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Habitat use and characteristics of Connecticut Warbler during the nesting and post-fledging period
No full textThese data were collected as a part of an effort to study the nesting ecology of Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis). The fledgling_vegetation_data and associated fledgling_vegetation_metadata file contains vegetation survey data that was collected at points where juvenile birds were located along with random points that were located 30 m away from the used areas. These data were used to compare difference in fine scale habitat use. The nestling_measurements and nestling_measurements_metadata files contain information related to nestling measurements that were collected when birds were banded and tagged with radio-transmitters.Widespread declines in breeding bird populations have been documented across North America since the 1970s and concerns for loss of avian biodiversity are growing. Species with narrow habitat preferences are of particular conservation concern. Connecticut Warblers (Oporornis agilis) breed in forests in central Canada and around the western Great Lakes; throughout much of its breeding range, this species is associated with lowland black spruce (Picea mariana) and tamarack (Larix laricina) forests. Population trends of Connecticut Warblers indicate they are one of the most rapidly declining bird species in North America; but the species is understudied because they occur in relatively low densities across their breeding range. To better understand the breeding ecology of Connecticut Warblers, we studied their nesting and post-fledging habitat use and survival in northern Minnesota, USA at two study sites in 2019 and 2020. We mapped territories of 49 singing males, located and monitored 11 nests, and tracked the post-fledging movements of individuals from 5 broods. Nest sites were located in lowland-conifer stands with a semi-open canopy and dense understory. The average fledging age was 7.5 days post-hatch and the individuals (n= 14) tracked during 0-7 days post-fledging had a mean daily distance from nests of 35.5 m and a maximum distance from nest of 104 m during that time period. Connecticut Warblers were not observed making movements of greater than 100 m from the nest until 7 days post-fledge. . Our findings indicate that micro-site areas with high stem density were important features for post-fledgling birds and that the same habitats were used for breeding and the post-fledging time period. Results from this study can be used by managers to develop conservation strategies that will provide critical habitat to support this species.Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust FundGrinde, Alexis. (2023). Habitat use and characteristics of Connecticut Warbler during the nesting and post-fledging period. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://doi.org/10.13020/4a56-ma06
Natural Resources Research Institute Technical Summary Report
No full textWalton, Nicholas G; Kolbe, Stephen; Grinde, Alexis R. (2019). Bayfield County Forest Breeding Bird Survey Modeling Report. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/204493
Natural Resources Research Institute Technical Report
No full textAdditional files: Appendix_A -- Appendices_B_C_D_E_Tables -- Appendix_FZlonis, Edmund J; Grinde, Alexis R; Bednar, Joshua D; Niemi, Gerald J. (2015). Summary of Breeding Bird Trends in the Chippewa and Superior National Forests of Minnesota: 1995-2015. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/187356
Natural Resources Research Institute Technical Report
No full textA total of 329 existing forest stands were surveyed for breeding birds including 135 and 194 stands
(953 survey points) in the Chippewa and Superior National Forests (NFs), respectively in 2014.Zlonis, Edmund J; Grinde, Alexis R; Condon, Elizabeth; Panci, Hannah; Li, Yang; Regal, Ronald R; Niemi, Gerald J. (2014). Summary of Breeding Bird Trends in the Chippewa and Superior National Forests of Minnesota: 1995-2014. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/187350
Species Distribution Models and Abundance Estimates enhance Breeding Bird Atlas Data
Get PDFThis dataset, derived from the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas (MNBBA), contains files used to model the distribution and abundance of breeding bird species across Minnesota using three different modeling strategies: density estimation (GLM with detectability offset), index of abundance (GLM), and index of environmental suitability (Maxent).
