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11 Endangered Species Tech. Bull. 1 (1986)

handle is hein.animal/endanspb0011 and id is 1 raw text is: (411 - L January 1986 Vol. XI No. 1 - mu 1W- W u V muA W -IINM MO-- 11111M M MO- - -MW - W M- IIIIIII B Department of interior. .S. FIsh and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Pr ram, Washington, D.C. 20240 Listings Proposed for a Bird and Three Plants During December 1985, the Fish and WildlifeServ ce (FWS) proposed adding a birdandthree ants tothe Federal List of Endangered and Threatened WildhIfe and Plants Ifthe proposals Decome final rules Endangered Species Act protec- tion will be extended to the following taxa Florida Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus) Grasshopper sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum) are found throughout much of temperate North America The Florida subspecies (A. s. floridanus), however, is restricted in range and is geographically isolated from others of the species by at least 310 miles (500 kilometers), It occurs only in parts of Florida's south-central prairie region that retain the specific habitat character- istics required by this subspecies. Unlike the other two A. savannarum subspecies found east of the Rocky Mountains. the Florida grasshopper sparrow does not migrate. it also needs The Florida grasshopper sparrow gets its common name from its song which resembles the sound made by grass- hoppers, a different kind of habitat while most grasshopper sparrows seem to prefer open, grassy areas the Florida subspe- cies inhabits the stunted growth of saw palmetto, dwarf oaks, bluestems, and wiregrass Alow sparse growtnothese plants, rather than sod-forming grasses, apparently is needed by this ground- nesting bird In the early 190D s. populations of Florida grasshopper sparrows reported- ly were large and widespread; however, surveys conducted between 1980 and 1984 indicate that the bird has declined in numbers and range. The total popula- tlion of this subspecies may consist of fewer than 250 adults at 9 scattered sites. Accordingly, the FWS has pro- posed to list the Florida grasshopper sparrow as Endangered (FR. 12/18/85). Conversion of native grasslands to improved pastures is the greatest threat to its survival, Apparently the sparrows can tolerate some alteration in vegeta- tion composition and structure, but they cannot adopt to the conditions that result from intensive pasture manage- ment, Grasshopper sparrows have been found only in areas that retain at least some of the plants mentioned above. Areas managed for grazing by mech- anical clearing or by prescribed burns during winter (at ntervalsof2 to3 years) provide suitable habitat because native prairie grasslands are maintained at an early successional stage Dense vegeta- tion and accumulated litter probably preclude effective foraging by the Florida grasshopper sparrow, The Florida grasshopper sparrow occurs on private land 1wo State wildlife management areas (Three Lakes WMA in Osceola County anc Fi heatng Creek in Glades County), and the US Air Force's Avon Park Bombing Range (of which inactive sections are leased for cattle grazing. It is not knowr if grass- hopper sparrows live directly within the bombing range target areas but the Air Force is aware o' their possible pres- ence and already considers their needs when making habitat decisions on the range If the Florida grasshopper spar- row is isted, the Air Force will be required to consult with the FWS on any of its activities that may affect the bird. Comments on the propotil tc list the Florida grasshopper sparrow as Endan- gered are welcome and should be sent to the Field Supervisor, Endangered Species Field Station U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2747 Art Museum Drive Jacksonville, Florida32207 by February 18. 1986. Alabama Leather Flower (Clematis socialls) One of Alabama's rarest plants, C socialis is known to occur at only two small sites on and adjacent to highway rights-of-way Certain roadside mainte- nance practices and potential land use changes threaten the species' survival, (continued on page 6) Alabama leather flower (Cleiatis socia is) ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. Xl No. 1 (1986)

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