Summer movements and habitat use by sage grouse broods in central Montana
by Richard Orville Wallestad
A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Of
MASTER OF SCIENCE in Fish and Wildlife Management
Montana State University
© Copyright by Richard Orville Wallestad (1970)
Abstract:
The habitat requirements and movements of sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) broods were
studied with the aid of radio-telemetry in central Montana during the summers of 1968 and 1969. Five
hundred and eighty locations were obtained on 18 radio-marked sage grouse. The vegetation at brood
sites was analyzed periodically throughout both summers. Visual estimates of sagebrush (Artemisia
tridentata) density were obtained for all locations of radio-equipped broods. Throughout both summers
sagebrush in scattered (1-10 percent) and common (10-25 percent) densities received the greatest
utilization by broods. Sagebrush heights of 6 to 18 inches were the most prevalent heights at brood
sites. For the 2 years combined, sagebrush canopy coverage averaged 14 percent for June, 12 percent
for July, 10 percent for August and 21 percent for September. Broods utilized sagebrush-grassland
benches early in the summer (June and July) and shifted to greasewood (Sarcobatus vernriculatus)
bottoms and/or alfalfa (Medicago sativa) fields as the forbs on the higher elevations became desiccated.
They remained in these bottom types until late August and early September at which time they shifted
back into sagebrush types. Sizes of areas used by broods averaged 213 acres for sagebrush types in
early summer (June and July), 144 acres for alfalfa fields, 91 acres for greasewood bottoms and 128
acres for sagebrush types in late summer (August and September). Brood ranges can be quite small,
occurring within one vegetational type or quite extensive covering movements through Several
vegetational types. In this area it appeared that the availability of food was the factor which determined
the vegetational types utilized by broods during different periods of the summer. In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the require­
ments for an advanced degree at Montana State University, I agree that
the Library shall make it freely available for inspection.
I further
agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly
purposes may be granted by my major professor, or, in his absence, by
the Director of Libraries.
It is understood that any copying or publi­
cation of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without
my written permission.
■;
Signature
Date '
X^IO
SUMMER MOVEMENTS AND HABITAT. USE BY SAGE GROUSE
BROODS IN CENTRAL MONTANA
by/yfy
RICHARD ORVILLE WALLESTAD
A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty in partial
fulfilTment of the requirements for the degree
of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
in
FiSh and Wildlife Management
Approved:
Major Department .
Chairman, ExaminMnb Committee
Graduate Dean
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bozeman, Montana
March, 1970
ill
. . ACKNOWLEDGMENT .
To the following, among others, I wish to extend sincere apprecia­
tion for their contributions .to-.this-.,study: .Dr. Robert L . Eng, Montana
State University, for field assistance, technical supervision and guid­
ance in preparation of the manuscript; Mr. Robert Greene, Montana Fish
and Game Department, for field-assistance; Mr. Thomas Mussehl, Dr. Ed­
ward F. Schlattefer, Mr. Duane Pyrah, and Mr! Philip Schladweiler,
Montana Fish a n d .Game Department, for advice and assistance in various
phases of the study; Dr. Don C ; Quimhy a n d .D r . William R, Gould, Mon­
tana State University, for critically reading the manuscript; the other
graduate students who worked on the project, and to my wife Sandra, for
encouragement and assistance.
During this study, I was supported by
the Montana Fish and Game Department .under Federal Aid Project Nos.
W-105-R-3, R-4, and R-5, and the United States Department of the
Interior, Bureau of Land Management.
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page.
.
VITA .. . . . . . . . . .
T
....
........... .. - - - ............
ACKNOWLEDGMENT.....
-- -- - .....
TABLE OF CONTENTS .
• •• •......... .........................
LIST OF TABLES ....
...... .
LIST OF FIGURES ...
------
ABSTRACT . . . . .
............
INTRODUCTION ......
• • e * e
#
.... ...................
in
iv
...... ...... .. ...........
v
vi
viii
• » • • • • • • • • . e.e •. e » e e e * * e . " • • • • • ' e e e e w e i » e e # e e « e e
-L
DESCRIPTION OF AREA
METHODS .. . . . . . .
........
RESULTS . . . . .
........................................ .
5
Movements __ '. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DAILY M O V E M E N T S .... .......... ...... '. ...... ......... .
INDIVIDUAL BROOD MOVEMENTS .................... .........
Habi tat Use by Sage Grouse Broods
---- - --- - - - - ..
DISTRIBUTION OF BROODS IN RELATION TO SAGEBRtJSB'DENSITY.
INDIVIDUAL BROOD S I T E S ___ '..... ........... .............
12
12
12
17
25
25
28
DISCUSSION .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 31
LITERATURE CITED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
34
APPENDIX .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... v......... . . . . . .
36
■ ■'
TabIe
I.
,
:
■,, ^ v LIST OF TABLES "
.
',.
Page
DURATION OF RADIO CONTACT OF .INDIVIDUAL SAGE GROUSE
BROODS
.. . .
.
.
v.-. ___ ...... ... ..
37
II.
DAILY MOVEMENTS OF -SAGE GROUSE BROODS ___ ..............
12
III.
AVERAGE DAILY MOVEMENT OF BROODS BY TWO-WEEK
INTERVALS .... ............ . .. -...•--- .;____■___ ....... v... .
15
AREAS USED BY INDIVIDUAL BROODS:, DURING DIFFERENT
PERIODS OF THE ■SUMMER ___ ...........................
16
VEGETATIONAL MEASUREMENTS TAKEN AT SAGE GROUSE BROOD
SITES IN 1968 (TOP ROW) AND 1969. (BOTTOM. ROW) --- '......
38
VEGETATIONAL MEASUREMENTS TAKEN AT SAGE GROUSE BROOD
SITES IN 1968 (TOP ROW) AND 1969 (BOTTOM ROW) ..... . ..
41
MEAN HEIGHT, PERCENT CROWN ,COVER AND DISTRIBUTION OF
HEIGHT CLASSES OF SHRUBS .(PRIMARILY SAGEBRUSH) OCCURRING
AT BROOD SITES IN 1968 AND 1969 . .. ........
29
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
Vi
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
Area of study showing the ..general ,locations of radioed
sage grouse broods in the summers of 1968 and 1969 .........
3
2.
Sage grouse.hen equipped, with, .transmitter and neck
6
3.
Tyo by,five decimeter/plot-showing.alignment on 100-foot
tape .............. ....................... ...... .......
4.
Rare sagebrush = 0-1 percent shrub i n t e r c e p t .
5.
Scattered sagebrush = 1-10 percent shrub intercept
tag .....
-
6. ■ Common,sagebrush.= 10-25 percent shrub intercept ...........
7.
8
10
.
1.
Page
10
11
Dense sagebrush = 25 percent and greater shrub
intercept .................... ............. ............... .■.
11
8.
Bird number 3-68, movements from 8/7/68 to 9/10/68 ......... ■
42
9.
Bird number 5-68,
movements from 6/20/68 to 7/19/68 ........
43
10.
Bird number 7-68,
movements from 6/14/68 to 7/23/68 .......
44
11.
Bird numbers I and 10-69, movements from 8/21/69 to
9/9/69 .1............I.,............. ........................ , 45
12.
Bird number 2-69,
movements from 8/20/69 to 9/6/69 ..........
46
■13.
Bird number 4-69,
movements from 8/20/69 to 9/8/69 .........
