Hawks Aloft, Inc.
New Mexico
Partners in Flight

Agricultural

Description, importance and conservation status: Occurs primarily in association with the major river valleys of New Mexico, the Rio Grande, Pecos, Gila, and San Juan drainages. Also occurs in the eastern grasslands north to Roswell, Clovis, Clayton, and in the Estancia valley north along the eastern edge of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Prevalent on the Navajo Agricultural Products, Inc. in San Juan County and the Deming-to-Columbus corridor in Luna County. Elevations range from 3500 to 7500 feet.

This habitat includes a variety of differing agricultural landscapes and scales. Many types of fields exist from alfalfa fields which may support large numbers of birds to cotton fields which are generally avoided by birds. Orchards are also included in this category, including both fruit and pecan orchards. Recently, Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Eastern Bluebird have been found breeding in these types of orchards in southern New Mexico.

Flooded agricultural fields may provide foraging habitat for many shorebirds and waterfowl during migration. Agricultural fields often support large numbers of wintering birds.

Irrigation ditches ("acequia's" in northern New Mexico) are also considered agricultural in nature and can provide habitat for birds. Thompson et al. 1996 found that during migration, ditches which had not been scraped of vegetation supported higher numbers of migrant birds than either agricultural fields or orchards. While these areas do not serve as a replacement for riparian habitats they can be viewed as a good addition to riparian habitats in the state.

"Clean farming" replaces biodiversity with monoculture and can reduce critical habitats for wildlife, including hedgerows and roadside vegetation. Soil erosion, and the resultant sedimentation, can reduce cropland capability for the production of plant and animal biomass. This can impact the quality and quantity of aquatic habitat (Bolen and Robinson 1999).

Impacts to this habitat include: 1)noxious plants and weeds, and 2)pesticide use.

Physiographic Areas covered: Mexican Highlands, Chihuahuan Desert, Colorado Plateau, Mogollon Rim, Pecos and Staked Plains, Southern Rocky Mountains

Associated Priority Species from Appendices B and C:

Table 1. Agriculture Habitat Priority Species

Highest Priority	Priority	High Responsibility
Ferruginous Hawk Yellow-billed Cuckoo Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Eastern Bluebird McCown's Longspur Dickcissel Bobolink	Grasshopper Sparrow	Burrowing Owl

Bird Habitat Requirements, Population and/or Habitat Objectives:
(in taxonomic order)

Ferruginous Hawk _{(Stravers and Garber 1998)}

Associated Species: Scaled Quail, Mountain Plover, Mourning Dove, Common Nighthawk, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Say's Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, Bendire's Thrasher, Vesper Sparrow, Western Meadowlark,

needs close proximity to high quality grasslands or irrigated agricultural lands in NM
landscapes with <50% coverage of cropland and hayland used for nesting and foraging (Leary et al. 1998)
prefers forest edge or mature, isolated, flat-topped junipers, with thick support branches for nests in NM.
in NW New Mexico, often nests on rock spires
in eastern New Mexico, often uses old homestead trees, may nest on ground (D. Svingen pers.comm.)
highly sensitive to human disturbance, maintain a minimum 820ft (250m) buffer zone around nesting sites (White and Thurow 1985) between March 15 - July 15 (Bechard and Schmutz 1995)
prey mainly small to medium-sized mammals in NM

Distribution: Found breeding in the northern two-thirds of the state: from Clovis west to Corona, in the Rio Grande Valley , south to San Antonio and from Farmington south to the Plains of San Agustin and Quemado. Nesting has been documented earlier in the century as far south as Deming. Though there are no recent records for areas further south, nesting in isolated areas is possible.

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

in the West, T = 6.6%, p = 0.01, N = 92, RA=0.25 (Sauer et al. 1997)
maintain known populations, especially the high density area of the Estancia Valley
increase the known pairs in the state by 20% in 10 years. As of 1998, 73 known pairs; 11 additional suspected pairs (Garber and Stravers 1998)
in juniper savanna, maintain open grassland between trees without a shrub layer, especially on the edges of pure grasslands. Keep small isolated junipers in grasslands.
prevent conversion of large areas of native prairie to monotypic stands of grass or other types of agriculture (Bechard and Schmutz 1995)
when converting tree communities to grassland, provide nest sites by leaving individual trees, a mosaic of stands of trees, or a thin scattering of trees (Olendorff 1993)

Yellow-billed Cuckoo _{(Yanishevsky and Petring-Rupp 1997)}

Associated Species: Cooper's Hawk, Vermilion Flycatcher, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bullock's Oriole

generally a riparian obligate
has occurred in well-developed pecan orchards; near well-vegetated ditches
little is known of habitat requirements for this species when nesting in orchards

Distribution: Found statewide in riparian areas and walnut-lined corridors, but less common in the far northwestern and far northeastern portions of the state.

