Effects of Land Use Designations
on Songbird Communities
In Interior Douglas Fir Forests
near Kamloops, B.C.
Year 2 - 1997
Final Report Year Two
Submitted: February 3, 1998
This project has been funded by
Forest Renewal BC
Prepared by:
Dr. Tom Dickinson, Dave Pehl and Jamie Piccin
Prepared for:
B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands & Parks
1.0 Executive Summary:
A variety of different land uses occur in the forested ecosystems of the Interior Douglas Fir (IDF)
biogeoclimatic zone near Kamloops British Columbia. The purpose of this study has been to inventory the
songbird species that currently breed in these ecosystems. This data will act as a baseline for future studies
of how patterns of land use affect biodiversity and assist future land management decisions. For year two
of this study three specific objectives existed. They were to establish permanent plot location at Wheeler
Mountain, to provide a second consecutive year data for the Nobel Lake site before management
prescriptions take effect, and to attempt a site series correlation of the vegetative community, through site
series identification, with the communities of songbirds that currently breed in IDF forests.
Permanent census plots (averaging 225 ha) were established at four study sites northwest of Kamloops.
Although they are all classified as being in the IDF, some of the areas had different vegetation
characteristics as a result of different historical silvicultural activities. For example, the plot near Isobel
Lake was more extensively harvested and differed from the other three plots that were only selectively
harvested. Within each plot a 250m x 250m grid of census points was used to census the diversity and
density of songbirds breeding in that particular area. Standard point count censuses were conducted from
May 1 through to July 19, with each point being censused at least twice. Vegetation characteristics for
each plot were formally described.
To obtain an inventory of songbirds across a larger landscape a second method was used. This was done
by the use of a breeding bird survey (BBS) route, established in 1996, and following the criteria instituted
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to monitor songbirds across North America. Fifty monitoring
stations were located along a 40km segment of secondary road that sampled a variety of habitats typically
found in IDF forest types. One formal breeding bird survey was conducted in mid-June to allow
comparison of our results with those of other BBS routes nationwide. A second breeding bird census was
attempted twice in the month of July to monitor the route after the expected peak breeding season but was
not completed because weather conditions did not follow the requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service protocol.
In addition to the information obtained through formal censuses, data was also collected on various aspects
of habitat use by birds in IDF forest types. Nesting records were kept for 26 nests of 14 species, indicating
the attributes of the habitat required for nesting.
The richness of species found in this study area is extremely similar to that reported for similar ecosystems
in other parts of British Columbia. A total of 73 species, representing the majority of those likely breeding
in the Kamloops area were identified in the study area. The density of breeding birds was highest in the
study areas that provided the most diversity in habitats.
The methods used here to census songbirds has been proven to produce accurate inventories in this type of
forested ecosystem. This data suggests that special habitat features, such as riparian areas, old growth
forests and the presence of wildlife trees contribute greatly to the overall diversity of managed landscapes
in the dry-belt Interior Douglas Fir zone.
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2.0 Table of Contents
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: .................................................................................................................... 2
2.0 TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................ 3
3.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 4
3.1 BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................................ 4
3.2 SUMMARY OF EXISTING INFORMATION .................................................................................................. 4
3.3 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................. 5
4.0 STUDY AREA ......................................................................................................................................... 6
4.1 RED PLATEAU......................................................................................................................................... 6
4.2 ISOBEL LAKE .......................................................................................................................................... 6
4.3 NOBLE LAKE .......................................................................................................................................... 7
4.4 WHEELER MOUNTAIN ............................................................................................................................ 7
4.5 RED LAKE ROAD .................................................................................................................................... 7
5.0 METHODS............................................................................................................................................... 8
5.1 SONG CENSUSES ..................................................................................................................................... 8
5.2 BREEDING BIRD SURVEY ........................................................................................................................ 9
5.3 NEST SEARCHES ..................................................................................................................................... 9
5.4 VEGETATION PLOTS ............................................................................................................................... 9
6.0 RESULTS ............................................................................................................................................... 10
6.1 SPECIES DETECTION RATES .................................................................................................................. 10
6.2 DENSITIES OF SONGBIRD ...................................................................................................................... 10
6.3 DIVERSITIES OF SONGBIRDS ................................................................................................................. 11
6.4 SPECIES TOTALS AND ABUNDANCE ...................................................................................................... 12
6..5 VEGETATION CORRELATION................................................................................................................ 13
6.6 BREEDING BIRD SURVEY ...................................................................................................................... 13
7.0 DISCUSSION ......................................................................................................................................... 14
7.1 CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE INVENTORY PROTOCOL....................................................................... 14
7.2 MANAGEMENT CONCERNS ................................................................................................................... 15
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................................ 16
9.0 LITERATURE CITED ......................................................................................................................... 17
12.0 APPENDIX III ..................................................................................................................................... 30
13.0 APPENDIX IV ..................................................................................................................................... 31
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3.0 Introduction
3.1 Background
The general goal of the project was to develop an inventory of forest-dwelling songbirds, that currently
breed in the Interior Douglas Fir (IDF) Forests near Kamloops, B.C., in order to understand the impact of
different land-use patterns on their abundance and diversity. Recently, as a result of the Kamloops LRMP
and other land planning processes, landscapes in the Kamloops Forest District have been the focus of
several land-based designations. These include, the creation of new protected areas, the expansion of
existing wildlife management areas, and the designation of different biodiversity emphasis options for
numerous landscapes. The managed forests in this area are also subject to a variety of other guidelines
including those pertaining to woodlots, demonstration and research forests. The implications of these
management designations for wildlife habitat is not fully understood. This project aims to develop a
baseline of information that can be compared with information from future inventories, and used to assess
the impacts of current land use decisions.
3.2 Summary of Existing Information
Douglas fir forests, particularly those in the dry belt of the Kamloops Forest region, provide important
habitat for a range of wildlife species (Mitchell and Green, 1981). Much of the area studied for this project
provides a critical winter range for mule deer (Odocoileus hemonious). The silvicultural systems most
often used in these forests (especially selective logging and shelterwood systems) have already considered
many of the habitat requirements of game species (Dawson et al. 1990, Cade and Hoffman, 1990). One
study designed to examine stand tending practices on game species was conducted in the Red Plateau area
in 1990/1991. The Thompson/Nicola Mule Deer Forage and Slashing Project was a Habitat Conservation
Fund project that consisted of thinning study areas and monitoring wildlife within these areas. In addition
to documenting patterns of ungulate use in the treatment areas, a list of songbirds breeding in thinned and
unthinned study sites is included in the report (Anonymous, Kamloops MOELP). See Table 11.8 in
Appendix II.
Recently, there has been a number of studies in other parts of North America that have examined the value
of alternative silvicultural systems in Douglas fir forests for wildlife other than game species (Bevers et al.
