Preserving Habitat for Bird Species At Risk in the Parkland

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
cartuso@birdscanada.org