Rudyard Clay Plain
A large ecoregion dominated by herbaceous openland and extending from Dryburg to Stalwart.
Ornithological Summary
Supports a large population of breeding Le Conte's Sparrows and resident Sharp-tailed Grouse.
Conservation Issues
Primary threat to IBA is wind power, which is currently proposed on an IBA-wide scale, and could have devastating avoidance effects on Sharp-tailed Grouse. Examining the extent to which Sharp-tailed Grouse are sensitive to tall free-standing structures near leks and wintering areas is a top priority. Improper mowing regimes is a threat to nesting Le Conte's Sparrows. Consultation with landowners to minimize nest destruction due to mowing is a high priority.
Ownership
Mostly privately-owned, with small portions of state-owned land on the Sault Ste. Marie State Forest (Michigan Department of Natural Resouces).
Habitat
Almost entirely non-tilled herbaceous cover, with small pockets of shrub, wetland, and various forest cover types intermixed.
Land Use
Primary land use is agriculture/hay production.
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