1995, Thomas, 1988). Songbird communities have become the focus of an increasing number of studies
aimed at understanding human influences on bird habitats (Morgan and Wetmore 1986, Morrison, 1992,
Schwab and Sinclair, 1994). The community of songbirds breeding in forested areas has become a
commonly used indicator of the effects of disturbances, especially man-made disturbances (Temple and
Weins, 1989; Mauer, 1993). This attention to songbirds in forests has come about for several reasons.
First, the forest resources that provide food, nest sites, song perches, and roosting sites, are precisely those
altered by development activities (Blake and Karr 1987; Haila et al. 1989; Robbins et al. 1989). Second,
many songbird species that breed in temperate forest ecosystems are neotropical migrants and recent
changes in their populations have focused attention on the impact of activities on their breeding ground
(Terborgh 1989; Sherry and Holmes, 1992). Finally, bird numbers are relatively easy to assess, because
species-specific songs are used to advertise a male songbird's territories to potential mates and rivals.
Monitoring songbird populations has proven to be an effective way to detect both large and smaller scale
changes in ecosystems (Askins et al. 1987; Hunter 1990; Freemark and Collins 1993; Hagan et al. 1996).
Traditionally, studies of wildlife and forestry have focused on questions about management and silviculture
at the stand level. For example, in their study of the dry Douglas fir forests in the Kootenay region,
Schwab and Sinclair (1994) examined how forest succession affects the diversity of breeding bird species.
Their results indicated that songbird species were more abundant in shrub and mature Douglas Fir forests
than in young conifer stands. Schwab and Sinclair essentially found a bi-modal density pattern in bird
biodiversity with peaks at the shrub and climax seral stages. Booth 1994, examined how different thinning
regimes and slash management affected songbird breeding in IDF stands near Kamloops. Both of these
studies have provided lists of birds that can also be expected to be found in local forests. See Table 11.9
and Table 11.10 in Appendix II.
4
Recently, there has been a growing interest in the accumulated effects of stand management on a larger
scale--the scale of entire forested landscapes (Hutto 1995; Flather and Sauer 1996). Fragmentation of
forested landscapes by numerous human activities such as road construction, agriculture, settlements, and
forestry have placed species requiring forest interior habitats at risk (Harris 1984; Hunter 1990; Hansen et
al. 1991).
Relatively few systematic studies have been made of landscape level effects on songbird communities.
Hutto (1995) did however study the effects of stand-replacing fires in Rocky Mountain conifer forests on
songbirds. One of the landscape types that he identified was a mixed conifer type; this category includes
the IDF types. His study produced a bird list amalgamated from several separate studies.
More generally, the detection of landscape-level effects has come to rely heavily on information made
available through the North American Breeding Bird Survey --BBS (Sauer and Droge 1992). The BBS
consists of more than 3000 formal roadside counts conducted on secondary roads throughout the United
States and Southern Canada. A number of formal BBS survey routes exist in the Kamloops area, many of
them surveying of Interior Douglas Fir forests. These bird lists are available from the various volunteers
involved in the program. In addition, a very well documented list of birds to be found in the Kamloops
area has been published by Rick Howie (1994).
3.3 Specific Objectives
Several specific objectives were planned for this year’s study. The first objective was to produce a
comprehensive inventory of the songbirds that breed in habitats associated with the IDF biogeoclimatic
zone near Kamloops and an assessment of how the abundance of several common species differ in
abundance in relation to current land uses and stand diversity. A second year of data was required at the
Nobel Lake study area before forest harvest occurred. Another objective was to identify vegetation
suitability at the site series level for songbird communities. The approach used was to install permanent
census sites in locations that differ in their history of management and are likely to differ in their future
management. In addition, a formal BBS route was added to a growing array of routes in the Southern
Interior of B.C.. By conducting annual censuses of the breeding bird community in these locations, a
baseline will thus be available to evaluate the impact of different management strategies at the landscape
level.
5
4.0 Study Area
All of the sites inventoried for songbirds lie within the Tranquille Landscape Unit designated in
the Kamloops LRMP. The landscapes are dominated by ecosystems classified as the IDF-xh2 and IDF-dk1
biogeoclimatic zones (Lloyd et al. 1990). Historical and current silviculture practices in this area have
created diverse stand structures at various seral stages. A portion of the study area has been assigned a high
biodiversity emphasis classification by the Kamloops LRMP. Other portions of the study area lie within
the Lac du Bois Provincial Park, a woodlot license, Isobel Lake demonstration forest, or are adjacent to the
Dewdrop-Rousseau Creek Wildlife Management Area (See Appendix III )
A permanent grid of songbird census points were established at four different locations within the study
area (See Appendix III ).The four studied areas were located on the Red Plateau, Wheeler Mountain, Isobel
Lake and Noble Lake. These plots were chosen for their particular stand attributes and histories. Three of
the four areas studied in the 1997 breeding season were part of a permanent grid of songbird census points
established in 1996 for songbird inventories. The fourth study plot located at Wheeler Mountain was
established in the 1997 season and contained some unique attributes from the other three study plots.
Although they varied slightly in size and shape, the plots averaged approximately 225 ha. Census points
were placed at 250 m intervals along the transects and transects were separated from each other by a
distance of 250 m, yielding a grid of permanent monitoring stations. The array of habitats represented in
these plots provided a cross section of the land uses that songbirds would experience in this forest type.
4.1 Red Plateau
The area that was monitored on Red Plateau consists of mature climatic forest, dominated by
Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) with mixed Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta), Ponderosa Pine (Pinus
ponderosa) and Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides). The average crown closure for the area falls into
class 5 (46-55 %). Four parallel 1.25 km transects were established to monitor the study plot. Two of the
transects lie within the IDFdk1 biogeoclimatic zone and the site series are dominated by submesic and
subxeric subzones (site series 03-04) with limited mesic sites. The other two transects are within the
IDFxh2 biogeoclimatic zone and are dominated by mesic and submesic subzones (04-01) with total site
series ranging from xeric to mesic (See Appendix III ). The south facing slope of the designated study plot
contain dry rocky outcroppings with mature Ponderosa Pine, the north facing slopes consist of a dense
moss layer with mixed Lodgepole Pine.
4.2 Isobel Lake
The area that was studied near Isobel Lake is within an area designated as demonstration forest.
The forest has undergone a variety harvesting prescriptions over the past 20 years, ranging from clearcuts
and selective logging to extensive thinning projects. The diversity of forest management has resulted in
several seral stages. Of the four areas that were studied the Isobel Lake area had the largest seral trembling
aspen component. The remaining forest is divided between young climatic IDF forest with an average age
of about 81 years and maturing climatic forest. Crown closure on average was class 2-3 (16-35 %). Four
transect lines 1.25 km in length were located in this plot. Two transects were divided between IDFxh2 and
IDFdk1 biogeoclimatic zones. One transect was only within the IDFxh2 and the fourth transect was
primarily IDFdk1 with a small area consisting of a IDFdk1a component (See Appendix III ). The upper
plateau of the Isobel Lake study plot consist of varying seral stages with frequent deciduous patches. Site
series showed mesic soil conditions with few exceptions of slightly submesic and subhygric areas. The
north facing slope is slightly wetter than the upper plateau.