47
14.
Bird number 6-69,
movements from 6/3/69 to6/30/69 ......... ■
48
15.
Bird number 7-69,
movements from 8/5/69 to8/16/69 .........
49
16.
Bird number 9-69,
movements.from 6/5/69 to6/23/69 ......
50
17.
Bird number 11-69, movements from 6/5/69 to 6/24/69 ........
51
18.
Seasonal coyer type use by radio-equipped birds ............
14
19.
Bird number 8-69, movements from 6/11/69 to 8/8/69
18
.........
vii
LIST OF FIGURES
(continued)
Figure
20.
.
. ■ •
Page
Carcass of bird number 8-69 in nest of Swainson'S
hawk
^
^
......... .
20
21.
Bird
number 5-69, movements-: -from 6/10/69 to 7/12/69 .......
21
22.
Bird
number 1-68, movements from 8/8/68 to 9/9/68 .........
22
23.
Bird
number 3-69, movements from 6/2/69 to 6/24/69 .....
24
24.
Seasonal use of different -sagebrush densities by
sage, grouse broods, in 1968. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I
25.
•
.
Seasonal use of different-sagebrush densities by
sage grouse broods in 1969 . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26
... .
27
viii
ABSTRACT
The habitat requirements and movements of sage■grouse (Centrocercus uvophasianus') broods were studied with the aid of radio-telemetry
in central Montana during the summers of 1968 and 1969. Five hundred
and eighty locations were obtained on 18 radio-marked sage grouse. The
vegetation at brood sites was analyzed periodically throughout both sum­
mers. Visual estimates of sagebrush (Avtemisia tridentata) density were
obtained for all locations of radio^equipped broods. Throughout both
summers sagebrush in scattered (1-10 percent) and common (10-25 percent)
densities received the greatest utilization by broods.
Sagebrush
heights of 6 to 18 inches were the most prevalent heights at brood sites.
For the 2 years combined, sagebrush canopy coverage averaged 14 percent
for June, 12 percent for July, 10 percent for August and 21 percent for
September. Broods utilized sagebrush-grassland benches early in the
summer (June and July) and shifted to greasewood (Sarcobatus vevmiculatus) bottoms and/or alfalfa QAedicago sativd) fields as the forbs on
the higher elevations became desiccated.
They remained in these hot-,
tom types until late August and early September at which time they
shifted back into sagebrush types.
Sizes o f :areas used by broods aver­
aged 213 acres for sagebrush types in early summer (June and July), 144
acres for alfalfa fields, 91 acres for greasewood bottoms and 128 acres
for sagebrush types in late summer (August and September). Brood ranges
can be quite small, occurring within one.vegetational type or quite ex­
tensive covering movements through Several vegetational types.
In this
area it appeared that the availability of food was the factor which de­
termined the vegetational types utilized by broods during different
periods of the summer.
INTRQDUCIim..
Manipulation of sagebrush (.ATtemisrLa.
stands in many areas of
the west, for the purpose of., increasing -the volume of grasses for live­
stock, has been the goal of many, range managers for the past.30 years.
In 1965 the Montana _
•Fish and.. Game..-Department in cooperation with the
United States Department of the .Interior,. Bureau of Land Management,
initiated a 10-year study to determine the ecological effects of sage­
brush removal on certain game, species'.
As part of this project, I. studied the habitat requirements and•
movements of sage grouse (Cenixe-o^ev-aus-.-urophasidnus) broods with the
aid of radio-telemetry during the..summers-of:1968 and 1969.
The study
was conducted in central Montana on a non-migratory population of sage
grouse.
. -
Previous studies o f ■sage-grouse, brood habitat have indicated a
heavy use of sagebrush types early-in the summer with mid-summer move­
ments to more mesic sites, such, as creek bottoms and mountain meadows
(Batterson and Morse 1948, Patterson 1952, Dalke et at- 1963^ Klebenow
.1969, and Peterson 1970).
Despite the amount of work that has been :
done on sage grouse brood movements -and. habitat requirements
quantitative data are lacking.
DESCRIPTION OF AREA
This study was conducted in .the. ..Yellow Water Triangle Area in Pe­
troleum County, Montana (Figure I).
Gieseker (1938) describes the physi­
ography of the area as consisting, chiefly of high, broken, shaly ridges
sloping east and grading into., rolling :,clay hills with some gravel on the
surface.
The stream valleys are. chiefly alkali flats, locally bordered
by barren, shaly slopes.
'
The climate was described by...Gieseker (1938) as being semi-arid,
characterized by low rainfall, great temperature.extremes, a large num­
ber of sunny■days-and a relatively low humidity.
The average summer
precipitation at Flatwillow (U. S . Department of Commerce Weather Sta­
tion), located on the eastern edge of the study area, is 6.74 inches.
Average summer temperature for the area is 65.4 degrees F.
The summers
of 1968 and 1969 were characterized by above average rainfall (3.21
inches and .12 inches, respectively) and below average temperatures *
The vegetation on the higher elevations is dominated by a sagebrushgrassland community.
Predominant shrubs include big sagebrush (Artemi-si-a
tridentatd) and broom snakeweed (,GutieTvezia ScatOthvae).
Common grasses
include several species of wheatgrass (Agvopyvon spp.) , green needlegrass (Stipa vividula) , needle-and-thread (Stipa aomata) , blue grama
(Bouteloua g v a e i U s ) and Junegrass .(KoZevia avis tata ) .
The major forbs
include fringed sa'gewort (Avtemisia fvigida) , common dandelion (Tavaxioum officinale) y a r r o w
(Achillea millefolium), American vetch (Vicia
conevicana) and plains pricklypear (Opuntia polycantha).
-3-
MONTANA
LEGEND
I
STUDY AREAS
.
RAVED ROADS
=
DIRT ROADS
TOWNS
RANCHES
1-68
LOCATIONS OF BROODS
RADIOED IN 1968
I 69
LOCATIONS OF 6ROOOS
RADIOED IN 1969
(1-681
BROODS W ITH LIMITED
OBSERVATIONS
BCALE MILES
Figure I.
Area of study showing the general locations of radioed sage
grouse broods in the summers of 1968 and 1969.
-4-
.
The vegetation on-bottomlands and..creek -bottoms is dominated by
':‘V'
shrubs such as big sagebrush; .silver, sagebrush (,Artemtsia oana) and
greasewood (Savcobatus VeFmiculatus.)+.-.. Major forbs include common dande­
lion, common-salsify (Tragopogon-dubius) and curlcup gumweed (Gvindelia
squaFFosa).
Dominant grasses arc. the-wheatgrasses, brome (BFomus spp.)
and desert saltgrass .(DistichHs...stF.iebd) .
Alfalfa (Medicago.sativa) and to a lesser extent barley (HoFdeum
distidhum),axe :,the two major agricultural crops produced in the area.
The basic economy in the area is livestock grazing.'
METHODS
In early summer, ^female, sage..grouse with broods were captured with
a long-handled net similar" to the. one..,used by Mussehl (I960).
Hens were
lured within effective range o f .the.-net by imitating the distress call
of a chick.
Later in the summer, when the hen would no longer respond..
to chick calls, broods were herded with: a vehicle into a drive net con­
sisting of a.4' x 6' x 4'-wire,mesht cage and two, 100-foot, net wings,
Captured birds were leg-banded with numbered aluminUm.bands, necktagged for visual observation .,.(Eyrah 1963), and equipped with radio
transmitters (Figure•2).
