Nesting Biology of Grassland Birds at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Tennessee

Giocomo, James J.; Moss, E. Daniel; Buehler, David A.; Minser, William G.

doi:10.1676/06-022.1

Cited by 18 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…5c). Although such rates are not atypical for passerines nesting on the ground in open habitats (Suárez & Manrique 1992, Giocomo et al. 2008), they are less than previously reported for Tree Pipits (53%: van Hecke 1979a, 56%: Meury 1989a) and it would seem likely that such low nesting success will have implications for the long‐term sustainability of the local population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

“…In addition to AIC c values, the number of parameters (k) and AIC c weights (w i ) are shown for each model. (Suárez & Manrique 1992, Giocomo et al 2008, they are less than previously reported for Tree Pipits (53%: van Hecke 1979a, 56%: Meury 1989a) and it would seem likely that such low nesting success will have implications for the longterm sustainability of the local population. Although densities of territorial Tree Pipits in Thetford Forest were stable between 1999 and 2005 (Burton 2007), elsewhere in England surveys indicate considerable declines in the last two decades (Baillie et al 2007, Hewson et al 2007).…”

Section: Conservation Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 82%

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Reproductive success of Tree PipitsAnthus trivialisin relation to habitat selection in conifer plantations

Burton¹

2009

Ibis

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Aspects of the reproductive success of Tree Pipits Anthus trivialis were examined in relation to broad‐scale habitat and nest‐site selection in Thetford Forest, a coniferous plantation forest in eastern England. Three habitat classes were defined corresponding to previously reported densities of Tree Pipits: clearfell and recently planted stands (habitat class A: low density), stands 2–5 years old (B: high density) and stands 6 years or older (C: low density). The preference for 2–5‐year‐old stands indicated by higher densities was supported by the timing of territory settlement. Tree Pipits also showed distinct preferences for nest‐site characteristics that were relatively consistent across habitat classes and throughout the breeding season. At the ‘habitat scale’, results were consistent with the predictions of the ideal despotic distribution model. First clutches were laid significantly earlier in the preferred habitat class B. Overall nesting success (i.e. the proportion of nests producing fledglings), but not clutch size, also varied between habitats, being greater in habitat classes B and C than in habitat class A. The variation in overall nesting success between habitats was primarily driven by low nest survival rates during the laying/incubation period in clearfell and recently planted stands. Nest survival rates during the nestling period were lower in the preferred 2–5‐year‐old (and older) stands and declined over the course of the study. Preferences for nest‐site characteristics (at least for those that were measured) provided no apparent benefit to nest survival rates. Overall nesting success thus appeared to be determined at the habitat scale, perhaps because the broad differences in cover between habitats affected the likelihood of nest predation (the main cause of nest failure). It is suggested that the very low nesting success experienced by Tree Pipits in clearfell and new stands may be one factor in the species’ relative avoidance of this habitat and preference for 2–5‐year‐old stands.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Section: Conservation Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 82%

Reproductive success of Tree PipitsAnthus trivialisin relation to habitat selection in conifer plantations

Burton¹

2009

Ibis

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“…Cool‐season grasses produce the majority of their biomass during April and May and should be harvested before seedheads are produced for high‐quality hay (Ball et al ). However, non‐native cool‐season grasses usually are hayed or mowed after seedheads are produced (Ball et al ), which typically is in May and June, during peak songbird nesting (Wiens , Giocomo et al ). Some native warm‐season grasses (e.g., bluestems [ Andropogon gerardii or Schizachyrium scoparium ] and indiangrass [ Sorghastrum nutans ]) produce the majority of their biomass in June and can be optimally harvested after initial nesting attempts of most songbirds (Harper et al , Giocomo et al , Birckhead et al ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, non‐native cool‐season grasses usually are hayed or mowed after seedheads are produced (Ball et al ), which typically is in May and June, during peak songbird nesting (Wiens , Giocomo et al ). Some native warm‐season grasses (e.g., bluestems [ Andropogon gerardii or Schizachyrium scoparium ] and indiangrass [ Sorghastrum nutans ]) produce the majority of their biomass in June and can be optimally harvested after initial nesting attempts of most songbirds (Harper et al , Giocomo et al , Birckhead et al ). These native warm‐season grasses may be managed with moderate grazing intensity and maintain adequate vertical structure for nesting and brood‐rearing cover for various grassland birds (Harper et al ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Breeding songbird use of native warm‐season and non‐native cool‐season grass forage fields

