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Restoration of Quail Habitat on Surface Mined Lands

Kale Horton Ramona BriggemanU.S. Dept. of the Interior Indiana Dept. of Natural ResourcesOffice of Surface Mining Division of ReclamationMid-Continent Region Jasonville, INAlton, IL

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Objectives

• Discuss basic habitat elements required by upland game birds

• Explore some mine reclamation benefits

• Texas revegetation guideline example

• Show some examples of upland game bird reclamation in Indiana

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Quail Reclamation

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What is Poor Quail Habitat?

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Interspersion

40 acres per covey (10 to 30 birds)

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Nesting Cover

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Brood Cover

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Winter/Loafing Cover

Covey Headquarters

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Food Requirements

•Primary seedeaters

•Insects that grow around weeds and crops

•Soft fruits and seeds such as blackberries, grass seeds, and legume seeds are vital

•Tall fescue not only reduces cover, but serves as poor food source and repels insects the birds need

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Management

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Reclamation

• Coal mine reclamation presents a unique opportunity for upland game bird restoration

• Quicker bond release – submit one year of ground cover

• Produce recreational lands for hunting

• Flexibility in regulations

• Upland game birds require disturbed environments

• Type of cover and plant species that do well for reclamation also benefit quail

• Early successional habitats = more quail

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Texas Revegetation Guidelines

• Texas Parks and Wildlife Approached the Railroad Commission

• Texas Quail Conservation Initiative

• TXU and ALCOA came on board to promote the initiative on mined lands

• Specific rule change for ground cover and woody plant stocking rates

• Added a sub-category specific to upland game birds in the revegetation guidelines

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Texas Quail Habitat

• Texas Parks and Wildlife proposed to the RRC a rule change specific to upland game bird habitat:

• Revegetation Success Standards• A. Grazingland and Pastureland• B. Cropland• C. Forestry• D. Fish and Wildlife Habitat

• General Category• 1. Ground Cover• 2. Woody-Plant Stocking

• Sub-Category: Bobwhite Quail and Other Grassland Bird Species• 1. Ground Cover• 2. Woody-Plant Stocking

• E. Undeveloped Land• F. Industrial / Commercial• G. Residential• H. Recreation

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Texas Success Standards

• Ground cover range for is reflected by the lowest value of 57% [63% x 0.9] and the highest value of 77% [70% x 1.1]

• Woody species stocking is based on permit specific and site specific considerations

• Consultation with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

• Employ best management practices to assist in erosion control and husbandry

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Innovative Reclamation