The Use of Wildlife Water Developments The Use of Wildlife Water Developments by Migratory Songbirds in Southwestern by Migratory Songbirds in Southwestern

ArizonaArizona

Janet C. Lynn1, Steven S. Rosenstock2, and Carol L. Chambers11 School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, P.O. Box 15018, Flagstaff, AZ 86001

2 Arizona Game and Fish Department, Research Branch, 2221 W. Greenway Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85023

BackgroundBackgroundReproductive success and survivorship limited by:

• Time of arrival onto breeding grounds• Body condition upon arrival• Mortality during migration

Factors effecting migration• Weather patterns• Habitat suitability at stopover sites• Predation• Competition

All of which influence energy reserves and water balance

Is Water Important During Migration?Is Water Important During Migration?

Past research on water balance focus on Past research on water balance focus on the extremes (i.e. Sahara desert, ocean)the extremes (i.e. Sahara desert, ocean)

• Lean birds were more dehydrated than fat birds (Bairlein and Totzke 1992)

• Flight duration is restricted by dehydration(Carmi et al. 1992)

Few studies have focused on the role of Few studies have focused on the role of surface watersurface water

Anecdotal evidence suggests that desert Anecdotal evidence suggests that desert water developments attract large water developments attract large numbers of birdsnumbers of birds

Water DevelopmentsWater Developments

Water defined as apronWater defined as apron--catchments or catchments or windwind--powered wells powered wells

SelfSelf--contained contained

Provide year round waterProvide year round water

Water is accessible to birds by rampsWater is accessible to birds by ramps

Do not provide water to the Do not provide water to the surrounding plant communitysurrounding plant community

Hypothesis:Hypothesis:

Wildlife waters provide more suitable stopover Wildlife waters provide more suitable stopover habitat for migrants in need of waterhabitat for migrants in need of water

Bird abundance and species richness will be higher at watered sites

Birds at watered sites will have lower fat reserves

Males will have higher fat content than females, thus more females will be found at the watered sites

Bird migration will correlate with flower phenology

Objectives:Objectives:

1.1. Quantify use of wildlife waters during Quantify use of wildlife waters during spring and fall migrationsspring and fall migrations

Direct ObservationsDirect ObservationsVideo CamerasVideo Cameras

2.2. Compare use of sites with water versus Compare use of sites with water versus those without water by migratory birdsthose without water by migratory birds

Line TransectsLine Transects

3.3. Compare mean differences in body Compare mean differences in body condition and sex between sitescondition and sex between sites

Mist NettingMist Netting

Study AreaStudy AreaSouthwestern Arizona

Objective #1:

Observations

1. Kofa National Wildlife Refuge

2. BLM lands

Cameras1. Yuma Proving

Grounds

Objective #3:

Mist Nets

1. Kofa National Wildlife Refuge

Objective #2:

Line Transects

1. Kofa National Wildlife Refuge

2. BLM lands

Methods and Results

#1: Quantify Water Use#1: Quantify Water Use

MethodsMethods1. 1. Direct ObservationsDirect Observations

Three Sites: Kofa N.W.R and adjacent BLMThree Sites: Kofa N.W.R and adjacent BLMSpring: 6 April Spring: 6 April –– 11 May11 MayConducted between 0530 Conducted between 0530 –– 1030 1030

2. 2. Video CamerasVideo CamerasTwo Sites: YPGTwo Sites: YPGSpring: April Spring: April –– MayMayFall: August Fall: August –– NovemberNovemberOperate 14 hrs/day for 5 days/week Operate 14 hrs/day for 5 days/week

Results: Migrant Water UseResults: Migrant Water Use

Method Days Hours Species Richness Species Richness Visits %

Resident 15 n/a n/aDirect

Observationa17 40 21

Migrant 6 18 n/a

Resident 19 8881 99.4

Migrant 5 46 0.6Videob 28 400 24

adata pooled from three sites bdata from one site only

Results: Migrant Water UseResults: Migrant Water Use

Video Direct ObservationLazuli Bunting Lazuli BuntingYellow-rumped Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Western Tanager Western Tanager

Bullock’s Oriole MacGillivary’s WarblerBlack-headed Grosbeak Orange-crowned Warbler

Western Flycatcher

#2: Compare Use Between Sites#2: Compare Use Between SitesMethods: Line Transect SurveysMethods: Line Transect Surveys

Three sitesThree sites1.1. New Water Well (KNWR)New Water Well (KNWR)2.2. Scott’s Well (KNWR)Scott’s Well (KNWR)3.3. Well # 967 (BLM)Well # 967 (BLM)

9 April 9 April –– 18 May 18 May

6 surveys conducted 6 surveys conducted between 0530between 0530--09300930

Used distance sampling Used distance sampling

#2: Compare Use Between Sites#2: Compare Use Between SitesPaired design Paired design –– no water versus waterno water versus waterWater located within 50 m of dry washWater located within 50 m of dry washTransects run perpendicular to washTransects run perpendicular to washControl site a minimum of 1 km from treatmentControl site a minimum of 1 km from treatmentPairs surveyed Pairs surveyed simulanteouslysimulanteously

