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Species at risk survey report : loggerhead shrike survey 2019

Description

In Alberta, the loggerhead shrike is considered to be a Species of Special Concern. Since 1987, a prairie-wide roadside survey has been conducted every five years to monitor populations. This... More ≫

Description

In Alberta, the loggerhead shrike is considered to be a Species of Special Concern. Since 1987, a prairie-wide roadside survey has been conducted every five years to monitor populations. This report summarizes results of the 2019 survey conducted in Alberta, and compares results with surveys conducted in 1987, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013.

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Species at risk survey report : greater sage-grouse lek census 2023

Description

The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is arguably Alberta’s most “at risk” species. Monitoring of sage-grouse in Alberta has been sporadic since it began in 1968. However, since the... More ≫

Description

The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is arguably Alberta’s most “at risk” species. Monitoring of sage-grouse in Alberta has been sporadic since it began in 1968. However, since the species decline was documented in the mid-1990s a concerted effort has been made to monitor the population each spring. This report summarizes results of the lek counts conducted in 2023.

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Translocation of greater sage-grouse from Montana to Alberta : 2011-2013 progress report

Description

In 2008, a collaborative project was initiated between Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Alberta Environment and Parks to augment the remaining Canadian population of Greater sage-grouse in... More ≫

Description

In 2008, a collaborative project was initiated between Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Alberta Environment and Parks to augment the remaining Canadian population of Greater sage-grouse in southeastern Alberta. Over a two year period (2011-2012) 41 sage-grouse were captured in Montana and translocated to Alberta. These birds were monitored remotely through the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) Platform Transmitter Terminals (PTTs). This report presents results of the project to date.

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The 2013 loggerhead shrike survey in Alberta

Description

In Alberta, the loggerhead shrike is considered to be a Species of Special Concern. Since 1987, a prairie-wide roadside survey has been conducted every five years to monitor populations. This... More ≫

Description

In Alberta, the loggerhead shrike is considered to be a Species of Special Concern. Since 1987, a prairie-wide roadside survey has been conducted every five years to monitor populations. This report summarizes results of the 2013 survey conducted in Alberta, and compares results with surveys conducted in 1987, 1998, 2003 and 2008.

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Alberta greater sage-grouse avian predator survey

Description

A greater sage-grouse avian predator monitoring survey was needed to provide information on distribution, habitat associations, and baseline populations prior to initiation of a sage-grouse... More ≫

Description

A greater sage-grouse avian predator monitoring survey was needed to provide information on distribution, habitat associations, and baseline populations prior to initiation of a sage-grouse predator management program. The survey is designed for repeating in subsequent years once predator management is underway, thereby providing a potential measure of program effectiveness. This report describes the avian predator monitoring protocol and results of the 2013 survey. The survey area is within the current Alberta sage-grouse range, an area of ~3800 km in in the extreme south-eastern corner of the province. The monitoring protocol was designed for collection of data on avian predators, particularly corvids (American crows, black-billed magpies, common ravens). A systematic roadside survey was designed using a series of point samples contributing to a continuous observation zone along a series of 19 road-based transects, each of 10 kilometers length.

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Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) monitoring in southeast Alberta : 1968-2012

Description

Greater sage-grouse populations in Canada have declined by at least 80 per cent from historical levels. Threats to the Alberta population of sage-grouse include agricultural activities,... More ≫

Description

Greater sage-grouse populations in Canada have declined by at least 80 per cent from historical levels. Threats to the Alberta population of sage-grouse include agricultural activities, development in the energy sector, road and power line development, increasing predator populations and disease. Consistent monitoring is important so that population trends can be compared between years and linked to landscape activities. The objective of this report is to compile population monitoring efforts and corresponding methodologies that have been conducted and developed in Alberta since 1968 in order to provide an indication of trend for population decline.

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Ferruginous hawk artificial nest poles : inventory and construction protocol

Description

The ferruginous hawk, an endangered species in Alberta, breeds exclusively in the grasslands of North America. Availability of nesting sites has been identified as a key limiting factor of this... More ≫

Description

The ferruginous hawk, an endangered species in Alberta, breeds exclusively in the grasslands of North America. Availability of nesting sites has been identified as a key limiting factor of this species. Artificial nests poles (ANPs) were identified as a possible recovery action by the Alberta Ferruginous Hawk Recovery Team, however a number of questions were raised on how effective the installation of ANPs in the past have been in maintaining ferruginous hawks. The Ferruginous Nest Pole Inventory was completed in 2009, and included cataloguing the nest platforms and their state of repair, identifying their use by ferruginous hawks and other species, and evaluating any conflicts that their placement may have created for other species at risk. Of the149 poles evaluated, 45 had active ferruginous hawk nests. A number of issues were identified that may have caused poles not to be active through this inventory. ANP’s may be an appropriate recovery action for ferruginous hawks in areas...

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Population study of western grebes in Alberta 2001-2009 : implications for management and status designation

Description

This project was initiated in 2001 to monitor population trends and distribution of western grebes in Alberta. The project began in the Stony Plain study area, and then expanded to other areas of... More ≫

Description

This project was initiated in 2001 to monitor population trends and distribution of western grebes in Alberta. The project began in the Stony Plain study area, and then expanded to other areas of the province where the species occurs. Surveys of known colonies and a search for other breeding sites have continued each year through 2009. Biologists searched for western grebe colonies from the northern extreme of the breeding range in northeast and northwest Alberta, through the parkland and prairies, south to the United States border. Data from previous field seasons have been published in earlier reports in this series.

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A habitat suitability model for burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) in Alberta : methods and applications

Description

Declining populations of burrowing owls have led to the species being classified as Endangered in Alberta and nationally. Population recovery is believed to be possible, with protection and... More ≫

Description

Declining populations of burrowing owls have led to the species being classified as Endangered in Alberta and nationally. Population recovery is believed to be possible, with protection and management of breeding habitat being an important component in achieving this. Spatial identification of potential breeding habitat is the first step in this process. This study provides one of the first spatially explicit descriptions of potential critical habitat for the burrowing owl recovery team. However, this research was designed only to narrow the potential areas within which critical habitat could be designated, which is one of the first steps in the identification process. This report addresses some of the limitations of the burrowing owl habitat suitability model and provides guidance for potential conservation applications, such as critical habitat identification and habitat stewardship.

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Implementation of the Alberta piping plover recovery plan, 2005-2010 : final program report

Description

The piping plover is an endangered species in Alberta. In 2001, the Alberta Piping Plover Recovery Team was formed, and an inaugural recovery plan (2002-2004) was launched. An updated plan, with... More ≫

Description

The piping plover is an endangered species in Alberta. In 2001, the Alberta Piping Plover Recovery Team was formed, and an inaugural recovery plan (2002-2004) was launched. An updated plan, with similar goals, strategies and activities was drafted in 2005. These recovery plans describe a variety of actions necessary to achieve a provincial population of 300 adult birds, no net loss of breeding habitat in the province, and a median fledging rate of 1.25 chicks/pair/year. This report summarizes activities completed during implementation of the Alberta Piping Plover Recovery Plan 2005-2010, and sets the stage for a new recovery plan to be drafted in 2010.

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