y 



RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 



NONGAME BIRDS OF THE STUDY 

 AREA (EXCLUDING RAPTORS) 



A list of all the nongame birds observed on the area, their relative abundance 

 (present and historical), breeding status and the vetetation type in which 

 they were most frequently observed is presented in Table 1. The historical 

 relative abundance presented is derived from Cameron (1907, 1908) and the 

 author refers those who wish to know in more detail the historical status of 

 nongame birds in this and surrounding areas to these excellent papers. Some 

 of the changes occurring since the late 1800 's and early 1900 's along with a 

 brief discussion of unique and "special interest or concern" species recorded 

 during this study, is presented below. 



Although Cameron's work included areas other than the study area it still 

 provides a basis for general comparisons of relative abundance. It should be 

 noted, however, that man had already changed the status of several species 

 prior to Cameron's work. Therefore, the status as presented by Cameron does 

 not imply, necessarily, the pristine conditions. Species such as raptors and 

 black-billed magpies were being seriously depleted by the numerous poison baits 

 placed on the area for wolf control. Effects of these baits on various raptor 

 species will be discussed further in that section of this report. Certain 

 species that are found in riparian habitats and listed by Cameron as abundant 

 were found to be uncommon or rare (i.e. yellow warbler, American redstart, etc.). 

 This is undoubtedly due to a lack of well developed riparian habitats on this 

 study area and probably does not reflect an actual change in abundance over 

 the region. Changes in relative abundance that have occurred were most notable 

 in the shorebird and waterfowl categories. Before the development of the numerous 

 stock ponds that now exist, little water was available in eastern Montana with 

 the exception of major river and tributary systems (i.e. Yellowstone, Missouri, 

 Tongue and Powder). The majority of Cameron's observations of shorebirds and 

 waterfowl were on the Yellowstone River or "prairie ponds" which formed after 

 snovmielt and heavy rains. These ponds were highly ephemeral and were primarily 

 utilized by nongame birds as resting areas. Cameron even reports finding shore- 

 birds resting on the prairie when no ponds existed. Development of stock 

 ponds has enhanced waterfowl and shorebird use of the area. It is plausible 

 that some shorebird species have been induced to breed in the area where 

 previously such an opportunity did not exist. 



Several observations of rare nongame birds occurred during this study. Mocking- 

 birds were sighted on two occasions on the study area. The first observation 

 was in the first half of May 1979. The second was in the third week of June, 

 1980 and occurred in a brushy grassland coulee. This observation could indicate 

 breeding by this species on the area. Another species of interest is the 

 Sprague's pipit. This species was common in the grassland habitat during 1979 

 (see breeding bird surveys) but few were seen or heard in 1980. It is believed 

 that a reduction of residual vegetation from drought had an adverse impact 

 on this species. The Philadelphia vireo was sighted during the last week of 

 May 1980 in the ponderosa pine subtype. Very few records of this species 

 occurrence exist for Montana. Skaar (1980) questions the records of this 

 species for the latilong in which this observation occurred. Timing of this 

 observation probably indicates a migrant bird. 



