floodplain forest bird communities and habitat associations forest... · floodplain forest bird...

Floodplain Forest Bird Communities and Habitat Associations

Eileen Kirsch, USGS, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center,La Crosse, WI

Floodplain Forest Bird Communities and Habitat Associations

Eileen Kirsch, USGS, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center,La Crosse, WI

Importance of UMR forests to birds

Large noticeable birds: Bald EagleGreat Blue HeronGreat EgretsWood Duck, Hooded Merganser

Landbirds: Passerines and Woodpeckers - Breeding- Migration

Importance of UMR forests to birds

Large noticeable birds: Bald EagleGreat Blue HeronGreat EgretsWood Duck, Hooded Merganser

Landbirds: Passerines and Woodpeckers - Breeding- Migration

Kathleen Carlyle

Large mature trees especially PODE3 along shorelines for roosting

For nesting also but will use large mature ACSA2

Large mature trees especially PODE3 along shorelines for roosting

For nesting also but will use large mature ACSA2

Herons and EgretsHerons and EgretsLarge mature treesBut preference for tree species and sizes needs to be systematically examined: ACSA2, FRPE, PODE3?

Colony placement is not clearly related to landscape patterns

Colony placement may be related to inter colonydistances and amount of “safe” foraging habitat

Large mature treesBut preference for tree species and sizes needs to be systematically examined: ACSA2, FRPE, PODE3?

Colony placement is not clearly related to landscape patterns

Colony placement may be related to inter colonydistances and amount of “safe” foraging habitat

Kathleen Carlyle

Joan and Dan Emlin

Cavity nesting waterfowlobviously need mature trees for nesting - over mature or wind damaged trees with rotted heartwood.

WODU feed on mast but also seeds of maple, ash and elm, as well as aquatic plants and arthropods.

Cavity nesting waterfowlobviously need mature trees for nesting - over mature or wind damaged trees with rotted heartwood.

WODU feed on mast but also seeds of maple, ash and elm, as well as aquatic plants and arthropods.

Other birds that like larger mature trees…..Other birds that like larger mature trees…..

Luke Fara

Luke Fara

Kevin Smith VIREO

How do birds use forests? ~~ Habitat SelectionScales of selection

How do birds use forests? ~~ Habitat SelectionScales of selection

Scales:Floodplain versus Upland forestBreeding and migration

Latitude (species ranges)Breeding and migration

Interior vs Edge - Breeding and migration

Within floodplain forest habitat associations – Breeding

Tree preferences for foraging -migration

Scales:Floodplain versus Upland forestBreeding and migration

Latitude (species ranges)Breeding and migration

Interior vs Edge - Breeding and migration

Within floodplain forest habitat associations – Breeding

Tree preferences for foraging -migration

Breeding bird studies in the 1990’sPools 4, 8, 13 primarily withdata also from Pools 5, 7, 12, 26 and La Grange

Breeding and Migration study 2008Pool 3 and upper 4

Migration studies: Pools 6-8, 2005-2007 and Pools 8 and 9, 2010-2013

Work of others – M. Knutson papers, Emlen et al., etc

Breeding bird studies in the 1990’sPools 4, 8, 13 primarily withdata also from Pools 5, 7, 12, 26 and La Grange

Breeding and Migration study 2008Pool 3 and upper 4

Migration studies: Pools 6-8, 2005-2007 and Pools 8 and 9, 2010-2013

Work of others – M. Knutson papers, Emlen et al., etc

Minnesota

Wisconsin

Iowa

Illinois

La Crosse

BellevueNPool 13

Pool 8

Pool 4

Red Wing

St. Louis

Bird surveys 1994-1997Random points locationsBird surveys 1994-1997

Random points locations

Pool 4

Pool 13

Pool 8

Importance of the Floodplain versus Upland forest?

Distinct forest type(s)

Bird communities differ

Importance of the Floodplain versus Upland forest?