The stage- of. molt of the outer primaries was
used as the criterion in separating adult (2+) hens from yearling hens
(Petrides 1942, Patterson 1952) ....., Chicks were assigned to a weekly age
class (Eng 1955, Pyrah 1963)-andt.wing-tagged with numbered metal clips.
Radio equipment .and harnessing techniques used were similar to those
described by Marshall.and Kupa. (1963). :Transmitters and portable re­
ceivers were designed and constructed by Sidney Markusen, Cloquet,
Minnesota.
Portable receivers,JMUte used both with a hand-held direc­
tional antenna or,a vehicle-mounted directional antenna.
The receiver
was equipped with 12 channels which operate at discrete frequencies in
the range of .150-151 megacycles.. ,.
Bfoqds were .located twice each.day --When practicable.
Locations in
1969 were made using a vehicle-mounted antenna .to minimize disturbance
of birds,
in locating a radio-equipped hen the receiver was set.on the
proper channel and tuned.
The antenna was then swung in an arc and the
-6-
Figure 2.
Sage grouse hen equipped with transmitter and neck tag.
-7direction of the strongest signal determined.
While constantly monitor­
ing the signal, the operator proceeded in the proper direction until he
had observed the bird or encircled the vegetation in which the brood was
located.
The location of the bird,was then plotted on a field map by
measuring the mileage to a known.landmark.
Detailed vegetational measurements-were taken periodically in habi­
tat types recently occupied by ...radio-equipped birds by a method similar
to that of Daubenmire (1959).
A 100-foot.steel tape was placed in a
direction that would bisect the most .representative cover type that the
brood had occupied.
Twenty, 2 x..5 decimeter plots were placed along
this tape at .5-foot intervals (Figure 3) .
The coverage.of each plant
species within a plot was visually estimated and recorded by classes.
The coverage classes used were.,,as follows: Class I = 0-1 percent; Class
2 = 1-5 percent; Class.3 = 5-25 percent; Class 4 = 25-50 percent; Class
5 = 50-75 percent; Class 6 = 75^95 percent; and Class 7 = 95-199 percent,
Plant height and phenology.were also recorded for each plant species oc­
curring within each plot.
Plant nomenclature follows.that of Booth
(1950) and Booth and Wright (1959)—
-
Canopy coverage of sagebrush.was also determined by measuring the
shrub intercept (Canfield 1941), along the 100-foot tape.
The following
categories were .arbitrarily chosen to describe the sagebrush density:
Rare = 0-1 percent (Figure 4); Scattered = 1-10 percent (Figure 5);
Common = 10-25 percent (Figure 6) and Dense =,25 percent and greater
—8“
Figure 3.
Two by five decimeter plot showing alignment on 100-foot
tape.
(Figure 7).
Height of sagebrush on the .line was also recorded.
In addition to the above vege'tational measurements, a visual esti­
mation was made of sagebrush canopy.at all locations of radio-equipped
birds.:
Areas used by radio-requipped birds were grossly cover-typed from
■
•
.
aerial photographs into three major, types: sagebrush, greasewood and.
agricultural.
The sagebrush type, was-further broken down into the fol~ .
lowing densities: scattered, common and dense.
Movements of radio-
equipped birds were then plotted on the cover-typed m a p s .
-10-
Figure 4.
Rare sagebrush = 0-1 percent shrub intercept.
Figure 5.
Scattered sagebrush = 1-10 percent shrub intercept.
—11—
Figure 6.
Common sagebrush = 10-25 percent shrub intercept.
Figure 7.
Dense sagebrush = 25 percent and greater shrub intercept.
RESULTS
Movements
Five hundred and eighty 'locations were obtained on.18 radio-equipped
sage grouse in the summers of 1968 and 1969.
Individual brood movements
were plotted and are presented in .Figures 8 through 17 in the Appendix.
Movements of three broods.in 1968. are not presented because of minimal
data.
Periods of radio contact."of. individual sage grouse broods are
presented in Table I in the Appendix.
DAILY MOVEMENTS
Maximum, minimum and average.brood movements of individual broods
occurring within a 24-hour.period are presented in Table II.
TABLE II.
Bird
Number
1-68.
3-68.
5-68
7-68
DAILY MOVEMENTS OF SAGE GROUSE BROODS.
Age
o f .Hen
2+
.2+
2+
Yearling
Averages for 1968
1-911/
2-69
4-69
5-69
6-69
7-69
8-69
9-69
10-691/
11-69
Juvenile
.2+
Yearling
2+
2+
2+.
2+
Yearling
Juvenile
2+
Averages for 1969
Maximum
1540
2530
1210
' 880
MOVEMENT (YARDS)’'
Minimum
Average
HO
550
88
858
594 '
220
66
530
121
1540
'1144
. 1628
■3344
1650
3674
1870
1298
1144
1144
1166
1806
'-
'
607
22
88
198
44
44
132
22
HO
22
154 .
440
506
1100
594
. 858.
792
506
616
440
550
84
616
I/ Bird numbers 1-69 and 10-69, juvenile males, were from.the same
brood and were radio-equipped because the hen.avoided the drive
trap.
-13
Yearling hens showed greater daily movements than adult hens.
lings averaged 749 yards compared to 645 yards for adults.
Year­
Martin (1965)
found that juvenile (yearling) female’
s- moved greater distances from
strutting grounds than either adult males or females.
He suggested that
this increased movement may be due to a lower social ranking for juvenile
females.
In general, early summer brood ranges were found primarily in a
sagebrush-grassland community.
As shown in Figure 18, there, was a t e n ­
dency for some broods to shift into bottom types (greasewood and/or al-.
falfa fields) as the forbs at the higher elevations became desiccated.
During August and September the broods that had occupied the bottom
types shifted back into the sagebrush.
Average daily movements were grouped into 2-week intervals to note
any change as the summer progressed (Table III) . . Changes in daily move­
ments throughout the summer may be attributed to changes in kinds and
availability of food items,in the diet of chicks (Peterson 1970)-.
Dur­
ing the first few weeks of life, sage grouse chicks are highly dependent .
upon insects'for food.
The distribution and small size of the major
food item (Formioidae) may require a greater activity on the part of the
brood to meet its nutritional needs.
In the latter half of June and
throughout July, a shift in the diet, with emphasis on succulent forbs,
was accompanied by a movement of broods into lower, more mesic types ■
and a reduced daily activity.
The increase in daily movements particu-
Figure 18.
Seasonal cover type use by radio-equipped birds.
-15
larly in late August, may correspond to the movement of broods back into
sagebrush types at higher elevations.
The short period-during which
radio-marked broods were under observation in September, suggested that
when back in the sagebrush types, average daily movements decreased.
TABLE. III.
Month
Interval
Movement
In Yards
AVERAGE DAILY MOVEMENT -OF BROODS BY TWO-WEEK INTERVALS.
June
1-15
16-30' "
748... 572
■■ A
July '
1-151 16-31
•.484: ' 484
V :
: •■
■ August
1-15
16-31
616 .
September
1-15
814
396
There appeared to be no fixed .pattern in daily activities for broods
that spent the summer entirely in sagebrush types.
They would wander
back and forth throughout an area in their daily search for food.
was always present, being only a few feet in any direction.