et al. 2017

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Converting fields of non-native cool-season grasses to native warm-season grasses has been proposed as a strategy to enhance avian habitat and diversify forage production for livestock, but may yield poor-quality food and cover for birds. We measured territory density and reproductive effort for grassland and shrubland birds in 7 native warm-season grass forage fields (4 hayed and 3 grazed), 7 non-native coolseason grass forage fields (4 hayed and 3 grazed), and 3 native warm-season grass-forb fields managed for wildlife (hereafter, wildlife fields) during May-August 2009 and 2010 in the western Piedmont of North Carolina, USA. Eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna) territory density was !2 times greater in grazed, nonnative cool-season grass fields than other field types, but grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) territory density did not differ among field types. Field sparrow (Spizella pusilla) territory density was !3 times greater in wildlife fields than in all other field types. Indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea) territory density was 5.6 and 14.6 times greater in wildlife fields than in grazed and hayed, non-native cool-season fields, respectively. Reproductive effort for grassland and shrubland birds did not differ among field types. Our data suggest dense stands of tall, native warm-season grass are not a better alternative to non-native cool-season grass pastures for grassland songbirds, especially eastern meadowlark. Shrubland songbirds selected wildlife fields managed with less frequent disturbance than forage fields. Moderate grazing to maintain grass heights !25 cm may increase quality of non-native cool-season grass and native warm-season grass forage fields for grassland birds. Ó 2017 The Wildlife Society.

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“…Nest survival was not affected by military training for shrub‐nesting northern cardinals ( Cardinalis cardinalis ; Barron et al ) or cavity‐nesting red‐cockaded woodpeckers ( Picoides borealis ; Doresky et al , Delaney et al ). Giocomo et al () documented low rates of nest destruction from ground‐based military training for dickcissels ( Spiza americana ) and grasshopper sparrows ( Ammodramus savannarum ). White‐eyed vireos ( Vireo griseus ) exposed to ground‐based disturbance maintained normal breeding activities and resource provisioning to young (Bisson et al ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of military training on breeding ecology of Bachman's sparrow

et al. 2018

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Anthropogenic disturbance may cause birds to flush and relocate, abandon breeding sites, experience increased nest failure, or fledge fewer young. Ground‐based military activities are of particular concern for ground‐nesting birds because of the increased risk of nest destruction and trampling of vegetation. We investigated how different intensities of disturbance from ground‐based military training affected reproductive ecology of Bachman's sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis) from 2014–2016, on Fort Bragg Military Installation, North Carolina, USA. We designated 2 training intensity regimes and monitored sparrows at 6 observation areas, 3 in high‐intensity training areas (i.e., foot traffic every 1–3 days) and 3 in low‐intensity training (i.e., foot traffic <1 per month) areas. We compared seasonal productivity metrics and daily nest survival between training intensities. Additionally, we compared male sparrow relative abundance and micro‐habitat use between high‐ and low‐intensity training areas. We monitored 106 male territories and located 110 nests opportunistically and by tracking telemetered female sparrows. We used fixed‐radius point counts to estimate relative abundance in each observation area and measured vegetation composition and structure at a subset of 10 locations in each male territory. Seasonal productivity metrics, daily nest survival, relative abundance, and vegetation composition and structure at male locations did not differ between areas with high and low military training intensity. In 2015, 1 sparrow nest was trampled by military personnel, but ≥1 nestling force‐fledged and the nest was considered successful. Bachman's sparrow nesting ecology was not affected by intensity of ground‐based military training activity, likely because activity was sufficiently dispersed across the landscape, even in high‐intensity training areas. We recommend ground‐based training attempts to minimize ground vegetation destruction by dispersing large groups and traversing variable routes when in forested uplands. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

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Nesting Biology of Grassland Birds at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Tennessee

Cited by 18 publications

References 13 publications

Reproductive success of Tree PipitsAnthus trivialisin relation to habitat selection in conifer plantations

Reproductive success of Tree PipitsAnthus trivialisin relation to habitat selection in conifer plantations

Breeding songbird use of native warm‐season and non‐native cool‐season grass forage fields

Influence of military training on breeding ecology of Bachman's sparrow

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