Distinct forest type(s)

Bird communities differ

Floodplain Birds Upland BirdsProthonotary warblerRed-shouldered hawkAmerican redstartYellow warblerTree swallowBrown Creeper

OvenbirdRose-breasted grosbeakIndigo buntingRed-eyed vireoScarlet tanagerWood thrush

Floodplain and upland forest breeding bird communities differ

Floodplain and upland forest breeding bird communities differ

Knutson et al. 1995

Floodplain(pairs/ha)

Upland(pairs/ha)

Total Neotropical migrants 15 8

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 0.7 0.1

American Redstart 3 0.5

Prothonotary Warbler 0.8 0

Ovenbird 0 0.7

Breeding bird abundances higher in floodplainforest

Breeding bird abundances higher in floodplainforest

Knutson et al. 1995

Spring migration:

Greater numbers of birds overall, numbers of neotropicalmigrants and short distance migrant songbirds were detected in floodplain than upland forest. (2005-2007)

Average detected/survey Floodplain Upland

Total Birds 25.1 21.7

Number of Species 13.8 13.5

Neotropical migrants 11.1 9.4

Short distance migrants 9.4 7.7

Residents 4.1 4.5

Total species 144 131

Spring migration:

Greater numbers of birds overall, numbers of neotropicalmigrants and short distance migrant songbirds were detected in floodplain than upland forest. (2005-2007)

Average detected/survey Floodplain Upland

Total Birds 25.1 21.7

Number of Species 13.8 13.5

Neotropical migrants 11.1 9.4

Short distance migrants 9.4 7.7

Residents 4.1 4.5

Total species 144 131

During spring migration bird assemblages differ between upland and floodplain forest (transect surveys)

Species in top 20 of one habitat but not in the top 20 of the other

Floodplain Upland

Red-winged blackbird Rose-breasted grosbeakGreat crested flycatcher OvenbirdMyrtle’s warbler Eastern towheeYellow warbler Blue-winged warblerYellow-bellied sapsucker Chipping sparrowBaltimore oriole Red-eyed vireoWarbling vireo White-throated sparrow

During spring migration bird assemblages differ between upland and floodplain forest (transect surveys)

Species in top 20 of one habitat but not in the top 20 of the other

Floodplain Upland

Red-winged blackbird Rose-breasted grosbeakGreat crested flycatcher OvenbirdMyrtle’s warbler Eastern towheeYellow warbler Blue-winged warblerYellow-bellied sapsucker Chipping sparrowBaltimore oriole Red-eyed vireoWarbling vireo White-throated sparrow

0

10

20

30

40

50

2006 2007Year

Cap

ture

s pe

r 100

net

hou

rs

Floodplain Upland

Spring migration banding data similarly shows a difference

Capture rates for floodplain and uplandsCaptures/100 net hrs

Spring migration banding data similarly shows a difference

Capture rates for floodplain and uplandsCaptures/100 net hrs

0

5

10

15

20

25

2006 2007

Cap

ture

s pe

r 100

net

hou

rs

floodplain upland

Number of warblers captured by habitatNumber of warblers captured by habitat

Latitudinal differences in breeding bird assemblages 1995-96Latitudinal differences in breeding bird assemblages 1995-96

Latitudinal differences in floodplain forest breeding bird assemblages Emlen et al. 1986 Cairo, IL to St. Paul, MN, June 1979

Latitudinal differences in floodplain forest breeding bird assemblages Emlen et al. 1986 Cairo, IL to St. Paul, MN, June 1979

Northern range or abundance

Southern range or abundance

Latitudinal differences in breeding bird assemblages UMR floodplain forest 1995-96

Latitudinal differences in breeding bird assemblages UMR floodplain forest 1995-96

UpperSpecies Pools Pool 26 La Grange ______________________________________________________________________American redstart 3.0 0.3 <0.1House wren 1.4 0.3 1.0American robin 1.4 0.1 0.5Common grackle 1.4 2.0 1.4Warbling vireo 1.0 0.6 0.9Baltimore oriole 0.7 0.2 0.6Song sparrow 0.8 0.1 0.5Great crested flycatcher 0.6 0.5 0.7Downy woodpecker 0.4 0.9 0.4Eastern wood peewee 0.4 0.5 0.4Prothonotary warbler 0.6 1.2 1.1Red-winged blackbird 0.9 0.3 0.7White-breasted nuthatch 0.9 0.8 0.5Brown-headed cowbird 0.4 0.3 0.3Northern cardinal 0.4 1.0 0.4Blue-gray gnatcatcher 0.3 1.2 0.3Gray catbird 0.3 <0.1 0.1 Red-bellied woodpecker 0.3 0.3 0.4American goldfinch 0.3 0 <0.1 Common yellowthroat 0.3 <0.1 0.2Yellow-bellied sapsucker 0.3 0 0Yellow-throated vireo 0.2 <0.1 0.1Black-capped chickadee 0.3 0.6 0.4Yellow warbler 0.3 <0.1 <0.1Red-eyed vireo 0.2 0.1 0.1Tree swallow 0.3 <0.1 <0.1Blue jay 0.2 0.1 0.2

avg. # species/point 10.6 9.2 10.2avg. # birds/point 18.9 15.0 15.9_____________________________________________________________________

