Nest success of grassland birds in oak barrens and dry prairies in west central Wisconsin

Northeastern Naturalist
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Abstract

We investigated nesting success of grassland birds on dry prairie and oak barrens patches embedded within a forested matrix on Fort McCoy Military Installation. We monitored 280 nests of 9 grassland-bird species from mid-May to late July 2000–2002. Pooecetes gramineus (Vesper Sparrow) andAmmodramus savannarum (Grasshopper Sparrow) were the most abundant nesting species. Vesper Sparrow nest densities were highest on smaller grassland patches, while Grasshopper Sparrow nest densities were highest on the largest patches. Probability of fledging at least one young was 0.20 for Vesper Sparrow. For Grasshopper Sparrow, daily nest survival was higher for nests placed away from trees; probability of fledging at least one young was 0.28 for nests away from trees and 0.05 for nests near trees. Maintaining remnant native habitats is important, and management of woody features may help improve habitat quality for some grassland birds in Wisconsin.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Nest success of grassland birds in oak barrens and dry prairies in west central Wisconsin
Series title Northeastern Naturalist
DOI 10.1656/045.020.0110
Volume 20
Issue 1
Year Published 2013
Language English
Publisher Bioone
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Leetown
Description 12 p.
First page 131
Last page 142
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Other Geospatial West-central Wisconsin
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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