Blandy Experimental Farm - Virginia Working Landscapes

Blandy Experimental Farm
Grassland Biodiversity Survey 2014
Introduction
Although Virginia was mostly forested in precolonial times, like much of the eastern United States, it included
grasslands established and maintained by storms, fires, grazers, pests and disease. These grasslands were not
often expansive or continuous like the Great Plains, but were home to a suite of native plants -including warm
season grasses (WSG), and the pollinators, birds, and other species that depended on them. In the past 200
years our agricultural tradition has changed the landscape from nearly continuous forest to a mosaic of forests,
grasslands, pasture and croplands. Although these practices likely benefited some grassland species by opening
up the landscape, much of these native grasslands have since been lost through historic conversion to Eurasian
cool season grasses (CSG; for livestock pasture use), intensive land management, and more recently, invasion by
non-native plant species. Accordingly, many of the native plants, pollinators, and birds that depend on native
warm season grasses have declined over the last half century. As is the case across most of the eastern U.S.,
farmlands and associated grasslands in Virginia have been disappearing over the last 50 years - lost to forest
succession and development. Today, about half of the Commonwealth is forested; about 30-40% is grassland,
pasture, and croplands, with the remainder being exurban or urban development. As the quality and quantity of
grasslands decline, much of the biodiversity that supports and regulates our agricultural economy is lost. More
than 20 years of research has demonstrated what farmers have long known, that a richer, healthier landscape
produces more and provides better quality. In other words, biodiversity and the benefits of nature that come
from it are essential for our individual and shared economic welfare. To that end, conservation biologists have
become increasingly interested in sustaining biodiversity on private working landscapes. In Virginia, the
overwhelming majority of working lands are held in private hands – more than 90% of Virginia is privately
owned. Therefore, private landowners are both the keepers of their own economic well-being and the stewards
of the public interest -the shared future of Virginia.
Virginia Working Landscapes (VWL) was formed in 2010 as a network of partners, convened by the Smithsonian
Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), to study and promote the sustainable use of Virginia’s landscapes for
native biodiversity through ecosystem research, habitat monitoring, and community engagement. It began in
response to a grass-roots demand from local landowners and citizens for information from the SCBI on best
practices for conserving biodiversity on predominantly agricultural landscapes. At the program’s inception in
2010, grasslands were selected as the first focus of study because they were the least well-known among the
working landscape types (e.g. forests, wetlands, streams and riparian zones) in need of conservation research.
SCBI and VWL partners then began a long-term study on important indicator species groups (plants, pollinators,
and birds) to examine the relationship among pasture and grassland management practices and the diversity of
these indicators, particularly, native warm season grasses. This study was designed to inform the development
of adaptive best practices for sustainable land management. Smithsonian scientists and interns, George Mason
University graduate students, and a network of trained citizen scientists have just completed the fifth year of the
VWL Grassland Biodiversity Survey.
2
This year, the Grassland Biodiversity Survey design was changed to reflect
input from landowners, our citizen scientist volunteers, the VWL advisory
group, and our staff researchers. We expanded the pollinator survey by
collaborating with researcher T’ai Rolston and his staff from the University
of Virginia’s Blandy Experimental Farm to better understand the state of
pollinators in this region. A new, more rigorous pollinator survey protocol
was trialed on 17 established sites across the region, with the prior
protocol used on new sites in 2014 to serve as a basis for comparison with
previous survey years. We also expanded the survey site network this year
to more accurately reflect the range of grassland and pasture conditions throughout the region. This year 7 new
landowner properties and 12 new survey sites were added to the Grassland Biodiversity Survey. In order to
accommodate this increased effort and scope, we cycled out properties and fields that had been surveyed for
the two previous years. Those properties not surveyed in 2014 will be surveyed again in future years to detect
changes over time.
As a partnership endeavor it is important for VWL to acknowledge the growth of its network. This spring, our
citizen science team welcomed 11 new volunteer citizen scientists who joined the 41 returning citizen scientists.
VWL also strengthened existing partnerships or initiated new ones with Blandy Experimental Farm, the
eMammal Project (a citizen science partnership with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences), the
National Museum of Natural History, the National Park Service, the Piedmont Environmental Council, the
Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Virginia Department of Conservation and
Recreation, the Virginia Department of Forestry, Shenandoah University, and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. VWL
will continue to work closely with landowners, citizen scientists, and a variety of organizations to strengthen the
mission of promoting the conservation of native biodiversity and the sustainable use of working landscapes.
This report is an individual summary of the 2014 VWL Grassland Biodiversity Survey methods and findings for
Blandy Experimental Farm. For more information, please email us at [email protected].