UpperSpecies Pools Pool 26 La Grange ______________________________________________________________________American redstart 3.0 0.3 <0.1House wren 1.4 0.3 1.0American robin 1.4 0.1 0.5Common grackle 1.4 2.0 1.4Warbling vireo 1.0 0.6 0.9Baltimore oriole 0.7 0.2 0.6Song sparrow 0.8 0.1 0.5Great crested flycatcher 0.6 0.5 0.7Downy woodpecker 0.4 0.9 0.4Eastern wood peewee 0.4 0.5 0.4Prothonotary warbler 0.6 1.2 1.1Red-winged blackbird 0.9 0.3 0.7White-breasted nuthatch 0.9 0.8 0.5Brown-headed cowbird 0.4 0.3 0.3Northern cardinal 0.4 1.0 0.4Blue-gray gnatcatcher 0.3 1.2 0.3Gray catbird 0.3 <0.1 0.1 Red-bellied woodpecker 0.3 0.3 0.4American goldfinch 0.3 0 <0.1 Common yellowthroat 0.3 <0.1 0.2Yellow-bellied sapsucker 0.3 0 0Yellow-throated vireo 0.2 <0.1 0.1Black-capped chickadee 0.3 0.6 0.4Yellow warbler 0.3 <0.1 <0.1Red-eyed vireo 0.2 0.1 0.1Tree swallow 0.3 <0.1 <0.1Blue jay 0.2 0.1 0.2

avg. # species/point 10.6 9.2 10.2avg. # birds/point 18.9 15.0 15.9_____________________________________________________________________

Spring migration assemblage differences between floodplain and upland forestSpring migration assemblage differences between floodplain and upland forestDriftless Area Prairie Peninsula

Species FP UL FP UL

American Redstart 2.1 1.2 0.9 0.2Common Yellowthroat 1.0 0.2 0.3 0.2Prothonotary Warbler 0.2 0 1.3 0.1Tennessee Warbler 0.4 0.4 0.7 1.2Blue-winged Warbler 0.1 0.8 0.1 0.1Eastern Towhee 0.1 0.7 0.1 0.4Indigo Bunting 0.2 0.4 1.0 1.1Warbling Vireo 0.5 0.1 1.0 0.1Wood Thrush 0… 0.2 0.4 0.8Ovenbird 0.1 0.9 0.2 0.5Rose-breasted Grosbeak 0.3 0.7 0.6 1.2Great-crested Flycatcher 0.8 0.1 1.4 0.9House Wren 1.5 0.5 3.2 1.3American Goldfinch 0.8 1.3 0.4 0.6American Robin 1.2 0.9 2.7 1.6Brown-headed cowbird 0.9 1.1 1.0 1.2Red-winged Blackbird 0.8 0.1 1.5 0.3Common Grackle 0.7 0… 1.6 0.4 Song Sparrow 1.1 0.5 0.6 0.1White-throated Sparrow 1.1 0.6 0.4 0.3Northern Cardinal 0.5 0.7 2.4 3.3Black-capped Chickadee 0.5 0.9 1.6 2.0

Driftless Area Prairie PeninsulaSpecies FP UL FP UL

American Redstart 2.1 1.2 0.9 0.2Common Yellowthroat 1.0 0.2 0.3 0.2Prothonotary Warbler 0.2 0 1.3 0.1Tennessee Warbler 0.4 0.4 0.7 1.2Blue-winged Warbler 0.1 0.8 0.1 0.1Eastern Towhee 0.1 0.7 0.1 0.4Indigo Bunting 0.2 0.4 1.0 1.1Warbling Vireo 0.5 0.1 1.0 0.1Wood Thrush 0… 0.2 0.4 0.8Ovenbird 0.1 0.9 0.2 0.5Rose-breasted Grosbeak 0.3 0.7 0.6 1.2Great-crested Flycatcher 0.8 0.1 1.4 0.9House Wren 1.5 0.5 3.2 1.3American Goldfinch 0.8 1.3 0.4 0.6American Robin 1.2 0.9 2.7 1.6Brown-headed cowbird 0.9 1.1 1.0 1.2Red-winged Blackbird 0.8 0.1 1.5 0.3Common Grackle 0.7 0… 1.6 0.4 Song Sparrow 1.1 0.5 0.6 0.1White-throated Sparrow 1.1 0.6 0.4 0.3Northern Cardinal 0.5 0.7 2.4 3.3Black-capped Chickadee 0.5 0.9 1.6 2.0

