Project Number: 6227-21310-008-37
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jan 01, 2007
End Date: Dec 31, 2008

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to determine if different tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum) combinations in pastures affects nesting and reproduction of the Eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis L.).

Approach:
The ARS has pastures actively grazed by cattle (Bos taurus L.) which vary in endophyte presence or type (wild vs. novel type). Presence of the endophyte has adverse effects on the reproductive physiology of ruminant and nun-ruminant livestock, but the effects on wildlife in general, and Eastern bluebirds in particular, have not been adequately assessed. Eastern bluebird houses will be constructed and installed in endophyte-free and endophyte-infected pastures actively grazed by cattle. The houses will be continuously monitored during winter-spring 2007 and 2008 for bluebird nesting, hatchlings, and predation. Pastures will be monitored for endophyte concentration and arthropod availability and diversity.