6
4.3 Noble Lake
The Noble Lake plot represented a variety of habitats to be found in an old forest in the IDF that
has experienced very little timber harvesting. The majority of the study area is IDFxh2 with the higher
elevation portions being IDFdk1. Parts of the plot consisted of hygric zones associated with riparian
habitat along Dairy Creek. The riparian habitat provided a lush deciduous and shrub component. This
hygric subzone also contains hybrid white spruce (Picea englelmanni x glauca). The rest of the study zone
contains xeric sub-zones that consist of a very steep, dry, south facing slope. This steep slope provided
some habitats that had not been previously inventoried, such as large talus slopes and numerous rocky
outcroppings. The study area was dominated by mature Douglas Fir with an average age class code of
eight (141-250 yrs), Ponderosa Pine could be found in the lower elevation levels throughout the site.
Douglas Fir and Lodgepole Pine dominate the canopy in the upper elevations of the area. The past logging
history consisted of a 1% selective harvesting in 1957/58 and again in a small area in 1979, the limited
harvesting in this area has allowed the continued existence of numerous large Ponderosa Pine and Douglas
Fir snags throughout the study area. Four transects, 1.75 km. in length, were located in this plot to sample
this variety of habitats and site series.. See Appendix III ).
4.4 Wheeler Mountain
This area was chosen as a new study location for 1997. The plot lies within the boundaries of the
Lac du Bois Provincial Park that was established within the past year. The study plot has four transects 1.5
km. that start at the border the Lac du Bois grasslands (BG and IDFxh2a biogeoclimatic zones) and proceed
up steep east and northeast slopes. The average age class code for this area is eight (age 141-250 years).
Douglas Fir dominates the canopy with Ponderosa Pine present at the lower elevations and limited
Lodgepole Pine present at the upper elevations. The area is dominated by mesic and submesic subzones
(See Appendix III ). Areas of this study plot have been lightly selectively logged in the 1950’s but, with
the establishment of the Lac du Bois Provincial Park, this area will be protected from future logging and
has restricted road access.
Each census point along each of the transect lines was located using a Global Positioning System
tied into monuments established by the B.C. Forest Service.
4.5 Red Lake Road
In order to inventory birds on a much larger spatial scale, a Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) route was
established along Red Lake road. This method of sampling avian communities consists of 50 census
points located every 0.8 km along a secondary road. Once each year, during the height of the breeding
season the route is traveled and the abundance and diversity of birds is recorded. In order to assure
conformity across North America, a stringent protocol is adhered to during the survey. The census must
begin within one-half hour before sunrise and must be completed within four hours. Censuses cannot be
conducted during periods of excessive wind or rainfall. At each station only one individual acts as an
observer and a second individual records the results. At each station, birds are recorded for a total of only
three minutes.
The route chosen along Red Lake road begins at 6 Km (approximately 0.5 km past a local landmark known
as the "pimple"). Permanent census stops were established every 0.8 of a km for fifty census points (40
km). The Red Lake road travels through a very diverse range of habitat types starting in Bunchgrass and
Ponderosa Pine ecosystems on the South side of the Tranquille River valley. As the road gains elevation it
passes out of the Ponderosa pine zone and enters into the Interior Douglas Fir zone. Stops made during
this section of the road survey numerous habitat types as the road follows west along Tranquille Creek.
The riparian habitats include deciduous trees and shrubs including aspen, black cottonwood (Populus
balsamifera) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and alder (Alnus spp.). Lodgepole Pine occupies areas of
the plateau where past fires have burned. Development has also altered the landscape with occasional
clearings for hay fields, livestock and dwellings. Around Red Lake itself there are numerous recreational
developments such as cabins and snowmobile trails. Wetlands and a large riparian area surround the lake.
To the south and west of Red Lake, the elevation begins to drop and the IDF zone becomes very dry as the
7
landscape consists of mainly south facing slopes. The area has a history of seasonal cattle grazing and
selective timber harvesting. The forest becomes mixed with Ponderosa Pine again towards the end of the
route, with occasional riparian areas associated with small streams.
A brief description of the habitat sampled at each of the stops was kept for future reference. All of the
survey stops were located with GPS technology and verified using forest service monuments.
5.0 Methods
5.1 Song censuses
We used unlimited-radius point counts to monitor the abundance and diversity of breeding birds in our
study plots (Reynolds et al. 1980; Ralph et al. 1995 and references therein). These point counts consist of
recording all birds seen or heard within a period of twelve minutes. In addition locations of birds relative
to the observer and movements are plotted on a Cartesian plane with the census point at the center, to guard
against counting the same individual more than once. All censuses for the first round of censusing was
conducted by two individuals (an observer and a recorder). This allowed for sufficient training of the field
assistants by the project leader during the first month of the study. A sample data sheet used is enclosed in
Appendix I.
Census points were placed at least 100 meter’s from the edge of each plot boundary to minimize edge
effects and 250 meters from each other census point to avoid counting individual birds twice. Each grid of
points was censused twice. The censusing was during the peak breeding season (May -July). One transect
was censused per day while the field assistant was in training and two transects were censused per day after
sufficient training of the field assistant. All song censuses were conducted between 05:00 and 08:30
(PDT). A twelve minute sampling period was chosen to minimize the probability of missing rare and shy
species (Dickinson and Leupin, 1996).
To analyze the data, an Effective Detection Distance (EDD) was first calculated for some of the more
frequent species using the frequency with which individuals were recorded in successive 10m intervals
radiating outward from the from census point. The maximum effective detection distance was calculated
separately for each species and was taken to be the distance beyond which two successive declines in the
abundance of recording individuals was noted. The estimation of an EDD for Warbling Vireos is
illustrated in Appendix III Table 11.2. This EDD becomes the radius of a circle circumscribing the area
effectively monitored during a census. This effective area is then used in calculating the densities of each
species in the different study sites (Reynolds et al, 1980).
Estimates of species diversity combine measures of abundance with those of species richness (i.e.
the # of species listed). Species diversity and density statistics were calculated using standard equations
(Weins, 1989).
8
5.2 Breeding Bird Survey
The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) method of sampling avian communities was developed by the US Fish
and Wildlife Service in order to standardize the information collected during monitoring programs across
North America. Each survey route consists of 50 census points located at 0.8 km intervals along a 40 km
segment of a passable secondary road. Once each year, during the height of the breeding season, the route
is traveled by an experienced observer and recorder and the abundance and diversity of birds observed is
recorded. In order to assure conformity across North America, a stringent protocol is adhered to during
each survey. Each survey begins one-half hour before sunrise and must be completed within a maximum
of four hours. Survey results cannot be included if observations were made during days of excessive wind
or rain. At each station the same individual acts as an observer and the second individual records the
results (see survey form in Appendix I). Visual sightings and oral detection’s within 400 m of the stop are
combined in the survey results and at each stop observations are made for a total of only three minutes.
