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Preserving Habitat for Bird Species At Risk in the Parkland Transition Zone A Guide for Landowners Loggerhead Shrike Eastern Whip-poor-will Golden-winged Warbler Red-headed Woodpecker This booklet was produced to highlight some threatened species found in The Parkland Transition Zone (see Map on Page 3), and some steps that landowners in the region can take to preserve habitat on their property to help protect these species. The Parkland Transition Zone is home to many migratory bird species, including some that are considered to be “at risk” by provincial and federal agencies (see list of species on Page 4). This zone marks the transition, or ecotone, between the boreal forest and greater prairie ecosystems. Below the Parkland Transition Line is the prairie region, which is largely dominated by grasslands, wetlands and other open areas. The area above this line, the boreal forest, is characterised by coniferous and mixed forests. Unlike the boreal forest and the prairie grasslands, the Parkland Transition Zone is dominated by deciduous trees such as trembling aspen and bur oak. Deciduous and mixed woods are the main habitat for some threatened species such as Golden-winged Warbler, Red-headed Woodpecker and Eastern Whip-poor-will. If your woodlot or property contains deciduous woods, you have the opportunity to be a steward for these declining species. Open Understorey Habitat Preferred by Red-headed Woodpecker Page 2 Parkland Bird Habitat Guide Shrubby Understorey Habitat Preferred by Golden-winged Warbler Background Photo: Chimney Swift The bird species listed in the table on Page 4 that are indicated by “N” are more likely to occur ‘above’ the Parkland Transition Line, while those indicated by “S” are more likely to be found ‘below’ the line. Parkland Bird Habitat Guide Page 3 Some Bird Species At Risk Found in the Parkland Transition Zone Species Preferred Habitat Golden-winged Warbler N Deciduous or mixed woods, usually with a fairly open canopy and a shrubby understorey. Often associated with openings in forests where shrubs have regenerated. Deciduous or mixed woods with undisturbed Eastern Whip-poor-will N leaf litter, but usually with a relatively open understorey. Red-headed Woodpecker S Deciduous woods with some dead trees and a relatively open understorey. Unlike Golden-winged Warbler and Eastern Whip-poor-will, can nest in grazed cattle lots if sufficient trees and snags are present. Eastern Wood-Pewee N Deciduous or mixed woods, often associated with openings in forests and forest edges (relatively open understorey). Barn Swallow N, S Once abundant, now declining, this swallow will readily nest on human structures where there is a good supply of insects. Common Nighthawk N, S Open woods, clearings, recent burns, open hillside or exposed rock. Chimney Swift N Wooded areas where suitable nest sites (uncapped chimneys or large hollow trees) occur. Horned Grebe, Yellow Rail and Least Bittern are wetland-associated Species At Risk that occur in the Parkland. Short-eared Owl, Bobolink and Loggerhead Shrike occur in the Parkland, in more open grassland areas, although Loggerhead Shrike is now extremely rare here. Page 4 Parkland Bird Habitat Guide Golden-winged Warbler: Background Photo: Golden-winged Warbler Simple Things You Can Do to Enhance Habitat for Species At Risk in the Parkland Transition Zone Maintain three essential layers: trees, shrubs and forbs (flowers and grasses). You can selectively harvest timber on a woodlot to create small openings with “soft” edges (i.e., avoid straight trimmed edges; it’s better that trees transition gradually to shrubs) Allow natural succession after fire or selective harvesting Avoid mowing or grazing up to the edges of forests or woodlots to permit a more natural edge Exclude livestock from forested areas to preserve understorey for nest cover Red-headed Woodpecker Eastern Whip-poor-will: Leave understorey as undisturbed as possible (don’t rake or clear debris) Exclude livestock from forested areas Allow natural succession after fire or selective harvesting Avoid pesticides and other chemicals (Whip-poor -wills catch insects in the air column at night) Common Nighthawk Red-headed Woodpecker: Leave snags and dead portions of live trees for them to use for nesting, roosting, drumming and food caches In woodlots with a relatively open understorey, “thinning” (selective harvesting to produce more space between trees) can benefit this species Discourage starlings as they aggressively compete for cavities with native species Avoid human activity near nest sites during the breeding season Eastern Wood-Pewee Parkland Bird Habitat Guide Page 5 General Guidelines to Improve Habitat for Bird Species At Risk in the Parkland Transition Zone Food Limit use of pesticides to preserve insect and spider populations which are a food source for many birds Plant native vegetation that produces bird food such as berries, seeds, acorns and nuts Water Install bird baths, ponds, pools or fountains with fresh, clean water Avoid spraying or the use of chemicals near water sources Cover Retain snags, deadfall, brush piles and dense shrubs Leave natural edges around water bodies instead of trimmed edges Breeding Habitat Retain large trees with branches for perching, singing or nesting Ground cover should be retained for ground nesting species Avoid draining wetlands as this is important waterfowl and shorebird breeding habitat as well as an important source of insects which birds such as the Whip-poor-will feed upon Install nest boxes appropriate for specific species Land Management Plant native vegetation and remove non-native plant species Increase availability of beneficial insects and spiders by planting native plants, avoiding monocultures and limiting use of chemical pesticides Page 6 Parkland Bird Habitat Guide Background Photo: Horned Grebe Barn Swallow Barn Swallow By taking some of these recommended steps to improve habitat on your property, you can help to retain and attract a variety of bird (and other wildlife) species, thereby protecting sensitive Species At Risk, and contributing to the overall abundance and diversity of bird species in the Parkland Transition Zone. I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance than I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn. —Henry David Thoreau Parkland Bird Habitat Guide Page 7 Golden-winged Warbler All photos copyright of Christian Artuso © For more information please contact : Dr. Christian Artuso Bird Studies Canada Box 24, 200 Saulteaux Crescent Winnipeg, MB R3J 3W3 Ph: 204-945-6816 Fax: 204-945-3077 [email protected]