Nest Site Selection and Nest Success of Greater Sage-grouse in Mono County, California

Populations of Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus , hereafter sage grouse) have declined throughout most of their range (Shroeder et al. 1999, Connelly et al. 2004) and this is believed to be partially the result of loss of nesting habitat and declining nesting success (Schroeder 1997, Braun 1998, Schroeder et al. 1999. Few data are available for sage grouse in Mono County, California, in the southwestern most portion of the species' range. We studied habitat selection and factors influencing nest survival of nesting sage grouse in Mono County, California, from 2003 to 2005. We captured and radio tracked females to identify nesting locations and monitor nest survival.