5.3 Nest Searches
To determine nesting habitat requirements of individual species nest searches were conducted daily
between the hours of 09:30 and 11:30. Records were kept of the number of eggs produced, number of
fledglings hatched, and predation incidences were recorded. (A copy of the nest record data form is
included in Appendix I) Nest searches and transect surveys data will be combined with those obtained in
subsequent years of the study to develop a description of the habitat attributes that show associations
important for each species.
5.4 Vegetation Plots
Vegetation was sampled in order to characterize each study site. (Appendix I contains a copy of the forms
used to collect data in the field.). Vegetation samples were taken at all census location along the transects.
At each census point five 20m radius plots were taken within 100m radius from the census point. At each
plot estimated percentages were given described the forest stratification of the dominant and regeneration
trees species. The strata were separated using guidelines in Describing Ecosystems in the Field. Through
identification of plant communities a dominant site series was given to each plot. These plots were used to
describe the "average" structure of the stands we were censusing.
9
6.0 Results
6.1 Species Detection Rates
A total of 73 species were recorded during the second field season of the project (See Appendix II,
Table 11.7). This represents about 25% of the formal bird list for the entire Kamloops area (Howie 1994),
which includes all occasional migrants and accidentals. Of the birds on the Kamloops list that typically
breed in the forests of the dry Interior Douglas Fir (Cannings et al . 1987), our combined observations
recorded about 70% of the total. Very few raptors were recorded during formal censuses although they
were frequently recorded outside of the census periods. For example Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo
jamaicensis) were commonly viewed at many study areas but very few were actually detected during
formal censusing. Other birds that were not detected included game species such as Blue Grouse,
Dendragapus obscurus, and species that are uncommon such as the Williamson's sapsucker, Sphyrapicus
thyroideus which are possible inhabitants of specific habitats of the study areas but are at the northern limit
of their geographical range.
6.2 Densities of Songbird
The data from formal point censuses were sufficiently abundant to calculate EDD's and estimate their
densities for 15 core species in the community (See Appendix II, Table 11.1). Because of similarities in
song the Black-capped and Mountain Chickadees were group together as were the Dusky and Hammond’s
Flycatchers. The densities for the total of these 15 species on the four study sites are shown and compared
in Table 11.3 of Appendix II.
Some general points emerge from these data. For the second consecutive year the highest density of the
common breeding songbirds occurs in the Red Plateau study site. This site has a high topographic variation
(i.e. Aspects, slopes etc.) and provides diverse microhabitats, especially in the area represented by old
growth and mature climax stands. The second highest density for common species of songbirds occurs in
Isobel Lake, this area is characterized by several different habitat including old growth stands and areas of
forest harvest. The Isobel Lake study area also has a larger deciduous component than the other three sites
and contains unique habitats such as grassland phase areas which can create a number of diverse habitats.
These factors of habitat diversity contribute to the Isobel Lake study area having a higher percent of less
common species in our study. The third highest density of songbirds occurs at the Wheeler Mountain site.
The percent composition of mature climax and old growth is similar to the Red Plateau sites, the slightly
lower densities could likely be a consequence of the less productive rocky areas that are present at the
upper portions of this study site.
Example of Density Calculation for Chipping Sparrow at the Isobel Lake Site.
Density = # birds per 40 ha
17 CHSP were recorded during the first round of censusing at the Isobel Lake Site
EDD for CHSP is 70 (meters)
Step 1.
Area = 3.14 x 70 x 70 = 15393.8
15393.8 x 24 (Census Points) = 369451.3
369451.3/10000 = 36.945
Step 2.
36.945/40 = 0.924
17/.924 = 15.1 Birds per 40 ha
The same core of 15 species was used to calculate the density (#/40 ha) of breeding songbirds with respect
to mesic and submesic sites in the IDF xh2 and dk1 subzone (Appendix II, See Table 11.4). The average
densities of the four subzone was relative equal and showed no significant different. The densities were
first calculated separately for the two rounds of censusing. This would demonstrate any fluctuations from
the early and late breeding season. The only significant difference occurred in the dk1 mesic sites and
10
these large fluctuations in the densities between the two rounds of censusing of the dk1 mesic sites can be
most likely attributed to the relatively small sample size represented by this subzone.
6.3 Diversities of Songbirds
A species diversity index for each study area was calculated using all of species observed during
formal song census. This was done by taking calculating a diversity for each point in a study area and
summing the total . A comparison of this diversity measured across the four sites is shown in Figure 6.31
Species Diversity
0.9
0.85
0.8
0.75
0.7
0.65
WM
RP
NL
IL
Figure 6.31 Diversities comparisons of the four study areas.
The results of the diversity indexes show that the Isobel Lake study area had the largest diversity among the
four study areas. To determine whether the diversities of these areas was significantly different and if so
which areas were different, an one-way anova test followed by a Tukey’s test were performed. The results
of these test determined that the Isobel study area has significantly higher diversity than the other three
study sites. Results for the statistical test can be seen in Appendix IV Table 13.1.
Example Calculation for the Diversity of Songbird.
38 Individuals of species A were recorded at the Site B
585 songbirds in total were recorded at the Site B
Step 1.
Step 2.
X number of Spec. A
Pi = ----------------------------------------TOTAL NUMBER SONGBIRDS
38
= ------- = 0.065
585
H’ = - SUM (Pi LN Pi) = - 1.0 (0.65 LN 0.65) = 0.178
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6.4 Species Totals and Abundance
To calculate the average species at each study area the number of individuals counted during formal
censusing, at each census point within the selected areas was calculated and averaged for the four study
areas. A comparative graph of the results for species total and abundance are seen in Figure 6.41 and
Figure 6.42.
Species Average
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
WM
RP
NL
IL
Figure 6.41 Comparison of the average species per census point for the four study areas.
Abundance
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
WM
RP
NL
IL
Figure 6.42. Comparison of the species abundance at the four study areas.
Similar to the results of species diversity the Isobel Lake study area showed slightly higher than
the other study areas in both categories. The same statistical analysis was performed and results concluded
that the Isobel study area was significantly different for species totals and abundance. The results for the
statistical test are available in Appendix IV Table 13.2 and Table 13.3.
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6..5 Vegetation Correlation
The objectives of this year’s study, with respect to vegetation correlation, was to determine whether site
series classification could be used to represent songbird diversities within IDF forest types. The dominant
site series were taken for each quadrant within the 100m radius of each census point. Figures showing the
representation of the site series distribution within the xh2 and dk1 subzones for each study site can be seen
in Appendix II. Diversity indices, similar to the those created for songbird diversities was created for each
study site. When comparing the site series diversity indices with the songbird diversity indices, minimal
correlation was determine. The concern with comparing the site series diversity indices with the songbird
diversity indices was that, although site series can represent the vegetation composition and topography it
provides minimal information as to the structural diversity of the ecosystem. Techniques to test the
relationship of songbirds to structural diversity are currently being looked at. Results from preceding
studies will focus more closely on the relationship with songbirds and the structural significance of the
forest.