Neotropical

Neotropical

Short D

istanceS

hort Distance

ResidentResident

Edge versus interiorEdge versus interior

Upper PoolSpecies Pools 26 La Grange ___________________________________________Brown creeper 0.13 0.03 0.02Veery 0.03 0 0Acadian flycatcher 0.01 0.5 0Cerulean Warbler 0.03 0.01 0.01Ovenbird 0.003 0 0

Number surveys 995 103 130___________________________________________

Upper PoolSpecies Pools 26 La Grange ___________________________________________Brown creeper 0.13 0.03 0.02Veery 0.03 0 0Acadian flycatcher 0.01 0.5 0Cerulean Warbler 0.03 0.01 0.01Ovenbird 0.003 0 0

Number surveys 995 103 130___________________________________________

Rarity of “forest interior” species (number per survey) 1990’s dataRarity of “forest interior” species (number per survey) 1990’s data

Percent of all forest in a pool considered “interior” for 2 buffer widths

_________________________________________________

Pool 4 Pool 8 Pool 13_________________________________________________

100m buffer 5 5 4

50m buffer 21 17 20_________________________________________________

Percent of all forest in a pool considered “interior” for 2 buffer widths

_________________________________________________

Pool 4 Pool 8 Pool 13_________________________________________________

100m buffer 5 5 4

50m buffer 21 17 20_________________________________________________

Relationships of birds with landscape featureswithin 200m of the point 1990’s dataRelationships of birds with landscape featureswithin 200m of the point 1990’s data

AMCR

AMGO

NAMRENAMRO

NBCCHNBGGN

NBHCO

NBLJA

BRCR

BRTH

CEDW

CERW

COGR

COYE

NDOWO

EAPH

NEAWPNGCFL

GRCA

NHAWO

NHOWR

NINBULEFL

MODO

NNOCANNOFL

NNOOR

NPIWO

PROW

RBGR

NRBWO

REVI

RHWO

RTHU

RWBL

SOSP

TRES

ETTI

VEER

WAVI

NWBNU

WIFL

WODU

WOTHNYBCU

NYBSA

YWAR

NYTVI

Amount of Forest

Grass-Open water edge

-1.5

-1.0

-0.5 0.5 1.50.0

1.0

2.0

Axis 1

Axi

s 2

AMRE

BCCH

BGGN

BLJA

GCFL HAWO

HOWR

INBU

NOCA

NOOR

RBWO

WBNU

YBCU

YBSA

EAWP&YTVI

0.0

PIWO

NOFL

BHCO

AMRODOWO

ACFL

*week habitat relationships r2 < 0.3*analysis accounts for little of the variance in the bird data

*week habitat relationships r2 < 0.3*analysis accounts for little of the variance in the bird data

17 sample sites in each:

interior

associated edge

random sites

A study designed to examine edge vs interior vs random Forest points: Pools 3 and upper 4, 2008*Interior was defined as being 100m or more from any edge

Breeding assemblages do not differ among edge vs interior vs random sites (Pools 3 and upper 4, 2008)

Variable Int. Edge Ran. Prob.__________________________________________________

Total number birds 18.2 17.9 18.3 0.958Number species 10.6 10.6 10.1 0.612Neotropical migrants 9.9 9.6 9.4 0.418Short distance migrants 6.1 5.3 5.4 0.480Residents 1.9 1.9 3.6 0.473___________________________________________________N=51 sites, average counts

Breeding assemblages do not differ among edge vs interior vs random sites (Pools 3 and upper 4, 2008)


Total number birds 18.2 17.9 18.3 0.958Number species 10.6 10.6 10.1 0.612Neotropical migrants 9.9 9.6 9.4 0.418Short distance migrants 6.1 5.3 5.4 0.480Residents 1.9 1.9 3.6 0.473___________________________________________________N=51 sites, average counts

Migration assemblages do not differ among edge vs interior vs random sites (Pools 3 and upper 4, 2008)


Total number birds 27.4 24.6 24.9 0.422Number species 12.6 11.7 12.7 0.383Neotropical migrants 18.1 13.3 18.9 0.394Short distance migrants 7.2 7.1 6.2 0.396Residents 1.9 1.1 1.6 0.042 ___________________________________________________N=51 sites, average counts

