Spatially Explicit Assessment of Sandhill Crane Exposure to Potential Transmission Line Collision Risk

Hays, Quentin R.; Tredennick, Andrew T.; Carlisle, Jason D.; Collins, Daniel P.; Carleton, Scott A.

doi:10.1002/jwmg.22100

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 25 publications

(41 reference statements)

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“…Most RMP cranes (n = 86) were captured in wintering areas in New Mexico and Arizona, but a few individuals were captured in Colorado (n = 3), Idaho (n = 14), and Montana (n = 3) during the summer. Details on the capture methods can be found in Collins et al (2016), Boggie et al (2018), andHays et al (2021).…”

Section: Transmitter Deployment and Data Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Time of year and weather influence departure decisions of sandhill cranes at a primary stopover

Vanausdall,

Kendall,

Collins

et al. 2024

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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The Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of greater sandhill cranes uses a key stopover area, the San Luis Valley (SLV) in Colorado. Parameters of migration phenology can differ between autumn and spring and are affected by weather and environmental factors. We hypothesized that sandhill cranes in the SLV would have a longer stopover duration in autumn than in spring, and that wind assistance, crosswinds, temperature change, barometric air pressure, and surface water area would influence persistence probability. We used data from sandhill cranes fitted with transmitters that spanned autumn and spring, 2015-2022. We used an open robust design mark-recapture model to estimate stopover duration, arrival probability, and persistence probability. We examined the effects of weather and surface water on the persistence probability for 106 sandhill cranes in the SLV. Stopover duration was longer in autumn than in spring and had higher variability across years. Arrival probability to the SLV peaked on 13 October in autumn and 21 February in spring. Persistence probability declined around mid-December in autumn and mid-March in spring. We found that several weather covariates influenced persistence in both seasons. In autumn, sandhill cranes departed the SLV with higher tailwinds, lower crosswinds, and higher surface water availability. In spring, sandhill cranes departed the SLV with lower crosswinds and higher barometric air pressure at the surface and higher wind speeds at altitudes of about 3,000 m. The effect of wind speed was stronger later in the spring. Given the lower variability of arrival and persistence probability and shorter stopover duration in spring compared to autumn, we suspect that RMP sandhill cranes are using a time-minimization strategy during spring. However, given the use of supportive winds and weather conditions ideal for soaring, RMP sandhill cranes appear to be using strategies that save energy in both seasons. Our study identifies the optimal timing of water management and surveys for RMP sandhill cranes and confirms that weather influences their persistence. Understanding differences in migration patterns between seasons and the factors that influence persistence at stopover sites will also be important for anticipating phenological impacts from climate change and land use alterations.

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Section: Transmitter Deployment and Data Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Time of year and weather influence departure decisions of sandhill cranes at a primary stopover

Vanausdall,

Kendall,

Collins

et al. 2024

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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Florida sandhill crane survival along a wildland‐to‐urban land use gradient

Dellinger,

Sylvia,

Bankovich

et al. 2024

J Wildl Manag

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The Florida sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis pratensis) is a state‐threatened non‐migratory subspecies. Our understanding of adult crane survival in Florida, USA, is unclear, as it relies on decades‐old unpublished data of birds residing in natural areas. Since that time, the loss of natural habitat precipitated cranes using urbanized areas such as suburban lawns and roadside verges for foraging and loafing. Contemporary studies are needed to properly guide crane management and conservation efforts. We addressed this knowledge gap by estimating the annual survival rate for sandhill cranes in 12 central Florida counties. We used a live‐dead capture‐recapture multistate model, monitoring 118 adult cranes from June 2017 to May 2023; 76 were color‐banded and 42 were tagged with Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) transmitters. Fifteen cranes died during the study, with vehicle strikes (n = 9) being the most prevalent identified source of mortality. Overall, the annual survival probability was estimated at 0.79 (95% credibility interval = 0.75–0.84). Using the subset of GSM‐tagged cranes, we observed no influence of urbanization on annual survival rate (βurbanization gradient = 0.007, 95% credibility interval = −0.008, 0.022). The adult survival rates we observed are lower than reported for other populations of sandhill cranes in North America that are considered stable or growing.

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Waterfowl and Wetland Birds

Vest,

Haukos,

Niemuth

et al. 2023

Rangeland Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

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The future of wetland bird habitat and populations is intrinsically connected with the conservation of rangelands in North America. Many rangeland watersheds are source drainage for some of the highest functioning extant wetlands. The Central and Pacific Flyways have significant overlap with available rangelands in western North America. Within these flyways, the importance of rangeland management has become increasingly recognized by those involved in wetland bird conservation. Within the array of wetland bird species, seasonal habitat needs are highly variable. During the breeding period, nest survival is one of the most important drivers of population growth for many wetland bird species and rangelands often provide quality nesting cover. Throughout spring and fall, rangeland wetlands provide key forage resources that support energetic demands needed for migration. In some areas, stock ponds developed for livestock water provide migration stopover and wintering habitat, especially in times of water scarcity. In the Intermountain West, drought combined with water demands from agriculture and human population growth are likely headed to an ecological tipping point for wetland birds and their habitat in the region. In the Prairie Pothole Region, conversion of rangeland and draining of wetlands for increased crop production remains a significant conservation issue for wetland birds and other wildlife. In landscapes dominated by agricultural production, rangelands provide some of the highest value ecosystem services, including water quality and wetland function. Recent research has shown livestock grazing, if managed properly, is compatible and at times beneficial to wetland bird habitat needs. Either directly, or indirectly, wetland bird populations and their habitat needs are supported by healthy rangelands. In the future, rangeland and wetland bird managers will benefit from increased collaboration to aid in meeting ultimate conservation objectives.

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Spatially Explicit Assessment of Sandhill Crane Exposure to Potential Transmission Line Collision Risk

Cited by 3 publications

References 25 publications

Time of year and weather influence departure decisions of sandhill cranes at a primary stopover

Time of year and weather influence departure decisions of sandhill cranes at a primary stopover

Florida sandhill crane survival along a wildland‐to‐urban land use gradient

Waterfowl and Wetland Birds

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