6.6 Breeding Bird Survey
In the second year of the BBS route at Red Plateau Road 51 species were detected. Table 11.12 in
Appendix II, shows a comparison of the results obtained on the BBS route in this study and a similar route
conducted approximately 50 km away, at about the same time by a BBS volunteer (Rick Howie). The
results obtained in the first two years of the study are relatively equal and are fairly similar to Howie’s.
However, Howie’s BBS route composes a greater elevation gradient along the North Thompson River.
These differences allow for a much more diverse range of habitats, which in turn provide a greater diversity
of birds.
13
7.0 Discussion
The results that have been obtained so far in this project must be viewed as preliminary. The information
gathered in the third year of the study will assist in understanding the changes that take place within the
songbird communities in IDF forests in the Kamloops Forest Region, as well as characterizing the specific
forest attributes required by each species. Nevertheless, a few observations are possible at this stage,
regarding the sensitivity of our methods as well as how current communities of songbirds appear to be
responding to existing land uses.
7.1 Critical Evaluation of the Inventory Protocol
There have been numerous approaches to the problem of monitoring the abundance and diversity of birds
in different habitats (Ralph et al 1995a.) Indeed, there is no one "perfect" methodology that is suitable for
all types of bird communities in all habitats. The method we chose to examine the breeding songbird
abundance’s and diversities of alternative silvicultural activities was by VCP counts from permanent points
evenly distributed through differently managed stands. Considerable effort has been expended to test the
sensitivity of the VCP method (see Hamel 1984, DeSante 1986, Dawson et al 1995, Dickinson and Leupin
1997). Although there has been some disagreement about the absolute accuracy of point counts (Verner
1985) guidelines have been developed for their use that maximizes the reliability of density and diversity
estimates and provide for consistency among studies (Ralph, Droege, and Sauer 1995). The details of how
we have used the VCP technique--from the separation of grid points to the length of the count intervals-reflects our compliance with these guidelines. We are in the process of analyzing data that will ultimately
allow us to determine the actual sensitivity of our point counts. However, the similarity of our findings
with those from studies in similar ecosystems lead us to believe that VCP censuses produce both accurate
and precise estimates of the abundance and diversity of birds breeding in IDF forests. In subsequent years
of this study we plan to introduce additional census grids to sample habitats that are currently under
represented in our study areas.
We chose to use a road survey (the BBS route) to determine the landscape effects of different land use
patterns on songbirds. This technique has also been the subject of extensive scientific scrutiny. Hutto et al.
(1995) compared the detection rates of on and off road point count censuses in Douglas fir forests in
Montana. They found that "edge" species were overly represented in road censuses. However, they also
concluded that the two methods produced essentially the same list of birds when counts were made in the
same vegetation cover type. The similarity of our bird list with the one produced by those workers gives
us confidence that our survey route gave accurate measures of the diversity of the bird communities
breeding in these habitats. Because we carefully followed the BBS methodology for conducting our survey
in the final analysis of these data we will be able to separate habitat effects from nationwide, year-to-year,
trends in songbird populations. Three general conclusions that are apparent at this stage of the study are
that first, old growth stands have provided habitat for high density of songbirds throughout the first two
years of the study. Secondly, diverse seral stage stands and areas such as riparian habitat influence both
the abundance and diversity of species. Finally, structurally simple forests provide the least valuable
habitat for songbirds. All of these observations lead to specific management concerns.
14
7.2 Management Concerns
The first concern identified in this study involves the lack of intact old growth stands in this landscape. In
searching for study sites, no stands could be located that contained mature old growth that had not been at
least selectively harvested in the past 100 years. The resulting age class distribution present in this
landscape includes a noticeable over representation of young stands. Schwab and Sinclair (1984) have
shown that diversity in IDF stands is the lowest in young stands and highest during the shrub stage of
succession and in old growth. Manuwal and Huff (1987) also discuss songbird abundance in different IDF
forest seres. These authors concluded that there was no significant difference in songbird abundance,
species richness, diversity, even-ness and species composition among stand ages in dry forest ecosystems
in California in the spring. The largest differences were between the young and the old growth age classes,
old growth abundance’s were larger due to the presence of a larger snag component.
The greatest impact of young age stands will occur with resident species that rely on tree cavities or
conifer seeds. These species had the closest association with old-growth forests. The most severe effect of
forest management is on permanent residents that apparently rely on old-growth for winter cover and food
(Manuwal and Huff, 1987). The results of the above mentioned study differ slightly from a study
conducted by Raphael and Barrett in 1984, these authors concluded that there was no difference between
avian density in different age classes (Raphael and Barrett, 1984). Bull (1978) pointed out the importance
of snags to birds. Feeding activity on snags is restricted primarily to the woodpeckers and nuthatches,
which forage for insects, superficially, in the bark and in the interior of the tree. Nest and roost cavities are
used by a variety of birds, called cavity nesters. Woodpeckers and nuthatches, referred to as primary
excavators, are capable of excavating holes. These cavities are in turn used as nest and roost sites by
secondary cavity nesters, species that are not capable of excavating. There are 13 species of birds which
breed in these forests that are associated with snags for either feeding, roosting, or nesting.
These 13 excavating species provide habitat for an additional 27 species of secondary cavity nesters and
another 9 species which sometimes nest in cavities (Bull, 1978). See Table 11.6 in Appendix II for Cavity
and Secondary Cavity nesters found in Interior Douglas Fir ecosystems..
15
Conclusion
The results we report here represent those obtained in the second year of a planned five year study. As
such, they must be considered preliminary. At this stages of this study several general conclusions have
affected the planning for collecting data in the future.
By comparing our results with those obtained in other studies in the IDF in southern BC, we feel confident
that our census methods are obtaining a full inventory of the species in these forests. Nevertheless, in
future years we feel we need to increase the diversity of sites that we are including in our inventory. Some
of the differences we detected among study sites may have been the result of biogeoclimatic differences
among them. In 1997 we focused our efforts in four sites: two were primarily in the "dk" variant of the IDF
and two were in the "xh" variant. In future we should pair management histories and ecosystem variants, to
control for any differences in songbird communities driven by intrinsic differences in these forest types.
This will require locating and laying out addition permanent census grids in new sites. Amongst our study
area, the Isobel Lake area is significantly different in age and structural diversity from the other three areas.
The results on species diversity and abundance obtained from the Isobel Lake site has prompted us to look
for new sites that age similar to this area. It should be possible to match stands for the Red Plateau, Isobel
Lake, Wheeler Mountain and Nobel Lake sites.