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

in Region 2, T = -1.6%, p = 0.001, N =200, RA=6.35 (Sauer et al. 1997)
maintain orchards with vegetation lined ditches
encourage any and all native revegetation efforts below Caballo Dam on the Rio Grande
NOTE: Few habitat recommendations can be made until further study is conducted on this species in this habitat.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher _{(Regosin 1998)}

Associated Species: Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Say's Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, Cassin's Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark

uses savannas, with occasional trees, shrubs, and brush patches; also towns, agricultural areas, and landscaped areas such as golf courses
density decreases with increased presence of grama-buffalo grass
needs sufficient number of perches (trees, shrubs, fences, wires) ranging from just above ground to 30ft (10m) in height
nests in isolated trees or shrubs, often honey mesquite
needs wide shrubs: nest placement can average 6ft (1.9m) from main stem

Distribution: Found in the southeastern quadrant of the state; from Clovis/Portales and the Texas border south and west to Fort Sumner and the Pecos Valley

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

In Region 2, T = 0.2%, p = 0.77, N = 209, RA = 17.64 (Sauer et al. 1997)
maintain current populations in the Carlsbad, Lovington, Clovis-Portales, and Tatum areas
reverse recent observed declines in New Mexico populations (S. West pers. comm.)
create or maintain native grassland habitat adjacent to agricultural areas and golf courses where this species is present

McCown's Longspur _{(With 1994)}

Associated Wintering Species: Burrowing Owl, Horned Lark, Chestnut-collared Longspur

open areas, including shortgrass prarie, pastures, and dry lake beds with little or no shrub component
average height of vegetation is less than 1.5ft (0.5m); often grass has a "lawn-like" look
depends on seeds and grains during winter
not found frequently in blue grama

Distribution: Found in appropriate areas throughout the southern two-thirds of the state in winter

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

(summering) In the U.S., T = 2.6%, p = 0.33, N = 39, RA = 2.2 (Sauer et al. 1997)
maintain continued presence in the Chihuahuan Desert, Colorado Plateau, and Pecos and Staked Plains during the months of December, Januray, and February
reduce new plowed acreage in shortgrass areas
manage for shortgrass vigor, either through light to moderate burning in healthy areas or rotation grazing techniques

Dickcissel _{(Yanishevsky and Petring-Rupp 1997)}

Associated Species: Ring-necked Pheasant, Northern Bobwhite, Eastern Kingbird, Western Meadowlark

prefers nesting in areas of dense forb cover in alfalfa and sweet clover fields; also uses cropland, grassland (especially tallgrass), and unused, weedy fields in early successional stages
density of males, and increase in polygany, positively correlate with amount and density of vegetation
song perches are critical. Forbs or shrubs that rise an average of 19.3 in (49cm) above the average height of surrounding vegetation
nests are generally 3.28ft (1m) or less above the ground
cowbird parasitism is a large factor in population decline; parasitism decreases with increased male density
reproduction appears to suffer with heavy grazing in shortgrass, but appears stable with moderate grazing in tallgrass

Distribution: Breeds locally from Fort Sumner and Clovis/Portales area north to Maxwell NWR

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

in Region 2, T = 0.6%, p = 0.31, N = 173, RA = 17.05; in the U.S., T = -1.6%, p = 0.00, N = 783, RA = 16.29 (Sauer et al. 1997)

maintain current known nesting populations near Fort Sumner, Clovis and Maxwell NWR

This species is an opportunistic nester. While New Mexico does not serve as a core nesting area, it may serve as a secondary breeding area during drought years. In 1988, during a Midwestern drought, the number of Dickcissel reports in New Mexico increased over 50%

maintain early successional weedy fields, mid-grass prairie and shrubby shortgrass areas

manage grazing in shortgrass areas to maintain appropriate habitat requirements

delay haying until after breeding season (beginning of August)

maintain early successional, weedy fields and perches rising above average height of vegetation

Bobolink _{(Martin and Gavin 1995)}

Associated Species: Savannah Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird

uses grass-sedge fields along river bottomlands and irrigated meadows and hay fields; hay fields >8 yrs old support significantly higher populations. Fields larger than 74ac (30ha) also support significantly higher densities of birds

nests always on the ground; often in transitional wet areas between drier and more poorly drained areas

most nests located beneath forbs

vertical vegetation density is higher around nests than in surrounding areas and ground-level shade was higher (86% vs. 66%)

arrive in breeding areas in early to mid-May. Depart by the end of August (B. Howe pers. comm.).

