Effects of Selected Forest Management Practices on Forest Birds in Missouri Oak-Hickory Forests

Principal Investigators Rick Clawson, Missouri Department of Conservation Rick Clawson, Missouri Department of Conservation Dr. John Faaborg, University of Missouri- Columbia Dr. John Faaborg, University of Missouri- Columbia Dr. Paul Porneluzi, Central Methodist University Dr. Paul Porneluzi, Central Methodist University

Collaborators Wendy Gram, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History Wendy Gram, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History Mike Wallendorf, Missouri Department of Conservation Mike Wallendorf, Missouri Department of Conservation Elena Seon, Missouri Department of Conservation (former employee) Elena Seon, Missouri Department of Conservation (former employee)

Background Studies had shown that avian species diversity and reproductive success were lower on forest fragments Studies had shown that avian species diversity and reproductive success were lower on forest fragments Nest predation by mammalian and avian predators and parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds were the principal mechanisms Nest predation by mammalian and avian predators and parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds were the principal mechanisms Some people believed that similar phenomena would occur in a predominantly forested landscape with small openings Some people believed that similar phenomena would occur in a predominantly forested landscape with small openings An experimental approach was needed An experimental approach was needed

Objectives To determine differences in breeding densities of selected a) mature forest and b) early- successional forest songbirds in forest managed by EAM, UAM, and no-harvest methods To determine differences in breeding densities of selected a) mature forest and b) early- successional forest songbirds in forest managed by EAM, UAM, and no-harvest methods To determine rates of nest parasitism, nest predation, and reproductive success for these songbirds To determine rates of nest parasitism, nest predation, and reproductive success for these songbirds To provide educational training in field biology to undergraduate student interns To provide educational training in field biology to undergraduate student interns

5 Focal Mature Forest Species Acadian Flycatcher Acadian Flycatcher Ovenbird Ovenbird Worm-eating Warbler Worm-eating Warbler Kentucky Warbler Kentucky Warbler Wood Thrush Wood Thrush

6 Focal Early Successional Spp. Indigo Bunting Indigo Bunting Yellow-breasted Chat Yellow-breasted Chat Hooded Warbler Hooded Warbler Prairie Warbler Prairie Warbler Blue-winged Warbler Blue-winged Warbler White-eyed Vireo White-eyed Vireo

Bird Study – Data Collection Spot Mapping Species’ densities determined using spot- mapping Species’ densities determined using spot- mapping Each site divided into 7 spot mapping plots Each site divided into 7 spot mapping plots Each spot mapping plot surveyed 10 times Each spot mapping plot surveyed 10 times Territories identified from compilation maps for each species, each year Territories identified from compilation maps for each species, each year Density determined by dividing number of territories by study site area Density determined by dividing number of territories by study site area

Reproductive data collected by locating and monitoring nests Reproductive data collected by locating and monitoring nests Most nests were on the ground, in shrubs, or in the subcanopy Most nests were on the ground, in shrubs, or in the subcanopy Nests monitored every 3 – 5 days Nests monitored every 3 – 5 days Predation and parasitism events noted Predation and parasitism events noted Bird Study – Data Collection (cont.) Nest Monitoring

Bird Study – Data Collection (cont.) Mist Netting 13 mist net lies per study area 13 mist net lies per study area 12 mist nets per line, set 50 meters apart 12 mist nets per line, set 50 meters apart Each mist net line run for two mornings Each mist net line run for two mornings All captured birds identified, sexed & aged, banded, and released All captured birds identified, sexed & aged, banded, and released Prior to first treatment, mist net lines spaced out along east-west grid lines Prior to first treatment, mist net lines spaced out along east-west grid lines After treatment, net lines on EAM sites set in clear cuts After treatment, net lines on EAM sites set in clear cuts

Results – Spot Mapping 53 different species recorded 53 different species recorded Most species present during both pre-treatment and post-treatment years Most species present during both pre-treatment and post-treatment years Following treatment, all 5 focal mature forest species declined Following treatment, all 5 focal mature forest species declined Early successional species densities increased dramatically after tree harvest Early successional species densities increased dramatically after tree harvest Responses were species specific Responses were species specific

After initial decline, returning to near pre-treatment levels

Climbing, but not yet back to pre-treatment levels

Negatively affected by EAM

Has returned to pre-treatment level on EAM sites, but abandoning no-harvest sites?