3
Methods
Overview
In 2014, the VWL Grassland Biodiversity Survey was conducted at 41
locations on 27 different properties (with some properties containing
more than 1 survey site) within the northern Shenandoah Valley and
northern Piedmont. The survey sites span 10 counties from Augusta and
Albemarle Counties in the southwest to Loudoun and Prince William
Counties in the northeast, with most sites located on private property
(Figure 1). Surveys were conducted on properties with either fields of
predominantly WSG, CSG, or both. This year’s field sites incorporated a
variety of land uses including hay production, pasturing of livestock,
recreational use (i.e. hiking, horseback riding and hunting), and management for wildlife habitat.
VWL surveyors inventory sampled (i.e. occurrence, total abundance, and relative abundance) for birds,
pollinators, plants and soils. Three survey poles (labeled A, B and C) served as starting points for each survey
sample. Pole locations were at least 100 m from forest edge and approximately 200m from each other. The
locations for the three survey poles for Blandy Experimental Farm CSG are indicated on Figure 2. Birds were
sampled during the winter months (December to February) and during the spring nesting season (from May to
July), while plants were sampled in both spring (June) and late summer (August) to account for seasonal
differences in species composition. Butterfly surveys were conducted during the spring (June) and summer
(August). Bees were either sampled throughout the entire season (April thru August) or once in June and again
in August (depending on the survey protocol). Due to the nature of sampling methods, the species lists do not
necessarily reflect all species that may occur on a particular property. Soil samples were also taken from each
new site (or from sites that had not had soil sampling in previous years) in the spring for laboratory analyses of
mineral and organic content.
These following surveys were conducted on various VWL properties in 2014. Please note that Blandy
Experimental Farm-CSG and Blandy Experimental Farm-WSG were part of the winter bird and pollinator surveys
in 2014.
Figure 1. Map of VWL survey sites with Blandy Experimental Farm indicated by a red star.
5
Figure 2. Blandy Experimental Farm-CSG with survey poles A, B and C indicated in the figure.
6
Figure 2. Blandy Experimental Farm-WSG with survey poles A, B and C indicated in the figure.
7
Winter Bird Survey
As part of a pilot study designed to investigate the effect of grassland management practices and plant diversity
on overwintering bird diversity, winter bird surveys were conducted from December 2013 to February
2014. Researchers slowly walked 200m transects and noted every bird seen and/or heard within 50m over 5
minutes. Three transects were surveyed at each visit; each field was visited once a month (December, January
and February). Surveyors reported flyovers as well as those species observed before, after and/or outside the
boundaries of the survey in addition to surveyed birds (Blandy CSG, Table 1; Blandy WSG, Table 2). The data
collected during these winter bird surveys will be related to spring and summer plant data in order to determine
relationships between habitat structure and bird diversity beyond the spring nesting season.
Breeding Bird Survey
Birds were sampled by point count method for 10 minute intervals; VWL
researchers identified each bird seen and heard within 100m of
predetermined points relative to survey poles. Each site was visited 4
times between May and July with surveyors conducting three point counts
during each visit (totaling 12 point counts for the season).
Information on species of regional and continental conservation concern
was obtained from Partners in Flight (http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/pif/).
VWL Target Species are those SCBI researchers have identified as
dependent on grassland/shrubland habitats and therefore are important components of the grassland
communities. Incidentals are species observed either before or after survey periods, outside the survey
boundaries or observed as flyovers. Birds recorded as incidentals are not included in the final dataset for
scientific analysis by SCBI researchers.
Pollinator Surveys
Pollinator surveys focused on the important and conspicuous pollinators butterflies and bees. At all sites, butterflies were sampled as counts of
individuals identified to species along four independent transects walked
for 20 minutes each during spring (June) and summer (August). The
species list and counts are listed in rank order (Blandy CSG,Table 3; Blandy
WSG, Table 4). Bees were surveyed using one of the two protocols below
(results in Tables 5 and 6):
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Low-Intensity Bee Sampling: Those sites new to the VWL network in 2014 were sampled using the original bee
sampling methods for comparison to prior years. Bees were sampled by placing 20 small colored pan traps filled
with soapy water along 100 meter transects anchored to each survey pole. Pan traps were left in the field for 24
hours. Each site was surveyed once in spring (June) and once in late summer (August). Specimens were
collected for later identification by pollinator experts at Blandy Experimental Farm. The results from these
surveys are still being processed and will be included in the comprehensive annual landowner report.