We also believe it would be beneficial to locate a second Breeding Bird Survey route to transect the area in
a different direction from the existing one. Although these routes are very long, the diversity of habitats
that are sampled lead too specific habitats to be sampled for only once or a very few times. (A second BBS
route was attempted in 1996, but because the road paralleled streams for much of its length, birds were not
audible and the results were not reliable.) Recent road construction in the area, however, has produced an
interconnected route that could possibly meet the conditions necessary to fulfill BBS requirements.
Finally, the data we collected on vegetation characteristics in the different study sites has allowed us to see
general trends in species abundance and diversity. Continued analysis with different habitats could allow
us to make management recommendations regarding forestry practices. In addition, a land-use
classification system is being developed to relate differences in the breeding birds detected along the BBS
routes to different categories of management.
16
9.0 Literature Cited
Anonymous, The Thompson/Nicola Mule Deer Forage and Slashing Project, Kamloops, B.C.
M.O.E.L.P. Library.
Anderson, S., 1979. Habitat Selection, Succession, and Bird Community Organization.
Migratory Bird and Habitat Research Laboratory. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Laurel, MD 20811
Askins, R., D. Sugeno, and M.J. Philbrick 1987. Relationship between the regional abundance of
forest and the composition of forest Bird communities. Biological Conservation 39:129-152.
Bevers, M. Hof, J. 1995. Sustainable Forest Management for Optimizing Multispecies Wildlife
Habitat: A Coastal Douglas-Fir Example. Natural resource modeling 9:1 pp1.
Blake, J.G. and J.R. Karr 1987. Breeding birds of isolated woodlots: area and habitat
relationships. Ecology 68:1724-1734
Booth, B.P. 1988. The Effects of Thinning on Forest Bird Communities in Dry Interior Douglas-Fir
Forests. Masters Thesis. University of British Columbia.
Bull, Evelyn. 1978. Specialized Habitat Requirements of Birds: Snag Management, Old Growth,
and Riparian Habitat Proceedings of the Workshop on Non-game Habitat Management in
the Coniferous Forests of the Western United States. USDA FOREST SERVICE GENERAL
TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-64 1978.
Cade, B.S., R.W. Hoffman, 1990. Winter use of Douglas-Fir forests by blue grouse in Colorado. Journal
of Wildlife Management 54:471-479.
Cannings, R. A., R.J. Cannings, and S.G. Cannings. 1987. Birds of the Okanagan
Valley, British Columbia. Royal B.C. Museum: Victoria, B.C.
Darveau, M.P. Beauchnese, L. Belanger, J. Hout, and P. Larue 1995. Riparian strips as habitat
for breeding birds in boreal forest. Journal of Wildlife Management 59:67-78.
Dawson, D.K., D.R. Smith and C.S. Robbins 1995. Point count length and detection of forest
neotropical migrant birds. In: C.J. Ralph, J.R. Sauer and S. Droger (eds). Monitoring
Bird Populations by Point Counts. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-149. Albany CA:Forest
Service, U.S.D.A.DeSante, D.F. 1986 A field test of the variable circular plot censusing
method in a Sierran subalpine habitat. Condor 88:129-142
Dickinson, T.E. and N.J. Flood 1992. The effects of alternative silvicultural systems on bird
communities in ESSF Forests:1991 Annual Report, Kamloops, B.C.: Kamloops Forest
Region Research Section Technical Report. 25p.
Flather, C.H., J.R. Sauer, 1996. Using landscape ecology to test hypotheses about large scale
abundance patterns in migratory birds. Ecology 77(1) pp. 28-35.
Freemark, K. and B. Collins 1992. Landscape ecology of birds breeding in temperate forest fragments. Pp.
443-454. In: Hagan, J.M. and D.W. Johnston (eds). 1992. Ecology and Conservation of
Neotropical Migrant Landbirds. Washington, D.C.:Smithsonian
Institution Press.
17
Hagan, J.M. and D.W. Johnston 1992. Ecology and Conservation of Neotropical Migrant
Landbirds. Washington, D.C.:Smithsonian Institution Press.
Hagan, J.M. W.M. Vander Haegan and P.S. Mckinley, 1996. The early development of forest
fragmentation effects on birds. Conservation Biology 10 (1) 188-202.
Hamel, P.B. 1984. Comparison of variable circular-plot and spot map censusing methods in a
temperate deciduous forest. Ornis Scandinavica 15:266-274.
Hansen, A.J., T.A. Spies, Swanson, F.J., J.L. Ohmann, 1991. Conserving Biodiversity in
Managed Forests. Bioscience vol.41 no.6 pp. 382-392.
Howie, R., 1994. Birds of Kamloops: A checklist. Ministry of Environment, Kamloops B.C.
Hunter, M.S. 1990. Wildlife, Forests and Forestry. Prentice Hall:Engelwood Cliffs, N.J.
Hutto, R.L., 1995. Composition of Bird Communities Following Stand-Replacement Fires in
Northern Rocky Mountain (U.S.A.) Conifer Forests. Conservation Biology, 9(5) 1041
1058.
Hutto, R.L. S.J. Heijl, C.R. Preston, and D.M. Finch 1993. Effects of silvicultural treatments on
forest birds in the Rocky Mountains; Implications and management recommendations.
Pp.386-391. In: Finch, D.M. and P.W. Stangel 1993. Status and Management of
Neotropical Migratory Birds. Gen Tech. Rep. RM-229. Fort Collins CO:U.S. Dept. of.
Agriculture. Forest Service. 422p
Johnston, D.H. 1995. Point counts of birds: What are we estimating? In:C.J. Ralph, J.R. Sauer,
and S. Droger (eds) Monitoring Bird Populations by Point Counts. Gen. Tech. Rep.
PSW-GTR- 149. Albany CA:Forest Service, U.S.D.A.
Lloyd, D.S., K. Angrove, G.Hope, and C. Thompson 1990. A guide to site identification and
interpretation for the Kamloops Forest Region. Victoria, British Columbia: B.C.
Ministry of Forests.
Martin, T.E. 1992. Breeding productivity considerations: What are the appropriate features for
management? Pp.4545-473. In:J.M. Hagan and D.W. Johnston (eds). Ecology and Conservation
of Neotropical Migrant Landbirds. Washington, D.C.:Smithsonian Institute Press.
Manuwal, D.A., Huff, M.H. 1987. Spring and Winter Bird Populations in a Douglas Fir Forest
Sere. Journal of Wildlife Management 51(3):586-595.
Mauer, B.A. 1993. Biological diversity, ecological integrity, and neotropical; migrants: new
perspectives in wildlife management. Pp.24-31. In: Finch, D.M. and P.W. Stangel. Status
and Management of Neotropical Migratory Birds. Gen Tech. Rep. RM-229. Fort
CO:U.S.
Dept. of Agriculture. Forest Service.
Collins
Mitchell, W.R., R.E. Green. 1981. Identification and Interpretation of Ecosystems of the Western
Kamloops Forest Region. Vol II. Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Forests.
Morgan, K.H.; Wetmore, S.P. 1986. A study of riparian bird communities from the dry interior of
British Columbia. Technical Report Services No.11 Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific
and Yukon Region, B.C.
