Effect of Fire on Lark Sparrow Nesting Densities

Abstract

Nests of ground-nesting lark sparrows were censused on seven different ages of burns in a honey mesquite- tobosagrass community in central Texas. Number of nests were negatively correlated with percent cover of tobosagrass. Nests were found in tobosagrass that averaged at least 32%, but no more than 55% cover. Breeding densities were highest in the most recent burns and declined with increasing litter build-up due to large areas being covered by decadent stands of matted tobosagrass. Clutch sizes for this study averaged 3.7 eggs per nest.