Northern UT's Bobolink

["Adam Kozlowski" <adamkozlowski at utah dot gov>]

Hello All,

Bobolink surveys are again being conducted statewide this year by the
UDWR nongame program and are progressing well.  Speaking for the
northern part of the state, this year's long, relatively wet, spring has
produced thick and tall hay in the meadows.  Unfortunately this
condition is not only favorable for the bobolink, but also for the
landowners earning their livelihood.  Many of northen Utah's fields have
been mowed especially early this year.

Efforts are currently underway to mitigate this trend by developing
more habitat on protected lands.  The TNC Shorelands Preserve had its
first bobolink sighting two summers ago and has had birds using its
lands ever since.  Also a grant is currently being written to modify the
water control structures and plant species composition of several
pastures in Cache Valley's Bud Phelp's Wildlife Management Area to
provide more favorable wet meadow sites for nesting bobolink.  Monies
obtained this fall would allow work to start spring of next year.

Return on these development projects is especially strong when they are
conducted in areas that still maintain resident bobolink populations
rather than relying re-establishment from distant sources (the next
valley over for example).  Cache Valley is an excellent example of such
a site.

Although the DWR is very interested in documenting all bobolink
sightings throughout the state of Utah, I am particulary interested in
finding more sites in use in the Cache Valley/Tremonton/Brigham City
area to help plan for future conservation efforts.  Your past or present
sightings would be very, very much appreciated!  Thank you.    

As a sideline:
     This year we are seeing some of our highest numbers of birds in
Round Valley/Meadowville, southwest of Bear Lake.  Thirty to forty
adults have been counted in that single valley alone.  Largely used for
grazing, it is usually spared the sickle, leading to good nest
production.  Probably the single best site in northern Utah to view lots
of bobolink.
     Also during a trip to conduct BBS routes in western Box Elder
County, Jack Rensel and Keith Evans discovered bobolink (~5) in Upper
Grouse Creek.  This was a very juicy find, owing to the fact that they
had not previously been documented utilizing the northwestern corner
part of the state. 

Happy birding and thanks for all you do for Utah's birds,
Adam




Adam Kozlowski
Sensitive Species Biologist
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Northern Region
515 East 5300 South, Ogden UT  84405
Office:  (801) 476-2740
Cell:  (801) 510-2034
email: adamkozlowski@utah.gov

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