Blair Stringham

Migratory Game Bird Coordinator

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Bio:

Blair Stringham is the Migratory Game Bird Coordinator for Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. He has worked for the Division for over 10 years, and he oversees the management of waterfowl, cranes, doves and band-tailed pigeons. He received his BS in Wildlife Science from Utah State University. He also received his MS in Wildlife Biology from Utah State University, where he studied greater sage grouse habitat use in Rich county. In his free time he enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his family. 

Title: Boom or Bust: How Waterfowl Respond to Varying Water Levels of the Great Salt Lake

Friday, May 11th, 2:10 PM 

Abstract: The Great Salt Lake ecosystem is a critical area for a variety of North America's waterfowl species. An estimated three to five million birds use the lake and it's adjacent marshes for breeding, staging and wintering habitat each year. The most significant variable in determining waterfowl use on the lake are annual water levels. Fewer waterfowl use days occur on the lake in years of extremely high and low water levels, which is largely driven by the amount of accessible feed available to birds. Maintaining water in the Great Salt Lake ecosystem is critical in maintaining a link between breeding and wintering areas for many waterfowl species.