Working Together to Save the Loggerhead Shrike

For the past century, the population of the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike has declined. This predatory songbird is found only in the southeastern corner of Manitoba and in five widely-separated locations in southern Ontario. The reasons for their decline have puzzled biologists, however the loss and fragmentation of grasslands–where the eastern subspecies hunts for mice, grasshoppers and other small prey–may be a key factor.

In Canada, the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike was a common grassland species in the early 1900s, but now numbers about 40 breeding pairs in the wild. In 1997, when only 18 pairs could be found in Ontario, Environment Canada established a captive population to ensure that the unique genetic material of the Canadian birds would be preserved. While a full-scale propagation and release program cannot be initiated until the causes of the decline are resolved, experimental activities can test the techniques and technologies needed for such a program.

The success of the captive breeding program is only one half of the equation in the recovery of the Loggerhead Shrike. The other half, is securing enough short grassland habitat for a stable population. During the early settlement years, the clearing of land for pasturing livestock contributed to the expansion of the bird's range. However, over the past several years, the conversion of pastures and hayfields to cropland has now reduced shrike habitat.

The recovery efforts of the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike are undertaken by several organizations, each with their unique contribution. The Canadian Cattlemen's Association has been a huge supporter and participant in the shrike recovery effort. It has been instrumental in encouraging the active participation of the Manitoba Cattle Producer's Association, and the support of the Ontario Cattlemen's Association.

Between 2001-2003, the Canadian Cattlemen's Association will receive a total of $820 000 in financial support from the federal government's Habitat Stewardship Program for a number of projects to help Eastern Loggerhead Shrike recovery. With some additional financial support from third party partners, and with major in-kind support from hundreds of landowners within the core areas where the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike can still be found, almost $2 million dollars in stewardship activities have been undertaken.

These include:

• restoring habitat by maximizing the right mix of short grassland and nesting trees and perching trees;
• fencing and water supply projects to expand grazing areas for cattle and shrikes;
• establishing Recovery Action Groups in the core areas;
• producing communications and marketing materials for landowners and stakeholders on Eastern Loggerhead recovery and habitat stewardship;
• involving landowners in community-based experimental field propagation and release activities.

In 2002, the Canadian Cattlemen's Association established "The 500 Club" with a goal of increasing the current Eastern Loggerhead Shrike population to at least 500 breeding pairs throughout its historic range in Canada. This breeding season, 45 landowners were presented with a gold pin showing a pair of Eastern Loggerhead Shrikes.

Also, through the Association and Recovery Action Group efforts, a number of landowners in the Smiths Falls area have been extensively involved in captive propagation and release activities. In 2001, three pairs of birds produced 10 young, which were banded and released to the wild. In 2002, six pairs of birds produced 22 young, of which 14 were banded and released. Additional experiments are planned for future years, and a vital Recovery Action Group is eliciting community support in an area where, previously, land-use was jeopardizing species recovery.

The goal is to increase the wild population of Eastern Loggerhead Shrikes nesting in eastern Canada to a self-sustaining population. With the help of dedicated partners like the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, its members, and individual landowners, the Shrike will have a fighting chance.