Breeding ecology of shorebirds in the play lakes region of Texas

The Playa Lakes Region of Texas (PLR) is characterized by playas, the dominant hydrologic characteristic and the main reftigia of biodiversity in an otherwise agriculturally dominated landscape. Other wetland types occur in the region, including saline lakes, manmade lakes, and riparian wetlands on the eastern portion. These wetlands provide habitat for wintering waterfowl and sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) as well as migrant shorebirds. The PLR of Texas is recognized for its continental importance for migrant shorebirds, but no studies have examined wetland habitat use, nest site selection, or general breeding ecology of nesting shorebirds in the PLR.

During 1998 and 1999,1 found American avocets (Recurvirostra americana), black-necked stilts {Himantopus mexicanus), killdeer {Charadrius vociferus), and snowy plovers {Charadrius alexandrinus) nesting in study site wetlands in the PLR. 1 examined general breeding biology for each of the focal species by estimating clutch size, documenting phenology of nest and clutch initiation, quantifying apparent and adjusted nesting success, identifying causes of nest failure, and estimating egg success as an estimate of armual adult productivity. I also examined wetland scale and nest site selection patterns of the four nesting shorebird species in playa, riparian, manmade, and saline lakes.