Morrison, M. 1992. Bird abundance in forests managed for timber and wildlife resources.
Biological Conservation 60. 127-134.
18
Ralph, C.J. and J.M. Scott. 1981. Estimating Numbers of Terrestrial Birds. Studies in Avian
Biology 6:630p.
Ralph, C.J., J.R. Sauer, and S. Droege (eds). Monitoring Bird Populations by Point Counts.
Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-149. Albany CA.:Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Raphael, M.G. and Barrett, R.H. 1984. Density and abundance of wildlife in late successional Douglas-Fir
forests.Proc., challenges for wildlife and fish—the old growth ecosystem in managed forests. Soc.
Am. For. 1983:352-360.
Reynolds, R.T., J.M. Scott, and R.A. Nussbaum. 1980. A variable circular plot method for
estimating bird numbers. Condor 82:309-313.
Robbins, C.S., Sauer, J.R., Peterjohn, B.G. 1993. Population Trends and Management
Opportunities for Neotropical Migrants. Workshop proceedings: Status and Management
of Neotropical Migratory Birds, pp.17-23.
Robbins, C.S. 1979. Effect of forest fragmentation on bird populations. In R. M. DeGraaf and
central and north-eastern forests for nongame birds. U.S. Forest Service, St. Paul, MN. P. 198213.
Sauer, J.R., Droege, S. 1989. Geographic patterns in population trends of Neotropical migrants in
North America. Workshop proceedings, Ecology and Conservation of Neotropical
Landbirds. Pp. 26- 36.
Schwab, F.E. and Sinclair, A.R.E. 1993. Biodiversity of diurnal bird communities related to
succession in the dry Douglas-fir forests of southeastern British Columbia. Canadian
Journal for Forestry Research. Vol. 24: 2034-2040.1994.
Sherry, T.W. and R.T. Holmes 1992. Are populations of neotropical migrant birds limited in
summer or winter? Implications for management. Pp.431-442. In: Hagan, J.M. and D.W.
Johnston (eds). 1992. Ecology and Conservation of Neotropical Migrant Landbirds.
Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
Small, M.F. and M.L. Hunter 1988. Forest fragmentation and avian nest predation in forested
landscapes. Oecologia 76:62-64.
Temple, S.A. and J.A. Weins 1989. Bird populations and environmental changes: can birds be bio
indicators? American Birds 43:260-270.
Terborgh, J. 1987. Where have all the birds gone? Princeton N.J.: Princeton Univ. Press
Thomas, E. M. 1989. Breeding productivity considerations: What are the appropriate habitat
features for management?. Workshop proceedings: Ecology and Conservation of
Neotropical Migrant Landbirds pp.455-474.
Verner, J. 1985. Assessment of counting techniques. Current Ornithology 2:247-302.
Weins, J.A., 1985. The Ecology of Bird Communities. Volume I. Foundations and Patterns.
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Wolf, A.T. R.W. Howe, and G.J. Davis 1995. Delectability of forest birds from stationary points
in Northern Wisconsin. Pp.19-24. In: Monitoring Bird Populations by Point Counts.
19
Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-149. Albany CA.:Pacific Southwest
Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
20
10.0 Appendix I.
Forms and Data Sheets
BBS Survey Form
Songbird Data Form
Nest Site Form
Vegetation Plot Forms
Breeding Bird Survey Form
Songbird Data Form
Nest Site Description Form
Vegetation Plot Forms
11.0 Appendix II.
List of Tables and Figures
Table 11.1 Effective Detection Distances
Figure 11.2 Example of EDD for Warbling Vireo
Table 11.3 Songbird Density Table for abundant species for each study areas
Table 11.4 Songbird Density Table for mesic and submesic sites
Table 11.5 Detection Rate Curve
Table 11.6 Cavity and Secondary Cavity Nesters
Table 11.7 Species List IDF-songbird inventory 1997 (Dickinson and Pehl)
Table 11.8 Species List from Anonymous Study
Table 11.9 Species List from Schwab and Sinclair Study
Table 11.10 Species List from Booth Study
Table 11.11 Comparison of species list totals
Table 11.12 BBS Comparison Table
SPECIES
Black-capped/Mountain Chickadee Parus atricapillus/P. gambeli
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata
Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana
Townsend’s Solitaire Myadestes townsendi
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
Hammond’s/Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii/E. oberholseri
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
Solitary Vireo Vireo solitarius
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus
Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata
Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis
Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus
Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis
EDD (m)
100
90
80
100
80
60
100
90
80
80
100
100
80
21
Table 11.1 Effective Detection Distances for 15 core species.
WAVI EDD
18
16
Frequency
14
12
First
10
Second
8
Together
6
4
2
100+
90-99
80-89
70-79
60-69
50-59
40-49
30-39
20-29
"10-19
0-9
0
Distance
Figure 11.2 Example of EDD for Warbling Vireo
Area
Isobel
Nobel
Red
Wheeler
Area
Sampled
approx. 185 ha
over 24 census
points
approx. 185 ha
over 24 census
points
approx. 185 ha
over 24 census
points
approx. 185 ha
over 24 census
points
#/40ha
Period 1
#/40ha
Period 2
Total
#/40ha
171.3
110.6
281.9
107.2
125.8
233
169.2
157.1
326.3
122
130
252
22
Table 11.3. The Total Density of 15 core species(# birds/40 ha) for each of the four study areas.
Area
Sampled
xh2 mesic
approx. 295 ha
over 38 census
points
xh2 submesic approx. 165 ha
over 21 census
points
dk1 mesic
approx. 38 ha
over 5
census points
dk1 submesic approx.155 ha
over
20
census
points
Table11.4.
#/40ha
Period 1
152.89
#/40ha
Period 2
157.02
Ave#/40ha
162.27
131.5
146.885
227.92
96.99
162.455
156.43
120.61
138.52
154.955
Density (#/40 ha) of songbirds breeding in xh2 and dk1 mesic and submesic IDF stands.
Table 11.5 Detection rate curve for total individuals over a 12 minute census period.
23
Cavity and Secondary Cavity Nesters
Excavating Species
red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)
white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)
pygmy nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea)
black-backed woodpecker (Picoides arcticus)
three-toed woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus)
hairy woodpecker (Dendrocopus villosus)
downy woodpecker (Dendrocopus pubescenes)
pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
rednaped sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber)
williamson’s sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus)
Lewis woodpecker (Asyndesmus lewis)
northern flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Nest in Cavities
wood duck (Aix sponsa)
common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)
barrows goldeneye (Bucephala islandica)
bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)
harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus)
hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucllatus)
sawhet owl (Aegolius acadicus)
screech owl (Otus asio) (wrong-Otis kennicottii-don’t know where he got Otus asio from-perhaps confused
with Asio otus-Long Eared Owl)
pigmy owl (Glaucidium gnoma) (actually spelt Pygmy owl)
flammulated owl (Otus flammeolus)
sparrow hawk (Falco spaverius)
tree swallow (Iridoprocne bicolor)
black-capped chickadee (Parus atricapillus)
mountain chickadee (Parus gambeli)
mountain bluebird (Sialia currucides)
Sometimes Nest in Cavities
common merganser (Mergus merganser)
starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
house sparrow (Passer domesticus)
violet-green sparrow (Tachycineta thalassina)
house wren (Trglodytes aedon)
winter wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)
24
Table 11.6. Cavity and secondary cavity nesting birds.