Although low numbers, positive response to EAM & UAM

Appears to prefer the larger openings of EAM sites

Appears to prefer larger openings of EAM sites

Accepts all sizes of canopy gaps

Accepts all sizes of harvest openings

Found in low numbers – responded to both harvest types

Results - Nesting Found over 1,500 nests from 29 species Found over 1,500 nests from 29 species Found nests for 6 of the focal species, before and after treatment Found nests for 6 of the focal species, before and after treatment Daily mortality rates did not change significantly from pre- to post-treatment Daily mortality rates did not change significantly from pre- to post-treatment Mayfield nesting success averaged 29% for these 6 spp. Mayfield nesting success averaged 29% for these 6 spp. Brood parasitism rates were low, averaging 3.2% in both pre- and post-treatment Brood parasitism rates were low, averaging 3.2% in both pre- and post-treatment Nest failure generally attributed to predation Nest failure generally attributed to predation

Results - Mist Netting Prior to treatments, capture rates were low on all sites Prior to treatments, capture rates were low on all sites Recapture rates were low (< 10%) Recapture rates were low (< 10%) Nets placed at the edges of clear cuts and on paths in the interior of clear cuts had dramatically higher capture rates Nets placed at the edges of clear cuts and on paths in the interior of clear cuts had dramatically higher capture rates Within clear cuts, both early successional and mature forest birds were captured Within clear cuts, both early successional and mature forest birds were captured

Implications In general, forest management treatments affected bird species as expected In general, forest management treatments affected bird species as expected Mature forest species declined on all sites Mature forest species declined on all sites Birds had species-specific responses to even- aged and uneven-aged forest management Birds had species-specific responses to even- aged and uneven-aged forest management Although early successional species increased, some used larger openings and some used both small and larger openings Although early successional species increased, some used larger openings and some used both small and larger openings Recommend a blend of harvest types to maintain diversity of forest avifauna Recommend a blend of harvest types to maintain diversity of forest avifauna

Our results agree with current theory about landscape-level forest cover – the timber- management treatments did not increase cowbird parasitism or nest predation Our results agree with current theory about landscape-level forest cover – the timber- management treatments did not increase cowbird parasitism or nest predation

Additional Findings During the fledging period, even mature forest species moved into the dense vegetation of clear cuts, presumably for foraging and cover During the fledging period, even mature forest species moved into the dense vegetation of clear cuts, presumably for foraging and cover Densities of early successional species were higher in larger clear cuts than in smaller ones Densities of early successional species were higher in larger clear cuts than in smaller ones Densities of early successional species apparently reached plateaus in 2000 or 2001 and are now declining Densities of early successional species apparently reached plateaus in 2000 or 2001 and are now declining

Progression of Study & – original protocol & – original protocol ~ 27 student interns ~ 27 student interns All 7 spot map plots All 7 spot map plots – modified protocol – modified protocol ~ 16 student interns ~ 16 student interns 4 of the 7 spot map plots 4 of the 7 spot map plots student interns 5 student interns Point counts rather than spot mapping Point counts rather than spot mapping REU grant & return to modified protocol (?) REU grant & return to modified protocol (?)

EAM sites – /4 of 7 plots

UAM sites – /4 of 7 plots

Challenges Recruitment of interns was more difficult as time progressed Recruitment of interns was more difficult as time progressed Downed material and explosive growth in the clear cuts made the interior impenetrable until “bird paths” were cut Downed material and explosive growth in the clear cuts made the interior impenetrable until “bird paths” were cut We are trying to find funding to continue monitoring avifauna changes between treatment applications We are trying to find funding to continue monitoring avifauna changes between treatment applications

Future Avian Study Continue to monitor avian population dynamics between treatments Continue to monitor avian population dynamics between treatments Analyses of avian response to clear cuts and the zone immediately surrounding the cuts Analyses of avian response to clear cuts and the zone immediately surrounding the cuts Analyses of avian response to TSI Analyses of avian response to TSI Correlation of bird densities with insect data Correlation of bird densities with insect data