Cover
However, a
daily pattern did appear later in the summer with broods that utilized
alfalfa fields.
After each, feeding, period the broods would move back
info the sagebrush or tall grass surrounding the fields to loaf during
mid-day or to roost at night.
Sizes of areas used by individual broods while in distinct cover types were calculated in acres with the aid of a planimeter.
Any area
intensively used by a brood for a 2- or 3-week period was considered
an area of use.
Movements between, such areas (sagebrush to greasewood
and/or greasewood to sagebrush) were not included in the calculations.
-16"!-.
Maximum, minimum and average acreages for these areas which were used
during different periods of the summer are presented in Table IV.
TABLE IV.
AREAS USED BY INDIVIDUAL BROODS DURING DIFFERENT PERIODS OF
THE SUMMER.
Cover-type and
Period of Use
Number
of Broods
Sagebrush (Early Summer)
Agricultural (Mid-summer)
Greasewood (Mid-summer)
Sagebrush (Late Summer)
6
3
5
6
•
_____ACRES
Maximum
Minimum
320
224
.,144,
192
112
■ 24 .
48
64
__________
Average
213
144
91
128
The periods of intensive use of sagebrush (early and late summer)
show a distinct difference in size.
This difference is undoubtedly re­
lated to changes in food habits between these two periods.
During mid­
summer, broods that used agricultural lands (mainly alfalfa fields)
ranged greater distances than those that used greasewood bottoms.
This
greater range was probably a result of broods returning to cover between
feeding periods.
Girard (1937) reports that sage grouse drink water from one to
three times daily.
During the. early part of the summer there was no
apparent .movement.that would indicate a'daily use of.free water.
In
the latter part of the summer some broods would concentrate their ac­
tivities around small reservoirs.
Although use of free Water was not
observed, there undoubtedly is some use under certain conditions.
In
addition to free water, reservoirs also provide islands of succulent
vegetation. ■ It is the opinion of the writer that sage grouse, probably
satisfy most of their water requirements from plant succulence and
possibly resort to free water only in the drier parts of the summer.
INDIVIDUAL BSQOD MOVEMENTS'
'
■.
'
:
'
''
In general, all broods, fell into., one '.of, two categories: broods that
remained in sagebrush types throughout the summer, and broods that shift­
ed from sagebrush to bottom types in the middle of the summer and later
returned to sagebrush types.. Due to limitations in the radio equipment,
no brood in the latter category was continuously under observation
throughout the summer,
However, individual broods were followed from
sagebrush to bottomland types and others during their return to sage­
brush types.
Three individual broods were selected to represent these seasonal
patterns of movement.
Data on a fourth bird are presented to show the
■movements of a broodless hen.
Bird number 8-69 (Figure 19). - This.brood.was typical of broods
that spent the entire summer in sagebrush types.
The hen was radio-
equipped on June 11, 1969 at which time she had eight chicks (2 to 3
days old).
Throughout June and the first week in July this brood's ac­
tivities were centered in scattered, to common sagebrush types.
After
this time and until radio contact was lost in August, the activities of
this brood were centered in common to dense sagebrush types.
On August
8 the hen was found dead in the nest of a Swainson's hawk (Buteo
—18“
H
Figure 19.
Bird number 8-69, movements from 6/11/69 - 8/8/69.
swainsoni) with the transmitter 'still-.functioning (Figure 20).
Bird nvmber 5-69 (Figure ■21)..... -. This.- brood illustrates the pattern
showing a shift from sagebrush types to. bottom types in the middle of
the summer.
The hen was radio^equipped on June 10, 1969 at which time
she had seven chicks (3 weeks old).
Throughout June this brood's ac­
tivities w e r e ,centered mainly in scattered, sagebrush types.
On July I
the brood moyed a little over a mile. to„..a-small swale adjacent to an
alfalfa field.
The brood remained in this area for the next 12 days
at which time radio contact was lost.. .
Bird number 1-68 (Figure ,22);. - This brood represents the pattern
described wherein broods.shifted from bottom types back into sagebrush
types in. the fall.
The hen and seven chicks were captured in a mowed
-
alfalfa field on August 8, 1968.
of the chicks were neck-tagged.
■ ■
The hen was radio-equipped and two
For the next 12 days the brood con­
tinued to use the alfalfa field for feeding in the mornings and even­
ings. ■ After each feeding period they would move into the tall grass
adjacent to the field.
On the evening of August 18 the hen was observed in the north end
of.the field.
state of.alarm.
The-hen's rapid movements and vocalizations suggested a
During the next 2 days she moved one and one-half
miles straight north.
The■alfalfa field was examined to determine a
possible cause for her abrupt movement... The remains of one of her
tagged chicks were found close to the area she had occupied on the
-20-
Figure 20.
Carcass of bird number 8-69 in nest of Swainson1s hawk.
—21—
LEGEND
DElMSE SAGEBRUSH
COMMON
SAGEBRUSH
SCATTERED SAGEBRUSH
ALFALFA
FIELDS
Il
CROPLAND
TREES S BRUSH
RESERVOIRS
RADIO
LOCATIONS A M .
RADIO
LOCATIONS
P. M.
I
SCALE-MILBB
%
Figure 21.
Vi
Bird number 5-69, movements from 6/10/69 - 7/12/69.
22
Figure 22.
Bird number 1-68, movements from 8/8/68 - 9/9/69
-23evening of August 18.
The area to which she moved and remained for the next 10 days was
dominated by sagebrush, greasewood. and yellow sweet clover (MeZi-Zotus
off-iainaZe).
On September I she made.another abrupt movement.
This
time she traveled a little over*I mile.-straight .north stopping in the
dense sagebrush along the banks of Box Elder Creek.
Examination of the
area she had left revealed that another, one of her chicks had been
killed.
She remained in the dense sage and gre&sewood around Box Elder
Creek until she was collected on September 9.
Bird number 3-69 (Figure 23). - In.terms of airline miles, the
greatest summer movement was made by this bird, a yearling hen.
She
was trapped on her nest with the aid of a long-handled net, and radioequipped.
During the next 2 days she remained in close:proximity to
the nest.
On the morning of the third day n o .signal was heard from her •
transmitter.
An examination of the nest revealed that the eggs had
started to pip, but the embryos were dead.; Apparently she had deserted
her nest early that morning or the evening before.
She was found the
following evening I mile north of the nest site. • In the next 5 days
she moved an additional 10 miles almost due north to the King Study Area.
1
She remained in this area for 2 weeks before radio contact,was lost.
It is only speculative as to whether this bird deserted as a result
of disturbance (banding, neck-tagging and radio-equipping) or whether a
high nest desertion rate is something peculiar to yearling sage grouse
females.
-24-
LEGEND
Figure 23.
Bird number 3-69, movements from 6/2/69 - 6/24/69.
-25-
Habitat Use by Sage Grouse Broods
Data .were gathered in both summers:-with, respect ■to vegetational
types utilized by sage grouse broods.
Visual estimates of sagebrush
density were recorded daily for all radio-equipped birds with specific
analysis of brood.sites being taken at periodic intervals.
DISTRIBUTION OF BROODS IN RELATION TO,.SAGEBRUSH ■DENSITY.
The sagebrush densities in which broods were located are presented
by 2-week intervals (June through September 15) in Figures 24 (1968)
and 25 (1969).
Throughout both summers scattered (I to 10 percent) and
common (10 to 25. percent) sagebrush densities received the heaviest
utilization by broods;
Scattered sagebrush received its greatest use
in the first part of the summer.
heavily throughout the summer.
Common sagebrush was utilized quite
Dense-(25 percent and greater) sage­
brush accrued its greatest use toward the end of the summer, while rare
sagebrush (mainly agricultural lands) received its greatest use in July
and August.
This shift in use of sagebrush densities can probably be attributed
to.the desiccation of forbs on the more open, drier sites.
Along with
this desiccation of forbs, sage grouse tended to congregate in the more
mesic sites by small reservoirs, creek bottoms, borrow pits and alfalfa
fields.
By late August, as the vegetation in these areas cured, broods
shifted back into sagebrush types.
RAINFALL IN INCHES
RADIO LOCATIONS
PERCENT OF
6-1-68
6-16-68
7-1-68
7-16-68
8-1-68
8-16-68
9-1-68
TO
6-15-6»
TO
6-50-6«
TO
7-15-68
TO
7-3,-6»
TO
»-15-6»
TO
.-3,-6«
TO
9-15-68
TIME IN TWO
Figure 24.
WEEK INTERVALS
Seasonal use of different sagebrush densities by sage grouse in 1968.
RAINFALL IN INCHES
LOCATIONS
RADIO
OF
PERCENT
6-16-69
7-1-69
7-16-69
8-1-69
8-16-69
TO
TO
TO
TO
TO
TO
6-15-69
.-30-69
7-15-69
TO
7-31-69
8-15-69
8-31-69
9-15-69
TIME IN
Figure 25
9-1-69
6-1-69
TWO
WEEK
INTERVALS
Seasonal use of different sagebrush densities by sage grouse broods in 1969
-28Variations in use of different sagebrush, densities between years
both in time and amount can probably be attributed to differences in the
distribution of rainfall between years.
INDIVIDUAL BROOD SITES
Sixty-nine vegetational transects, were.-run. at individual brood sites
of radio-equipped birds during both summers.
The ,vegetational measure­
ments gathered at.each.of these sites have been combined for each 2-week
period of the summer and compared between years (Appendix, Tables V and
VI).
Canopy coverage of forbs averaged 27 percent in the summer of 1968■
and 17 percent.in the summer-of 1969.
The higher forb cover in 1968 was
due primarily to the abundance of yellow sweetclover.
In 1968 yellow
sweetclover provided a canopy coverage of 12 and 10 percent for July and
August, respectively, while in 1969 it was only a trace for these months.
Canopy coverage-of grass averaged 51 percent in 1968 and 47 percent
in 1969.
The slight decrease in 1969 can probably be attributed to the
drier summer.
Mean height, percent crown cover and distribution of height classes
of shrubs (primarily sagebrush) occurring at brood sites in 1968 and
1969 are presented in Table VII.
Average height.of shrubs from all sites
increased from 7 inches in June to 10 inches in August.
Shrubs in the
first three classes (0-6, 6-12 and 12-18 inches) comprised 89 percent of
all plants measured.
Thirty-seven percent of all plants measured fell
TABLE VII.
Period
MEAN HEIGHT, PERCENT GROWN COVER AND. DISTRIBUTION OF HEIGHT ■CLASSES OF SHRUBS
(PRIMARILY SAGEBRUSH) OCCURRING AT BROOD SITES IN 1968 AND 1969.
Number .MeanPercent .
Height •
■• Grown,,■:. 0-6
of
Sites ■ in...Inches.-Cover = ■ %
HEIGHT CLASSES IN INCHES
6-12
12-18
18-24
24-30
I
%
%
%
30 plus
%
June:
1-15/68
1-15/69
16-30/68
16-30/69
July:
1-15/68
1-15/69
16-31/68
16-31/69
(4). ■
6
(9 )
(6 )
(6 )
7
(5)
(6 )
(2)
(I)
19
13
■
15 ■
10
-7
7
■
•
27
36
: 59
27
11
35
3
3
0
0
0
0
31
19
■ 46
16
16
42
0
26
0
0
6
0
7
8
- 10
9
19
12
48
49
27
37
4
2
0
0
I
6
9
17
20
■ 40
13
43
■ 56
17
13
0;
18
0'
‘0 :
0
0
0
10
0
15
0
■ 21
0
15
46
0
15
0
2
0
0-.
6
9
7
43
18
35
18
24
24
14
0
11..
0
14
29
20
18
55
25
36
0
0
0
25-
5
: 6
August:
1-15/68
1-15/69
16-31/68
16-31/69
■ (9)— 7
(4)
. (8)
(3)
10
9
-
September:
1-15/68
1-15/69
(2 )
(4)
7
10
10
0
7'
I/ All radioed broods at this time "were using agricultural lands.
... .
0
-SOr-
into the 6-12 inch height class, 28 percent in the 12-18 inch height ..class
and 24 percent in the 0-6 inch height class.
The remaining three classes
(18-24, 24-30 and 30 plus inches) comprised only 11 percent of all plants
measured.
Peterson (1970) ,while working in the same general area of the
state reported similar results.
Martin -(1965) while working in south­
western Montana found big sagebrush plant heights ranging from 9 to 15
inches at locations of young broods..
The combined data.for the 2 years show an average sagebrush crown
cover of 14 percent for June, 12 percent for July, 10 percent for ,August .
and 21 percent for September.
The decline, in sagebrush crown coverage
throughout the summer with an increase in September would correspond
with the different vegetational types utilized by broods during the sum­
mer.
Eng and Mussehl (unpublished data, I960) measured 16 percent sage­
brush crown cover in early brood areas in central Montana.
Eighty-eight
percent of the broods that Martin (1963) observed were in areas having
an average of 3,600 big sagebrush plants per acre with a percent crown
coverage of 14.
Peterson (1970) reported an average sagebrush canopy
cover of 6 percent from June through August* increasing to an average of
12 percent during September.
In Idaho, Klebenow (1969) found that the
brood sites he examined contained an average of 8.5 percent crown
coverage of big sagebrush.
'
DISCUSSION
■The range of a sage grouse brood is. .that area inhabited from hatch­
ing until brood structure deteriorates in the fall.
A brood range can be
quite small, occurring within one,.vegetational type or quite extensive
covering movements through several vegetational types.
Availability of food,is probably..the. key factor in determining areas
that will be utilized by broods throughout.the summer.
Cover, although
important to young broodsi is probably secondary to food.availability in
determining the- areas of use.
During the summer, when broods were ob-.
served to move from one area of intensive use to another, the major vege­
tational differences between the areas, appeared to be in the composition
and/or condition of the forbs rather than in the canopy coverage of the
shrubs.
Early in the summer sage grouse broods used areas from 100 to 300
acres in size.
The size of the area used depended upon the intersper- .
sion of sagebrush types available that provided an.adequate amount of
V
'
'
'
"
food and cover.
,
'
'
.
’
.
'
■
'
_
.
Areas that had sagebrush in scattered densities with
occasional;clumps in.the common to dense category.appeared.to be pre­
ferred.
In their daily activities broods tended to use the more open
sites for feeding and seek the more, dense clumps of sagebrush for roost-r
ing.
Throughout this period, daily movements of broods were.quite long
reflecting the greater daily activity required of them to meet their
nutritional needs.
