Browsing by Subject "Breeding birds"
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Item A 15 and 20-Year Summary of Breeding Bird Trends in National Forests of Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2010) Niemi, Gerald J; Howe, Robert; Danz, Nicholas P; Etterson, MatthewThe breeding bird communities of the western Great Lakes region have among the richest diversity of breeding bird species in North America (Robbins et al. 1987; Green 1995, Rich et al. 2004). The importance of this diversity and concerns with potential declines of some species has led to a strong interest in monitoring forest bird populations in the region. The relatively heavily forested landscapes of northern Minnesota and Wisconsin are considered to be population 'sources' for many forest bird species and may be supplementing population 'sinks' in the agricultural landscapes of the lower Midwest (Robinson et al. 1995, Temple and Flaspohler 1998). Analysis of population trends is used as an 'early-warning system' of potential problems in a species population and serves as a measure of the ecological condition of the environment (Niemi and McDonald 2004). Large-scale population monitoring programs such as the U.S. Geological Survey’s Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provide important information on trends at a continental scale. However, limited coverage in some areas can make it difficult to use BBS data to characterize population trends at smaller geographic scales (Peterjohn et al. 1995). Continental trends also have the potential to mask regional population trends (Holmes and Sherry 1988), thus there is a need for regional monitoring programs that can provide more localized information (Howe et al. 1997). In response to the need for regional population data, a long-term forest breeding bird monitoring program was established in 1991 in the Chippewa and Superior NFs, and in 1992 in the Chequamegon NF. The Forest Service is mandated to monitor certain management indicator species (Manley 1993), and our monitoring program expands beyond indicator species to include all forest songbird species that we can adequately sample. Currently, approximately 420 stands (1,271 points) within the three national forests are surveyed during the breeding season (June 1 to July 10). The primary objective of this report is to update U.S. Forest Service personnel on results of the forest bird monitoring program. Here we focus on relative abundance trends of individual species. Because we slightly changed our point count methodology in 1995 by including unlimited point counts, here we focus on a comparison of the results from three different distance radii x time categories: 1) 100 m radius distance for 1991-2009, 2) 100 m radius distance for 1995-2009, and 3) unlimited distance for 1995-2009. Our intent here is to summarize the most important results and to provide detailed information in appendix form for those who need more specific results.Item Breeding Bird Communities Across an Upland Disturbance Gradient in the Western Lake Superior Region(2007) Miller, Christina; Niemi, Gerald J; Hanowski, JoAnn M; Regal, Ronald RThe coastal region of western Lake Superior to examine relationships to human land use. Eighty-four species were detected and 50 were abundant enough to be included in data analysis. Monotonic quadratic regression models were constructed for these 50 species by using species counts as the dependent variable and the proportion of human conversion of the landscape (residential, agriculture, and commercial/industrial land uses) within each study area as the independent variable. Twenty-seven bird species had significant regressions (P < 0.05), 18 of which generally avoided areas developed by humans and 9 of which were attracted to development. De-trended correspondence analysis using counts of these 27 bird species was used to investigate multivariate, community responses to development. The first DCA axis was interpreted as a gradient from urban avoiding to urban exploiting bird species and was strongly correlated with land cover variables related to human development. Our results advance the idea that breeding bird communities can be used as indicators of ecological condition and can diagnose potential causes for changes in these conditions. Further, our study points out the usefulness of bird monitoring data in regional planning efforts that incorporate goals for maintaining native biological diversity.Item Breeding Bird Inventory of the St. Louis River, Minnesota and Wisconsin, 1999(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2000) Niemi, Gerald J; Solin, Jeremy; Watters, Deborah; Wolter, Peter T.An inventory of breeding birds associated with wetlands and upland habitats in the St. Louis River system from Duluth and Superior to Jay Cooke State Park was completed during the summer of 1999. A total of 39 wetland areas, each a minimum size of 1 hectare, and 9 forest areas consisting of a total of 79 point samples, were inventoried. Swamp Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, and Yellow Warbler (in rank order of decreasing abundance) were the most common species observed in the wetlands. Red-eyed Vireo, Common Yellowthroat, White-throated Sparrow, Ovenbird, American Redstart, Song Sparrow, Veery, and Yellow Warbler (also in rank order) were the most common species observed in the upland habitats. Colonial nesting birds within the St. Louis River system include the Ring-billed Gull (12,343 nests, Pearson 1999), Herring Gull (13 nests, Pearson 1999), Common Tern (215 nests, Pearson 1999), and Great Blue Heron (14 nests). Species of interest to The Nature Conservancy (Ewert 1999) that were found in the inventory included the following: primary focus species included Peregrine Falcon (1 occasional individual), Bald Eagle (frequently observed, one possible nesting pair in Jay Cooke State Park), Sedge Wren (15), Wood Thrush (2), and Black-and-White Warbler (16). Secondary focus species of interest that were observed include Wood Duck (5), Black-billed Cuckoo (3), Belted Kingfisher (7), Eastern Wood Pewee (14), Least Flycatcher (25), Marsh Wren (18), Veery (72), Brown Thrasher (3), Warbling Vireo (12), Chestnut-sided Warbler (26), Black-throated Green Warbler (14), Mourning Warbler (16), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (8), Clay-colored