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by Dr. David Aborn |
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Lula Lake Land Trust is an excellent location for monitoring the abundance and productivity of Neotropical migratory birds. I surveyed the Lula Lake property this spring and summer for an avian species inventory during spring migration and the breeding season, and to determine whether Lula Lake is a favorable breeding place for migratory species. The information will be helpful for management of the property and for decisions regarding future land acquisition.
The Lula Lake Land Trust is an important area for migratory songbirds. Almost half the bird species detected were long-distance migrants, which were among the most abundant species. Several species were seen that had not been found before on Trust property, including Kentucky Warblers, Blackpoll Warblers, and Black-throated-blue Warblers. Red-eyed Vireos were the most abundant species, followed by Scarlet Tanagers and Ovenbirds. Black-and-white Warblers and Red-eyed Vireos occurred in the highest density.
Some areas of Lula Lake are important for particular species. Over 90% of Indigo Buntings were found in upland habitat, as were all the Prairie Warblers and Blackpoll Warblers.
Hooded Warblers, Wood Thrushes, Acadian Flycatchers, and Louisiana Waterthrushes were found in bottomland areas. Wood Thrush nests are found in hemlocks and rhododendron, which are bottomland plants, so it is not surprising that the majority of Wood Thrush detections came from here. Management of these species will depend on maintaining bottomland habitats, particularly if reproductive success is high. If it is low, then improving riparian areas should be the goal.
Areas favored by upland species, such as Indigo Buntings, Prairie Warblers, and Blackpoll Warblers, should be kept open or in secondary growth by methods such as mowing, burning, and selective logging.
During the 2001 field season, I hope to have additional field assistants census more areas or increase the number of census points at existing sites. The responsibility of at least one of the assistants will be nest searching, beginning in May. I plan for the monitoring work to continue for five years or more. |
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© 2010 Lula Lake Land Trust & Three HD |
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