High-Intensity Bee Sampling: Those sites with pollinator survey data from prior years were sampled with more
intense methods in 2014. Bees were sampled by placing three colored plastic cups (pan traps) on the ground in
holders and one hanging blue vane trap (located at only one of the survey poles per field) filled with propylene
glycol (a non-toxic preservative) along a 25 meter transect anchored to each survey pole, for a total of nine pan
traps and one blue vane trap per survey field. Pan traps were deployed in the field in April and checked every
two weeks until late August. The blue vane traps were deployed in June and checked every two weeks until late
August. Specimens were collected regularly at two week intervals and taken back to the lab at Blandy
Experimental Farm for identification by bee experts. All specimens were identified to species when possible;
common names are provided as applicable (Blandy CSG, Table 5; Blandy WSG, Table 6).
Plant Survey
Plants were sampled as counts of identified species per square meter (m2)
at 21 plots along three transects at each survey site during each of the two
survey seasons. At the time of data collection, other features such as
weather, percent cover, tallest plant, etc. were recorded. Plants are
presented identified to species (as possible, some specimens lacked the
characteristics necessary for correct identification) with common names
provided, and occurrence is reported as the number of times the species
was recorded in the 21 plots in each season. A list of the 20 most invasive
species is provided (Table 7). This list was compiled in January 2014 by the
VWL plant team based upon the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Invasive Alien Plant
Species of Virginia website (http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/documents/invlist.pdf) and
consultation with experts, and then refined to the 20 most frequently encountered invasive grassland species of
the region.
eMammal Survey
eMammal is a citizen science-based project, run by the Smithsonian
Institution and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, designed
to monitor the effects of human activity on mammals in the mid-Atlantic
region. In 2014, the eMammal team surveyed large and small forest
fragments along an urbanization gradient (wild, rural, exurban, and
suburban). Rural Virginia forest fragments are mostly privately owned, so
the eMammal team partnered VWL to monitor mammals on select VWL
network properties. Reconyx hyperfire cameras
(http://www.reconyx.com) were deployed at the approved camera
locations for three weeks during July through October. After three weeks, the cameras were retrieved and the
photos were identified and uploaded in the Smithsonian digital repository. The data from this effort will be
added to a larger regional dataset designed to answer questions about the effects of urbanization on mammal
diversity and activity. For more information about eMammal, please contact [email protected].
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Insect Diversity Survey
Dr. Robert Kula, a researcher from the USDA and the National Museum of
Natural History, expanded his parasitic wasp research to 3 properties in the
VWL network in 2014. This research is focused on exploring the diversity of
parasitic wasps in the Ichneumonoidea superfamily (subfamilies Braconidae
and Ichneumonidae) in local grasslands. These wasps are known to be
important predators of many insect pest species, and their presence in an
ecosystem is associated with resilience to insect pests. Dr. Kula and his
team set up two types of malaise traps, which are large, tent-like structures
used for trapping flying insects, particularly wasps. Insects fly into the tent
wall and are funneled into a collecting vessel attached to the highest point. Free-standing SLAM (sea, land, and
air Malaise) and traditional Malaise traps, as well as pan traps (ground level and elevated at 1.2 m) were
deployed in different combinations at each of the sites. The SLAM and traditional Malaise traps were deployed
in April and taken down in October. The collection bottles on the traps were filled with ethyl alcohol to preserve
the specimens. Collections were made every two weeks throughout the season. The pan traps were set out in
the morning with soapy water and collected after an eight hour interval, once every two weeks. An estimated
50,000 specimens were collected and are still being processed. Results from this survey will be ready late
spring/early summer next year.
Soil Survey
Eight soil samples were taken at each survey pole (A, B and C) at each new
or previously unsampled site for a total of twenty-four samples per field.
Results represent the soil community within 100 meters of the survey
poles. Samples were analyzed by A&L Eastern Laboratories
(www.aleastern.com) for several aspects of soil fertility (i.e. organic
matter, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, pH, acidity and
cation exchange capacity (CEC)). Values for organic matter and minerals
indicate the abundance in the soil sample. Parts per million (ppm) can be
converted to pounds per acre by multiplying by two. For more information
on how to interpret soil analyses, visit http://www.aleastern.com/showpdf2.aspx?spdf=31.
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Results and Discussion
Surveys at Blandy Experimental Farm-CSG recorded 7 winter bird species, 18 butterfly species, and 57 bee
species. Two wintering birds observed were of conservation concern and 3 were VWL target grassland or
shrubland species (Table 1). Among the butterflies observed, the cabbage white, Pieris rapae, (a total of 85
observed) and clouded sulfur, Colias philodice, (a total of 79 observed) were the most numerous (Table 3). The
sweat bee, Lasioglossum (Dialictus), (a total of 1166 observed) and two-spotted bumblebee, Bombus
bimaculatus, (a total of 732 observed) were the most common bees (Table 5).
