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The 2010 ferruginous hawk inventory and population analysis

Description

The ferruginous hawk is a large raptor within the Grassland Natural Region of Alberta; inhabiting areas dominated by native prairie. The provincial ferruginous hawk population has been estimated... More ≫

Description

The ferruginous hawk is a large raptor within the Grassland Natural Region of Alberta; inhabiting areas dominated by native prairie. The provincial ferruginous hawk population has been estimated every five years since 1982, except between the years 1993 and 1999. The population estimate is based on the number of active nests detected during each inventory year. During the 2010 inventory, a population estimate of 643 ± 169 breeding pairs of ferruginous hawks was calculated. This population estimate is similar to the 2005 estimate, which implies that the population is relatively stable at low numbers. Overall, Alberta's ferruginous hawk population still remains significantly lower than the 1992, and thus, it is essential to take management actions to assist with the recovery of this species.

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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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Long-billed curlew conservation management plan 2010-2015

Description

The long-billed curlew is the largest member of the sandpiper family and is distinguishable by its long downward curved bill and large size. It has been designated a Species of Special Concern in... More ≫

Description

The long-billed curlew is the largest member of the sandpiper family and is distinguishable by its long downward curved bill and large size. It has been designated a Species of Special Concern in Alberta and Canada due to the contraction of its range and small, possibly declining, population. Habitat alteration is the primary threat to this species. This plan provides background information on the species and outlines a set of objectives and management actions to help meet the goal of maintaining the current distribution and population of long-billed curlew in Alberta. Conservation management plans are developed for Species of Special Concern in Alberta, to provide guidance for land and resource management decisions that affect the species and their habitat. They are intended to be a resource tool for provincial and regional fish and wildlife, land and resource management staff.

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Sprague's pipit conservation management plan 2010-2015

Description

The Sprague's pipit is a small, ground-nesting songbird which, in Alberta, is found almost exclusively on native prairie. The bird is designated a Species of Special Concern in Alberta due to its... More ≫

Description

The Sprague's pipit is a small, ground-nesting songbird which, in Alberta, is found almost exclusively on native prairie. The bird is designated a Species of Special Concern in Alberta due to its large historic population decline and potential for continuing habitat alteration. This plan provides background information on the species and outlines a set of objectives and management actions to help meet the goals of returning Sprague's pipit populations to the mean abundance levels between 1980 and 1989, and conserving and maintaining remaining native prairie within the historic range of the species in Alberta. Conservation management plans are developed for Species of Special Concern in Alberta, to provide guidance for land and resource management decisions that affect the species and their habitat. They are intended to be a resource tool for provincial and regional fish and wildlife, land and resource management staff.

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Harlequin duck conservation management plan 2010-2015

Description

The harlequin duck is a sea duck that comes to Alberta to breed in the mountains and foothills, nesting along swiftly-flowing clear mountain streams where there is suitable nesting cover. It has... More ≫

Description

The harlequin duck is a sea duck that comes to Alberta to breed in the mountains and foothills, nesting along swiftly-flowing clear mountain streams where there is suitable nesting cover. It has been designated a Species of Special Concern in Alberta because it has narrow breeding habit requirements, a relatively small population size, and is sensitive to disturbance during breeding. This plan provides background information on the species and outlines a set of objectives and management actions to help meet the goal of maintaining the current distribution and occupation of breeding streams of harlequin ducks in Alberta. Conservation management plans are developed for Species of Special Concern in Alberta, to provide guidance for land and resource management decisions that affect the species and their habitat. They are intended to be a resource tool for provincial and regional fish and wildlife, land and resource management staff.

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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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Alberta piping plover recovery plan 2010-2020

Description

The piping plover, a small shorebird that breeds on sand or gravel beaches on the Atlantic cost, Great Lakes and Great Plains, is listed as Endangered in Alberta. In Alberta, piping plovers have... More ≫

Description

The piping plover, a small shorebird that breeds on sand or gravel beaches on the Atlantic cost, Great Lakes and Great Plains, is listed as Endangered in Alberta. In Alberta, piping plovers have been reported from at least 86 lakes in the southern half of the province. The goal of this recovery plan is to achieve a well-distributed, long-term average population of 300 individual piping plovers with their historical range in the province. The plan provides background information on the piping plover, describes the threats facing the species, outlines proposed strategies to address these threats, and presents an action plan that lists priority actions required to maintain and restore the species.

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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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2008 survey of trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator) in the Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta

Description

Trumpeter swans found in Alberta form approximately 30 per cent of the Rocky Mountain population and have experienced substantial population growth and range expansion over the last 15 years. The... More ≫

Description

Trumpeter swans found in Alberta form approximately 30 per cent of the Rocky Mountain population and have experienced substantial population growth and range expansion over the last 15 years. The species is currently classified as Threatened in Alberta. The survey was conducted from Slave Lake on 304 September 2008 and from High Prairie on 5 September. All waterbodies that had the potential to support trumpeter swans were surveyed by flying at low level around the perimeter of the wetland. Population demographics and observed distribution indicate that trumpeter swans are doing well in the Lesser Slave area.

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