The following articles are reprinted with permission from the KDWF FB: facebook/kdfwr EVOLUTION OF THE LIVINGSTON COUNTY KENTUCKY FOCUS AREA By Philip Sharp, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources According to the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative’s Bobwhite Almanac: State Of The Bobwhite 2013, 97 percent of known northern bobwhite distribution is on private lands. This statistic demonstrates the importance of establishing private lands focus areas managed specifically for grassland wildlife. In an effort to reverse declines in bobwhite populations, the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) decided to take a focused approach with its bobwhite restoration program. Several Quail Focus Areas were established on both public and private lands across the Commonwealth, one of those landing in Western Kentucky’s Livingston County. In 2002, The Nature Conservancy hosted a landscape level-planning workshop to address several major ecological issues occurring in this region. Through this workshop, the Grand Rivers Corridor, a watershed based focus area was established. This area encompassed parts of six Western Kentucky counties comprising 513,500 acres. While successful on many fronts, the area was far too large to manage for bobwhite given the limited resources available. In 2006, we revisited the prospect of a private lands focus area and deemed it appropriate to call it a “Quail” Focus Area. With the working knowledge of the Grand Rivers Corridor project it was not difficult to outline what we all thought had the most potential for habitat development. Within this landscape, the Livingston County Quail Focus Area was “hatched.” This newly established 40,800-acre area was confined to Livingston County and was 95 percent privately owned. The other five percent was comprised of KDFWR public land and TNC property. To our disappointment, limited staff and financial support once again proved that we needed to re-evaluate our ability to affect the overall landscape using the focus area approach. In late 2012, we again reduced the focal area boundaries to 5,835 acres using PVA property lines. Now the entire acreage is comprised of private ownership. The current Quail Focus Area has been selected as a National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative Focus Area, one of only a few in the entire country. This designation will allow manager to adequately monitor bobwhite population responses. We are excited about the potential of our current Quail Focus Area. While it has taken us several years to improve our approach, we feel we are very close to perfecting it. On-the-ground habitat work is currently underway using prescribed fire, strip and block disking, and selective herbicides. Bird monitoring protocols are in place so that we can determine how our bobwhite populations are responding. The future is bright in Livingston County and we look forward to keeping you updated on our progress. *********************** Shrubby Cover for Bobwhite by Eric Williams, Wildlife Biologist – Peabody Wildlife Management Area A nice variety of wildlife-friendly shrubs occurring throughout your grassland habitat can do wonders for bobwhite. These plants provide several benefits to bobwhite including escape cover, loafing areas, travel lanes, and food and shelter areas during inclement weather. Approximately 20 percent of your bobwhite habitat should be in low-growing, woody cover. Native plants are best when considering the establishment of shrub cover. These species are adapted to the climate and are typically not invasive. In Kentucky, these will include wild plum, gray, roughleaf and silky dogwood, hazelnut, false indigo, elderberry and blackberry. The KY Division of Forestry offers some of these species, and many other supplies can be found with a quick internet search. Be sure to read up on the site requirements for the species that you consider. Most of the shrubs listed above can be established in all types of soil, but some varieties may have more specific requirements. After you’ve chosen shrubs to plant, site selection and preparation is the next step. Concentrate your efforts in the interior of fields. There are two basic shapes to shrub plantings: linear and blocks. Linear plantings (shrubs are planted in long rows) should be used to connect habitat types and will primarily be used as travel lanes. Block plantings are most effective in providing woody cover, especially if they are dispersed throughout the field. Aim for you block to cover at least 1,500 square feet. This provides quail and other songbirds enough cover to escape from predators. If planting into cool season grasses such as tall fescue, a pre-planting herbicide application in the fall or late spring may be required to reduce competition with the shrubs. Planting of shrubs should occur from January through May. If planting in January or February, ensure that the ground is not frozen and that your shrub seedlings are still in the dormant stage. Shrubs should be planted on a five-foot by five-foot spacing, which results in 75 seedlings being planted for 1,500 square feet coverage. The first key to successful shrub plot establishment is to plant the seedlings properly. Many seedlings get planted too shallow (exposed roots) or with the main root curved, or j-hooked, both of which greatly decrease the chances your plantings will survive. Bareroot seedlings can be planted with a dibble bar or mattock while potted shrubs (typically two-year old or greater seedlings) will need to be planted with a post-hole digger or shovel. Maintenance of the newly planted shrub plots is the final step. Periodically check the plot over the next few years. Watch for the shrubs getting overtopped by vegetation or eaten by small mammals, rabbits, or deer. Mowing and the use of selective herbicides can decrease the competition of surrounding vegetation. Animal grazing can play a big role in the survival of your shrub plot. If tall fescue is present (may harbor large population of voles and mice) or a substantial deer herd occurs in the area, consider the usage of tree tubes. These tubes act like mini greenhouses and will protect the shrubs from rodents and deer. Once the shrubs get established, they should bear fruit three to seven years following planting depending upon soil fertility and weather. Then, set back and let the quail and other songbirds enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Posted on: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 06:25:20 +0000
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