Surveys at Blandy Experimental Farm-WSG recorded 3 winter bird species, 19 butterfly species, and 73 bee
species. None of the wintering birds observed were of conservation concern and one was a VWL target
grassland or shrubland species (Table 2). Among the butterflies observed, the clouded sulfur, Colias philodice,
(72) and the cabbage white, Pieris rapae, (a total of 46 observed) were the most numerous (Table 4). The sweat
bee, Lasioglossum (Dialictus), (a total of 1303 observed) and two-spotted bumblebee, Bombus bimaculatus, (a
total of 589 observed) were the most common bees (Table 6).
Overall project results and interpretations will be presented with more detail in the comprehensive annual
landowner report and at the annual VWL survey meeting in February 2015. This will include a comparison
between survey locations. In the meantime, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] with any
questions regarding your survey.
VWL would like to thank all of the citizen scientists (named in Appendix 1) whose hard work made this year’s
surveys possible. VWL would also like to thank all landowners and managers (named in Appendix 2) for
participating in this year’s survey; particularly The University of Virginia, David Carr, and the staff at Blandy
Experimental Farm for their continued support. Their support helps further efforts to promote the conservation
of native biodiversity and encourage the sustainable use of working landscapes through research, education and
outreach.
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Table 1. Winter Bird Survey Species List and Occurrence for Blandy Experimental Farm-CSG
Common Name
Eastern Bluebird
Song Sparrow
Unidentified Sparrow
American Kestrel
Northern Mockingbird
American Goldfinch
Eastern Meadowlark
Canada Goose
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Northern Flicker
Black Vulture
Blue Jay
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
White-throated Sparrow
Total
Occurrence
Sialia
sialis
3
Melospiza
melodia
2
Emberizidae sp.
1
Falco
sparverius
1
Mimus
polyglottos
1
Spinus
tristis
1
Sturnella
magna
1
Branta
canadensis
Incidental
Buteo
jamaicensis Incidental
Buteo
lineatus
Incidental
Colaptes
auratus
Incidental
Coragyps
atratus
Incidental
Cyanocitta
cristata
Incidental
Junco
hyemalis
Incidental
Mimus
polyglottos
Incidental
Turdus
migratorius Incidental
Zonotrichia albicollis
Incidental
Genus
Species
Species of
Concern
N/A
N/A
N/A
Regional
N/A
N/A
Regional
N/A
N/A
N/A
Regional
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
VWL Target
Species
Shrubland
N/A
N/A
Grassland
N/A
N/A
Grassland
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Table 2. Winter Bird Survey Species List and Occurrence for Blandy Experimental Farm-WSG
Common Name
Genus
Song Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Eastern Bluebird
Tufted Titmouse
Cedar Waxwing
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Carolina Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Melospiza
Spinus
Sialia
Baeolophus
Bombycilla
Melanerpes
Poecile
Sitta
Thryothorus
Total
Occurrence
melodia
5
tristis
2
sialis
1
bicolor
Incidental
cedrorum
Incidental
carolinus
Incidental
carolinensis
Incidental
carolinensis
Incidental
ludovicianus Incidental
Species
12
Species of
Concern
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
VWL Target
Species
N/A
N/A
Shrubland
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Table 3. Butterfly Species List and Count for Blandy Experimental Farm-CSG
Spring
Summer
Total
Common Name
Genus
Species
Abundance Abundance Abundance
Cabbage White
Pieris
rapae
4
81
85
Clouded Sulphur
Colias
philodice
49
30
79
Orange Sulphur
Colias
eurytheme
21
18
39
Monarch
Danaus
plexippus
3
28
31
Unidentified Skipper
Hesperiidae
spp.
6
4
10
Black Swallowtail
Papilio
polyxenes
0
9
9
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus
clarus
8
1
9
Great Spangled Fritillary
Speyeria
cybele
5
0
5
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio
troilus
0
4
4
Common Sootywing
Pholisora
catullus
0
3
3
Painted Lady
Vanessa
cardui
1
2
3
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio
glaucus
0
2
2
Variegated Fritillary
Euptoieta
claudia
0
2
2
Banded Hairstreak
Satyrium
calanus
1
0
1
Eastern-tailed Blue
Cupido
comyntas
0
1
1
Gray Hairstreak
Strymon
melinus
0
1
1
Sachem
Atalopedes
campestris
0
1
1
Spring Azure
Celastrina
ladon
1
0
1
Red-Spotted Purple
Limenitis
arthemis
0
Incidental
N/A
Table 4. Butterfly Species List and Count for Blandy Experimental Farm-WSG
Spring
Summer
Total
Common Name
Genus
Species
Abundance Abundance Abundance
Clouded Sulphur
Colias
philodice
15
57
72
Cabbage White
Pieris
rapae
9
37
46
Orange Sulphur
Colias
eurytheme
16
13
29
Unidentified Skipper
Hesperiidae
spp.