Sparrow (11), Baltimore Oriole (1 ), and Purple Finch (1 ). The following species of primary focus have historically been found in the area, but none were observed in 1999: American Bittern, Piping Plover, and Black Tern. Of the primary focus species, the Sedge Wren is found in highest densities in the sedge/grass wetlands in Allouez Bay, the Oliver Bridge area, and at Boy Scout Landing. These areas, along with Spirit and Mud Lake would also provide potentially excellent habitat for American Bittern and, especially Allouez Bay, for the Black Tern where the species has historically nested. The primary focus species associated with forests were found in highest abundance in the forested regions on the Wisconsin side of the St. Louis River system and in scattered locations in Fond du Lac. High relative abundance for many of these species would also be found in the Jay Cooke State Park area which was not sampled because of the limited time and it is already a protected area. For the secondary focus species, the Marsh Wren was found in highest abundance in the Spirit and Mud Lake areas where extensive patches of cattail wetlands are found. The forest associated species that were identified as secondary focus species were also found most abundantly in the forested regions on the Wi~consin side of the river, Fond du Lac, and they would also be found commonly at Jay Cooke State Park. Clay-colored Sparrows were found commonly in the brush/grass open areas on the Wisconsin side of the river where the Bong Bridge enters Superior.Item Development of Habitat Models and Habitat Maps for Breeding Bird Species In the Agassiz Lowlands Subsection, Minnesota, USA(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2015) Bednar, Joshua D; Zlonis, Edmund J; Panci, Hannah; Moen, Ronald; Niemi, Gerald JWe report results of a two-‐year effort in 2013 and 2014 to sample breeding bird species in the extensive lowland coniferous forests in the Agassiz Lowland Ecological Subsection (ALS) of northwestern Minnesota. The effort is a part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) forest planning process to identify forested areas of conservation concern to selected forest bird species potentially affected by logging activity. The general objectives were to: 1) identify lowland coniferous forest stands that encompassed a gradient of age classes, productivity as measured by site index, and forest patch sizes, 2) sample breeding bird populations within each of the selected stands in 2013 and 2014, 3) identify habitat and landscape characteristics associated with selected breeding bird species within these forest stand types, 4) develop habitat models for bird species of conservation concern and those potentially affected by logging activity, 5) apply the habitat models to state-‐owned land to map the potential distribution of individual species or combinations of species in the ALS, and 6) provide recommendations on forest management that could be beneficial for conservation of breeding birds within the ALS.Item Encampment Forest: Breeding Bird Species Composition – 2014-2015(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2016) Niemi, Gerald J; Condon, Elizabeth; Bracey, Annie; Zlonis, Edmund J; Schutte, SaraDuring the summers of 2014 and 2015, we completed point count surveys for breeding birds along transects within a selected portion of the Encampment Forest during the breeding season (June) and the post-breeding season (late July-early August). The main objectives of these surveys were to determine the species composition of breeding birds within this old-growth forest area and identify the habitats and landscape characteristics associated with these species. During the breeding season a combined total of 66 species were observed within the 644 acre area that was sampled in 2014 and 2015. These included four species that flew over while sampling (Common Loon, Canada Geese, Turkey Vulture, and Ring-billed Gull). As expected, detectability decreased during the post-breeding period where we observed about 20 fewer species (44 species in both 2014 and 2015) and an average of about 500 fewer individuals with the same effort.Item Evaluation of the potential effects of methoprene and BTI (Bacillus thurinqiensis israelensis) on wetland birds and invertebrates in Wright County, MN, 1988 to 1993(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1995) Niemi, Gerald J; Axler, Richard P; Hanowski, JoAnn M; Hershey, Anne E; Lima, Ann R; Regal, Ronald R; Shannon, Lyle JThis report summarizes the results of a six year study (1988 to 1993) to assess the potential effects of two mosquito control materials, methoprene (applied as Altosid sand granules) and Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti, applied as Vectobac-G granules) on zooplankton, aquatic insects, and breeding birds in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The study was a before-and-after design with 1988 to 1990 as pre-treatment and 1991 to 1993 as treatment years. A total of 27 wetlands in western Wright County were randomly selected and randomly placed within one of three groups of sites: 9 control, 9 Bti-treated, and 9 methoprene-treated. Selected populations of zooplankton, aquatic insects, and breeding birds were sampled within each of these wetlands. Each site was also monitored to verify the applications of Bti or methoprene to the respective sites and to verify that the control sites were not treated. In 1992, the number of study sites was reduced to 26 because of the loss of one methoprene-treated site from sampling. No effects could be attributed to treatment on zooplankton or breeding birds. Aquatic insects, however, were considerably reduced following treatments in 1992 and 1993. Chironomids comprised approximately 60% of the total individuals sampled, and were greatly reduced in both methoprene and Bti sites compared to controls. We focused on this group particularly because of their abundance, but also because they are closely related to mosquitoes and known to be susceptible to both larvicides. However, our results showed that all insect groups were similarly affected by both larvicides. Both Bti and methoprene applications to these wetlands reduced aquatic insect densities by a range of 57-83% and biomass by a range of 50-83% in