Distribution: Breeds in southern Canada and across the northern half of the United States, south to southern Colorado. Isolated breeding outposts are near Springerville, Arizona and Los Ojos, New Mexico. The Parkview/Los Ojos area in the Chama River valley (Southern Rocky Mountain P.A.) has been occupied by this species sporadically since at least 1925, and somewhat continuously in recent years. Breeding elsewhere in New Mexico has been suspected, but not documented, at some other northern New Mexico sites.

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

in the West, T = -1.2%, p = 0.57, N = 82, RA = 0.57 (Sauer et al. 1997)

maintain current population in the Los Ojos area

delay hay mowing till after fledging, generally after July 20

if growing hay in the Los Ojos area, maintain contiguous fields of 75ac (30ha) or more. Wherever possible maintain blocks of 75ac (30ha) in grass-sedge fields close to northern streams

Overall Habitat Strategies:

Agricultural Fields

Leave unmowed, unmanaged, vegetative borders around agricultural fields. Where possible, maintain native grassland adjacent to fields and on edges of fields. Delay mowing of alfalfa fields or institute late mowing regimes every three years. Plant wildlife forage crops. After harvest, maintain stubble crop residue as long as possible or institute "no-till" practices.

Reduce pesticide use or institute reductions in integrated pest management techniques where possible. Organic pest management techniques should be explored when possible. Plant crops which require less pesticides. Organic farming does not employ pesticides and has a much less deleterious effect on birds.

Wind breaks and other Trees

Maintain native trees and shrubs such as cottonwoods where found. When planting trees, use cottonwoods and other native trees/shrubs, rather than exotic trees such as Siberian elms, tamarisk, or Russian-olive. Maintain a variety of age groups where possible so that when older trees die, others are available for use.

Snags

Allow trees to remain standing after they die ("snags") for as long as possible. These snags are used by a variety of cavity nesters, both those which make cavities, such as woodpeckers, but also those which use these cavities after already established. When trees fall maintain the downed logs.

Ditches

Institute longer rotations for ditch cleanings or dredgings. Mow only one side of a ditch during a rotation. The following rotation, mow the opposite side. Mow as late as possible, after October is preferable, along ditches.

Research and monitoring needs:

1. Determine prey requirements for Ferruginous Hawk in agricultural areas in the state.

2. Determine Yellow-billed Cuckoo nesting requirements in pecan orchards. Determine productivity of Yellow-billed Cuckoo in pecan orchards.

3. Determine productivity of Grasshopper Sparrow in agricultural lands versus native grassland.

4. Determine productivity of Dickcissel in agricultural lands. Research breeding phenology in agricultural lands for Best Management Practices determination.

5. Determine and compile information on statewide pesticides used as well as quantities.

6. Determine non-point source run-off pesticide levels in different areas of the state.

Education:

1. Call public attention to wildlife value of snags.

2. Develop a guide for growers in the state, emphasizing the importance of agricultural habitats for birds and best management strategies.

Table 2. Agricultural Priority Species: Habitat Factors

Species	Vegetation Composition/ Structure	Abiotic Factors	Landscape Factors	Special Factors
FEHA	open grassland/agricultural areas for foraging; nests in isolated, flat-topped junipers			Maintenance of prairie dog colonies near nest locations may be important
YBCU	large well-developed pecan orchards; often near well-vegetated ditches. Little else known of requirements in this habitat
STFL	perches up to 33ft for foraging areas with open grassland between		patch size unknown in New Mexico	May need native grassland near golf courses and agricultural areas
MCLO	shortgrass prairie, often< 1.6ft in height, with few or no shrubs	can be found in dry lake beds		often found in association with Horned Larks in winter
DICK	areas of tall,dense grass or forbs; needs a few perches an average of 19.3in above average height of surrounding vegetation			heavy grazing in short grass has detrimental effect; moderate grazing in tall grass may be beneficial
BOBO	grass-sedge meadows, hay fields, irrigated fields and riparian bottomlands; nesting areas have higher vertical density than surrounding areas	nests in transition zone between poorly drained areas and drier ones; uses hay fields older than 8yr	uses fields of greater than 74ac	greater ground level shade (86%) than surrounding areas;