Toward the end of June as.forbs began to cure, broods were forced
—32—. . .
to find new areas supporting succulent, vegetation.
Frequently these areas
were greasewood bottoms and alfalfa fields, at lower elevations.
However,
some.broods were able to remain in.sagebrush types by seeking out micro­
habitats, such as small,swales or ditches, where succulent forbs were
still available.
The distances traveled to reach these new areas varied between
broods.
Some broods had to move only a short distance to reach bottom
types whereas .other broods traveled several miles.
always to the closest bottom type.
This movement was not
It is possible that the specific low­
land area which a brood used was related to a previous association gained
by the hen during yearlong activities.
over 3 miles to reach a bottom type.
Bird number 6-69 traveled a little
The nearest bottom type that she
could have moved to was at a distance of I mile.
The time of this movement to bottom types varied between broods,and
between years.
In years when there is above,average summer rainfall,
many broods,may not move until sometime in July.
during both years of this study was above normal.
The summer rainfall
As a result of this,,
some.succulent forbs were found on upland areas throughout most of the
summer and grouse broods did not assemble into large concentrations in
bottomlands .■
During the period of the summer when broods were using bottom types,
areas of use were about.one-half the size of sagebrush areas used earli­
er.
This was probably due to .the abundant growth of forbs in lowland
-33areas which required less effort.' on. the. part, of the brood to obtain food.
By late.August or early September-many broods had returned to sage­
brush types .at higher elevations.. - This,.return occurred, at a .time when
'
''
food habits became,transitional between f orbs and sagebrush (Peterson
1970).
Common to dense sagebrush types became very important during
this time of the year.
This seeming preference for sagebrush stands of
greater canopy coverage.than was used by .younger broods, may be due to
the dual use of sagebrush at this time,, that, of food and cover.
The
size of the area used remained quite small, perhaps reflecting this
shift in diet to an item more uniformly abundant.
Sagebrush is an essential part of sage grouse brood habitat, par­
ticularly in .early and latebfood ranges.
An interspersion of sagebrush
densities, from scattered to dense, aie utilized b y .broods throughout;
the summer.
Large tracts of dense sagebrush appear to have very little
value as sage grouse'brood habitat.
However, these tracts form prime
winter habitat for sage grouse (Eng and Schladweiler 1967).
With this
dependency on sagebrush of varying densities for different periods of
the year, removal of large acreages of sagebrush will make the area
less suitable for sage grouse.
LITERATURE CITED
Battersonj W. M., and W. B. Morse.
1948.
Game Comm. Fauna Series.
1:1-29.
Oregon sage grouse.
Oregon
Booth, W. E. 1950. Flora of Montana. Part I, Conifers and Monocots.
Research Foundation, Montana State College, Bozeman.
232 pp.
_____ , and J. C, Wright. .1959, Flora of Montana. Part II, Dicotyr
ledohs. Research Foundation, Montana State College, Bozeman.
250 p p .
Canfield, R. H. 1941. Application of the line interception method in
sampling range vegetation.
J. Forestry.
39(4):388-394.
'
'
Dalke, P. D., D. B. Pyrah, D. C. Stanton, J * E. Crawford a n d ,E . F.
Schlatterer,. 1963. Ecology,.productivity, and management of
sage grouse in Idaho. J, Wildl. Mgmt. 27(4):8ll-841.
Daubenmire, R. 1959. A canopy-coverage.method of vegetational analysis
Northwest Sci, 33(1):43-64.
Eng, R. L. 1955. Wildlife Investigations. Montana Fish a n d .Game Dept.
Job CompI. Rept., Proj., W-74-R-1, Job 3.1. 6 pp.
_____ , and T. W i Mussehl.
Game Department.
1960.
Unpublished data, Montana Fish and
_____ , and P. Schladweiler'. , 196-7. Ecological effects of chemical and
mechanical sagebrush control. Montana Fish and Game Dept. Job
Compl. Rept., Proj. W-105-R-2, Jpb B-I. 8 pp.
Gieseker, L. F. 1938. Soils of .Petroleum County.
Sta. Bull. 363. 46 pp.
Montana Agri. Expt*
Girard, G. L. ■ 1937. Life history, habits, and food of the sage grouse
(Centvooevcus urophasianus- Bonaparte). Univ. of Wyoming Publ.
3(1):1-56.
Klebenow, D. A. 1969.
Sage grouse nesting and brood.habitat in Idaho.
J. Wildl. Mgmt,. 33(3):649-662.
Marshallj W. H., and J. J; Kupa. 1963. Development,of radio-telemetry
techniques for ruffed grouse studies. Trans. N. Am. Wildl. Conf. ■
28:443-456.
Martin, N. S. 1965. Effects of sagebrush manipulation on sage grouse.
M. S. Thesis. Montana State College, Bozeman.
38 pp.
-35Muss eh,I, T. W. ■ 1960. Blue grouse production., movements, and popula­
tions in the Bridget Mountains, Montana.
J. Wildl. Mgmt. 24(1):
60-68.
Patterson, R. L. 1952.
Denver,. 341 p p .
The sage grouse in Wyoming.
Sage Books, Inc.,
Peterson, J. G. 1970. The food habits and summer distribution of
juvenile sage grouse in central Montana. J . Wildl. Mgmt. In press.
Petrides, G. A . ■ 1942. Age determination in American gallinaceous game
birds.
Trans. N. Am. Wildl.. Conf..- 7:308-328.
Pyrah, D. B. 1963; Sage grouse investigations.
Idaho Fish and Game
Dept., Job Compl. Rept., Proj. W-125-R-2,
71 pp.
U. S . Department of Commerce.
71(6-9):109-209.
.
1969 .
1968.
Climatological data, Montana.
Climatological data, Montana.
72(6-9) :108^-207.
—36
APPENDIX
TABLE I.
DURATION OF-RADIO CONTACT OF INDIVIDUAL SAGE GROUSE BROODS.
N o .- of
Chicks.
Date
Radioed
Date
Last Seen
2+
Yearling
2+
2+
2+
Yearling
Yearling
7 '
3
8
8
3
4
6
8/8/68
6/22/68
8/7/68
6/21/68
6/20/68
6/11/68
6/14/68
9/9/68
6/25/68
9/10/68
7/3/68
7/19/68
6/28/68
7/23/68
Juvenile
2+
Yearling
Yearling
2+
2+
2+
2+
Yearling
Juvenile
2+
8
4.
7 eggs
3
7
7
5
8
7
8
7
8/21/69
8/20/69
6/2/69
8/20/69
6/10/69
6/3/69 .
8/5/69
6/1,1/69
6/5/69
.8/21/69
6/5/69
9/9/69
9/6/69
6/24/69
9/8/69
7/12/69
6/30/69
8/16/69
8/8/69
6/23/69
9/9/69
6/24/69
Bird
Number
Age .of
Hen
1-68
2-68
3-68
4-68
5-68
6-68
7-68
1-69— ^
2-69
3-69^/
4-69
5-69
6.-69
7-69
8-69
9-69
10/694-/
11/69
Disposition
Collected
No signal
Collected
No signal
eNo signal
No signal
Collected
Collected
No signal
No signal
Collected
Np signal
No signal
Collected
Predator Kill
No signal
Collected
No signal
N o . Days
On Air
No.