2
25
27
Monarch
Danaus
plexippus
1
8
9
Variegated Fritillary
Euptoieta
claudia
0
7
7
Common Buckeye
Junonia
coenia
1
4
5
Eastern-tailed Blue
Cupido
comyntas
3
2
5
Great Spangled Fritillary
Speyeria
cybele
5
0
5
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes
tharos
0
4
4
Painted Lady
Vanessa
cardui
0
2
2
Red Admiral
Vanessa
atalanta
2
0
2
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus
clarus
1
1
2
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio
troilus
0
2
2
American Painted Lady
Vanessa
virginiensis
1
0
1
Black Swallowtail
Papilio
polyxenes
0
1
1
Meadow Fritillary
Boloria
bellona
1
0
1
Spring Azure
Celastrina
ladon
0
1
1
Zebra Swallowtail
Eurytides
marcellus
0
1
1
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Table 5. High-Intensity Bee Sampling Species List and Count for Blandy Experimental Farm-CSG (Continued)
Common Name
Sweat Bee
Two-spotted Bumble Bee
Black and Gold Bumble Bee
Confusing Bumble Bee
European Honey Bee
Yellow Bumble Bee
Long-horned Bee
Metallic Green Bees
Yellow-faced Bee
Sweat Bee
Small Carpenter Bee
Brown-belted Bumble Bee
Long-horned Bee
Sweat Bee
Sweat Bee
Mining Bee
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Yellow-faced Bee
Small Carpenter Bee
Long-horned Bee
Leaf-cutter Bee
Plasterer Bee
Sweat Bee
Small Carpenter Bee
Mining Bee
Mining Bee
Sweat Bee
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Sweat Bee
Sweat Bee
Sweat Bee
Leaf-cutter Bee
Mining Bee
Sweat Bee
Long-horned Bee
Metallic Green Bees
Bumble Bee sp.
Half-backed Bumble Bee
Miner Bee
Eastern Digger Bee
Sunflower Bee
Genus
Lasioglossum (Dialictus)
Bombus
Bombus
Bombus
Apis
Bombus
Eucera
Agapostemon
Hylaeus
Augochlorella
Ceratina
Bombus
Melissodes
Halictus
Augochlorella
Andrena
Bombus
Hylaeus
Ceratina
Melissodes
Megachile
Colletes
Halictus
Ceratina
Andrena
Andrena
Halictus
Xylocopa
Augochlorella
Halictus
Lasioglossum
Megachile
Andrena
Augochloropsis
Melissodes
Agapostemon
Bombus
Bombus
Calliopsis
Ptilothrix
Svastra
14
Species
spp.
bimaculatus
auricomus
perplexus
mellifera
fervidus
hamata
virescens
affinis
gratiosa
dupla
griseocollis
desponsa
ligatus
aurata
nasonii
impatiens
mesillae
calcarata
bimaculata
pugnata
latitarsis
confusus
calcarata/dupla
perplexa
cressonii
rubicundus
virginica
persimilis
parallelus
truncatum
brevis
commoda
sumptuosa
trinodis
texanus
sp.
vagans
andreniformis
bombiformis
obliqua
Abundance
1166
730
253
217
186
89
70
63
61
57
54
53
51
43
34
26
26
17
16
13
12
10
9
8
7
6
6
6
5
5
5
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
Table 5. High-Intensity Bee Sampling Species List and Count for Blandy Experimental Farm-CSG (Continued)
Common Name
Mining Bee
Mining Bee
Mining Bee
Mining Bee
Mining Bee
Miner Bee
Sweat Bee
Cemolobus Bee
Mason Bee
Sweat Bee
Leaf-cutter Bee
Nomad Bee
Mason Bee
Long-horned Bee
Sweat Bee
Sweat Bee
Genus
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Anthophora
Augochloropsis
Cemolobus
Hoplitis
Lasioglossum
Megachile
Nomada (bidentate group)
Osmia
Peponapis
Sphecodes
Sphecodes
Species
erigeniae
forbesii
imitatrix/morrisonella
violae
wilkella
abrupta
metallica
ipomoeae
pilosifrons
birkmanni
petulans
sp.
texana
pruinosa
illinoense
sp.