The core of the dataset is organized around individual bird surveys (point counts), which are linked across most files by a common identifier, SurveyID. The files fall into two main categories: Dependent Variables (bird observations/counts) and Independent Variables (environmental/spatial covariates).Breeding bird atlases play a crucial role in understanding bird species distribution and abundance during the breeding season. This information is essential for creating accurate species distribution maps, which are fundamental for understanding the geographic range of species and identifying areas of high conservation value. Our goals were to produce species distribution models and population estimates at the Minnesota state scale for as many breeding bird species as possible using data collected during the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas (MNBBA; 2009–2013). The MNBBA effort included volunteer atlas observations and systematic point-count bird surveys. We used three modelling strategies to maximize the number of species we modelled: 1) bootstrapped Poisson generalized linear models with a detectability offset to predict species’ density and population size, 2) bootstrapped Poisson generalized linear models to predict a species’ point count index of abundance, and 3) Maxent models to predict a species’ index of environmental suitability. The first two modelling strategies used point-count data from the MNBBA and Minnesota National Forest Breeding Bird Program. In addition to the point count data, we used georeferenced records from MNBBA volunteer atlas observations in our Maxent models. We applied the first strategy to 73 species, the second to 30, and the third to 33 species each (136 species in total). We also produced statewide population estimates for the 73 species using the first strategy. Here we present example results for three species in each group and discuss the merits of each method. We found that using multiple modelling approaches allowed us to model more species than if we had only used the most statistically rigorous method. We suggest testing these methods in other regions; however, as they provide hypotheses for further examination on predictions of species distributions and abundances for bird species over a large, statewide region using atlas data.Environment & Natural Resources Trust FundGrinde, Alexis; Walton, Nicholas; Zlonis, Edmund; Solymos, Peter; Niemi, Gerald. (2025). Species Distribution Models and Abundance Estimates enhance Breeding Bird Atlas Data. Retrieved from the Data Repository for the University of Minnesota (DRUM), https://hdl.handle.net/11299/277686
Measuring what matters: Assessing the full suite of benefits of OHF investments
Get PDFFunding provided from the Outdoor Heritage fund as part of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy AmendmentNoe, Ryan; Locke, Christina; Host, George; Gorzo, Jessica; Johnson, Lucinda; Lonsdorf, Eric; Grinde, Alexis; Joyce, Michael; Bednar, Josh; Dumke, Josh; Keeler, Bonnie. (2021). Measuring what matters: Assessing the full suite of benefits of OHF investments. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/220181
Movements and habitat selection of fledgling Boreal Chickadees in lowland conifer forests
No full textThese data were collected from 2020 - 2022 as part of an effort to study the nesting and fledging ecology of Boreal Chickadees (Poecile hudsonicus). The "telemetry_master.csv" datafile contains telemetry data collected from handheld tracking of chickadees. These data were used to describe the daily and maximum movements of this species during the first ~30 days post-fledge. The R script "movement.R" details these analyses. The R script "DEA.R" uses the daily estimated availability (DEA) method for describing the every-increasing habitat that is available to young fledglings as they become more capable of sustained flight. This method requires digitized raster files of the study sites, of which four are included here (site_final_5m.tif) as TIFF files and the csv file "BOCH_telemetry_master_nosplits.csv". The R script "compositional_analysis.R" takes the results of the DEA script and tests the extent to which habitat selection is occurring and requires the "ALLFINALavail.csv" and "ALLFINALused.csv" files that are produced at the end of the DEA script. Finally, the "Vegetation.R" script compares vegetation surveys collected at used locations (where chickadees were tracked) versus random points (where they were not tracked) and requires the "ALL_VEG_FINAL.csv" file.Avian habitat associations during the post-fledging period are lacking for many bird species which impairs the development of management plans that address the full annual cycle of birds. We used radio telemetry to study the post-fledging movements and cover type associations of 22 broods of fledgling Boreal Chickadees (Poecile hudsonicus) at both the microhabitat and landscape scales in northern Minnesota, USA from 2020 - 2022. We used habitat measurements taken at fledgling locations and at paired random points to compare habitat use versus availability at the microhabitat scale via generalized linear mixed effects models. We also used compositional analysis, modified with age-specific movements to assess cover type selection by fledglings during the post-fledging period. These analyses were conducted on the entire post13 fledging period as well as during dependent (with parental care) and independent (without parental care) periods. Fledgling Boreal Chickadees of all ages used habitat disproportionately with respect to its availability. Cover types that contained productive and/or stagnant black spruce were strongly preferred, and areas with deciduous trees were strongly avoided. Within black spruce cover types, Boreal Chickadee fledglings selected microhabitats that contained higher percent canopy cover. Fledglings did not shift cover types at any time in the post-fledging period. Results from this study can be used by managers to develop conservation strategies that will provide and/or maintain critical habitat to support this species.Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust FundKolbe, Stephen; Snow, Kara; Grinde, Alexis. (2025). Movements and habitat selection of fledgling Boreal Chickadees in lowland conifer forests. Retrieved from the Data Repository for the University of Minnesota (DRUM), https://hdl.handle.net/11299/277263
Interstate Island Habitat Restoration: Phase III – Long-Term Monitoring and Maintenance Plan Common Tern Monitoring & Migratory Shorebird Assessment 2023 Final Report
No full textThe 2022 Final Report for this project can be found at the URL under "Related to" above.The goal of the Interstate Island avian habitat restoration project was to restore and enhance critical
breeding habitat for the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) and Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) in the
St. Louis River Estuary (SLRE). The primary objective of the habitat restoration was to maintain and
increase the population of Common Terns breeding at the Interstate Island colony. To assess the
effectiveness of the restoration, post-restoration field surveys were conducted to document the
breeding status of Common Terns relative to pre-restoration averages. To document breeding
population size and productivity, we followed the long-term monitoring protocol developed by the
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), to ensure comparability between pre- and post-
restoration monitoring. There were no monitoring objectives related to Piping Plover since this species
has not been documented on Interstate Island. A secondary objective of the project was to document
shorebird use of the island during migration to determine if this species group was utilizing the restored
habitat. To meet this objective, researchers developed a shorebird monitoring protocol, conducted in-
person surveys, and utilized remote camera traps to observe and quantify shorebird species diversity,
abundance, and spatial and temporal use of Interstate Island.
