Non-Game Bird habitat Associated With Haul Roads and Surface Mining for Bentonite Clay

• Main Author: Schaid, Tim A.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange 1979
• Subjects: Natural Resources and Conservation; Plectrophenax nivalis
• Online Access: https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/215; https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/context/etd/article/1215/viewcontent/SchaidTim1979.pdf

A 2 year study was conducted to investigate possible differences in density and diversity of birds in relation to distance from mining haul roads and various aged mine spoils. Winter bird surveys and breeding bird counts were conducted during 1977 and 1978. Bird density and diversity were estimated and compared between the following habitat areas: old spoils (mined ≥20 years ago, unreclaimed), new spoils (mined ≤20 years ago, reclaimed) and unmined areas. Within unmined areas density and diversity of birds 100m, 300m, 500m, and 900m from a mining haul road were compared to detect differences in density and diversity with distance from the haul road. Density of common bird species within mined and unmined areas was compared. Forward stepwise multiple regression was used to identify groups of physical and/or vegetation variables that accounted for variation in bird density and diversity indices. Management suggestions for reclamation of strip mined areas are given. Horned larks (Eremophila alpestres) was the only species observed during the 1977 winter survey within the old spoils, new spoils and unmined areas. Highest horned lark density occurred in new spoils. Horned larks, common redpolls (Acanthis flammea) and snow buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) were observed during the 1978 winter survey. All 3 species were observed in new spoils and snow huntings were the most abundant. Horned larks and common redpolls were observed in old spoils with common redpolls most abundant. Snow buntings and horned larks were observed in unmined areas. Snow buntings were the most common species in unmined areas. Breeding bird counts indicated that the highest bird diversity occurred on reclaimed mine spoils both years. The highest bird density occurred on reclaimed areas in 1977. Bird densities in unmined areas and reclaimed spoils were similar in 1978. The lowest bird density and diversity consistently occurred in the old unreclaimed mine spoils. Vesper sparrows (Pooecetes graminius) were the most common bird species in unmined ...