Abundance
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Table 6. High-Intensity Bee Sampling Species List and Count for Blandy Experimental Farm-WSG (Continued)
Common Name
Sweat Bee
Two-spotted Bumble Bee
Sweat Bee
Black and Gold Bumble Bee
Long-horned Bee
Long-horned Bee
Sweat Bee
Confusing Bumble Bee
European Honey Bee
Yellow Bumble Bee
Long-horned Bee
Sweat Bee
Small Carpenter Bee
Small Carpenter Bee
Leaf-cutter Bee
Brown-belted Bumble Bee
Metallic Green Bees
Sweat Bee
Sweat Bee
Mining Bee
Yellow-faced Bee
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Leaf-cutter Bee
Genus
Lasioglossum (Dialictus)
Bombus
Augochlorella
Bombus
Eucera
Melissodes
Halictus
Bombus
Apis
Bombus
Melissodes
Augochlorella
Ceratina
Ceratina
Megachile
Bombus
Agapostemon
Augochlorella
Halictus
Andrena
Hylaeus
Bombus
Megachile
15
Species
spp.
bimaculatus
aurata
auricomus
hamata
desponsa
ligatus
perplexus
mellifera
fervidus
bimaculata
gratiosa
calcarata
dupla
pugnata
griseocollis
virescens
persimilis
confusus
nasonii
affinis
impatiens
montivaga
Abundance
1303
589
182
174
163
156
143
110
105
97
75
73
72
50
47
35
34
28
26
24
18
13
13
Table 6. High-Intensity Bee Sampling Species List and Count for Blandy Experimental Farm-WSG (Continued)
Common Name
Eastern Digger Bee
Mining Bee
Yellow-faced Bee
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Leaf-cutter Bee
Sweat Bee
Mallow Bee
Sweat Bee
Leaf-cutter Bee
Long-horned Bee
Mining Bee
Sweat Bee
Sweat Bee
Leaf-cutter Bee
Sunflower Bee
Bumble Bee sp.
Small Carpenter Bee
Long-horned Bee
Mining Bee
Mining Bee
Mason Bee
Mason Bee
Sweat Bee
Mason Bee
Mason Bee
Sweat Bee
Metallic Green Bees
Metallic Green Bees
Mining Bee
Miner Bee
Sweat Bee
Half-backed Bumble Bee
Miner Bee
Plasterer Bee
Cuckoo Bee
Sweat Bee
Sweat Bee
Sweat Bee
Sweat Bee
Bellflower Resin Bee
Leaf-cutter Bee
Leaf-cutter Bee
Genus
Ptilothrix
Andrena
Hylaeus
Xylocopa
Megachile
Halictus
Melitoma
Lasioglossum
Megachile
Peponapis
Andrena
Augochlora
Augochloropsis
Megachile
Svastra
Bombus
Ceratina
Melissodes
Andrena
Andrena
Anthidium
Hoplitis
Lasioglossum
Osmia
Osmia
Sphecodes
Agapostemon
Agapostemon
Andrena
Anthophora
Augochloropsis
Bombus
Calliopsis
Colletes
Holcopasites
Lasioglossum
Lasioglossum
Lasioglossum
Lasioglossum
Megachile
Megachile
Megachile
16
Species
bombiformis
cressonii
mesillae
virginica
brevis
rubicundus
taurea
truncatum
latimanus
pruinosa
perplexa
pura
sumptuosa
petulans
obliqua
sp.
calcarata/dupla
trinodis
carlini
miserabilis
oblongatum
pilosifrons
coriaceum
conjuncta
pumila
sp.
splendens
texanus
violae
terminalis
metallica
vagans
andreniformis
latitarsis
calliopsidis
cinctipes
forbesii
fuscipenne
quebecense
campanulae
inimica
mendica
Abundance
13
12
11
9
8
7
7
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Table 6. High-Intensity Bee Sampling Species List and Count for Blandy Experimental Farm-WSG (Continued)
Common Name
Giant Resin Bee
Long-horned Bee
Nomad Bee
Nomad Bee
Mason Bee
Mason Bee
Mason Bee
Cuckoo Bee
Genus
Megachile
Melissodes
Nomada
Nomada
Osmia
Osmia
Osmia
Triepeolus
Species
sculpturalis
subillata
articulata
pygmaea
cornifrons
subfasciata
texana
simplex
Table 7. List of the 20 Most Invasive Plant Species for the Survey Area
Common Name
Genus
Species
Oriental Bittersweet
Autumn Olive
Japanese Honeysuckle
Wineberry
Coralberry
Japanese Stilt Grass
Garlic Mustard
Spiny Plumeless Thistle
Curly Plumeless Thistle
Nodding Plumeless Thistle
Spotted Knapweed
Canada Thistle
Bull Thistle
Yellow Bedstraw
Japanese Clover
Bicolor Lespedeza
Chinese Lespedeza
Mile-a-Minute
Multiflora Rose
Common Mullein
Celastrus
Elaeagnus
Lonicera
Rubus
Symphoricarpos
Microstegium
Alliaria
Carduus
Carduus
Carduus
Centaurea
Cirsium
Cirsium
Galium
Kummerowia
Lespedeza
Lespedeza
Persicaria
Rosa
Verbascum
orbiculatus
umbellata
japonica
phoenicolasius
orbiculatus
vimineum
petiolata
acanthoides
crispus
nutans
stoebe
arvense
vulgare
verum
striata
bicolor
cuneata
perfoliatum
multiflora
thapsus
17
Type
Woody
Woody
Woody
Woody
Woody
Grass
Forb
Forb
Forb
Forb
Forb
Forb
Forb
Forb
Forb
Forb
Forb
Forb
Forb
Forb
Abundance
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2014 Biodiversity Surveys-By the Numbers
Winter Bird Survey



1,948 individual observed
30 species identified
Northern Shrike - A Northern Shrike (Lanius excubitor) was spotted at Sky
Meadows State Park near Delaplane this February. This sighting was only the 6th
ever recorded for the Piedmont, and the first since 1995!