Watered

1000 m long x 200 m wide

Wash

Unwatered> 1km

1000 m long x 200 m wide

Results: Relative AbundanceResults: Relative Abundance

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3

Bird

s pe

r 100

0 m

eter

s

WetDry

Wilson’s Warbler

All Migrants

Did not detect differences in relative abundance

between sites 0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1 2 3

Bird

s pe

r 100

0 M

eter

s

WetDry

Results: Species RichnessResults: Species Richness

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1 2 3

Num

ber o

f Spe

cies

Wet

Dry

Did not detect differences in species richness between sites

#3: Compare sex differences and#3: Compare sex differences andfat reserves between sitesfat reserves between sites

Methods: Mist netsMethods: Mist netsTwo stations at one paired site Two stations at one paired site -- Kofa N.W.R. Kofa N.W.R.

2 days / week between 27 2 days / week between 27 March to 15 May March to 15 May

10 standard 10 standard 12 m12 m mist nets / mist nets / stationstation

Located within 250 m of waterLocated within 250 m of water

#3: Compare sex differences and#3: Compare sex differences andfat reserves between sitesfat reserves between sites

Subcutaneous fat in thefurculum scored using a scalefrom 0-6 (Helms and Drury 1960).

Fat Scores

0 = No fat

1 = Trace

2 = 1/3 full

3 = Half full

4 = 2/3 full

5 = Full

6 = Bulging

Results:Results:

Mist Net SummaryMist Net SummaryWetWet DryDry

DaysDays 1313 1313Net HoursNet Hours 69.369.3 70.470.4Total CapturesTotal Captures 296296 360360MigrantsMigrants 74%74% 81%81%RichnessRichness 1818 2121

Results: Results: Sex DifferencesSex Differences

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Males Females

Bird

s C

aptu

red

WetDry

Did not detect differences in Did not detect differences in numbers of males and females numbers of males and females

between sitesbetween sites

Results: Results: Fat ReservesFat ReservesNo Significant DifferencesNo Significant Differences

ChiChi--Square = 0.51Square = 0.51PP--value 0.05value 0.05

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6Fat Score

Perc

enta

ge o

f All

Cap

ture

s WetDry

Conclusion:Conclusion:

Few migrants observed drinking waterFew migrants observed drinking water

No significant differences in relative abundanceNo significant differences in relative abundance

No significant differences in species richnessNo significant differences in species richness

No significant differences between sex or fat No significant differences between sex or fat scoresscores

Resident Species Using WaterResident Species Using Water

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

4/5 4/10 4/15 4/20 4/25 4/30 5/5 5/10

Num

ber o

f Vis

its

Resident

Migrant

Data does suggest Data does suggest heavy use by heavy use by resident birdsresident birds

Mourning Dove Mourning Dove Cactus WrenCactus WrenWhiteWhite--winged Dovewinged Dove Loggerheaded ShrikeLoggerheaded ShrikeGambel’s QuailGambel’s Quail PhainopeplaPhainopeplaRedRed--tailed Hawktailed Hawk AshAsh--throated Flycatcherthroated FlycatcherTurkey VultureTurkey Vulture GreatGreat--tailed Grackletailed GrackleElf OwlElf Owl Hummingbird speciesHummingbird speciesCommon RavenCommon Raven Scott’s OrioleScott’s OrioleGila WoodpeckerGila Woodpecker Say’s PhoebeSay’s PhoebeGreatGreat--Horned OwlHorned Owl BlackBlack--tailed Gnatcatchertailed Gnatcatcher

Conclusion:Conclusion:Scale Dependent?Scale Dependent?

Vegetation Cues?Vegetation Cues?

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsValerie Morrill and Randy English: Valerie Morrill and Randy English: Yuma Proving Yuma Proving GroundsGroundsRon Kearns: Ron Kearns: Kofa National Wildlife RefugeKofa National Wildlife RefugeChantralChantral O’Brien and Bob O’Brien and Bob WaldellWaldell: : AZGFAZGFGlenn Johnson and Annie SchultzGlenn Johnson and Annie SchultzTad Tad ThiemerThiemer and Paul and Paul BeirerBeirer: : NAUNAUVolunteers: Lin Volunteers: Lin PiestPiest, Rick Englehorn, Andrew Miller, , Rick Englehorn, Andrew Miller, Shirley Shirley BartzBartz, Cliff , Cliff CordyCordy, Bill , Bill BridgelandBridgeland, Robin , Robin Rauch, Amy Richey, Terri Pope, Rauch, Amy Richey, Terri Pope, FennerFenner YarbourghYarbourgh, , Chad Chad LobergerLoberger, and Chris , and Chris McCreedyMcCreedy