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New Mexico
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Wet Meadow

Description, importance and conservation status:

Wet Meadows in New Mexico generally consist of high-elevation grasslands and sedge (Carex sp.) meadows at elevations of roughly 7500 feet to treeline. They are characterized by dense grasses and sedges growing in wet soils with the water table at or just below the soil surface. Varying amounts of forbs may be interspersed throughout. Depressions in the ground are often occupied by plants typical of standing shallow water, such as cattails (Typha sp.) and rushes (Juncus sp.).

Wet meadows are few and far between in New Mexico and have generally been heavily impacted by man's activities. They are primarily found in the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountains, with lesser amounts also present in the Jemez, Zuni, and Sacramento mountains, and mountains of the Mogollon Highlands. Many of the meadows have been drained and converted to agriculture or are extensively grazed during the summer months, and a few are threatened by development of residential/resort areas near some of the state's more popular ski resorts.

Although limited in extent, wet meadows support several species of birds that nest in no other habitat in New Mexico (see Table 1). New Mexico tends to be at the periphery of the breeding ranges for these species due to the limited and unpredictable availability of this habitat within the state. As such, the future of these species as breeders in the state depends upon conservation of the existing meadow ecosystems and restoration of those that have been drained (where possible), aided by years of higher than average rainfall that produce temporary wet meadows within grasslands that are dry more often than not.

Physiographic Areas Covered: Colorado Plateau, Southern Rocky Mountains, Mesas and Plains, Mogollon Rim

Associated priority species from Appendices B and C:
Table 1. Wet Meadow Priority Species

Highest Priority	Priority	High Responsibility
Wilson's Phalarope Bobolink	Savannah Sparrow	Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Additional Representative Species: Common Snipe

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

Common Snipe_{(Tacha and Braun 1994)}

Associated Species: Sora, Savannah Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird

Prefers grasslands with moist to saturated soils, low vegetation with shallow pools and permanent water

in Colorado, seasonal wetlands dominated by sedges (Carex spp.) that receive water from irrigation flow or near permanent water

nests placed in grasses or sedges on wet ground near water

diet includes insect larvae, snails, and earthworms found by probing into wet ground

in Colorado, densities ranged from 25-85 pair /100 ha

probably arrives on breeding grounds in early to mid-May. Departs by late August (B. Howe pers. comm.).

Distribution: Breeds across the northern United States and Canada, and in the West south in highland wetlands to southern portions of Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. It has not been proven to nest in New Mexico, but summering birds in suitable breeding habitat have been found regularly near Eagle Nest Lake, Black Lake, and Canjilon. All of these areas are in the Southern Rocky Mountains P.A.

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

in the Southern Rocky Mountains, T = 9.4%, p = 0.22, N = 24, RA = 1.88; in the Mogollon Rim, T = 3.4%, p = 0.03, N = 15, RA = 2.20 (Sauer et al. 1997)
Once breeding numbers and locations have been ascertained, maintain existing numbers in all locations
maintain seasonal wet meadows, especially in high mountain areas. Areas around Canjilon and the Eagle Nest and Black Lake areas are especially important
limit development in high mountain meadows
reduce or eliminate draining these wet mountain meadows or limit diversions during breeding season
eliminate grazing in wet meadows during the nesting season or restrict to light intensity.

Wilson's Phalarope _{(Colwell and Jehl 1994)}

Associated Species: Green-winged Teal, Sora, Savannah Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird

uses marshes, salt playas, flooded meadows and less often upland habitats along beaches as well as open water

nests located within 328ft (100m) of wetlands in taller, denser and more heterogeneous vegetation than surrounding vegetation

this may be an erratic breeder in the state, possibly breeding only in wetter years

Distribution: Breeds primarily in the northern Great Plains and in the western United States south to southern portions of Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. In New Mexico has been found breeding on the Zuni Reservation, the Jicarilla Reservation, and at Wagon Mound WMA. May breed elsewhere in the northern portions of the state in wet years (e.g. Salmon Ranch, Mora County). To date this species has been found breeding in the Colorado Plateau, Southern Rocky Mountains, and Mesas and Plains.

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

in the West, T = -0.3%, p = 0.77, N = 147, RA = 1.01 (Sauer et al. 1997)

maintain or enhance wet breeding habitat to encourage continual occupation, especially on the Zuni Reservation, at Wagon Mound, on the Salmon Ranch and the Black Lake area

maintain wet grassy areas within 300ft (91m) of open water

reduce or eliminate draining wet meadow areas, especially near open ponds or lakes above 6200 ft

limit breeding-season grazing in historic breeding areas

in dry years, fence off habitat in areas of known nesting

Savannah Sparrow_{(Wheelwright and Rising 1993)}

Associated Species: Common Snipe, Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird

found in open, moist, grassy meadows

usually meadows contain some herbaceous plants or weeds but avoids areas with tree cover

in more arid areas restricted to irrigated areas or grassy margins of ponds

main food items in breeding season consist of insects with smaller amounts of seeds

nests placed on ground, beneath small shrubs or in grass clumps, often hidden by overhanging grasses or a constructed "tunnel"

uncommon cowbird host (Erlich et al. 1988)

Egg-laying runs from mid-June through July. Time from egg-laying to fledging:22-27 days (Erlich et al. 1988)

Distribution: Breeds throughout much of North America to southern Appalachians, upper midwest, and south to northeastern Arizona and central California. Very few nests have been found in the state, although the species is regular in several locations in northern New Mexico including Maxwell area, the Black Lake and Moreno Valleys, northern Taos county and the Stinking/Stone Lake areas. May well be regular at other northern locales.

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

in the Southern Rocky Mountains, T = -0.3%, p = 0.95, N = 21, R.A. = 2.24 (Sauer et al. 1998)

Restrict development in higher mountain meadows to areas closer to forest margins rather than in low-lying, wet areas or near streams

Limit draining of wet meadows in higher mountain areas. Ensure that portions of moist meadows remain moist throughout the summer

In higher mountain meadows, institute grazing regimes which allow for at least one undisturbed breeding cycle in areas of occurrence

Fence off habitat in areas of known occurrence

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

Research and monitoring needs:

1. Monitor numbers and breeding of Wilson's Phalarope in appropriate years. Survey for additional breeding areas during appropriate years, especially in the north-central portion of the state.

2. Evaluate current condition and identify potential threats to extensive wet meadows from Black Lake north to Eagle Nest Lake.

3. Determine distribution, population size, productivity, return rates of adults, and recruitment rates of Bobolinks in the Parkview/Los Ojos area.

4. Determine effects of timing of hay harvest, flooding, and grazing to breeding success of all priority wet meadow species.

5. Determine effects of the seasonality and intensity of grazing on the integrity of wet meadow ecosystems and their ability to support priority bird species.

6. Conduct surveys for breeding Common Snipe in suitable habitats in north-central New Mexico.

Table 2. Wet Meadow Priority Species: Habitat Factors

Species	Vegetation Composition/ Structure	Abiotic Factors	Landscape Factors	Special Factors
COSN	seasonally wet meadows, often dominated by Carex spp.			Nests in grasses or forbs near ground near water; forages by probing into softer, wet ground
WIPH	wet grasslands, salt playas, flooded fields and marshes		nests in taller, denser more heterogenous vegetation than surrounding areas
SAVS
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;