Skip to main content

Attention hunters: Visit our FAQ page for information about the use of centerfire, single-shot rifles for deer hunting in Illinois. 

Governor JB Pritzker Illinois.gov Contact IDNR DNR A to Z

Project T-138-R1

​Project Title: Identifying High-quality Habitat for Migrating Grassland Birds

Community and/or Species Focus:

 Grassland birds

Goals/Objectives:
  1. Monitor various grasslands using transects to determine the habitat use, distribution, and phenology of migrating and breeding grassland birds in Illinois
  2. Monitor various grasslands using mist nets to determine the habitat use, distribution, and phenology of migrating and breeding grassland birds in Illinois
  3. Collect fecal samples during misting net activities
  4. Use automated radio telemetry to determine the behavior of radio-tagged induvials during fall migration
  5. use automated radio telemetry to determine how management activities impact the activity and departure behavior
  6. Use citizen science data to identify critical areas for species in greatest need of conservation in Illinois  
Achievements:
  1. Fill knowledge gap and provide information on the most important grasslands for migrating grassland birds
  2. Determine items grassland birds are foraging on
  3. Provide information on how long individuals are at a given site, when they depart, and if the departure is related to climate of disturbances such as management activities  
  4. develop a better understanding of the important areas for these species, both during the migratory and breeding seasons

Post-Project Survey (if applicable): n/a

Project Period: 10/1/21 - 9/30/24

Principle Investigator(s):

 Michael Ward (Illinois Natural History Survey)

Final Report: Project is currently underway; "Achievements" are projections of what is to be accomplished