- Prairie Chicken Lek Survey
Capstone Project report
By Jim Brady
The alarm goes off at 3:15 and with a shower and travel mug of coffee, I’m headed north to be at Dunn Ranch by 6:15 am. I am participating in a Prairie Chicken Lek Survey. This cooperative work between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Conservation and The Nature Conservancy (Dunn Ranch) is to monitor the restoration effort of, and provide data on habitat requirements for, the Greater Prairie-chicken.
The survey period is between March 20 and April 20. Two types of survey methods are used; a route-based survey driving between numerous known or potential leks, and a blitz-style survey when monitors one lek site for an extended period of time. The blitz-style survey is more labor intense as each lek requires at least one monitor. The area around Dunn Ranch had a total of 11 leks to be checked.
The data had to be collected from 30 minutes before to 2 hours past sunrise. With the route-based survey, each lek was scanned for 5 minutes. For the blitz-style survey, each lek is monitored for a minimum of 20 minutes. The added staffing required for the blitz was provided by college students from Missouri. Data collected consisted of date and time, GPS location of site, the number of birds seen or heard, male or female, wind speed, wind direction, temperature, cloud cover, and habitat. Data was provided to the Boone Wildlife Research Station in Iowa for analysis.
During the late ninetieth century, Greater Prairie-chickens were on of the most abundant gamebird in southern Iowa and northern Missouri. Market hunters and locals regularly hunted them for food and profit. Taking 25 to 50 birds a day was common with some market hunters taking up to 250 per day. With hunting and a change in agricultural land use, prairie chickens saw a significant decline. Today, according to the MDC, there are estimated to be fewer than 100 birds in Missouri spread between two sites. One centered around Dunn Ranch and the other in west-central Missouri.
A route-based survey was held on April 3, with 5 birds reported, 3 males and 2 females. On April 14, a blitz-style survey was conducted with no birds reported although one was sited after the survey was complete at Pawnee Prairie. On April 16, a second route-based survey resulted in one male being reported. During the surveys I was able to identify not only prairie chickens but 41 additional species of birds.
These ongoing surveys show a decline in the Greater Prairie-chicken population since the relocation effort by Iowa and Missouri in 2017. The data indicates a population of only about 20-30% of the initial counts from the start of the restoration. It is possible that population exist outside of the monitored locations but there have not been adequate resources to investigate. This is an interesting project and population numbers have shown the ability to rebound but more information is needed on conservation management for this now rare species.
- Master Naturalist Wins Award
On April 24, Frances Cain (2015) was presented with the Conservation Educator of the Year award at the Jackson County Parks + Recreation Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Frances was recognized for her fabulous efforts as chapter liaison to Kemper Outdoor
Education Center. In this picture, Frances stands between Sarah Gauld and Michelle Newman from the parks department. - Organizing a Workday at Jerry Smith Prairie
Capstone Project Report
Master Naturalists setting up the tools to remove bush honeysuckle and callery pear. By Jenna Wilkins 2024
For our Missouri Master Naturalist capstone project, Chhaya Kolavalli and I organized a volunteer workday at Jerry Smith Remnant Prairie to remove invasive species, particularly bush honeysuckle and Callery pear. Our partner organization was KC WildLands, who has led efforts to restore the 40 acres of prairie since 1998. Hunter Moore, program manager at the organization, provided us with a tour of the site, an explanation of their conservation goals, and, crucially, many pairs of loppers, gloves, and glyphosate to make our workday a success.
On a drizzly day in December 2024, seven volunteers joined us (including six from our recently graduated 2024 MMN cohort!) to cut back the invasive species and apply herbicide to the stumps. The tract of land we worked had had a prescribed burn a few days before. The honeysuckle and Callery pear had impeded the burn where they were growing, further emphasizing the challenges that they present to restoration efforts on the remnant prairie. After 3 hours, our small group had cleared about a half-acre of land and shared a well-earned snack of hot cider and donuts as we admired our work.
We learned so much from the experience. There was the obvious knowledge gained in how to identify and remove invasive species, as well as the more subtle aspects of organizing volunteer efforts. For example, learning how to utilize groups.io to announce the event and attract volunteers. We also felt the relationships we built with our partner organization staff and fellow MMNs will pay dividends as we continue this work into the future. Even a casual encounter with a dog-walker during the workday showed us the value of hosting such events as a tool for educating the public.
Chhaya and I are both very grateful for the experience and the opportunity to be of service!
- We braved the rain, and the cold.. For the birds!
By JL Johnson (2021)
Nesting season is upon us, which means our chapter’s newly formed Project NestWatch Team is excited to tackle the first of what could be many projects for 2025, and beyond. On Saturday, 3/15 a few members of the newly formed team (formerly referred to as taskforce) ventured out to explore the area around Longview Lake Shelter 9. The shelter is a sort of “home base” for a two-mile loop, and part of the broader 7-mile (one way) Longview Lake trail system.
The six of us braved the 37 degree cold to learn about bluebird nesting preferences, and to scout the area for potential nesting box sites. After a cold and wet, but fun and leisurely walk we had discovered and documented 13 individual sites as well as a few large areas to propose to Jackson County Parks and Rec (JCPR) for final sign off. Slen Rogers from the 2024 class has graciously volunteered to take our tentative agreement with JCPR to formal approval by putting together a detailed proposal as a capstone project. Thank you, Slen!
Nesting boxes, poles, baffles and hardware will be procured shortly after final sign off, and installation will follow shortly after. Of course our journey does not end with installation. Boxes will need to be monitored, cleaned between broods, and maintained. An option exists to obtain a 1:1 box match through the Missouri Bluebird Society to further expand our impact at the shelter 9 site.
There will be many opportunities to contribute to, and learn from, the Project NestWatch Team at this location and others. Examples include: Scouting additional locations, working with partners to bring on or expand additional properties, writing proposals, procuring boxes and materials, managing matching grants, installing and/or maintaining boxes, and most importantly regularly monitoring and cleaning boxes through nesting season. Those who want to monitor boxes as a part of our chapter’s team will need to become Certified NestWatchers through Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology (a quick online course) and have a Volunteer Service and Project Approval Form approved which team leadership will help folks to navigate for batch approval. Finally, watchers will need to attend a chapter information session and work with others in the team to coordinate monitoring.
Keep an eye on the chapter calendar, groups.io and this newsletter for updates. If you have questions, or would like to be added to the team email distribution list, please contact JL at osage.mmn.president@gmail.com. And of course all chapter members are welcome to drop in on one of our virtual or in person meetings.
- Spotted Salamander
MDC’s Online Field Guide:
Spotted salamanders are considered abundant in Missouri but are rarely seen. Found in forested areas in the southern two-thirds of the state, they spend most of their lives hidden under logs, rocks, leaves, or inside the burrows of small mammals. On warm, rainy nights in late winter and early spring, these salamanders travel to breed in shallow, woodland ponds, where they may gather by the hundreds. Learn more about this species in MDC’s online Field Guide.
Learn more in MDC’s online Field Guide.
Photo by MDC staff, courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation
