Artificial Nest Structures as Mitigation for Natural-Gas Development Impacts to Ferruginous Hawks (Buteo regalis) in South-Central Wyoming. BLM Technical Note 434

摘要

The Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) may be particularly sensitive to human disturbance, but is also a highly versatile nester. South-central Wyoming supports one of the largest breeding populations of Ferruginous Hawks, as well as significant natural-gas development. Ferruginous Hawks were first documented nesting on natural-gas structures in the area during the 1980s. Because nests on natural-gas structures commonly failed due to human activities, the Rawlins Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management installed 105 artificial nest structures (ANSs) between 1987 and 2004 to provide area birds with viable nesting alternatives. Herein we draw on previous research to assess the efficacy of ANSs as a mitigation tool. Overall, Ferruginous Hawks used 85% of all available ANSs for nesting at some point. Nesting activity appeared to be positively associated with areas of natural-gas development and subsequent ANS installation.