Locations
31
4
34
13
30
18
40
73
2
84
9
19
8
28
19
17 •
23
19
33
28
12
59
19
19
20
25
23
25
20
42
30
20
89
28
25
31
I/ Bird numbers 1-69 and 10-69 were from the same brood and were radio-equipped because
the,hen avoided the drive trap. Both birds were juvenile males.
2/; Hen deserted her nest before the eggs hatched.
TABLE V.
VEGETATIONAL MEASUREMENTS TAKEN AT SAGE GROUSE BROOD SITES IN 1968 (TOP ROW)
AND 1969 (BOTTOM ROW).
2-Week Period
JULY
JUNE
Month
1-15
16-30
1-15
16-31.
AUGUST
1-15 .
16-31
SEPTEMBER
1-15
No. Transects
1968
4
6
5
2
9
8
2
No. Transects
1969
9
6
6
I
4
3
4
co/fr/ca
co/fr/ca
100/96/21
100/91/14
kehiVlea
25/ 9/ 2
miVLefoli-xm* 44/13/ 2
100/96/14
IOO-/93/18
17/ 1/tr
17/ 5/tr
100/98/24
100/93/25
40/ 3/tr
33/ 4/tr
Avtemis-La.
fvigida*
75/29/ 3
89/47/ 5
100/33/ 3
67/32/ 2
80/16/ I
83/38/ 4
G v indeHa
squapvosa*
75/ 9/ I
-
17/ 2/tr
-
17/ 1/tr
Laetuoa
sevviola*
_
22/ 5/pr
17/ 1/tr
-
20/ 7/ I
17/ 1/tr
Lepidiwn
75/23/tr
densiflovum* 44/ 9/tr
83/44/ I
50/23/tr
80/16/tr
50/ 8/tr
Medieago
sativa*
50/21/ 4
Taxa
FORBS:2/
co/fr/caV-
Melilotus
officinalis
-
11/ 1/tr
25/21/ 7
-
-
—
17/ 4/tr
-
-
83/26/14
20/19/ 8
-
co/fr/ca
co/fr/ca
co/fr/ca
co/fr/ca
100/100/43 100/84/22
100/100/11 100/89/11
100/43/ 9
75/13/ 2
-
100/89/37
100/77/18
13/ 8/ 2
100/25/ 3
100/93/26
100/89/20
100/35/3.
100/23/ 2
50/30/ 2
100/75/ 4
■ 63/31/ 9
100/15/ I
100/35/12
75/34/ 3
25/ 1/tr
38/ 7/ I
-
50/ 3/ I
50/20/ .2
-
56/14/ I
-
13/ 8/ I
67/ 7/ I
25/ 5/ .1
50/ 3/tr
--
33/ 7/tr
25/14/tr
50/ 5/tr
-
50/ 8/tr
100/46/10
50/ 3/tr
25/10/ 2
67/15/ 4
100/28 4
25/ 1/tr
50/33/15
-
—
-
50/50/16
—
50/16/ I
-
_
_
—
50/ 3/ I
-
TABLE.V .
(CONTINUED). •
JULY '
JUNE - ■
Month
2-Week Period
. 1-15
16-30
No. Transects
1968
4
6
No. Transects
1969
9 .
6-
AUGUST.
SEPTEMBER
16-3-1
1-15
16-31
1-15
5
2
9
8
2
6
I
4
3
4
■ 1-15
co/fr/ca■
co/fr/ca
co/fr/ca
25/ 3/tr
63/ 8/ I
33/ 3/tr
100/15/ 3
100/ 5/ I
80/46/ I
67/12/tr
"50/23/tr
100/15/tr
22/ I/tr
75/ 9/tr
38/16/ 2
33/ 3/tr
100/ 8/tr
100/10/tr
33/ 2/tr
66/21/ 2
20/. 6/ I
67/10/ I
50/13/ 2
100/10/ I
25/ 8/tr
67/ 8 / 1
25/ 5/ I
S phaevaloea
50/ 9/tr
o o c o i n a e ■ 100/26/ I
50/31/ I
67/30/ I
100/34/ I
83/22/ I
22/ I/tr
50/ 8/tr
100/25/tr ' 75/ 6/tr
50/ 6/tr
33/ 2/tr
50/ 3/tr
50/13/tr
50/25/ 2
89/38/ I
100/25/ I
100/55/ 5
80/27/5
100/73/ 8
100/70/20
100/ 5/tr
63/21/ 4
100/33/ 3
50/30/ 3
100/46/ 9
co/fr/ca
co/fr/ca
-co/fr/ca
co/fr/ca
Opuntia
polyoantha
50/ 6/ I
22/ 2/tr
60/ 4/ I
67/ 9 / 1
33/ 2/tr ■ 33/ 3/tr
Plantago■
50/29/tr
67/15/tr
50/18/tr
83/21/tr
P s o vatea
t e n u i f l o v a . 67/22/ 4
Taxa
spp.
Tavaxaoum
offioinale*
56/ 8/tr
75/23/.1
TABLE V. (CONTINUED)
Month■
JULY
JUNE.-.
2-Week Period ■ '
1-15.
16-30
1-15 '
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
16-31
1-15
16-31.
1-15
N o . Transects
1968
4
6
5
2
9
8
2
No. Transects
1968
9 .
6
6
I
4
3
4
Taxa
co/fr/ca
Tragopogon■
dubius*
50/ 5/ I
78/16/ I
Vioia
cmericana
75/26/ 2
56/23/ 2
.. co/fr/ca- ■ co/fr/ca'
cp/fr/ca
co/fr/ca
co/fr/ca
co/fr/ca
33/ 4/tr
50/17/ 2
40/ 2/tr
100/38/ 3
100/23/ 4
100/ 5/tr
100/18/ 2
75/31/ 3
50/ 6/ I
100/43/ 4
100/10/tr
75/18/ I
83/37/ 3
83/22/ I
100/51/ 4
83/15/ I
100/33/ 2
100/65/ 3
22/ 1/tr
50/14/ I
25/ 3/tr
50/ 3/tr
If Constancy/frequency/canopy coverage.
_2/ Other plant■species recorded but which did not make up more than a trace of canopy cover­
age (less than .5 percent), are listed here: Andhcosaoe Septentvionaliss Anencaeia hookevi,
Artemisia Iongifolias Astragalus spp., Bahia oppositifolias, Camelina microoarpas Chenopodiim album* Cirsium arvense*. Draba spp., Erigeroh pumilis* Gaupea ooooinea* Iva xanthifolias Lappula.redowskii* L i m m rigidum* Oenothera.albioauliss Phlox hoodii* Potentilla
spp., Thelasperma mcaeginatum and Thlaspi OJ1Vense.
■* Indicates use.of plant by chicks for food (Peterson 1970).
TABLE VI.
VEGETATIONAL MEASUREMENTS TAKEN AT SAGE GROUSE BROOD SITES IN 1968 (TOP ROW)
AND 1969 (BOTTOM ROW).
JULY
JUNE, ■
Month
AUGUST
1-15
16-31
1-15
9
8
2
4
3
2-Week Period
1-15
16-30-
No. Transects
1968
4
6
5
2
No. Transects
1969
9
6
6
I
.
: co/fr/ca
co/fr/ca
Aarovyron
desertorum
100/100/37
100/ 99/52
■—
44/39/19
100/100/50 100/99/51
100/100/48 100/96/48
20/ 1/tr
50/23/11 17/13/ 2
100/98/54
100/95/52
-
Agrovyron
-smithii BouteZoua
graailisBromus■
spp.