the second and third years of treatment. Following the effects of treatments observed in 1992, populations of aquatic insects recovered to pre-treatment levels at the start of 1993, but quickly declined again following treatment. No food chain effects of these declines, with the possible exception of increases in the density of some copepods in methoprene-treated sites, were observed in either zooplankton or in breeding birds. High nest loss rates due to predation may have been a greater limiting factor to birds than mosquito control treatment. The carrying capacity of bird populations may also be lower than that affected by food reductions, especially since alternative foods tended to be available for Red-winged Blackbirds outside of the wetland study sites. Even though this study represents one of the largest ever conducted to assess the effects of mosquito control materials on non-target organisms, a variety of questions regarding the overall effects of mosquito control treatments remain unanswered. Among the most pressing questions are the determination of the long term effects (e.g., > 5-10 yrs) of the control program and whether populations of aquatic insects can continue to recover within these treated areas.Item Scale-dependent Response by Breeding Songbirds to Residential Development Along Lake Superior(2010) Ford, Michelle T; Flaspohler, David JThis is the first study to examine the influence of Great Lakes shoreline residential development on forest breeding bird communities on any of the Great Lakes. This study took place near Houghton Michigan but may be relevant for Minnesota’s coastal areas given that migrating birds utilize common flyways, and their habitat and movements have trans-boundary characteristics. For these reasons it is included in the study. The abstract and key points are reproduced below. Abstract: “We examined the influence of shoreline residential development on breeding bird communities along forested portions of Lake Superior and hypothesized that anthropogenic changes related to housing development would alter bird community structure compared to areas without human development. We used point counts to compare relative abundance of bird species in relation to residential development at coarse (along 1 km shoreline stretches with and without housing/cottage development) and fine (developed and undeveloped sides of a shoreline access road) spatial scales during the 2005 breeding season. More species had development related differences in abundance at the finer-scale analysis than at the coarse scale. American Crows and American Robins were more abundant on the developed, shoreline side of shoreline access roads. Red-breasted Nuthatches, Blackthroated Green Warblers, and Red-eyed Vireos were more abundant on the undeveloped, inland side of shoreline access roads. Several species were detected exclusively in developed or undeveloped forest areas. The pattern of development-related differences in relative abundance of bird species depended on the scale at which data were analyzed, suggesting that many species may respond to habitat differences within the 100 m scale quite distinct from how they respond to differences at the scale of thousands of meters.”Item Wildlife species: responses to forest harvesting and management in riparian stands and landscapes(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2001) Hanowski, JoAnn M; Danz, Nicholas P; Lind, Jim; Niemi, Gerald J; Wolter, Peter T.Breeding birds were surveyed in five watersheds in northern Minnesota for four years. In three watersheds (Knife, Pokegama, Cloquet) 12, 6 to I 0 acre plots were established. In two watersheds (Knife, Gooseberry) one large(> 40 acre) plot was established. Plots were established to assess breeding bird response to harvest type and J:iarvest method in riparian forests. Treatments in the Pokegama watershed included removal of basal area to 25-35 ft within 100 ft of either side of the stream with two different harvest methods (grapple skidding and cut-to-length systems). Uplands adjacent to riparian buffers were clearcut and three total (no harvest) plots were maintained in the watershed as well as three uncut riparian control plots. Before harvest data were collected in 1997, harvest was completed in the fall of 1997, and after harvest data collected in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Treatments in the Knife watershed ranged from clearcut in the riparian area to 25-35 ft residual basal area within 100 feet on one side of the stream. Uplands adjacent to riparian buffers were clearcut and three total (no harvest) plots were maintained in the watershed as well as three uncut riparian control plots. Harvests were not completed on all sites because of poor winter harvest conditions in 1997, 1998 and 1999. Breeding bird data have been collected in all years and will be collected in 200 I if all sites are harvested within this time frame. Treatments on sites in the Cloquet watershed were designed to examine bird response to harvest in the riparian area by leaving residual basal area ( 40 ft2) in either a scattered or clumped pattern. Uplands adjacent to riparian buffers were clearcut and three total (no harvest) plots were maintained in the watershed as well as three uncut riparian control plots. Harvests were not completed on all sites because of poor winter harvest conditions in 1997, 1998 and 1999. Breeding bird data have been collected in all years and will be collected in 2001 if all sites are harvested within this time frame. Bird surveys were also completed on two large sites in Lake County. One site, the Gooseberry was harvested, but the Knife River site was not. No statistical analyses were completed on these data and no additional studies are planned. In addition to breeding bird surveys, two additional tasks were completed and results were presented in the previous biennial report (Louisiana Waterthrush and riparian landscape statistics for the forested regions of Minnesota. No new information is presented in this report on those tasks.Item Wildlife species: responses to forest harvesting and management in riparian stands and landscapes(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1998) Hanowski, JoAnn M; Niemi, Gerald J; Hawrot, Rita Y; Wolter, Peter T.; Cuthbert, Francesca J; Hathaway, Jennifer