SPECIES
SPECIES
American Kestrel
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-tailed Hawk
Mountain Chickadee
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Alder Flycatcher
Long-eared Owl
American Robin
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Cowbird
White-breasted Nuthatch
Cassin's Finch
Clarke's Nutcracker
Cedar Waxwing
American Crow
Common Nighthawk
Common Raven
Common Snipe
Gray Jay
Dark-eyed Junco
Downy Woodpecker
Dusky Flycatcher
Hairy Woodpecker
Evening Grosbeak
Northern Flicker
Hammond's Flycatcher
Pileated Woodpecker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Red-naped Sapsucker
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Three-toed Woodpecker
Pine Siskin
Calliope's Hummingbird
Red Crossbill
Rufous Hummingbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Ruffed Grouse
Say's Phoebe
Blue Grouse
Swainson's Thrush
Chipping Sparrow
Townsend's Solitaire
Song Sparrow
Western Tanager
Vesper Sparrow
Western Wood-Peewee
White-crowned Sparrow
White-winged Crossbill
MacGillivary's Warbler
Sora Rail
Nashville Warbler
Lazuli Bunting
Orange-crowned Warbler
Willow Flycatcher
Townsend's Warbler
Violet-green Swallow
Wilson's Warbler
Barn Swallow
Yellow Warbler
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Western Meadowlark
Solitary Vireo
Brewer's Blackbird
Warbling Vireo
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
25
Table 11.7.
Species list for year two IDF songbird inventory 1997
37 Species in Total
American Kestrel
Merlin
Ruffed Grouse
Blue Grouse
Cassins Finch
Red Crossbill
Evening Grosbeak
Pine Sisken
Common Nighthawk
Calliope Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-naped Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
Dusky Flycatcher
Hammonds Flycatcher
Common Raven
Clarks Nutcracker
Gray Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Mountain Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainsons Thrush
Townsends Solitaire
Solitary Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Brown-headed Cowbird
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Orange-crowned Warbler
Townsends Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Western Tanager
26
Table 11.8.
Species List for Anonymous Thinning Study at Red Plateau
35 Species in Total
Brewers Blackbird
Mountain Bluebird
Mountain Chickadee
Brown Creeper
American Crow
Cassins Finch
Northern Flicker
Dusky Flycatcher
Blue Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
Dark-eyed Junco
American Kestrel
Horned Lark
Western Meadow Lark
Clark’s Nutcracker
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Common Raven
American Robin
Pine Sisken
Townsends Solitaire
Brewers Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-coloured Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
European Sparrow
Western Tanager
Swainsons Thrush
Rufous-sided Towhee
Solitary Vireo
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Cedar Waxwing
Western Wood Peewee
Lewis’ Woodpecker
27
Table 11.9.
Species List for Schwab and Sinclair’s Study
29 Species in Total
Red-tailed Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Sharpshinned Hawk
American Kestrel
Ruffed Grouse
Northern Pygmy Owl
Great Horned Owl
Common Night Hawk
Vaux’s Swift
Pileated Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Red-naped Sapsucker
Three-toed Woodpecker
Dusky Flycatcher
Western Wood Peewee
Tree Swallow
Gray Jay
Common Raven
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Mountain Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Swainson’s Thrush
28
Table 11.10
Species List for Booth Study
Study
Dickinson/Pehl
Total Sp. 73
Dickinson/Bennett Booth
75
29
Shwab/Sinclair Anonymous
35
37
Table 11.11.
Booth
Comparison of year two Total Specie with Dickison/Bennett(1996), Schwab/Sinclair,
and Anonymous
SURVEYOR
DATE
ROUTE
R. Howie
R. Howie
R. Howie
Dickinson
Dickinson
Jun-93
Jun-94
Jun-95
Jun-96
Jun-97
Chu Chua
Chu Chua
Chu Chua
Red Lk. Rd.
Red Lk. Rd.
Table 11.12.
TOTAL
SPECIES
69
83
72
53
51
Comparison of species total for local BBS routes.
29
12.0 Appendix III
List of Maps of Study Areas
1:90,000 Map of LRMP Designated Areas
1:90,000 BEC Map With All Study Plots and BBS Route
Site Series Representation of the Red Plateau Area
Site Series Representation of the Isobel Lake Area
Site Series Representation of the Nobel Lake Area
Site Series Representation of the Wheeler Mountain Area
1:90 000 Map of LRMP Designated Areas
1:90 000 BEC map showing all study areas and BSS route.
Site Series Representation of the Isobel Lake Area
Site Series Representation of the Red Plateau Area
Site Series Representation of the Wheeler Mountain Area
Site Series Representation of the Nobel Lake Area
30
13.0 Appendix IV
Result for statistical tests (ANOVA and Tukey’s Test)
Table 13.1 ANOVA and Tukey’s test for Species Diversity
Table 13.2 ANOVA and Tukey’s test for total species.
Table 13.3 ANOVA and Tukey’s test for Abundance
Analysis of Variance
Source
Between Groups
Within Groups
Total
D.F.
Sum of squares
Mean Squares
F ratio F prob.
3
188
191
0.5662
3.4726
4.0387
.1887
.0185
10.2168 .0000
Tukey’s Test
Mean
.7975
.7727
.7643
.9004
Area
WM
RP
NL
IL
WM
RP
NL
*
*
*
WM= Wheeler Mountain
NL= Nobel Lake
Table 13.1.
IL
RP= Red Plateau
IL = Isobel Lake
ANOVA and Tukey’s test for Species Diversity
Analysis of Variance
D.F.
3
188
191
Source
Between Groups
Within Groups
Total
Sum of squares
139.0156
787.4792
926.4948
Mean Squares
46.3385
4.1887
F ratio
11.0627
F prob.
.0000
Tukey’s Test
Mean
7.0000
6.6875
6.6250
8.7083
Table 13.2.
Area
WM
RP
NL
IL
WM
RP
NL
*
*
*
IL
ANOVA and Tukey’s test for total species.
31
Analysis of Variance
D.F.
3
188
191
Source
Between Groups
Within Groups
Total
Sum of squares
218.8906
1573.3542
1792.2448
Mean Squares
72.9635
8.3689
F ratio
8.7184
F prob.
.0000
Tukey’s Test
Mean
9.2708
9.8125
8.8125
11.6250
Table 13.3.
Area
WM
RP
NL
IL
WM
RP
NL
*
*
*
IL
ANOVA and Tukey’s test for Abundance
IDF Songbird Inventory
32