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Mountain Plover Nest Conservation Program
The Mountain Plover is considered a species of high conservation concern in Colorado
and a threatened species in Nebraska. While the Mountain Plover was once common
throughout its range, populations have been significantly reduced in abundance and
its breeding area has been constricted. Approximately 60% of the continental population
breeds in the eastern Plains of Colorado where 80% of the nesting habitat is found
on private land.
Mountain Plovers nest in flat, prairie dominated landscapes characterized by very
short, sparse vegetation and bare ground. Mountain Plovers are attracted to bare,
cultivated fields. Depending on the timing or farm implements being used to work
the land, nests can be lost or damaged.
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Through voluntary partnerships with private landowners, RMBO biologists survey suitable
nesting habitat on cultivated land in eastern Colorado and western Nebraska, and
mark any nests with brightly colored wooden stakes so the nests can be avoided during
cultivation. Profitability of the farm is not compromised as nests only need to
be missed by inches. In addition, Mountain Plover eggs hatch within 30 days and
chicks leave the nest within an hour or two of hatching, allowing the producer to
farm through the nest site. With the assistance of the Colorado Farm Bureau, County
Farm Bureaus, Conservation Districts, and other agencies and organizations, the
program raises awareness of the Mountain Plover and its conservation needs. The
Colorado Division of Wildlife and the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Neotropical
Migratory Bird fund provide funding for the program in Colorado. The Nebraska program
is funded by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Environmental
Trust.
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The program has grown exponentially since its inception in 2003, largely due to
the active involvement of agricultural producers. Starting with six landowners who
enrolled 14,000 acres of farmland in five eastern Colorado counties, 200 landowners
in Colorado and Nebraska currently participate in the program and have enrolled
285,000 acres in 18 counties. More than 470,000 acres have been surveyed for Mountain
Plover resulting in the marking of 700 nests. At least one egg hatched in 60%-80%
of the nests with known outcomes. The program has shown how non-regulatory efforts
can promote the conservation of an at-risk species on private land.
Because more producers are now aware of the Mountain Plover and have shown a willingness
to help conserve it, the program is transitioning to a landowner-led initiative.
Nest marking will be phased out as producers will locate nests on their own and
avoid them during routine cultivation activities.
See the brochure titled “Got Plover? We Need You”
for more information on Mountain Plover including tips on identification and locating
nests.
For more information please contact the project coordinator:
Ross Lock
ross.lock AT rmbo.org
(970) 482-1707
230 Cherry Street
Suite 100
Fort Collins, CO - 80521
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