The Streaked Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata) is a recognized subspecies of the Horned Lark (American Ornithologists’ Union 1957) and is a federal and state candidate for listing under the state and federal Endangered Species Acts. Identifying the habitat features important to successful breeding, understanding the factors that influence reproductive success and identifying methods for enhancing habitat are critical steps to recovering rare species. Consequently, the objectives of this research are:
- Describe breeding phenology and clutch size for birds in the Puget Lowlands, Coastal Washington and Columbia Islands
- Map locations of all larks during breeding censuses at Damon Point, Midway Beach, Whites Island, Gray Army Airfield, 13th Division Prairie, and McChord Air Force Base.
- Assess reproductive success of all horned larks at Damon Point, Midway Beach, Whites Island, Gray Army Airfield, 13th Division Prairie, and birds within a selected study area at McChord Air Force Base.
- Survey all known and potential breeding locations along the Washington coast and Columbia River islands for breeding larks.
- Identify habitat features important to breeding at the nest site and territory scales at Damon Point, Midway Beach, and Whites Island.
- Compare habitat variables associated with breeding at coastal/island sites with Puget lowland sites.
- Assess the effects of the herbicide Poast Plus® on lark breeding habitat and lark abundance.
- Assess the effects of prescribed fire on lark post-fledgling and breeding habitat and lark abundance.