Grassland management for the conservation of songbirds in the Midwestern USA

• Published in: Biological conservation Vol. 94; no. 2; pp. 165 - 172
• Main Authors: Walk, Jeffery W, Warner, Richard E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2000
• Subjects: Aves; Dickcissel Spiza americana; Eastern meadowlark Sturnella magna; Field sparrow Spizella pusilla; Grasshopper sparrow Ammodramus savannarum; Grassland birds; Grassland management; Grazing; Henslow's sparrow Ammodramus henslowii; Mowing; Prescribed burning; USA; Field sparrow Spizella pusilla; Grassland birds; Henslow's sparrow Ammodramus henslowii; Dickcissel Spiza americana; Grassland management; Mowing; Prescribed burning; Eastern meadowlark Sturnella magna; Grasshopper sparrow Ammodramus savannarum; Grazing
• ISSN: 0006-3207; 1873-2917
• DOI: 10.1016/S0006-3207(99)00182-2

We monitored breeding eastern meadowlarks, dickcissels, Henslow's sparrows, grasshopper sparrows and field sparrows using strip transect surveys in 1995 and 1996. The 473-ha study area was an array of 3-ha management units of burned, mowed, hayed, grazed and undisturbed (>1 year) cool- and warm-season grasses and annual weeds. Management units grouped by habitat type (management regime and grass type) had different ( P<0.05) abundances of each species. Eastern meadowlarks and dickcissels were most frequently observed in grazed warm-season grasses. Observation rates of Henslow's sparrows and field sparrows were highest in undisturbed warm-season grasses, whereas eastern meadowlarks and grasshopper sparrows were observed least often in this habitat type. Grasshopper sparrows were observed most frequently in annual weeds; Henslow's sparrows and field sparrows were not observed in this habitat type. Overall avian abundance was lowest in recently burned cool-season grasses. The low-intensity, late-season grazing system was important for creating a heterogeneous habitat mosaic attractive to the five species studied.