Migration assemblages do not differ among edge vs interior vs random sites (Pools 3 and upper 4, 2008)


Total number birds 27.4 24.6 24.9 0.422Number species 12.6 11.7 12.7 0.383Neotropical migrants 18.1 13.3 18.9 0.394Short distance migrants 7.2 7.1 6.2 0.396Residents 1.9 1.1 1.6 0.042 ___________________________________________________N=51 sites, average counts

Transform: Square rootResemblance: S17 Bray Curtis similarity

RandomEdgeInterior

2D Stress: 0.25

Is there an effect of forest width on breeding birdassemblage composition? (Pools 3 and upper 4, 2008)Is there an effect of forest width on breeding birdassemblage composition? (Pools 3 and upper 4, 2008)

ANOSIM site type ρ = 0.027, P = 0.116R-E ρ = 0.063, P = 0.038R-I ρ = 0.059, P = 0.039I-E ρ = -0.041, P = 0.921 I-E pairs ρ= 0.465, P < 0.001 spatial auto correlation

No pattern related to edge for bird assemblagesduring spring migration (Pools 3 and upper 4, 2008)No pattern related to edge for bird assemblagesduring spring migration (Pools 3 and upper 4, 2008)


typeREI

2D Stress: 0.22

Within floodplain forest habitat associations1990’s data

MEA - Maple Elm AshCW - Cottonwood WillowOH - Oak -“hickory”MEAMIX - (CW and OH with MEA)PURE = only silver maple

Within floodplain forest habitat associations1990’s data

MEA - Maple Elm AshCW - Cottonwood WillowOH - Oak -“hickory”MEAMIX - (CW and OH with MEA)PURE = only silver maple

-6 -4 -2 0 2 4PC1

-4

-2

0

2

4P

C2

FORCOMCWMEAMEAMEAMIXOHMEAPURE

CANOPYHT

SUBCANHT

GROUNDHT

CANOCOVR

SUBCCOVR

GRNDCOVR

PHAL

Principle Components analysis of forest/veg structure variables

26.5% of variation

15.4

% o

f var

iatio

n


FORCOMCWMEAMEAMEAMIXOHMEAPURE

2D Stress: 0.32

NMS of bird species composition with sites labeled by forest composition classes

NMS of bird species composition with sites labeled by forest composition classes

Cannonical Correspondence Analysis ofRelationships of birds with forest structure 1994-1997 data (Pools 4, 8, 13).Cannonical Correspondence Analysis ofRelationships of birds with forest structure 1994-1997 data (Pools 4, 8, 13).

AMROBCCH

BHCO

BLJACEDW

DOWO

HAWO

HOWR

INBU

NOFL

WAVI

WBNU

GCFL

RBWO

EAWP

AMRE

0, 0

AMCRAMGO

NAMRE

NAMRO NBCCH

BGGN

NBHCO

NBLJA

BRCR

BRTH

NCEDW

CERW

COGRCOYE

NDOWO

EAPH

NEAWP

EUST

NGCFL

GRCA

NHAWO

NHOWR

NINBU

LEFL MODO

NOCA

NNOFLNNOOR

PIWO

PROW

RBGR

NRBWO

REVI

RHWO

NRTHU

RWBL

SOSP

TRES

ETTI

VEER

NWAVINWBNU

WIFL

WODU

NWOTH

YBCU

YBSA

YWAR

YTVI

Canopy Cover

Phalaris presence

-1.5

-1.0

-0.5 0.50.0

1.0

Axis 1

Axi

s 2

ACFL

*weak habitat relationships (r2<0.3) *analysis accounts for 4% of the variance in the bird data!Because the community is dominated by a few species.

*weak habitat relationships (r2<0.3) *analysis accounts for 4% of the variance in the bird data!Because the community is dominated by a few species.

AMROBCCH

BHCO

BLJACEDW

DOWO

HAWO

HOWR

INBU

NOFL

WAVI

WBNU

GCFL

RBWO

EAWP

AMRE

0, 0

American RedstartAmerican RobinHouse WrenWarbling VireoWhite-breasted NuthatchDowny Woodpecker Great Crested FlycatcherNorthern FlickerHairy WoodpeckerBrown-headed CowbirdIndigo BuntingBlack-capped ChickadeeCedar Waxwing & Blue Jay

Song SparrowRed-winged BlackbirdCommon YellowthroatLeast FlycatcherWillow FlycatcherMourning Dove Yellow Warbler

Brown CreeperTufted TitmouseProthonotary WarblerPileated WoodpeckerCerulean WarblerVeeryAmerican CrowRed-eyed Vireo

Phalaris presence Higher Canopy cover

I think the general relations revealed in the CCA are reasonable, although not particularly useful for management prescriptions.

