Foraging Behavior of Short-eared Owls and Northern Harriers on a Reclaimed Surface Mine in Kentucky

Abstract

Abstract Current procedures for reclaiming surface mines have produced many hectares of open grasslands. Asio flammeus (Short-eared Owl) and Circus cyaneus (Northern Harrier) are regularly found in such grasslands, but little is known about the suitability of these areas as raptor habitat. Our objective was to quantify the hunting behavior of Short-eared Owls and Northern Harriers, and characterize the vegetation in areas used by foraging Short-eared Owls during the non-breeding season on a reclaimed surface mine in Muhlenberg and Ohio counties, KY, from 1 January–1 May 2002. Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls foraged in flight during our study, with no instances of perch-hunting observed, and initiated attacks primarily in areas dominated by either Lespedeza sp. (sericea) or Festuca sp. (fescue). Attack success rates were 7% and 10.9% for Harriers and Short-eared Owls, respectively, both within the range of success rates previously reported. Analysis revealed that areas used by foraging Short-eared O...