WESTERN WHEATGRASS--BLUE GRAMA PASTURE--Location: Montana; McCone County; 

 Sec. 23, T20N, R44E; 47° 28' N, 106° 3' W; AMS, Jordan (NL 13-1). Continuity: 

 Established 1977; 2 consecutive years. Size: 25 ha = 61.8 acres (square, 

 paced). Description of Plot: See AB 32:109 (1978). Coverage: May 21, 27, 

 28; June 15, 16, 19, 21; July 19; 8 trips, 0450-2100. Total man-hours: 13. 

 Census: Horned Lark, 10 (40, 16); Lark Bunting, 7 (28, 11); Chestnut-collared 

 Longspur, 5.5 (22, 9); Western Meadowlark, 3.5 (14, 6); Killdeer, +. Total: 

 5 species, 26 territorial males or females (104/km , 42/100 acres). Visitors: 

 Marsh Hawk, American Kestrel, Wilson's Phalarope, Mourning Dove, Cliff Swallow, 

 Loggerhead Shrike, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed 

 Cowbird, Grasshopper Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow. Remarks: A Horned Lark nest 

 with 4 young was found on the plot. On July 19, a flock estimated at 700 

 Brewer's Blackbirds and Brown-headed Cowbirds was observed using the plot. 

 The increase in Lark Buntings and Chestnut-collared Longspur densities over 

 last year's census is remarkable, and is believed to be due primarily to the 

 relatively lush grassland development. A Prairie Rattlesnake was also observed 

 on the plot. 



60 



