Project Grant F23AP01955

THE FLORIDA GRASSHOPPER SPARROW (FGSP), LISTED AS ENDANGERED IN 1986 (51 FR 27492), IS CONSIDERED ONE OF NORTH AMERICA S MOST IMPERILED BIRDS. FGSPS TYPICALLY OCCUR IN FLORIDA DRY PRAIRIE, YET ALSO ARE FOUND IN PASTURES ON WORKING RANCHES. LESS THAN 20 OF FLORIDA S NATURAL DRY PRAIRIE REMAINS, WITH THE LARGEST, INTACT NATIVE DRY PRAIRIES ALREADY PROTECTED. WORKING RANGELANDS MAY PROVIDE THE BEST OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FGSP POPULATIONS AND ACHIEVE DELISTING RECOVERY CRITERION 1. HOWEVER, THIS STRATEGY NECESSITATES UNDERSTANDING FGSP DEMOGRAPHY AND NEST SUCCESS ON RANGELANDS. ARCHBOLD WILL MONITOR FGSPS, FIND AND PROTECT NESTS, AND ASSESS HABITAT AT DELUCA PRESERVE, A WORKING CATTLE RANCH, TO BETTER UNDERSTAND DEMOGRAPHY OF FGSPS ON RANGELANDS.THE DELUCA PRESERVE WAS A PRIVATELY HELD CATTLE RANCH (DESTINY RANCH), AND IN 2020, THE DELUCA FAMILY PLACED A CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON THE PROPERTY AND DONATED THE LAND TO THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA. SINCE 2017, ARCHBOLD, WITH SUPPORT FROM THE US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, AND THE FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION OF FLORIDA, HAS MONITORED AND MANAGED THE DELUCA FGSP POPULATION, PROTECTED NESTS, COMPLETED HABITAT ASSESSMENTS FOR FGSPS, PROVIDED HABITAT MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SERVICE, AND COORDINATED THESE ACTIONS THROUGH THE FLORIDA GRASSHOPPER SPARROW WORKING GROUP.HERE WE PROPOSE TO CONTINUE THESE ACTIONS TO: (I) BETTER UNDERSTAND THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MANAGEMENT, FGSP HABITAT, AND DEMOGRAPHY. ALL OUR PROJECT OBJECTIVES ALIGN WITH THE RECOVERY ACTIONS DESCRIBED IN THE FGSP STRATEGIC VISION (SERVICE 2019).OBJECTIVES1.POPULATION DEMOGRAPHIC MONITORINGA.CONDUCT POINT-COUNT SURVEYS IN OCCUPIED PASTURES IN APRIL, MAY, JUNE, AND JULY (ACTIONS 6, 8, 16).B.CONDUCT TRANSECT SURVEYS IN PASTURES NOT KNOWN TO BE OCCUPIED ONCE PER BREEDING SEASON (ACTIONS 6, 8, 16).C.BAND ALL FGSPS AT DELUCA, INCLUDING NESTLINGS (ACTIONS 6, 8, 16).2.NEST PROTECTIONA.LOCATE AND FENCE ALL FGSP NESTS (ACTIONS 3, 8).B.LIFT FGSP NESTS AT RISK OF FLOODING (ACTION 4).C.TREAT RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT MOUNDS NEAR FGSP NESTS (ACTION 5).3.HABITAT QUALITY ASSESSMENTSA.ASSESS HABITAT AT ALL TRANSECT AND POINT COUNT SURVEY LOCATIONS ANNUALLY (ACTION 16).4.STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENTA.COORDINATE, VIA THE FGSP WORKING GROUP, WITH PARTNERS AND AGENCY STAFF (ACTION 19).DELIVERABLES1.TECHNICAL REPORT SUMMARIZING POPULATION, DEMOGRAPHIC MONITORING, AND NEST PROTECTION ACTIVITIES AND OUTCOMES, AND HABITAT ASSESSMENTS.2.WEEKLY ATTENDANCE AT THE FGSP WORKING GROUP MEETINGS DURING THE BREEDING SEASON AND PRESENTATIONS SUMMARIZING RESULTS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.