So, designed a new study… the 2008 Vermillion/Cannon River Bottoms (Pools 3 and upper 4) mentioned before. Three 10 min point counts, more detailed habitat measurements

I think the general relations revealed in the CCA are reasonable, although not particularly useful for management prescriptions.

So, designed a new study… the 2008 Vermillion/Cannon River Bottoms (Pools 3 and upper 4) mentioned before. Three 10 min point counts, more detailed habitat measurements

-4 -2 0 2 4 6PC1

-4

-2

0

2

4PC

2 BATree height

Box elder IV

Silver maple IV

Elm IV # tree species

Phalaris cover

UMR

Cannon

Vermillion

Habitat PCA (3 axis account for 58% of variation)

19.1

% o

f var

iatio

n

27.3% of variation

NMS of breeding bird assemblages Pool 3 and upper 4, 2008NMS of breeding bird assemblages Pool 3 and upper 4, 2008


RandomEdgeInterior

2D Stress: 0.25

LINKTREE analysis of habitat variables that most separate the breeding bird assemblages among samples

NMS of breeding bird assemblages by in relation to Phalaris cover and no ground cover (2008 data Pools 3 and 4)


RIVERCannonUMRVermillion

2D Stress: 0.25

Ground cover <15%

Phalaris cover <53%

High Phalaris

Common YellowthroatIndigo BuntingRose-breasted GrosbeakBlack-capped Chickadee

High Phalaris

Common YellowthroatIndigo BuntingRose-breasted GrosbeakBlack-capped Chickadee

Low Phalaris

American RedstartGreat Crested Flycatcher

Low Phalaris

American RedstartGreat Crested Flycatcher

Diversity and evenness not different between high and lowPhalaris sites.Diversity and evenness not different between high and lowPhalaris sites.

What about the low ground cover? What about the low ground cover?

Due to prolonged flooding – Prothonotary Warblers very abundant but species diversity was lower than at other sites. Due to prolonged flooding – Prothonotary Warblers very abundant but species diversity was lower than at other sites.

To Review some general findings

General homogeneity of the floodplain forest breeding bird assemblages (NMS)

Breeding bird assemblages are dominated by about 7-10 species

Assemblage differences most pronounced along a latitudinal gradient

Rarity of “forest interior” species (Cerulean Warbler….)

No association of assemblage composition or species of conservation concern (CERW, PROW) with edge/interior

Forest width and breeding assemblage composition?

Detectable but small breeding assemblage shift related to lack of ground cover (extended spring flooding) {Prothonotary Warbler+, Common Grackle+, House Wren-, diversity-}

Detectable but small breeding assemblage shift with increased Phalaris cover and decreased basal area {Common Yellowthroat, Song sparrow, American Redstart, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Gray Catbird}

To Review some general findings

General homogeneity of the floodplain forest breeding bird assemblages (NMS)

Breeding bird assemblages are dominated by about 7-10 species

Assemblage differences most pronounced along a latitudinal gradient

Rarity of “forest interior” species (Cerulean Warbler….)

No association of assemblage composition or species of conservation concern (CERW, PROW) with edge/interior

Forest width and breeding assemblage composition?

Detectable but small breeding assemblage shift related to lack of ground cover (extended spring flooding) {Prothonotary Warbler+, Common Grackle+, House Wren-, diversity-}

Detectable but small breeding assemblage shift with increased Phalaris cover and decreased basal area {Common Yellowthroat, Song sparrow, American Redstart, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Gray Catbird}

To Review some things others have found

Red-shouldered Hawks and Cerulean Warblers (J. Stravers)Larger areas of mature floodplain forest near forested bluffs

Cerulean Warblers in general like large tall trees in mature forests with spreading branches near canopy gaps , generally considered area sensitive (Buehler et al. 2012 and refs therein)

Other species that require older trees because of their nesting/roosting habit or size: Brown Creeper, tree roosting bats, herons and egrets, Eagles, WODU and HOME