KoZeria
eristata
Poa
spp.
Stipa.
aomata
Stipa
viridulq
100/59/ 7
100/58/10
50/19/ 3
33/ 9/ 3
75/21/ 2
22/ 8/ I
75/34/ 3
78/28/ 3
50/30/ 4
89/26/ I
50/ 5/tr
33/23/ 6
75/39/ 9
44/10/ 2
100/86/ 8
100/66/15
50/26/ 7
33/ 6/ I
17/16/ 4
23/ 6/ I
83/56/ 6
67/10/ I
17/17/ 6
83/31/ 3
67/35/ 8
50/21/ 7
67/28/ 3
33/ 4/ I
Taxa
GRASSES:2/
co/fr/cai^
co/fr/ca
SEPTEMBER
16-31
■'1-15'
80/64/ 9 100/93/30
83/64/16 100/70/ 3
60/34/12
50/ 3/tr
67/23/ 5 100/70/17
40/12/ I 100/58/ 9
17/ 6/tr
80/36/ 3 ' 50/15/ 3
50/ 8/ I 100/85/ 4
100/43/ 3 100/43/ 8
33/ 3/tr 100/10/tr
80/36/ 7
50/15/ 2
67/38/15 100/90/13
80/37/ 6 100/35/ 4
67/16/ 3 100/ 5 / 1
co/fr/ca
co/fr/ca
.
4
co/fr/ca
100/100/55 100/ 99/47 100/100/67
100/ 99/39 100/100/50 100/ 94/38
100/34/ 5
25/13/ 4
50/49/13
33/13/ 5
100/53/15
50/41/4
75/29/ 8
100/67/15
50/25/ 2
—
75/10/ I
44/10/ I
75/13/tr
22/ 2/tr
50/14/ 2
78/33/12
25/ 3 / 1
88/66/32
100/67/18
38/13/ 7
67/28/ 5
38/23/11
100/28/ 3
38/ 6/ I
33/12/ 2
75/24/ 4
67/10/tr
13/ 2/ I
67/15/ 3
50/15/ 8
67/30/ 7
100/95/32
100/81/18
50/25/ 8
50/23/ 8
50/48/25
75/13/ 2
50/ 5/tr
25/11/ I
50/ 3/tr
75/18/11
50/ 5/ I
50/ 5/tr
100/10/ I
25/ 9/ I
V Constancy/frequency/canopy coverage.
2/ Other grass species recorded but which did not make up- more than a trace of canopy cover­
age (less than .5 percent) are listed here: A v e n a S a t i v a 3 Carex spp., DistiehiZis Striata3
F e s t u a a O c t i flora3 H o r d e i m - S u b a t m i 3 and Sahidenardus p a n i a u l a t u s ,
BUFFALO CREEK
LEGEND
I
I
DENSE
SAGEBRUSH
COMMON
SAGEBRUSH
SCATTERED
SAGEBRUSH
GREASEWOOD & SAGEBRUSH
SCALE-MILES
CRESTED
CUT
0
%
FIELD
FIELDS
N
RESERVOIR
%
#
Iiii
Figure 8.
WHEAT GRASS
ALFALFA
RADIO
LOCATIONS
A. M.
RADIO
LOCATIONS
P. M.
STEEP
SLOPE
Bird number 3-68, movements from 8/7/68 to 9/10/68.
I
-43-
LEGEND
DENSE
SAGEBRUSH
COMMON
SA G E B R U S H
SC ATTER ED
SAGEBR U SH
R ESERVO IR
R A D IO
L O C A T IO N S
A M .
R A D IO
L O C A T IO N S
P. M .
TEN
M
D A Y IN T E R V A L
B E TW E E N
L O C A T IO N S
I
S C A L E -M IL E S
%
Figure 9.
%
Bird number 5-68, movements from 6/20/68 to 7/19/68.
-44-
LEGEND
I
I
DEMSE
SAGEBRUSH
COMMON
SAGEBRUSH
GREASE WOOD &. SAGEBRUSH
ALFALFA
FIELDS
N
RESERVOIRS
RADIO LOCATIONS
A. M.
RADIO LOCATIONS
P. M.
TEN
DAY INTERVAL
BETWEEN
LOCATIONS
I
SCALE-MILES
%
Figure 10
Vi
Bird number 7-68, movements from 6/14/68 to 7/23/68
-45-
LEGEND
DElMBE BAOEBAUBH
COMMON BAOEBAUBH
SCATTERED BAOEBRUBH
OREABEWOOD B BAOEBRUBH
AUFALFA FIELDS
OECIOUOUB TREES
RADIO
LOCATIONS
AM.
RADIO
LOCATIONS
B.M.
STUDY AREA
BOUNDARY
SCALE-MILES
Figure 11.
Bird numbers I and 10-69, movements from 8/21/69 to 9/9/69
—46—
LEGEND
4
DBlM BE
BADE BR UBH
COMMON
BAQ EBRUSH
SCATTERED
BAOEBRUBH
R E S E R V O IR S
^ ^
R A D IO
L O C A T IO N S
A .M .
R A D IO
L O C A T IO N S
P. M .
S C A L E -M IL E S
Figure
12.
Bird number 2-69, movements from 8/20/69 to 9/6/69.
47
LEGEND
OEINBE BAOEBRUBH
COMMON BAOEBRUBH
BCALe-MlLBB
SCATTERED BAOEBRUBH
OREABEWOOD & BAOEBRLI
ALFALFA FIBLOB
CROPLAND
N
RESERVOIRB
BTUOY AREA BOUNDARY
RADIO LOCATIONS AM.
RADIO LOCATIONS P.M.
I
BTEEP SLOPE
Figure 13.
Bird number 4-69, movements from 8/20/69 to 9/8/69
48
Figure 14.
Bird number 6-69, movements from 6/3/69 to 6/30/69
-49-
LEGEND
I
I
DENSE
SAGEBAUSW
SCATTERED SAGEBRUSH
SCALE-MILES
GREASEWOOD S SAGEBRUSH
CRESTED
Lrr
I
Figure 15.
WHEATGRASS FIELD
-3 RESERVOIRS
II
STEEP
SLOPE
•
RADIO
LOCATIONS A. M.
■
RADIO
LOCATIONS P. M.
Bird number 7-69, movements from 8/5/69 to 8/16/69.
-so-
LEGEND
DENSE
SAGEBRUSH
COMMON
SAG EBR U SH
SC ATTER ED
SAGEBRUSH
GREA S EW O OO & SAGEBR U SH
ALFALFA
■
FIE LD S
R A D IO
L O C A T IO N S
A M .
R A D IO
L O C A T IO N S
P .M .
STU D Y
AREA
BOUNDARY
S C A L E -M IL E S
°
Figure 16.
%
'a
Bird number 9-69, movements from 6/5/69 to 6/23/69.
-51-
LEGEND
□
OENSE SAGEBRUSH
COMMON BASEBRUSH
SCATTERED
E sa
SAGEBRUSH
N
ALFALFA FIELD
DECIDUOUS TREES
RESERVOIRS
I I I
STEEP SLOPE
S
RADIO LOCATIONS A M.
■
RADIO LOCATIONS P M .
I
SCALE-MlLEB
%
Figure 17.
'A
Bird number 11-69, movements from 6/5/69 to 6/24/69.
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
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