Pinyon Jay Multi-state

Working Group

Pinyon Jay

Multi-state

Working Group

Scott Somershoe, Migratory Bird Program, Region 6, USFWS(Lead) scott_somershoe@fws.gov

Elisabeth Ammon, Jen Ballard, John Boone; Great Basin Bird Observatory,Corrie Borgman, USFWS Region 2

Sandra Brewer, BLM NevadaJay Carlisle, Intermountain Bird ObservatoryDave Cook, BLM UtahPeggy Darr, Santa Fe County, NMKristine Johnson, University of New MexicoRuss Norvell, Utah Department of Wildlife ResourcesLiza Rossi, Colorado Parks and WildlifeJustin Schofer, USFS ArizonaNick Van Lanen, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

Chris Witt, USFS, Rocky Mt. Res. Stn.Scott Gibson, Utah Department of Wildlife ResourcesGeoff Walsh, BLMCris Tomlinson, NV DGFNatasha Hadden, BLM UtahPat Diebert, USFWSErin Duvuvuei, New Mexico G&FElroy Masters, Arizona BLMJ Vacca, Nevada BLMSusi Macvean, Arizona G&F

Troy Corman, Arizona G&F

Shawn Langston, BLMTice Supplee, National Audubon SocietyJeff Marks, Montana Bird AdvocacyJosh Vest, Intermountain West Joint Venture

Why a Working Group on

Pinyon Jays?

Pinyon Jay

Population Trends

BBS, 1966-2015

• New Mexico -3.46

• Western BBS -3.59

• Survey-wide -3.69

Pinyon Jay Survey-wide Population

Trend, BBS 1966-2012

Pinyon Jay-Piñon Pine Mutualism

Trees:

• abundant seeds in mast

years

• seeds high in fat, protein

• nest sites

Jays:

• long-distance dispersal of

millions of seeds

• cache seeds in open sites

such as burned areas

• cache seeds in micro-

habitats favorable for

germination

• can re-plant a woodland

decimated by drought, fire,

insects, or clearing

Pinyon Jay-Piñon Pine

Coevolved Traits

Jays:

• expandable esophagus

• phenomenal spatial memory

• physiological response to green piñon cones

• nest in all seasons

• insulated nests

• large pointed bills for opening green cones

• naked nostrils

Trees

• large, wingless seeds require dispersal by animals

• irregular masting

• seeds highly nutritional

• cones open upwards for bird dispersal

Potential

Threats

Historical• Clearcutting for mining,

1800s (timber and charcoal)

• Millions of acres chained for grazing, tree invasion

Recent• Climate impacts to

P-J habitat

• Thinning for fuels reduction,

ecological condition

• Tree removal for sage-grouse

• Development

Documented Climate Impacts

to Piñon Trees

• models predict P-J range will

contract*

• models predict massive tree mortality in SW*

• tree mortality*

• declines in cone production*

• decreases in canopy cover*

* documented by studies

Expected Climate Impacts

to Pinyon Jays*

• canopy cover - nests exposed to predators

• needle loss – nests exposed to heat

• fewer cones – impact jay reproductive success

• tree mortality – nest trees isolated, more visible to predators

• tree morbidity, mortality – suitable colony sites scarce

• range of Pinyon Jays predicted to contract 25-31%, 2010-2099

*based on well documented PIJA natural history

Thinning Treatments Affect

Habitat Suitability

Nesting

• Tree density*

• Tree size*

• Canopy cover*

Foraging

• Masting trees

• Ectomycorrhizal fungi

*documented by studies

Tree Removal for Other Species:

Greater Sage-Grouse

Development: Oil and Gas

• Habitat loss

• Habitat fragmentation

• reduced patch size

• patch isolation

• Well noise*

*documented by studies

Pinyon Jay Multi-State

Working Group

**sign up to be notified when conservation strategy is published

Rangewide Conservation

Strategy for the Pinyon Jay

Introduction: Biology of

the Pinyon Jay

• Status

• Habitat Use and

Requirements

• Historical and Current

Threats

Research Needs

Recommended

Conservation Actions

• Expected publication 2019

• By USFWS Region 6

• Available on web

• Signup sheet to be notified

of publication

Questions?