Le Conte's Sparrows and Savannah Sparrows generally occurred in each patch size in relatively high densities. However, Le Conte's Sparrows appeared to have higher densities in large plots within neutral landscapes, whereas Savannah Sparrows seemed to be affected primarily by landscape structure. In contrast to the Savannah Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrows preferred hostile to neutral landscapes, also independent of patch size. Bobolinks seemed to prefer either large prairie patches or patches situated in neutral landscapes. Short-eared Owls were found only in plots in neutral landscapes.
Species are in taxonomic order.
Some species were detected in only one of the three regions, such as some duck species, Wilson's Phalarope, and Field Sparrow, which were found only at Sheyenne National Grassland. Bobolinks and Clay-colored Sparrows had similar densities across the three regions. The total number of nests found during the last three field seasons thus totals 1767. The most unusual nest we found this year was of a Dickcissel in the Glyndon area, a species that usually does not breed so far north. Numbers of nests found, by study area, in 1998-2000, ordered by total number.