Breeding Bird Survey


3,544 individuals observed
76 species identified
Pollinator Surveys
Butterfly Survey
 5,993 individuals observed
 44 species identified
Bee Surveys
 34,637 individuals recorded
 131 species identified
 Rusty-patched Bumblebee - A single Rusty-patched Bumblebee was found this
summer at Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane, VA, which is the first known
sighting in the region since 2006. This species nearly disappeared over the last
decade, being found in less than 15% of its former range.
Plant Survey



4,732 individual plants recorded
364 species identified
Frightful Sedge (Carex molestiformis) – during the spring survey, two frightful
sedges were recorded at Callander Farm in Boyce. This native plant is considered
rare in the northern Virginia Piedmont.
eMammal Survey


4,933 individuals recorded
18 species identified
Meetings


30 talks and presentations were given by VWL staff throughout the year
Amy Johnson presented at the Society for Conservation Biology Conference in
Missoula, MT, and the Partner’s in Flight Conference in Virginia Beach, VA this year.
18
Appendix 1. 2014 VWL Grassland Biodiversity Survey Participants
2014 VWL Grassland Biodiversity Survey Participants
Sally Anderson
Carrie Blair
Cindy Blugerman
Eugenia Bodnar
Tricia Booker
Mark Bruns
Bob Butterworth
Chris Crowe
Sally Cunningham
Hillary R. Davidson
Ashley Mae Dawson
Julie Ann Dawson
Arthur Drauglis
Janice Frye
Lane Gibbons
Susan Gitlin
Holly Glenn
Ches Goodall
John Hammer
Terry Hanahan
Joyce Harman
Teri Holland
Diane Holsinger
Kate Hopkins
Abigail Hyduke
Nils Isberg
Elizabeth Johns
Phillip J. Kenny Jr.
Liz Kirchner
Lisa LaCivita
David Larsen
Gene Lewis
Warren Lynch
Cathy Mayes
Marion McCoubrey
Brian Morse
Alex Newhart
Mark O'Connor
Janet Paisley
Hannah Phillips
Clint Rose
Ben Sawyer
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Callander Farm, Cool Spring Battlefield, Ogdens Cave, Spring House Farms
Camp Shenandoah
Ogdens Cave, Spring House Farms
Stonebridge Farm
Kinloch Farm
Callander Farm
Jones Nature Preserve, Sky Meadows State Park, The Farm at Sunnyside
Spring House Farms
Kinloch Farm
Kinloch Farm
Cool Spring Battlefield, Miller Farm
Cool Spring Battlefield, Miller Farm
Sky Meadows State Park
Lanark Farm
Lanark Farm
Camp Shenandoah, Spring House Farms
Chilton’s Gate
Lanark Farm
Kinloch Farm, Manassas National Battlefield Park
Callander Farm
Oxbow Farm
Cool Spring Battlefield, Ogdens Cave
Camp Shenandoah, Wheatlands Farm
Camp Shenandoah; Lanark Farm
Kinloch Farm; Jones Nature Preserve
Chilton’s Gate
Oxbow Farm
Manassas National Battlefield Park
The Volgenau Farm
Cool Spring Battlefield, Ogdens Cave
Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, Marriott Ranch
Cool Spring Battlefield
Spring House Farms
Fannon Farm, Miller Farm, The Volgenau Farm
Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, Sky Meadows State Park
Lanark Farm
Callander Farm; Ogdens Cave, Oxbow Farm, Sky Meadows State Park
Marriott Ranch
Lanark Farm
Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve
Callander Farm
Cool Spring Battlefield
19
Appendix 1 (Continued). 2014 VWL Grassland Biodiversity Survey Participants
2014 VWL Grassland Biodiversity Survey Participants (continued)
Francie Schroeder
Dana Squire
Richard Stromberg
Russell Taylor
Ian Topolsky
Penny Warren
Sandra Wilson
Peter Wilson
Blandy Experimental Farm
Piedmont Environmental Council
Shenandoah University
Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation
Virginia Forestry and Wildlife Group
Virginia Master Naturalists
Virginia Native Plant Society
Tom Akre
Megan Baker-Whatton
James Barnes
Norm Bourg
Skyler Burrows
Jennifer Davis
Molly Dodge
Justin Cooper
Tavis Forrester
Amy Johnson