Based on post-restoration surveys, population targets are not currently being met for Common Tern,
with the number of nesting pairs currently at some of the lowest recorded since the island was
colonized. However, post-restoration productivity is above the range deemed necessary to sustain a
viable population and above pre-restoration averages. The overall quality of the nesting habitat for
Common Terns was greatly improved. If habitat quality is the primary factor limiting the size of the
breeding population, we anticipate the restoration actions will result in an increase in breeding numbers
but there may be a lag in response time. We also documented 22 shorebird species and 38 other avian
species using the island during our surveys. Our results indicate that shorebirds as well as many other
species of birds will readily use the newly restored habitat at Interstate Island, habitat which is much
needed in this important bird region. Continued monitoring and management will be necessary to
determine long-term effects of restoration for both Common Terns and migratory shorebirds.Minnesota Land TrustBracey, Annie; Kolbe, Stephen; Strand, Fred; Grinde, Alexis R. (2023). Interstate Island Habitat Restoration: Phase III – Long-Term Monitoring and Maintenance Plan Common Tern Monitoring & Migratory Shorebird Assessment 2023 Final Report. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/260334
Natural Resources Research Institute Technical Report
No full textThe breeding bird communities of the western Great Lakes region have among the richest diversity of
breeding bird species in North America (Neimi et al. 2016). The importance of this diversity and past
concerns about potential declines of some species has led to a strong interest in studying forest bird
populations in relation to forest management in the region (Hanowski and Niemi 1995, Niemi et al.
2016). Northern hardwood forests provide habitat for a variety of breeding bird species, including many
long-distance migrants. Before European settlement, northern hardwoods (e.g., sugar maple and black
ash) comprised approximately 20% of Minnesota’s forest (5.3 million acres). Over the past century,
almost 4 million acres of northern hardwood stands in Minnesota have converted to other forest types,
primarily shade-intolerant species such as aspen, and today northern hardwoods account for
approximately 12% of forestlands in the state. There has been a recent interest in limiting future loss of
northern hardwoods in Minnesota by managing this forest type on an uneven-aged basis.
The Aitkin County Forestry Department has recently started implementing an uneven-aged approach
using a group or patch selection for managing northern hardwood forests across the landscape. The goal
of this management approach is to retain mature northern hardwood species throughout each rotation
while providing wood resources for local industry and promoting regeneration and growth of high-value
hardwood trees. Because northern hardwood forests provide habitat for a variety of breeding bird
species, it is important to document potential shifts in breeding bird communities associated with forest
management practices. To do this, we implemented a BACI (Before, After, Control, Impact; Conquest
2000) monitoring framework to assess the effect of uneven-aged management on breeding bird
communities in Minnesota’s northern hardwood forests. This assessment is important because although
the response of breeding birds to successional forest stages—from clear-cut to mature stand ages—are
relatively well known for northern Minnesota forests, breeding bird response to uneven-aged
management, specifically group selection, in northern hardwoods has not been thoroughly studied in
Minnesota. We hypothesized that mature forest breeding species abundance will decrease after harvest
and that abundance of early-successional species would increase to correspond with the newly created
habitat on the treatment plot.
This report summarizes breeding bird surveys completed pre-harvest in two mature forest stands in
Aitkin County, Minnesota, 2013–2015 and the two years of post-harvest surveys that occurred in 2020–
2021. Our overall objectives were to: 1) conduct breeding bird surveys in northern hardwood study
plots, 2) document bird community composition and species abundances, and 3) determine whether
there are differences between breeding bird communities in the control (not harvested) versus the
treatment (harvested) areas.Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesBednar, Joshua D; Grinde, Alexis R. (2021). Avian Response to Group Selection Harvest in Northern Hardwoods, Aitkin County, Minnesota. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/226534
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