The effects of season-long grazing, short duration and twice-over deferred rotation grazing systems, and idle non-use areas on upland nesting birds were evaluated from the results of nesting studies,breeding bird surveys, and visual obstruction readings of vegetative cover. Higher nesting densities of upland nesting birds were found in the undisturbed vegetation of idled areas, the ungrazed areas of season-long grazing treatments, and on the pastures or cells of grazing systems where grazing was deferred until later in the nesting season.This strong relationship between higher nest densities and undisturbed cover was clearly related to the presence of nesting cover, residual or new growth, of sufficient height and density to attract nesting hens.Dense nesting cover with low levels of disturbance were safer nest sites. Findings suggest that well-managed grazing practices and grazing systems, employing pasture deferments, may be beneficial to upland nesting birds if implemented on a.

Effects of seasonlong grazing, complementary, short-duration,switchback, and twice-over rotation grazing treatments, and non- grazed prairie on upland nesting ducks were evaluated from nesting studies on the Central Grasslands Research Station. Undisturbed cover contained the highest densities of duck nests on the Station. Undisturbed cover consisted of grazing treatments before the initiation of the grazing season, which contained the highest percentage of total duck nests at 58.8%, followed by deferred areas on rotation grazing treatment (16.7%),and an idle area (13.5%). Only 11% of ducks nested on grazed plots.Nesting success in 1987 and 1988 was highest on twice-over rotation grazing system with 49.3 and 34.0 percent, respectively. Nesting success in 1987 and 1988 on an idle area was 16.3 and 7.0 percent, respectively.Ducklings produced was highest on switchback grazing system with 124.3 per 40.5 ha in 1987 and highest on twice-over rotation grazing system with 74.1 per 40.5 h.