys • Spring census of singing male turkeys will need to be done to estimate breeding population.

  44. Monitoring Techniques - Woodcock • Spring census of singing male woodcocks will need to be done to estimate breeding population. • According to Sheldon (1967), there are 8 steps to perform the census. • A route must be selected in the area which is woodcock habitat. • The census must begin after all migrants have passed through and end before the peak of the hatch. • The count must be stated in a location of a known singing bird. • Stops must not be within 0.4 mile of each other. • A two minute listening period is required at each stop. • Peenting males and birds in courtship flight that are distinguishable from peenting males are counted. • The run should last only 35 minutes. • Runs should not be done in these conditions: • a.) Within two days of a full moon. • b.) When temperatures are below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. • c.) When winds exceed 8 mph. • d.) In heavy rain or snow. http://www.traderscreek.com/woodcock3%5B1%5D.jpg

  45. Monitoring Techniques - Wood Duck • Checking wood duck nesting boxes helps to determine the following: • Are the wood duck boxes being used? • By wood ducks or unwanted species? • Population estimates at Neithercut Woodland • Cleaning of previous year’s unusable nesting materials in preparation of coming breeding season http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/weekly/2007/02%20images/2-16%20photos/cenestt2.jpg

  46. Monitoring Techniques - Wood Duck • Monitoring the availability of standing water must also be done. • If vegetation over grows too much of the wetland area, it must be removed through contracting of outside sources or through equipment rental. www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~bsc7088/wood%2520duck.jpg http://www.41south-aquaculture.com/images/wetland.jpg

  47. Sources • http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/publications/pdf/woodduck.pdf • http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/woodduck/index.htm • http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/wildlife/420-802/420-802.html http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/EcoNatRes/EcoNatRes-idx?type=turn&entity=EcoNatRes.DNRRep036.p0011&isize=M http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Ruffed_Grouse_dtl.html http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i3000id.html http://www.ruffedgrousesociety.org http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snapshots/birds/ruffedgrouse.html http://www.michigandnr.com/publications/pdfs/huntingwildlifehabitat/Landowners_Guide/Species_Mgmt/Ruffed_Grouse.htm Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold http://www.rootsweb.com/~miclare/clarhist.htm

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