Long-billed curlews on the Yakima Training Center: Information for base realignment

Abstract

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1993 study of long-billed curlews on the Yakima Training Center

“…4C and 4D (searched in 1992, habitat generally too steep and rocky for curlews) 5C (south half) (searched in 1992) 6C (east half) and 6D (6D was searched in 1992) Impact Area Range 14 Dud Area MPR Time and staffing did not permit extensive searches in all the checked areas; however, because major curlew use areas are quite conspicuous due to the bird_i'breeding activity, we are confident that all major use areas in the areas checked were identified. No curlews were seen in Training Areas 2D, 6B, or 6C in 1993, but some were seen there in 1992 (Hand et al 1994). The training areas are shown in Figure 1.…”

“…To check for curlew arrival and general distribution, we drove many roads on the YTC beginning in mid-March. These general surveys were conducted in areas that had previously been identified as curlew habitat and use areas (Hand et al 1994). Locations of birds were obtained using a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit or were estimated using the Yakima Firing Center Special Map.…”

“…Washout Gulch, Selah Creek, and Pozzuolana Mine showed somewhat higher use in 1993 than in 1992. Figure 3 shows the locations of all curlew sightings on the YTC in 1993 overlaid onto a potential habitat map (Hand et al 1994). Figure 4 shows the locations of the single radio-equipped curlew.…”