Western Meadowlark
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)
Habitat: Prairie and Oak Savannah
Habitat Attribute: Large areas with diverse herbaceous vegetative structure
Population Objectives (Ecoregions)
Puget Lowlands:
- By 2030, increase the current estimated population of 1,000 birds by ≥31.9% (2.8% annual exponential growth) to ≥1,319 birds, with ≥660 birds in ≥22 subpopulations, and another ≥660 birds elsewhere throughout the ecoregion.
Habitat Objectives (Ecoregions)
Puget Lowlands:
- By 2030, maintain ≥22 habitat areas as described below that include ≤3,592 ha (8,875 ac) with ≥70% habitat suitability/patch.
Population and Habitat Objectives (Subregions)
Puget Lowlands:
Size, Number, and Distribution of Subpopulations and Habitat Areas by 2030:
- ≥3 large subpopulations (i.e., >25 pairs) in <354 ha (875 ac)/subpopulation
- ≥6 medium subpopulations (i.e., 15-25 pairs) in <202 ha (500 ac)/subpopulation ≥13 small subpopulations (i.e., 5-15 pairs) in <101 ha (250 ac)/subpopulation
- ≥8 of the small habitat areas, ≥4 of the medium habitat areas, and ≥2 of the large habitat areas should have >90% of the area in secure conservation status (i.e., ownership or easements) and being managed in ways compatible with suitable habitat
All Ecoregions:
- ≤10% of the subpopulation habitat area should be hostile habitat (i.e., urban, residential, high density rural)
Population Objectives (Sites)
Target Densities in Suitable Habitat:
Puget Lowlands:
- North: >0.02 birds ha
- South: >0.05 birds/ha
Willamette Valley:
- North: >0.02 birds/ha (>0.01 birds/ac)
- South: >0.05 birds/ha (>0.02 birds/ac)
Klamath Mountains:
- >0.26 birds/ha (>0.10 birds/ac)
Habitat Objectives (Sites)
Wet prairie, upland prairie, oak savannah, or appropriate agricultural types (e.g., light to moderately grazed pasture, fallow fields) in open landscapes >500 ha (200 ac) in the following conditions:
- canopy cover <15%
- shrub cover <20% and scattered (i.e., not contiguous as in fence rows, field buffers, etc.)
- bare ground 5-15%
- herbaceous cover that is structurally and compositionally diverse with:
- mean graminoid height in mid-to late May of 30-61 cm (12-24 in) including <25% 15-30 cm (6-12 in), >50% 30-61 cm (12-24 in), and <25% >61 cm (24 in)
- forb cover >15%
Cited Plan