Bob Kula
Charlotte Lorick
David Luther
William McShea
Samantha Parker
Brandon Ross
T’ai Roulston
Scott Sillett
Ruth Stolk
Celia Vuocolo
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
Citizen Scientist
VWL Partner
VWL Partner
VWL Partner
VWL Partner
Camp Shenandoah; Lanark Farm
Fannon Farm, Jones Nature Preserve, Miller Farm
Sky Meadows State Park
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Jones Nature Preserve
Camp Shenandoah, Wheatlands Farm
Oxbow Farm
Oxbow Farm
VWL Partner
VWL Partner
VWL Partner
VWL Director
SCBI/eMammal Project
PEC Sustainable Habitat Program Manager
Plant Survey Coordinator
SCBI/Blandy Pollinator Identification
Pollinator Survey Coordinator/VWL Outreach
SCBI Strategic Development Assistant
SCBI/VWL Intern
SCBI/eMammal Project
Bird Survey Coordinator/George Mason University
US Department of Agriculture/National Museum of Natural History
SCBI/VWL Intern
George Mason University
Research Scientist SCBI
SCBI/VWL Intern
SCBI/VWL Intern
University of Virginia/Pollinator Survey Expert
Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center
Strategic Development SCBI
PEC Sustainable Habitat Program Assistant
20
Appendix 2. 2014 VWL Grassland Biodiversity Survey Locations
2014 VWL Grassland Biodiversity Survey Locations
Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve
Loudoun County
Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation, and
Community Services; Ron Circe, manager
Blandy Experimental Farm
Clarke County
University of Virginia; David Carr, manager
Boy Scouts of America
Camp Shenandoah
Augusta County
Boy Scouts of America; Harold Tate, Conservation Chairman
Callander Farm
Clarke County
Mary and Don Shockey, owner; Evie Kibler, manager
Chilton's Gate
Culpeper County
Jocelyn Sladen, owner; Lili Alexander and Roland Word,
managers
Fannon Farm
Rappahannock County
Bill Fannon, owner
Jones Nature Preserve
Rappahannock County
Bruce and Susan Jones, owners
Kinloch Farm
Fauquier County
Lanark Farm
Albemarle County
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Prince William County
National Park Service; Bryan Gorsira, manager
Marriott Ranch
Fauquier County
Marriott International Corporation; Lanier Cate, manager
Miller Farm
Rappahannock County
Bill Fletcher, owner
Ogdens Cave
Natural Area Preserve
Frederick County
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; Ryan Klopf
and Adam Christie, managers
Over Jordan Farm
Rappahannock County
Mike Sands and Besty Dietel, owners
Oxbow Farm
Warren County
Beatrice and Adie Von Gontard, owners; Gene Doody, manager
Sharp Rock Farm
Rappahannock County
Barry and Pat Johnston, owners
Shenandoah National Park
Big Meadows
Shenandoah University
Cool Spring
Madison County/Page
County
National Park Service; Rolf Gubler, manager
Clarke County
Shenandoah University; Gene Lewis, manager
Sky Meadows State Park
Fauquier County
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; Tim
Skinner, manager
Spring House Farms
Shenandoah County
Jeff and Ali Carithers, owners
Smithsonian Conservation
Biology Institute
Warren County
National Zoological Park; Kyle Rhodes, manager
Stonebridge Farm
Warren County
Catherine Conover, owner; Dave Denton, manager
Texas
Fauquier County
Mary Ridder, owner; John Beardsley and Stephanie Ridder,
managers
The Farm at Sunnyside
Rappahannock County
Nick and Gardiner Lapham, owners; Sam Quinn, manager
The Volgenau Farm
Fauquier County
The Volgenau Family, owners; Betsy Smith and Martha Munn,
managers
Wheatlands Farm
Augusta County
Michael Godfrey, owner
White House Farm
Page County
Scott Plein, owner; Chris Anderson, manager
Andrea Currier, owner; Jonathan Duffy and Brian Campbell,
managers
Benjamin and Antoinette Brewster, owners; Frank Coursey,
manager
21