Young forests on the middle Mississippi River (Knutson et al. 2003):Lower species richness than mature forestdominated by Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Downy Woodpecker, Orchard Oriole

Shrub carr has high species diversity and abundance but not as high as floodplain forest: Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow Warbler, Blue-gray gnatcatcher, American Redstart, etc. (Kirsch 1990’s data)


Red-shouldered Hawks and Cerulean Warblers (J. Stravers)Larger areas of mature floodplain forest near forested bluffs

Cerulean Warblers in general like large tall trees in mature forests with spreading branches near canopy gaps , generally considered area sensitive (Buehler et al. 2012 and refs therein)

Other species that require older trees because of their nesting/roosting habit or size: Brown Creeper, tree roosting bats, herons and egrets, Eagles, WODU and HOME

Young forests on the middle Mississippi River (Knutson et al. 2003):Lower species richness than mature forestdominated by Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Downy Woodpecker, Orchard Oriole

Shrub carr has high species diversity and abundance but not as high as floodplain forest: Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow Warbler, Blue-gray gnatcatcher, American Redstart, etc. (Kirsch 1990’s data)


Knutson et al. 2006:Modeled productivity highest in floodplain forest type

Maple Mast Young Tree Swallow Red-headed Woodpecker Eastern Wood PeweeAmerican Robin Rose-breasted Grosbeak Great Crested Flycat.American Redstart Black-capped ChickadeeYellow WarblerWarbling VireoBaltimore Oriole

Species with estimated λ < 1 in all floodplain forest and upland forests

American RedstartEastern Wood PeweeBlue-gray gnatcatcherProthonotary Warbler

Baltimore Oriole


Knutson et al. 2006:Modeled productivity highest in floodplain forest type

Maple Mast Young Tree Swallow Red-headed Woodpecker Eastern Wood PeweeAmerican Robin Rose-breasted Grosbeak Great Crested Flycat.American Redstart Black-capped ChickadeeYellow WarblerWarbling VireoBaltimore Oriole

Species with estimated λ < 1 in all floodplain forest and upland forests

American RedstartEastern Wood PeweeBlue-gray gnatcatcherProthonotary Warbler

Baltimore Oriole

Tree preferences of foraging birds during spring migration in Upper

Mississippi River floodplain forests&

Patterns related to spring weather and tree phenology

Eileen M. Kirsch and Mike Wellik

USGS, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI

Tree preferences of foraging birds during spring migration in Upper

Mississippi River floodplain forests&

Patterns related to spring weather and tree phenology

Eileen M. Kirsch and Mike Wellik

USGS, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI

2010-2013 total foraging observations

Transient Migrants:Myrtle’s Warbler 189Tennessee Warbler 64Nashville Warbler 41Blackpoll Warbler 42Magnolia Warbler 39Ruby-crowned Kinglet 32Western Palm Warbler 30

Abundant local breedersAmerican Redstart 279Warbling Vireo 188Baltimore Oriole 166Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 146Red-eyed Vireo 100Yellow Warbler 86Prothonotary Warbler 52Yellow-throated Vireo 50Rose-breasted Grosbeak 46

2010-2013 total foraging observations

Transient Migrants:Myrtle’s Warbler 189Tennessee Warbler 64Nashville Warbler 41Blackpoll Warbler 42Magnolia Warbler 39Ruby-crowned Kinglet 32Western Palm Warbler 30

Abundant local breedersAmerican Redstart 279Warbling Vireo 188Baltimore Oriole 166Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 146Red-eyed Vireo 100Yellow Warbler 86Prothonotary Warbler 52Yellow-throated Vireo 50Rose-breasted Grosbeak 46

Number of foraging observations

2010 2011 2012 2013

Transient migrants 72 153 95 175

Local breeding species 311 286 255 261

Mean observations/visit 15.3 37.2 15.7 20.4

Greater proportion of observations were Transient Migrants during cold years. Numbers of Locally Breeding species less variable.

Number of foraging observations

2010 2011 2012 2013

Transient migrants 72 153 95 175

Local breeding species 311 286 255 261

Mean observations/visit 15.3 37.2 15.7 20.4

Greater proportion of observations were Transient Migrants during cold years. Numbers of Locally Breeding species less variable.

