1 May 2003

Literature citations of this document should read as follows:

Nicholoff, S. H., compiler. 2003. Wyoming Bird Conservation Plan, Version 2.0. Wyoming Partners In Flight. Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Lander, WY.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The editors of this document would like to extend appreciation and thanks to all of the partners and participants who contributed their time and expertise to write the Wyoming Bird Conservation Plan, Version 2.0 (Plan). Their hard work and dedication has made this very important endeavor possible.

The following individuals were the editors and habitat chairpersons that initiated Version 1.0 of this Plan: Andrea Cerovski, Wyoming Partners In Flight Chair; Mark Gorges, Riparian Habitat Group Chair; Tim Byer, Grassland Habitat Group Chair; Katy Duffy, Forest Habitat Group Chair; and Dave Felley, Shrubland Habitat Group Chair.

We would like to thank the following individuals for their participation in conservation planning meetings, information assembly, manuscript review, or other support that contributed to the completion of this Plan: Kari Allanson, Larry Apple, Carol Beardmore, Gary Beauvais, Jason Bennett, Frank Blomquist, Tim Byer, Melissia Carter, Mike Carter, Tom Cartwright, Dan Casey, Andrea Cerovski, Kim Dickerson, Dominic Domenici, Doug Faulkner, Barb Franklin, Jerry Freilich, Mark Gorges, Suzanne Halvorsen, Vicki Herren, Doug Keinath, Lorraine Keith, Tony Leukering, Rich Levad, Cristi Lockman, Joseph Lujan, Alison Lyon, Terry McEneaney, Mark McKinstry, Bob Oakleaf, Arvind Panjabi, David Pashley, Susan Patla, Brad Phillips, Jeff Price, Terry Rich, Tom Rinkes, Reg Rothwell, Christopher Rustay, Chris Schultz, Laurie Schwieger, Stacey Scott, Vicki Spencer, Bruce Walgren, Donna Walgren, Jon Warder, Sue Wolff, and Bob Yonts.

Finally, we sincerely thank all cooperating organizations and government agencies for their support of Wyoming Partners In Flight and the Wyoming Bird Conservation Plan planning process, and for their implementation of this document: Audubon Wyoming, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Cheyenne-High Plains Audubon Society, Murie Audubon Society, National Park Service, Red Desert Audubon Society, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, The Nature Conservancy, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Forest Service, University of Wyoming, Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, and Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Justification

Continental and local declines in numerous bird populations have led to concern for the future of migratory and resident bird species. The reasons for declines are complex. Habitat loss, habitat modification and fragmentation, loss of wintering and migratory habitat, and nest parasitism have been implicated. In 1990, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation brought together federal, state, and local government agencies, foundations, conservation groups, industry, and the academic community to form a program to address the problem. Thus, Partners In Flight was conceived as a voluntary, international coalition dedicated to “keeping common birds common” and reversing the downward trends of declining species. Participants in Wyoming Partners In Flight, the state working group of Partners In Flight, developed the Wyoming Bird Conservation Plan as part of the international Partners In Flight effort.

Purpose

Effective and efficient ecological management involves determining which species and habitats are most in need of conservation. This Plan identifies priority species and habitats, and establishes objectives for bird populations and habitats in Wyoming. The Plan not only focuses on microhabitat requirements of priority species, but also identifies landscape scale requirements. Conservation actions are recommended and partnerships are identified to accomplish the objectives.

Scope

Of the 246 breeding bird species in Wyoming, 91 priority species in 15 major habitat types are addressed in this version of the Plan. If known, associated species that will benefit from management actions are listed with each priority species. Coordinating conservation by habitat enables land managers and landowners to efficiently focus on a set of priority birds and specific habitat characteristics they need.

Objectives and Strategies

Biological objectives are identified for each priority species in each habitat type to provide a target for ecological planning and implementation, and a bench mark for measuring success. Population objectives identify endeavors needed to ensure adequate, science-based population trend data is available for each priority species. Habitat objectives are identified to support the population objectives and describe the condition, amount, and/or location of the habitat where management is needed. Recommendations for achieving these objectives follow.

Evaluation of Progress

Inventory, monitoring, and research needs are listed that relate directly to management questions. We intend this to be a dynamic document that will be updated and revised as new information surfaces. Thus, we envision inventory, monitoring, and research fulfilling a critical link in the adaptive nature of this Plan.

Coordination

Many partners were instrumental in writing this document. However, coordination among existing and new partners is needed for the Plan to succeed. As we progress in Plan implementation, we will integrate with other initiatives. Information in the Plan can easily be linked with other landscape-level management programs. Discussions regarding integration have already begun nationally with the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and Colonial Waterbird and Shorebird groups. International coordination is well under way with Canada and Mexico, and coordination of projects across international boundaries is planned for the implementation phase. Although this Plan is specific to birds, coordination with other species groups will be a natural progression of implementation.