Transient Migrant SpeciesMyrtle’s WarblerTennessee WarblerNashville WarblerMagnolia WarblerRuby-crowned Kinglet

Transient Migrant SpeciesMyrtle’s WarblerTennessee WarblerNashville WarblerMagnolia WarblerRuby-crowned Kinglet

Locally Breeding SpeciesAmerican RedstartBaltimore OrioleWarbling VireoBlue-gray GnatcatcherRed-eyed VireoYellow WarblerProthonotary WarblerYellow-throated VireoRose-breasted Grosbeak

Locally Breeding SpeciesAmerican RedstartBaltimore OrioleWarbling VireoBlue-gray GnatcatcherRed-eyed VireoYellow WarblerProthonotary WarblerYellow-throated VireoRose-breasted Grosbeak

Box

eld

er

Sliv

er m

aple

Riv

er b

irch

Ash

es

Hac

kber

ry

Cot

tonw

ood

Red

oak

s

Bla

ck w

illow

Elm

Whi

te O

aks

Box

eld

er

Sliv

er m

aple

Riv

er b

irch

Ashe

s

Hac

kber

ry

Cot

tonw

ood

Red

oak

s

Bla

ck w

illow

Elm

Whi

te O

aks

Conclusions:

Greater use of Oaks and Hackberry by transient migrants

Greater use of Maple by local breeding species

Conclusions:

Greater use of Oaks and Hackberry by transient migrants

Greater use of Maple by local breeding species

Implications for the UMR floodplain forests?

*Advanced phenology may reduce the importance of this forest for Transient migrants because they preferred oaks Which as a group are more common in upland forests in the warm years. (But Hackberry?)

*Risks to forest health with reduced bird foraging during leaf-out and increased likelihood of frost damage from early leaf development.

*Predicted increased frequency of summer storms with severe rainfall will influence flow regimes and hence, floodplain forest composition and structure.

Implications for the UMR floodplain forests?

*Advanced phenology may reduce the importance of this forest for Transient migrants because they preferred oaks Which as a group are more common in upland forests in the warm years. (But Hackberry?)

*Risks to forest health with reduced bird foraging during leaf-out and increased likelihood of frost damage from early leaf development.

*Predicted increased frequency of summer storms with severe rainfall will influence flow regimes and hence, floodplain forest composition and structure.

20 years later:

Surveying same sites (Pools 4, 8 and hopefully 13) with 3, 10 minute point counts tracking detections by minute

Detailed forest and ground cover sampling to compare with USACE forest inventory and relate to site elevations and to bird data and herbaceous species composition

Goals: Detect any trends in bird species abundance since the 1990’s

Assess detection and occupancy of selected species and relate these with new habitat variables (tree density, BA) and tree species gradients

20 years later:

Surveying same sites (Pools 4, 8 and hopefully 13) with 3, 10 minute point counts tracking detections by minute

Detailed forest and ground cover sampling to compare with USACE forest inventory and relate to site elevations and to bird data and herbaceous species composition

Goals: Detect any trends in bird species abundance since the 1990’s

Assess detection and occupancy of selected species and relate these with new habitat variables (tree density, BA) and tree species gradients

Acknowledgements:

Carl Korschgen Mike Griffin Kathy Carlyle Ryan PottingerPat Heglund Brian Collins Steve Houdek Lacy KochMelissa Meier Debi DeTranel Mike Wellik Jennifer SobiechColin Sveum Jim Nissen Kevin Markwardt Will Yandek Steve Houdek Eric Nelson Matt Groschek Chris PollentierChris Kochanney Walter Popp Kelly McKay Torre HovickJeff Dankert Kathleen Monson Robert ChapmanDoug Olsen Martin Murphy Terry GrimmSantiago GarciaBrian PancherEric ZeulkeLara HillCraig AnnenChis CusterTom Custer Brian GraySarah SuarezDouglas A. OlsonJim Rogala

Acknowledgements:

Carl Korschgen Mike Griffin Kathy Carlyle Ryan PottingerPat Heglund Brian Collins Steve Houdek Lacy KochMelissa Meier Debi DeTranel Mike Wellik Jennifer SobiechColin Sveum Jim Nissen Kevin Markwardt Will Yandek Steve Houdek Eric Nelson Matt Groschek Chris PollentierChris Kochanney Walter Popp Kelly McKay Torre HovickJeff Dankert Kathleen Monson Robert ChapmanDoug Olsen Martin Murphy Terry GrimmSantiago GarciaBrian PancherEric ZeulkeLara HillCraig AnnenChis CusterTom Custer Brian GraySarah SuarezDouglas A. OlsonJim Rogala

floodplain forest bird communities and habitat associations forest... · floodplain forest bird...

Documents